LHM Daily Devotion - "Choose Life? Yes, and really get to living!"

February 13, 2017

"This day ..." (Moses says) "I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him ...."   - Deuteronomy 30:18a, 19-20a, ESV

Valentine's Day is almost here. It's a day to choose love, if you will. It's a day when we try to put our best efforts into showing our wives, our girlfriends, our boyfriends, and husbands that yes, "You are the most important person in our lives!" It has become the focal point of romance in our culture. It's a time of cards and flowers and lavish dinners, all in service of love, well, at least, romantic love. 

But, what you may not know is that originally Valentine's Day was a Christian festival celebrating the loving leadership of several Christian bishops named, you guessed it: Valentine. You see, in the first few centuries of the Christian church, it was dangerous to be a believer in Jesus. And it was even more dangerous to be a leader, a pastor, a bishop in the Christian church. The feast of St. Valentine celebrated the loving, even protecting, leadership of people who gave their lives so that others might know the love of Jesus Christ and be protected from government persecution. It was more than a day of human love; it was a day of Christ's love shown in the lives of those who sacrificed for others so that they too might live!

That's what we were focusing on in the sermon yesterday. Because of our sinfulness, our natural selfishness, we do not have a natural reservoir of love and kindness stored up in us, ready to spring forth when the going gets tough. The fact of our  fallenness  is that you and I ultimately can't show love, and we can't choose life on our own terms. No, but here's some very good news. We can love because we have first been loved by God in Jesus Christ. We can bless because He blesses us. We can forgive because He forgives us. In fact, we can  choose life  because Jesus chose to be our Savior first. He came before we asked. He stepped into our world as the Friend of sinners. Remember the Bible verse: "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8b). That's life; that's love.

So in the midst of the roses and candy and candlelight, remember the Rose of Sharon, the sweetness of our Savior, Jesus, the Light of the world. He makes love and life possible, even for those of us who can't seem to get the romance stuff right. And remember, Jesus came to give you and me life so that we can really get to living. Enjoy sharing that perspective on life and love with those you love. And put the love and grace and peace and joy of Jesus to work by blessing others with the blessings He has given you to share. That's a St. Valentine's Day that makes all Valentines worth it.

THE PRAYER: Dear Jesus, You came to give us life so that we could not only receive it, but share it. Give us a St. Valentine's courage to live for You as we love others. And remind us to never forget that we can love others because You have loved us. We can serve others because You incredibly serve us. And we can celebrate the fullness of the life You have given us by grace, as we love those in our lives. In Your Name! 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 - Ojos y corazón abiertos

13 de Febrero 2017

No se ofuscarán los ojos de los que ven; los oídos de los que oyen escucharán con atención. Isaías 32:3, RVC ¿Alguna vez se ha preguntado por qué algunas personas tienen éxito y otras fracasan? Quizás sea porque quienes tienen éxito ven cosas que los demás no ven. Un naturalista hizo un experimento en la Provincia del Labrador, Canadá, y notó que, cuando la carne se congelaba a 40 grados bajo cero, tenía mejor gusto que cuando se congelaba lentamente. Cuando regresó a su casa, experimentó de congelar rápidamente distintos tipos de alimentos. Eventualmente comenzó a hacer de esto un negocio. Su nombre era Clarence Birdseye (marca de productos congelados muy conocida en este país). En 1929 vendió su negocio por 22 millones de dólares. Me pregunto cuántas oportunidades he perdido por no tener los ojos abiertos. ¿Será que podría haber sido rico y famoso? Probablemente no. El Señor sabe que no estoy hecho para ese tipo de cosas, y, además, casi siempre estoy contento con lo que él me da. Sin embargo, el Espíritu Santo me ha abierto los ojos para que vea algo... a la única persona que necesito ver: Jesús. Jesús vale mucho más de lo que valía la compañía Birdseye en 1929. El sufrimiento, sacrificio y resurrección de Jesús me da una riqueza que no puede ser comprada ni vendida, una riqueza que nunca se va a echar a perder. Es mi oración que usted también tenga esa riqueza. Si es así, le pido que ore por alguien que todavía no tiene a Jesús como el Señor de su vida. Mantenga sus ojos y su corazón abiertos para dar testimonio a quienes están a su alrededor. Después de todo, el Señor quiere que todo vean a Jesús. ORACIÓN: Querido Señor, mantén mis ojos abiertos para que pueda ver el amor que muestras en Jesús. Ayúdame a ser un testigo que refleje ese amor a quienes me rodean. Recuérdame que la salvación a través de la fe en Cristo es un regalo que nunca se va a echar a perder y que nadie me podrá robar. En el nombre del Salvador. Amén. De una devoción escrita originalmente para "By the Way" © Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Reina Valera Contemporánea (RVC) Copyright © 2009, 2011 by Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas.

