Ichthus Ministries: 03/07/17

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

LHM Daily Devotion - "Confronting a Demon"

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Confronting a Demon"

March 8, 2017

And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice. (Luke 4:33, ESV)

Read Luke 4:31-37

After being rejected in his hometown of Nazareth, Jesus sets up His headquarters in the town of Capernaum. On the Sabbath He begins teaching in the synagogue. Once again the people are amazed at His powerful words. But sitting in their midst is a man possessed by a demon.

Demons are fallen angels. In the beginning God created them pure and holy, but following their rebellious leader Satan they rose up against their Creator. Jesus would later tell His disciples, "I saw Satan fall like lightning" (Luke 10:18b). Cast out of heaven, Satan and his demonic angels turned their rage and hatred against the humans God had created.

Here in the synagogue this ancient enemy cries out in a loud voice: "Ha! What have You to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us?" Since their fall all the demons have known and dreaded the coming of God's Son in judgment.

In terror the demon blurts out, "I know who You are-the Holy One of God!"

Jesus gives the first of two short commands: "Be silent." Standing before God's mighty Son, the demon immediately falls silent.

Then Jesus commands, "Come out of Him!" In obedience the demon immediately comes out, throwing the man down in the process. But under Jesus' protecting eye the man is left completely unharmed.

In the wilderness Satan had tempted Jesus to bow down and worship him. But on the Last Day Satan and all his evil host will bow down and worship their Creator and Judge-and be cast into hell forever.

THE PRAYER: Almighty God, like Satan and his demons, I have sinned against You. Forgive me for Jesus' sake and free me from Satan's power that I may serve You now and forever. I pray in Jesus' 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.

Devociones de Cuaresma - La recompensa sorpresa

Devociones de Cuaresma 2017

La recompensa sorpresa

8 de Marzo de 2017

Tu Padre que ve en lo secreto te recompensará en público. Mateo 6:4b, RVC (6:1-6)

Por lo que cuenta el Nuevo Testamento, la sociedad israelita estaba bombardeada con modelos de espiritualidad. Los cuatro siglos anteriores a la llegada de Juan el Bautista y Jesús habían sido cuatrocientos años de "oscuridad profética", durante los cuales Dios no había dado ninguna revelación. Como resultado habían surgido grupos como los esenios, los saduceos y los fariseos, que enseñaban a las personas a vivir la religión de diferentes maneras.

Algunos de ellos se paraban a rezar pomposamente en algún lugar visible para que los demás pudieran ver cuán "piadosos" eran cuando oraban, demostrando así una confusión muy grande en su espiritualidad. ¿A qué Dios se estaban dirigiendo? ¿A quién o quiénes querían impresionar? Si todo lo que querían era que los demás se pusieran de pie para recibirlos cuando entraban en la sinagoga, su espiritualidad estaba por el piso. Sobre esto estaba Jesús enseñando y advirtiendo a sus discípulos.

La fe no nos fue dada para que nos volvamos vanidosos ante los demás, sino para que tengamos una relación íntima, "secreta", con el Padre en los cielos. La fe que Dios nos dio es para que nos conectemos con él, que ve lo público y lo secreto, y para que nuestra relación con él sea limpia y sin negociaciones absurdas. No oramos para que Dios responda a nuestros caprichos ni para que los demás nos aplaudan, sino para que nuestra conexión con él, a través de Jesús, nos sostenga firmes en la fe. ¿Qué recompensa nos dará el Padre? ¡Sorpresa! Dios responde de maneras inimaginables, siempre, absolutamente siempre para nuestro bien. En lo íntimo lo veremos. En lo íntimo lo disfrutaremos, y se hará visible en nuestra forma de vivir.

Gracias, Padre, por darnos la fe que nos conecta contigo. Guíanos a orar de acuerdo a tu voluntad. Amén.

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

Our Daily Bread - Painting a Portrait

Read: Philippians 2:1–11 | Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 5–7; Mark 11:1–18

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5

The National Portrait Gallery in London, England, houses a treasure of paintings from across the centuries, including 166 images of Winston Churchill, 94 of William Shakespeare, and 20 of George Washington. With the older portraits, we may wonder: Is that what these individuals really looked like?