Our Daily Bread - The Death of Doubt

Read: John 11:1–16 | Bible in a Year: Leviticus 14; Matthew 26:51–75

Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. John 20:25

We know him as Doubting Thomas (see John 20:24–29), but the label isn’t entirely fair. After all, how many of us would have believed that our executed leader had been resurrected? We might just as well call him “Courageous Thomas.” After all, Thomas displayed impressive courage as Jesus moved purposefully into the events leading to His death.

At the death of Lazarus, Jesus had said, “Let us go back to Judea” (John 11:7), prompting a protest from the disciples. “Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” (v. 8). It was Thomas who said, “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (v. 16).

Thomas’s intentions proved nobler than his actions. Upon Jesus’s arrest, Thomas fled with the rest (Matt. 26:56), leaving Peter and John to accompany Christ to the courtyard of the high priest. Only John followed Jesus all the way to the cross.

Despite having witnessed the resurrection of Lazarus (John 11:38–44), Thomas still could not bring himself to believe that the crucified Lord had conquered death. Not until Thomas the doubter—the human—saw the risen Lord, could he exclaim, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Jesus’s response gave assurance to the doubter and immeasurable comfort to us: “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (v. 29).

Father, teach us to act on what we do know about You and Your goodness, and trust You in faith for what we don’t know.

Real doubt searches for the light; unbelief is content with the darkness.

By Tim Gustafson

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Chết Vì Ngờ Vực

Đọc: Giăng 11:1-16 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Lê-vi ký 14; Ma-thi-ơ 26:51-75

Nếu tôi không thấy dấu đinh trong bàn tay Ngài, nếu tôi không đặt ngón tay tôi vào chỗ dấu đinh, và không đặt bàn tay tôi vào sườn Ngài thì tôi sẽ không tin. (Giăng 20:25)

Chúng ta biết đến ông với tên gọi là Thô-ma Nghi ngờ (Xem Giăng 20:24-29), nhưng biệt danh đó không hoàn toàn công bằng với ông. Nếu là ông, có bao nhiêu người trong chúng ta tin vị lãnh đạo bị xử tử của mình đã sống lại? Có lẽ chúng ta nên gọi ông là “Thô-ma Can đảm” hơn. Xét cho cùng thì Thô-ma đã bày tỏ sự can đảm đầy ấn tượng khi Chúa Jêsus cố ý bước vào chuỗi sự kiện dẫn Ngài đến cái chết.

Sau cái chết của La-xa-rơ, Chúa Jêsus đã nói: “Chúng ta hãy trở về miền Giu-đê” (Giăng 11:7), điều này khiến các môn đồ Ngài phản đối. Họ nói: “Thưa Thầy, người Do Thái đang tìm ném đá Thầy mà sao bây giờ Thầy còn trở lại nơi ấy?” (c.8). Chính Thô-ma là người nói: “Chúng ta hãy đi đến đó cùng chết với Ngài” (c. 16).

Ý định của Thô-ma cao cả hơn hành động của ông. Khi Chúa Jêsus bị bắt, Thô-ma đã trốn chạy cùng với tất cả các môn đồ khác (Mat. 26:56), để mặc Phi-e-rơ và Giăng theo Chúa Jêsus đến sân của thầy cả thượng phẩm. Chỉ mình Giăng theo Chúa Jêsus đến tận thập tự giá.

Dù đã chứng kiến sự sống lại của La-xa-rơ (Giăng 11:38-44), nhưng Thô-ma vẫn không thể giúp chính mình tin rằng Đấng bị đóng đinh đã chiến thắng sự chết. Mãi cho đến khi Thô-ma nghi-ngờ, Thô-ma-rất-con-người đó thấy Đấng phục sinh, ông mới kêu lên: “Lạy Chúa của con và Đức Chúa Trời con!” (Giăng 20:28). Lời của Chúa Jêsus đem lại sự đảm bảo cho con người nghi ngờ đó và đem lại sự an ủi lớn lao cho chúng ta: “Có phải vì thấy Ta nên con tin chăng? Phước cho những người không thấy mà tin!” (c.29).

Lạy Cha, xin dạy chúng con làm theo những gì chúng con biết về Ngài và sự nhân từ của Ngài, và tin cậy Ngài trước những gì chúng con không biết bằng đức tin của mình.

Nghi ngờ thật tìm kiếm ánh sáng, còn sự vô tín lại thỏa lòng với bóng tối.

bởi Tim Gustafson

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - La muerte de la duda

Leer: Juan 11:1-16 | La Biblia en un año: Mateo 26:51-75

… Si no viere […], no creeré (Juan 20:25).

Catalogar a Tomás como «el discípulo que dudó» (ver Juan 20:24-29) no es justo. ¿Cuántos habríamos creído que nuestro ejecutado líder había resucitado? Deberíamos llamarlo «Tomás el valiente», ya que demostró un coraje impresionante mientras Jesús disponía intencionalmente los hechos que llevarían a su muerte.

Cuando murió Lázaro, Jesús había dicho: «Vamos a Judea otra vez» (Juan 11:7). Aunque los demás discípulos intentaron persuadirlo de no volver allí —«Rabí, ahora procuraban los judíos apedrearte, ¿y otra vez vas allá?» (v. 8)—, Tomás declaró: «Vamos también nosotros, para que muramos con él» (v. 16).

Las intenciones de Tomás eran más nobles que sus acciones. Cuando arrestaron a Jesús, huyó con el resto de los discípulos (Mateo 26:56) y dejó que solo Pedro y Juan acompañaran al Señor ante el sumo sacerdote.

Aunque había sido testigo de la resurrección de Lázaro (Juan 11:38-44), no podía creer que el Señor crucificado hubiera conquistado la muerte. Solamente al verlo resucitado, pudo exclamar: «¡Señor mío, y Dios mío!» (Juan 20:28). La respuesta que quitó las dudas de Tomás es inmensurablemente consoladora para nosotros: «Porque me has visto, Tomás, creíste; bienaventurados los que no vieron, y creyeron» (v. 29).

Señor, ayúdame a no dudar de tu bondad.

La duda sincera busca la luz; la incredulidad se conforma con la oscuridad.

Por Tim Gustafson

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Tod dem Zweifel

Lesen: Johannes 11,1-16 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 3.Mose 14; Matthäus 26,51-75

Wenn ich nicht in seinen Händen die Nägelmale sehe und meinen Finger in die Nägelmale lege und meine Hand in seine Seite lege, kann ich’s nicht glauben. Johannes 20,25

Wir kennen ihn als Thomas, den Zweifler (siehe Joh. 20,24-29), aber die Bezeichnung ist nicht ganz fair. Wer von uns hätte denn wirklich geglaubt, dass unser hingerichteter Führer auferstehen würde? Wir können ihn genauso gut den „mutigen Thomas“ nennen. Schließlich hatte er beachtlichen Mut gezeigt, als Jesus sich ganz bewusst auf den Weg begab, der zu seinem Tod führen würde.

Als Lazarus starb, sagte Jesus: „Lasst uns wieder nach Judäa ziehen!“ (Joh.11,7). Die Jünger protestierten. „Meister“, sagten sie, „eben noch wollten die Juden dich steinigen, und du willst wieder dorthin ziehen?“ (V.8). Nur Thomas sagte: „Lasst uns mit ihm gehen, dass wir mit ihm sterben“ (V.16).

Thomas‘ Absichten waren edler als sein Verhalten. Als Jesus gefangen genommen wurde, floh er genauso wie alle anderen (Matth. 26,56). Nur Petrus und Johannes folgten Jesus in den Hof des Hohenpriesters. Und nur Johannes folgte ihm bis zum Kreuz.