For instance, there are eight paintings of Scottish patriot William Wallace (c. 1270–1305), but we obviously don’t have photographs to compare them to. How do we know if the artists accurately represented Wallace?

Something similar might be happening with the likeness of Jesus. Without realizing it, those who believe in Him are leaving an impression of Him on others. Not with brushes and oils, but with attitudes, actions, and relationships.

Are we painting a portrait that represents the likeness of His heart? This was the concern of the apostle Paul. “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus,” he wrote (Phil. 2:5). With a desire to accurately represent our Lord, he urged His followers to reflect the humility, self-sacrifice, and compassion of Jesus for others.

It has been said, “We are the only Jesus some people will ever see.” As we “in humility value others above [ourselves]” (v. 3), we will show the world the heart and attitude of Jesus Himself.

Father, please build the heart of Christ into my heart that those around me will see Him clearly and desire to know Him too.

How can you show Christ in your life to others in your community? Share at Facebook.com/ourdailybread.

Christ’s sacrifice of Himself motivates us to sacrifice ourselves for others.

By Bill Crowder

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Vẽ Chân Dung

Đọc: Phi-líp 2:1-11 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Phục truyền 5-7; Mác 11:1-18

Hãy có đồng một tâm trí như Đấng Christ Jêsus đã có. (Phi-líp 2:5)

Triển Lãm Tranh Chân Dung Quốc Gia ở Luân Đôn, nước Anh có cả kho tàng tranh chân dung vẽ trải hàng thế kỷ, bao gồm 166 bức tranh về Winston Churchill, 94 bức về William Shapespeare và 20 bức về George Washington. Với những bức tranh cổ xưa hơn, chúng ta có lẽ tự hỏi: Những nhân vật này có thật sự giống như vậy không?

Chẳng hạn, có 8 bức tranh về nhà yêu nước Scốt-len William Wallace (khoảng năm 1270-1305), nhưng rõ ràng chúng ta không có bức ảnh nào của họ để so sánh. Làm sao biết được liệu những họa sĩ có miêu tả chính xác Wallace không?

Điều tương tự có thể xảy ra với chân dung của Chúa Jêsus. Dù không nhận biết nhưng những người tin Chúa đang để lại ấn tượng về Ngài trên người khác. Không bằng cọ vẽ và dầu, nhưng bằng thái độ, hành động và các mối quan hệ.

Chúng ta có đang vẽ bức tranh miêu tả chân dung của tấm lòng Ngài không? Đây là mối quan tâm của sứ đồ Phao-lô. Ông viết “Hãy có đồng một tâm trí như Đấng Christ Jêsus đã có” (Phil. 2:5). Với ao ước có thể miêu tả chính xác Chúa của chúng ta, ông khích lệ các tín hữu phản chiếu sự khiêm nhường, hy sinh và lòng thương xót của Chúa Jêsus cho người khác.

Có người nói rằng: “Chúng ta là Chúa Jêsus duy nhất mà một số người từng gặp”. Khi “khiêm nhường, xem người khác đáng tôn trọng hơn mình” (c.3), chúng ta sẽ cho thế giới thấy tấm lòng và thái độ của chính Chúa Jêsus.

Lạy Cha yêu thương, xin thành hình tấm lòng và tâm trí của Đấng Christ trong tấm lòng và tâm trí con để những người xung quanh con sẽ thấy Ngài rõ ràng và ao ước được biết Ngài.

Trong cuộc sống, làm thế nào để bạn có thể bày tỏ Đấng Christ cho người khác trong cộng đồng bạn biết? Hãy chia sẻ tại trang facebook.com/vietnamese.odb/

Sự hy sinh của Đấng Christ vì chúng ta thúc đẩy chúng ta hy sinh chính mình cho người khác.

bởi Bill Crowder

Nuestro Pan Diario - Pintar un retrato

Leer: Filipenses 2:1-11 | La Biblia en un año: Marcos 11:1-18

Haya, pues, en vosotros este sentir que hubo también en Cristo Jesús (Filipenses 2:5).

L a Galería Nacional de Retratos, en Londres, Inglaterra, alberga un tesoro de pinturas de diversas épocas; entre ellas, 166 imágenes de Winston Churchill y 94 de William Shakespeare. En el caso de los retratos más antiguos, quizá nos preguntemos: ¿Eran realmente como se ven?

Por ejemplo, hay ocho cuadros del patriota escocés William Wallace, (aprox. 1270 – 1305) pero es evidente que no tenemos fotos para compararlos. ¿Cómo sabemos si los artistas lo representaron fielmente?

Algo similar podría ocurrir con la semejanza de Jesús. Sin darse cuenta, quienes creen en Cristo están dejando una imagen de Él en los demás. No con pinceles ni óleos, sino con sus actitudes, sus acciones y sus amistades.

¿Estamos pintando un retrato que muestra cómo es el corazón de Dios? Esto le preocupaba al apóstol Pablo; por eso, escribió: «Haya, pues, en vosotros este sentir que hubo también en Cristo Jesús» (Filipenses 2:5). En su deseo de representar fielmente al Señor, exhortó a sus seguidores a reflejar humildad, sacrificio personal y compasión hacia los demás.

Alguien dijo: «Somos el único Jesús que algunas personas verán en toda su vida». Si procedemos «con humildad, estimando cada uno a los demás como superiores a [uno] mismo» (v. 3), mostraremos al mundo el corazón y la actitud de Jesús.

Señor, que mi vida muestre cómo eres.

El sacrificio de Cristo por nosotros nos motiva a sacrificarnos por los demás.

Por Bill Crowder

Unser Täglich Brot - Porträtzeichnung

Lesen: Philipper 2,1-11 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 5.Mose 5–7; Markus 11,1-18

Seid so unter euch gesinnt, wie es auch der Gemeinschaft in Christus Jesus entspricht. Philipper 2,5

Die National Portrait Gallery in London birgt einen großen Schatz an Bildern aus allen Jahrhunderten, darunter 166 Porträts von Winston Churchill, 94 von William Shakespeare und 20 von George Washington. Bei den älteren Bildern können wir uns allerdings fragen: Hat diese Person tatsächlich so ausgesehen?

So gibt es zum Beispiel acht Gemälde des schottischen Patrioten William Wallace (ca. 1270-1305), aber wir haben natürlich keine Fotos, mit denen wir sie vergleichen können. Wie können wir wissen, ob die Künstler Wallace wirklich naturgetreu abgebildet haben?

Mit Jesus kann es uns ganz ähnlich gehen. Ohne es zu merken, hinterlassen die, die an ihn glauben, bei anderen einen Eindruck von ihm. Nicht mit Pinsel und Farbe, aber mit unserem Verhalten und Handeln, unseren Beziehungen.

Malen wir ein Bild, das wirklich Jesu Herz wiedergibt? Das war dem Apostel Paulus ganz wichtig: „Seid so unter euch gesinnt, wie es auch der Gemeinschaft in Christus Jesus entspricht“, schrieb er (Phil. 2,5). Sein Wunsch war es, dass Jesu Nachfolger ein präzises Bild ihres Herrn abgeben. Deshalb mahnte er sie, die Demut, Opferbereitschaft und Zuwendung Jesu für andere sichtbar zu machen.

Es gibt den Ausspruch: „Wir sind der einzige Jesus, den die Leute sehen.“ Wenn jeder in Demut den andern höher achtet als sich selbst (V.3), zeigen wir der Welt das Herz und Wesen Jesu.

Lieber Vater, bitte pflanze das Herz und Wesen Jesu in mein Herz und mein Wesen, damit die Menschen um mich herum ihn in mir sehen und kennen lernen wollen.

Christi Opfer für uns motiviert uns, uns selbst für andere zu opfern.