Und obwohl Thomas die Auferstehung des Lazarus miterlebt hatte (Joh. 11,38-44), konnte er nicht glauben, dass der gekreuzigte Herr den Tod besiegt hatte. Erst als Thomas, der Zweifler, den auferstandenen Herrn sah, konnte er sagen: „Mein Herr und mein Gott!“ (Joh. 20,28). Jesu Antwort schenkte dem Zweifler Gewissheit und uns unermesslichen Trost: „Weil du mich gesehen hast, darum glaubst du. Selig sind, die nicht sehen und doch glauben!“ (V.29).

Vater, lehre uns, nach dem zu leben, was wir von dir und deiner Güte wissen, und dir im Blick auf alles, was wir nicht wissen, im Glauben zu vertrauen.

Echter Zweifel sucht das Licht. Unglaube begnügt sich mit der Finsternis.

Von Tim Gustafson

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - La mort du doute

Lisez : Jean 11.1‑16 | La Bible en un an : Lévitique 14 et Matthieu 26.51-75

Si je ne vois dans ses mains la marquedes clous, et si je ne mets mon doigt dans la marque des clous, et si je ne mets ma main dans son côté, je ne croirai point. (Jean 20.25)

Bien que nous le connaissions sous le nom de Thomas l’incrédule (Voir JN 20.24‑29), cette étiquette est un peu exagérée. Après tout, combien d’entre nous auraient cru que leur chef exécuté était revenu à la vie ? Autant l’appeler tout simplement « Thomas le courageux ». Après tout, il a manifesté un courage impressionnant lorsque Jésus s’est rapproché de plus en plus des événements qui allaient le conduire à son exécution.

À la mort de Lazare, les disciples lui avaient dit : « Rabbi, les Juifs tout récemment cherchaient à te lapider, et tu retournes en Judée ! » (JN 11.8), et Thomas avait répliqué : « Allons aussi, afin de mourir avec lui » (V. 16).

Les intentions de Thomas étaient plus nobles que ses actions, car, lors de l’arrestation de Jésus, il a pris la fuite avec les autres (MT 26.56), laissant à Pierre et à Jean le soin d’accompagner Christ jusque dans la cour du souverain sacrificateur. Seul Jean a suivi Jésus jusqu’à la croix.

Même s’il avait été le témoin de la résurrection de Lazare (JN 11.38‑44), Thomas ne parvenait toujours pas à se convaincre que le Seigneur crucifié avait triomphé de la mort. Ce n’est que lorsque Thomas l’incrédule – l’être humain – a vu le Seigneur ressuscité qu’il a pu s’exclamer : « Mon Seigneur et mon Dieu ! » (JN 20.28.) La réponse de Jésus a procuré de l’assurance à cet incrédule et une consolation incommensurable à nous : « Parce que tu m’as vu, tu as cru. Heureux ceux qui n’ont pas vu, et qui ont cru ! » (V. 29.)

Le vrai doute cherche la lumière, le faux se contente des ténèbres.

par Tim Gustafson

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Кінець сумнівам

Читати: Івана 11:1-16 | Біблія за рік: Левит 14 ; Матвія 26:51-75

Коли на руках Його знаку відцвяшного я не побачу, і пальця свого не вкладу до відцвяшної рани, і своєї руки не вкладу до боку Його, не ввірую! — Івана 20:25

Ми всі знаємо вислів “Хома Невіруючий”, але я вважаю прізвисько “невіруючий” не дуже справедливим. Давайте будемо чесними, скільки з нас повірили б на місці Хоми, що страчений Наставник воскрес? Крім того, ми могли б назвати цього учня “мужнім Хомою”, адже він виявив неабияку мужність, коли Ісус цілеспрямовано йшов назустріч тих подій, що неминуче вели Його до смерті.

Як Лазар помер, Ісус сказав: “Ходімо знову в Юдею” (Ів. 11:7). “Учителю, – почали перечити учні, – таж допіру юдеї хотіли камінням побити Тебе, а Ти знов туди підеш?” (Ів. 11:8). І саме Хома сказав тоді: “Ходімо й ми, щоб із Ним повмирати” (Ів. 11:16).

Але дії Хоми виявились менш шляхетними, ніж його наміри. В момент арешту Ісуса він втік з рештою учнів (Мт. 25:56). Лише апостол Іван пройшов шлях за Ісусом до самого хреста.

Хоча Хома був свідком воскресіння Лазаря (Ів. 11:38-44), він не дійшов до віри в можливість перемоги розіп’ятого Христа над смертю. Але цю віру отримав він, коли його сумніви були переможені явленням воскреслого Ісуса. “Господь мій і Бог мій!” – вигукнув Хома. А слова Ісуса у відповідь дають впевненість тим, хто сумніваються, і несуть невимовну втіху кожному з нас: “Тому ввірував ти, що побачив Мене? Блаженні, що не бачили й увірували!” (Ів. 11:29).

Отче, вчи нас діяти згідно до того, що ми знаємо про Тебе й Твою ласкавість, і довіряти Тобі в тому, чого не знаємо і не розуміємо.

Чесні сумніви – то пошуки світла; справжнє ж невір’я задовольняється темрявою.

Автор Тім Густавсон

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Долой сомнения

Читать сейчас: Иоанна 11:1-16 | Библия за год: Левит 14; Матфея 26:51-75

Если не увижу на руках Его ран от гвоздей, и не вложу перста моего в раны от гвоздей, и не вложу руки моей в ребра Его, не поверю. — Иоанна 20:25

Мы называем его Фомой неверующим (см. Ин. 20:24-29), но такое прозвище несправедливо. В конце концов многие ли из нас поверили бы, что наш казненный руководитель воскрес? Этого ученика лучше было бы назвать Фомой Смелым. Ведь он проявил впечатляющее мужество, когда Иисус направился навстречу смерти.

После смерти Лазаря Иисус сказал: «Пойдем опять в Иудею» (Ин. 11:7), что вызвало протест среди учеников. «Равви! Давно ли иудеи искали побить Тебя камнями, и Ты опять идешь туда?» – сказали они Ему (Ин. 11:8). И только Фома сказал: «Пойдем и мы умрем с ним» (Ин. 11:16).

Намерения Фомы оказались лучше его дел. Когда Иисуса арестовали, Фома бежал вместе с другими учениками (Мф. 26:56), оставив Петра с Иоанном сопровождать Христа на суд первосвященника. И только Иоанн последовал за Иисусом до самого креста.

Даже быв свидетелем воскресения Лазаря (Ин. 11:38-44), Фома не мог поверить, что распятый Господь победил смерть. Только увидев воскресшего Спасителя, сомневающийся ученик воскликнул: «Господь мой и Бог мой!» (Ин. 20:28). Ответ Иисуса стал бесценным утешением для всех нас: «Ты поверил, потому что увидел Меня; блаженны не видевшие и уверовавшие» (Ин. 20:29).

Отче, научи нас жить в соответствии с тем, что мы знаем о Тебе и Твоей благости, и предавать верой Тебе то, чего не знаем.

Искреннее сомнение ищет света; неверие довольствуется тьмой.

автор: Тим Густафсон

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Sunday Readings for February 12, 2017 - Septuagesima Sunday

There is a growing interest in returning to what is called the Historic Lectionary or the One Year Lectionary. The Historic Lectionary has been in use for over 400 years and has withstood the test of time. Article XXIV [the Mass] of the Apology of the Augsburg Confession states: "We also keep traditional liturgical forms, such as the order of readings, prayers, vestments, and other similar things."

The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Jeremiah 1:4-10

Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”

This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

The Gradual

Psalm 9:9-10; 18-19; 130:1-2
THE LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble: and they that know Thy Name will put their trust in Thee; for Thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee. For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever. Arise, LORD; let not man prevail. Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O LORD: LORD, hear my voice.

The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from 1 Corinthians 9:24 -10:5

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

Hallelujah! Oh praise the Lord, all ye nations, and laud Him, all ye people. For His merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth forever. Hallelujah!

The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in Matthew. 20:1-16
Glory be to Thee, O Lord

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ So the last will be first, and the first last.”

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

The Apostle's Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.
Amen.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The New Revised Standard Version Bible may be quoted and/or reprinted up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without express written permission of the publisher, provided the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible or account for fifty percent (50%) of the total work in which they are quoted.