Von Bill Crowder

Notre Pain Quotidien - Peindre un portrait

Lisez : Philippiens 2.1‑11 | La Bible en un an : Deutéronome 5 – 7 et Marc 11.1-18

Ayez en vous les sentiments qui étaient en Jésus‑Christ. (Philippiens 2.5)

La National Portrait Gallery à Londres, en Angleterre, abrite un trésor de toiles ayant traversé les siècles, dont 166 images de Winston Churchill, 94 autres de William Shakespeare et 20 autres de George Washington. Devant les plus vieux de ces portraits, il se peut que nous nous demandions : Est‑ce vraiment ce à quoi ressemblaient ces personnes ?

Par exemple, il s’y trouve huit toiles du patriote écossais William Wallace (vers 1270‑1305), mais sans photo avec laquelle les comparer, comment savoir si les artistes ont représenté Wallace avec justesse ?

Il se peut que quelque chose de similaire se soit produit quant à la ressemblance de Jésus. À leur insu, les gens qui croient en lui laissent aux autres une impression à son sujet, et cela, non à l’aide de pinceaux et de peinture, mais par leurs attitudes, leurs actions et leurs relations.

Peignons‑nous un portrait qui représente parfaitement son coeur ? C’était ce que voulait accomplir l’apôtre Paul : « Ayez en vous les sentiments qui étaient en Jésus‑Christ » (PH 2.5). Mû par le désir de représenter notre Seigneur avec justesse, il a exhorté ses disciples à refléter l’humilité, le don de soi et la compassion de Jésus auprès d’autrui.

On a dit déjà : « Nous sommes le seul Jésus que certaines personnes pourront voir. » Étant donné que « l’humilité [nous fait] regarder les autres comme étant au‑dessus de [nous‑mêmes] » (V. 3), nous montrons au monde le coeur et l’attitude de Jésus.

Le sacrifice de Christ pour moi m’incite à me sacrifier pour autrui.

par Bill Crowder

Хліб Наш Насущній - Намалювати портрет

Читати: Филип’ян 2:1-11 | Біблія за рік: Повторення Закону 5–7 ; Марка 11:1-18

Нехай у вас будуть ті самі думки, що й у Христі Ісусі.— Филип’ян 2:5

Національна галерея в Лондоні містить справжню скарбницю портретів різних часів, включаючи 166 зображень Уїнстона Черчилля, 94 − Уїльяма Шекспіра і 20 − Джорджа Вашингтона. І чим старіше полотно, тим більше виникає сумнівів: “Чи дійсно таку зовнішність мала та чи інша людина?”

Наприклад, існує 8 портретів шотландського патріота Уїльяма Уоллеса (1270–1305), але ми, звісно, не маємо фотографій для порівняння. Звідки нам знати, що художники точно зобразили Уоллеса?

Щось подібне відбувається, коли йдеться про відображення образу Ісуса. Ті, хто вірують в Нього, залишають в інших людях певне враження про Господа – навіть не усвідомлюючи цього. Те чи інше відображення Христа – то результат не користування пензлями і фарбами, а результат наших вчинків.

Апостол Павло писав: “Нехай у вас будуть ті самі думки, що й у Христі Ісусі” (Фил. 2:5). Охоплений палким бажанням, щоб Господь був правильно й чітко явлений людям, апостол закликав послідовників Ісуса відображати Його смирення, самопожертву й співчуття до інших.

Хтось сказав, що “ми, віруючі, – єдиний спосіб, як люди можуть побачити Ісуса”. Якщо ми “в покорі маємо один одного за більшого від себе” (Фил. 2:3), то справді явимо цьому світу серце Самого Ісуса.

Люблячий Отче, будь ласка, нехай моє серце все більше відображає серце і розум Христа, щоб інші могли чітко бачити Його в мені.

Христос віддав Себе заради нас, щоб спонукати нас жертвувати собою заради інших.

Автор Білл (Уїльям) Краудер

Хлеб наш насущный - Написание портрета

Читать сейчас: Филиппийцам 2:1-11 | Библия за год: Второзаконие 5-7; Марка 11:1-18

В вас должны быть те же чувствования, какие и во Христе Иисусе. — Филиппийцам 2:5

Национальная портретная галерея в Лондоне хранит множество картин разных времен. Среди них 166 изображений Уинстона Черчилля, 94 Уильяма Шекспира и 20 Джорджа Вашингтона. Глядя на некоторые портреты, невольно задаешься вопросом: «Неужели эти люди действительно так выглядели?»