The Sermon for February 12, 2017 - Septuagesima Sunday

Painting of the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, by Jacob Willemszoon de Wet, mid 17th century.

Sermon

Now may the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

"God's Generous Love"
by Pastor Tim Zingale

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ So the last will be first, and the first last.” (Matthew. 20:1-16)

As you read today's gospel lesson, what was your first reaction?? What emotion came into focus in your heart and soul?? How did you react to that householder? How did you react to those who worked all day and then grumbled at the householder?

For many this parable is very difficult, because it seems the householder is not being fair or just. How can he pay those who worked only one hour the same as those who worked all day? Did the workers have a right to complain?

Let us look at that story again, slowly, part by part.

In Jesus’ day, those who wanted to work, would be in the market place ready for someone to come and hire them. It was not unusual for a farmer, landlord, to go and find help for the harvest of his vineyards. So, early in the morning, he goes to the market place and hires some workers for the day. Notice what he tells them, the text says:"After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into the vineyard." They had agreed upon a wage for a day’s work. It was a fair wage, a common wage for that day, a just wage.

But then the third hour, 9 o’clock, he goes back to the market place and sees some more men still waiting to be hired. He says to these men,"’You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went." He does this again the 6th hour, 12:00 noon, and the ninth hour, 3:00 in the afternoon, and even at 5:00, the last working hour he goes to the market place and hires workers to work in his fields.

Please, please, notice an important point here with these men, the householder tells them he will pay them whatever is right, they trust him and go into the fields. They do not know how much they will receive. They go, they trust.

At 6:00, work was over, the foreman calls the workers together and begins to pay them. But a strange thing happens, he begins with the ones hired at 5:00, and he pays them a denarii for their hour work, the agreed upon price for a whole day’s work. Each worker comes and receives his pay. The ones hired at 3:00pm, at 12:00, noon, at 9:00am and at 6:00am all receive a denarii. Those hired at 6:00 am, when their turn came, hoped they would receive more, because they worked the hardest, they had been in the field the longest, working under the hot sun all day long, but, they also received the agreed upon price for their labors, a denarii.

They grumbled at the householder saying, "These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat." This wasn’t fair, this wasn’t just. They worked harder and longer than the johnnie-come-latlies, they deserved more money.

But the householder turned to them saying, "Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for us denarius? Take what belongs to you, and go;" The householder was saying, "We agreed upon the wage you would receive for a whole day’s work. You agreed, it is an honest and just wage, so don’t complain. I did not cheat you, I paid you the agreed upon wage!!"

The final statement of the householder sums up his feelings and thoughts about this matter. He says:"Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?"

How do you feel now as you read again this story?? Is it fair and just that the jonnie-come-latlies get the same wage as those who worked all day?? What would you say to the householder??

The key for understanding this parable lies in the first verse where Jesus says: "FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN". For the kingdom of heaven that is the key, we are not speaking about things of this earth, we are speaking about the kingdom of heaven, we are speaking about God, and there, things are different. This parable speaks about the way of God with human beings, not the way of human beings with other human beings. This parable is about God, period. This parable speaks about God in many different ways.

In his book "The Divine Trap", Richard Hoefler says, on pg.78, "God is first of all an absolute master, He does, the parable tells us, what he desires to do with what is His. The Kingdom of God is no democracy where we decide by a majority vote the way things will be done." To our human nature, God’s way is not our way. But that is true, isn’t. Don’t we want God to be more than we are??

Jesus was addressing not only His disciples as He told this parable, but also the Pharisees, who had gotten the notion that the kingdom of heaven was their possession. As Richard Hoefler continues on pg. 79 saying: "The Pharisees had forgotten this. The kingdom of God belongs to God, period. Jesus met them head on. He said in effect,"You are good men. Right? Everybody knows this and respects you for it. That is the wage you bargained for. That is what God gives you. As for these others, the sinners and the poor, they have their own unique relationship with God. He will do with them as he wants, for you are all only workers in His vineyard. And of this vineyard, God is master. He has absolute authority to establish wages, and pay rewards according to His will and His will alone."

But, aren’t we the modern day Pharisees by saying, "How can a person on their death bed receive the same rewards of heaven as me who has been working with Jesus my whole life?" or, "How can that bum be allowed in the church, he smells bad, looks bad, surely he cannot be a believer?" or, "How can that person maintain, he is a believer when he shows no fruits of his faith, he is poor, there is trouble in his life, and he is even deaf. Surely God wants something more for his kingdom!!!"

We want God to be just, righteous, fair, by our standards. God has to judge the way we do. But if God really did what we want him to do, think about what would happen??

Michael Sherer says this about a just God on pg. 51 in his book, "And God Said....Yes!!", "A just God would have started over or just folded up creation and gone fishing."

Thank God, he is not "fair" not "just". Thank God He is larger than our categories. Thank God that when we are asked to labor in His vineyard at 5 minutes until quitting time, he doesn’t quibble over salary or ask us why we didn’t punch the time clock sooner in the day."

Think about it, if God were fair and just as we would have Him be, none of us would have a hope, or a prayer, of eternal life, because no matter how foolishly we think we somehow are helping God save us, we aren’t. God does the work, we don’t. Thank God He does.

"The point Jesus is making about God and his call to live and work for him is that God is more than fair. Our God is the God of grace, and life in his kingdom is lived under his grace. His call issued to us is not the offer of a contract but the bestowal of a gift. It is a gift far greater than the payoff we might falsely think would be to our advantage; for the world of which we are part is a world captive to sin, and we are sinners in it. So he closed his parable with the owner asking those he had called earlier than others: "Do you begrudge my generosity?" The original Greek says literally, "Is your eye evil because I am good?" I like that. Are we starting to give dirty looks out of the corner of our eyes because it seems we have been working hard and long while others have not?"

From the Augsburg Sermon Series..pg.232

God’s grace is seen in the following:

"A sinner was found lying in a deep pit. He was unable to save himself from it’s mire; he was unable to climb from the pit. Now it happened that Confucius came along. He peered over the edge of the pit and said: "Poor fellow, I feel extremely sorry for you. Why were you such a fool as to fall into that pit in the first place? Let me give you a bit of advice: If you get out, don’t get into it again." Later, a Buddhist priest came along and saw the man in the pit. He said to the sinner in the pit: "Poor fellow, I am very much pained to see you in there. I think if you could get 3/4 of the way out of this mire, I would be able to lift you out the rest of the way. But the man was helpless. And so he continued to lie there. Later, when Jesus came that way, he saw the man, said not a word, but lowered a cross down into the pit, climbed down, hung onto the cross beams and reached out a hand to the man. He grabbed the man and lifted him up onto his back and carried him and the cross out of the pit. He placed the man on edge of the pit, bound his wounds, and invited him to follow him during the rest of his pilgrimage on earth. For the first time during this whole rescue, the man said something, he said, " Yes, Jesus, I will follow."

God is gracious with His love, with what He possess. And those of us in the Kingdom should rejoice and be filled with joy that He does give so generously. Why do we feel anger, unfairness at the johnnie-come-latlies? Each received their reward!! Each received the reward of heaven!! Isn’t that enough? Isn’t that worth shouting about??

Are we jealous of God’s grace?? Do we begrudge God’s generosity?

Maybe, we need to be more like those who were called last?? Remember, they were trusting, not worried about how much they would make, whether it would be fair or just. They were just glad for the chance to be called to work.

Can’t we just be glad that God has called us to be in His kingdom and given us His generous grace? Can’t we just let God be God and let Him handle His kingdom his way? Can’t we rejoice that one more person, even on their death bed, has been called into the kingdom? Can’t we be excited over our own work in the kingdom, be pleased of our status with God and let the rest lie with God?

Can’t we rejoice over the generosity of God’s grace as seen in the following:

As it says in Interpreter’s Bible on Matthew on pg.30:

"Why did the earlier workers not rejoice that the man who had waited long in the marketplace was now at peace, with money to take home to his family? Why did not the older brother rejoice that the prodigal was now restored, set free from the rags and hunger of that far country???

If only we had but a tincture of God’s love would we be glad, as heaven is glad, that the lost sheep is safe in the fold, delivered from briars and wolves??

"'Or are you jealous because I am generous?' God asks."

Do you rejoice, or are you jealous??