Например, в галерее есть 8 портретов шотландского патриота Уильяма Уоллеса (ок. 1270–1305). Но фотографий, с которыми можно было бы сравнить работы художников, нет. Откуда нам знать, достаточно ли точно они передали его внешний вид?

Нечто подобное происходит, когда речь заходит об уподоблении Христу. Сами того не сознавая, верующие в Него оставляют определенное впечатление о Нем в других людях. Мы рисуем Его портрет не кистью и красками, а словами, делами и отношением.

Насколько точно мы отражаем Его образ? Это было предметом заботы апостола Павла. «В вас должны быть те же чувствования, какие и во Христе Иисусе», – писал он (Флп. 2:5). Желая как можно точнее представить миру Господа, он увещевал своих читателей облечься в смирение, бескорыстие и сочувствие, присущие Спасителю.

Кто-то сказал: «Мы – единственный Иисус Христос, которого увидят некоторые люди». По смиренномудрию почитая один другого выше себя (Флп. 2:3), мы явим миру характер и отношение Самого Христа.

Любящий Небесный Отец, даруй мне такое сердце и разум, какие были в Твоем Сыне, чтобы окружающие могли увидеть и познать Его. Как вы можете отразить образ Христа в вашем окружении?

Самопожертвование Христа побуждает и нас жертвовать собой.

автор: Билл Краудер

The Daily Readings for TUESDAY, March 7, 2017

The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Deuteronomy 9:4-12

When the LORD your God thrusts them out before you, do not say to yourself, "It is because of my righteousness that the LORD has brought me in to occupy this land" it is rather because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is dispossessing them before you. It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you are going in to occupy their land; but because of the wickedness of these nations the LORD your God is dispossessing them before you, in order to fulfill the promise that the LORD made on oath to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Know, then, that the LORD your God is not giving you this good land to occupy because of your righteousness; for you are a stubborn people. Remember and do not forget how you provoked the LORD your God to wrath in the wilderness; you have been rebellious against the LORD from the day you came out of the land of Egypt until you came to this place. Even at Horeb you provoked the LORD to wrath, and the LORD was so angry with you that he was ready to destroy you. When I went up the mountain to receive the stone tablets, the tablets of the covenant that the LORD made with you, I remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights; I neither ate bread nor drank water. And the LORD gave me the two stone tablets written with the finger of God; on them were all the words that the LORD had spoken to you at the mountain out of the fire on the day of the assembly. At the end of forty days and forty nights the LORD gave me the two stone tablets, the tablets of the covenant. Then the LORD said to me, "Get up, go down quickly from here, for your people whom you have brought from Egypt have acted corruptly. They have been quick to turn from the way that I commanded them; they have cast an image for themselves."

This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God!

The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from Hebrews 3:1-11

Therefore, brothers and sisters, holy partners in a heavenly calling, consider that Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses also "was faithful in all God's house." Yet Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that would be spoken later. Christ, however, was faithful over God's house as a son, and we are his house if we hold firm the confidence and the pride that belong to hope. Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, as on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors put me to the test, though they had seen my works for forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, and I said, 'They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known my ways.' As in my anger I swore, 'They will not enter my rest.'"

This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God!

The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in John 2:13-22
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!

The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, "Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!" His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for your house will consume me." The Jews then said to him, "What sign can you show us for doing this?" Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews then said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?" But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

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

Morning Psalms

Psalm 45 Eructavit cor meum
1   My heart is stirring with a noble song; let me recite what I have fashioned for the king; my tongue shall be the pen of a skilled writer.
2   You are the fairest of men; grace flows from your lips, because God has blessed you for ever.
3   Strap your sword upon your thigh, O mighty warrior, in your pride and in your majesty.
4   Ride out and conquer in the cause of truth and for the sake of justice.
5   Your right hand will show you marvelous things; your arrows are very sharp, O mighty warrior.
6   The peoples are falling at your feet, and the king's enemies are losing heart.
7   Your throne, O God, endures for ever and ever, a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom; you love righteousness and hate iniquity.
8   Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
9   All your garments are fragrant with myrrh, aloes, and cassia, and the music of strings from ivory palaces makes you glad.
10   Kings' daughters stand among the ladies of the court; on your right hand is the queen, adorned with the gold of Ophir.
11   Hear, O daughter; consider and listen closely; forget your people and your father's house.
12   The king will have pleasure in your beauty; he is your master; therefore do him honor.
13   The people of Tyre are here with a gift; the rich among the people seek your favor."
14   All glorious is the princess as she enters; her gown is cloth-of-gold.
15   In embroidered apparel she is brought to the king; after her the bridesmaids follow in procession.
16   With joy and gladness they are brought, and enter into the palace of the king.
17   In place of fathers, O king, you shall have sons; you shall make them princes over all the earth.
18   I will make your name to be remembered from one generation to another; therefore nations will praise you for ever and ever."

Evening Psalms

Psalm 47 Omnes gentes, plaudite
1   Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with a cry of joy.
2   For the LORD Most High is to be feared; he is the great King over all the earth.
3   He subdues the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet.
4   He chooses our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves.
5   God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of the ram's-horn.
6   Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7   For God is King of all the earth; sing praises with all your skill.
8   God reigns over the nations; God sits upon his holy throne.
9   The nobles of the peoples have gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham.
10   The rulers of the earth belong to God, and he is highly exalted.

Psalm 48 Magnus Dominus
1   Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised; in the city of our God is his holy hill.
2   Beautiful and lofty, the joy of all the earth, is the hill of Zion, the very center of the world and the city of the great King.
3   God is in her citadels; he is known to be her sure refuge.
4   Behold, the kings of the earth assembled and marched forward together.
5   They looked and were astounded; they retreated and fled in terror.
6   Trembling seized them there; they writhed like a woman in childbirth, like ships of the sea when the east wind shatters them.
7   As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God; God has established her for ever.
8   We have waited in silence on your loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of your temple.
9   Your praise, like your Name, O God, reaches to the world's end; your right hand is full of justice.
10   Let Mount Zion be glad and the cities of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments.
11   Make the circuit of Zion; walk round about her; count the number of her towers.
12   Consider well her bulwarks; examine her strongholds; that you may tell those who come after.
13   This God is our God for ever and ever; he shall be our guide for evermore.

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.

Perpetua and her Companions, Martyrs

The martyrdom of Perpetua, Felicitas, Revocatus, Saturninus and Secundulus - c. 1000 AD

Today the church remembers Perpetua and her Companions, Martyrs at Carthage, 202.

The wealthy widow Perpetua, of Carthage, not only became a Christian but she also opened her home to Christian worship. When this was discovered by the authorities, she and several of her friends were imprisoned. Perpetua's small child was cruelly taken from her. One of her prison companions, Felicitas, a slave girl, gave birth to a baby while in prison. The baby was taken from her, also. However, to the great relief of all the incarcerated companions, the baby was secretly adopted by Christian parents.

The experiences of the companions in prison, including the dreams and visions of Perpetua, were recorded and remain one of our most valuable documents of early Christianity. The companions were sentenced to be thrown to wild beasts in the arena. Their last act together was to exchange the kiss of peace. They went joyfully and triumphantly to their fate, Perpetua calmly tidying her veil in the face of the hideous onslaught.

Almighty and everlasting God, with whom your meek ones go forth as the mighty: Grant us so to cherish the memory of your blessed martyrs Perpetua and her companions, that we may share their pure and steadfast faith in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God the King of saints, you strengthened your servants Perpetua and Felicitas and their companions to make a good confession, staunchly resisting, for the cause of Christ, the claims of human affection, and encouraging one another in their time of trial: Grant that we who cherish their blessed memory may share their pure and steadfast faith, and win with them the palm of victory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetua_and_Felicity

Verse of the Day - March 07, 2017

Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV) Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Read all of Psalm 139

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 - "The Key to a Strong Testimony"

For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

—1 Corinthians 2:2 (NKJV)

I like to hear how people came to Christ. But to be quite honest, I don’t like it when people go into the gory details of their past. I have listened to some Christians share their testimonies who seem a little more excited about the way they were as nonbelievers than the way they are today. Then there are others who talk about how much they have given up for Jesus. They gave up this. They gave up that.