Amen

Verse of the Day - February 12, 2017

1 Corinthians 13: 6-7 (NIV) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 13

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

Un Dia a la Vez - Tenemos que creer

No temas, porque yo estoy contigo; no te angusties, porque yo soy tu Dios. Te fortaleceré y te ayudaré; te sostendré con mi diestra victoriosa. Isaías 41:10, NVI

Es verdad que casi todos hemos experimentado un milagro de Dios en nuestras vidas. Bueno, quizá consideres que no es así en la tuya.

¿Por qué será que los seres humanos dudamos tanto, y a veces más entre los que decimos creer en Dios, de que Él es capaz de hacer cualquier milagro? ¿Por qué olvidamos que Dios es el mismo hoy y siempre y que hace y hará milagros? Lo que ocurre es que nuestra falta de fe no nos permite verlo en nuestras vidas.

En lo personal, he recibido milagros de todo tipo: familiares, financieros, de salud. Dios ha hecho milagros en mis hijas, como lo hizo al sanar a mi princesa de cinco años, Anne, de una enfermedad en la piel. Le detectaron un virus llamado molluscum contagiosum [molusco contagioso] y quedé aterrorizada. Solo sabía que era horrible, contagioso, que las verrugas en la piel le podían durar de seis a dos años y que se podía extender por todo el cuerpo. Sentí un frío en mi interior y la miré con esas pápulas en las piernas y dije: «¡No, Señor, a ella no!».

Esa noche, me metí sola al baño y me derrumbé. Allí me desahogué con mi Padre Dios y le dije: «Por favor, sana a mi hija. Te ofrezco mi vida y mi trabajo, pero sánala».

Recuerdo que la pusimos en el grupo de oración que tenemos en la emisora donde trabajo, y les digo algo, a las dos semanas esas pápulas se desvanecieron. Lo que duraría seis meses como mínimo, Dios lo llevó a dos semanas.

Tenemos que creer que Dios es bueno y conoce nuestra necesidad. Recuerda, «sin fe es imposible agradar a Dios» (Hebreos 11:6).

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 - REFUSING TO COMPROMISE

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

When do you compromise and when do you refuse to? On the one hand, Jesus instructed us to make friends with our enemy before any court case can develop; and on the other, he teaches us to be true to the principles of the kingdom of God.

The history of Christian persecution is filled with inspiring stories featuring people of principle—those individuals who are immortalized for refusing to compromise their beliefs. John Bunyan was one of those.

In 1660, England’s experiment as a republic came to an abrupt end with the return to monarchist rule under Charles II. With this change, religious freedom also ended and Anglicanism was once again designated as the official state religion. It became illegal to conduct church services outside of the Church of England and unlicensed individuals were forbidden from addressing a religious gathering.

With these new laws, John Bunyan was arrested for preaching without a license. His growing popularity, though, prompted the judge to seek some sort of a compromise. Promising Bunyan immediate release if he only promised not to preach again, the judge’s leniency was met with the reply, “If you release me today, I shall preach tomorrow!”

Three times in his life Bunyan was arrested, convicted and jailed for preaching without a license. In the end, he spent over twelve years in prison. At any time during those years he could have secured his freedom by simply promising not to preach. But Bunyan knew God’s calling on his life and so he adamantly refused to compromise his convictions.

Those prison years were certainly not wasted. It was during this time that Bunyan wrote the book Pilgrim’s Progress. Its immediate success and ongoing popularity has made it a Christian classic, the second most read book in English literature next to the Bible.

Today Christians around the world still languish in prison because they will not compromise their faith and give in to government suggestions for release. Christians in Laos are accused of following an “American” religion and would be released from prison and left in peace if they would sign a document recanting their commitment to Christ. Most refuse.

Christians in “shipping container” prisons in Eritrea would be released if they also signed such a document but prefer to suffer indefinitely for the cause of Christ than deny Him.

Compromise is not always bad, but when it comes to issues of faith, we are expected to stand for Christ and His kingdom principles.

RESPONSE: Today I will stand strong and true to my convictions and faith in Jesus and His kingdom principles.

PRAYER: Pray for those Christians in prison today mentioned above, that they will not give in to Satan’s temptations to deny their faith.

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