Don’t tell me about what you gave up for Jesus; tell me what He gave up for you. Don’t tell me what you have done for Jesus; tell me what Jesus has done for you. It is Jesus who has done the work. It is Jesus who matters. It is Jesus whom we are proclaiming.

A good, strong testimony will lift up what Christ has done for us. The fact of the matter is that all of us were sinners hopelessly separated from God, on our way to Hell. The same gospel came and transformed us. So we all have a testimony.

When the apostle Paul, who was a great intellect and a brilliant orator, stood before the great Roman leaders and other people of his day to present the message of the gospel, he often began with his testimony. Why? Because it builds common ground. It helps people to see there is a bridge for them, there is a way for them, and that they, too, can change.

You may not be a great theologian. You may not know all of the verses in the Bible. But you do have a testimony. You have enough that has happened in your life that you can say, “Here is what Jesus did for me.” And that is a good place to start.

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV® Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Devotion by Greg Laurie © 2017 Harvest Christian Fellowship; all rights reserved.

Un Dia a la Vez - Gratitud por alguien maravilloso

Doy gracias a mi Dios cada vez que me acuerdo de ustedes. En todas mis oraciones por todos ustedes, siempre oro con alegría. Filipenses 1:3-4 (NVI)

Estos días que venimos hablando de cambiar nuestras actitudes, de ser agradecidos con Dios, de aprender a ser fieles en lo poco, tú y yo hemos conocido personas en nuestra vida que han sido de gran bendición.

Quizá se trate de esa persona que te habló de Jesús, que te llevó por primera vez a una iglesia o te regaló algo especial que nunca olvidaste.

Hoy quiero que recordemos por lo menos a una persona que nos haya bendecido. A ese primer jefe que nos dio una oportunidad de trabajo sin tener papeles al día o aun con la barrera del idioma.

Nunca debemos olvidar lo que han hecho por nosotros. Esa primera persona que creyó en ti y te dio un auto, o en un momento de mucha necesidad, te sorprendió con un dinero.

Sabes que Dios está en medio de estas situaciones. Muchos dirán que son casualidades, otros dirán que son ángeles que manda Dios. Yo las llamo la «providencia de Dios».

¿Qué tal si hoy tratamos de encontrar a por lo menos una de esas tantas personas a las que te gustaría honrar y que hace mucho tiempo no buscas? Tomemos el teléfono y sorprendámoslas con unas lindas palabras de gratitud. O si sabes dónde vive, conmuévela con una visita. Y si esa persona partió de este mundo, levanta una oración de agradecimiento por ese alguien maravilloso.

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 - THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Revelation 12:11 (NIV)

On the cross Jesus conquered forever the worst that sin and evil could do to Him. He met the full assault of evil and overcame it. Those who have entrusted their lives to Him share in that victory over evil.

In the context of this verse, Satan is noted to be the “accuser” of the brethren. He knows we are sinners and is constantly accusing us of it. But that is not the whole story. It is through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross (the blood of the lamb) that sin is forgiven. When we receive by faith what Christ has done, our sins are wiped out. We are cleansed by faith in Christ’s blood. His saving grace and a willingness to receive us as sinners saved by grace is the key to this principle, not our feelings of worthiness.

We overcome him—our enemy—by confessing we are sinners and then confessing the cleansing of that sin through the sacrificial blood of the Lamb. And when we are forgiven there is then nothing of which we can possibly be accused by Satan. There is no possible accusation he can make against one who is completely forgiven! Thus we overcome him first, by the blood of the Lamb.

Romans 8:33-34 in the J. B. Phillips version reads, “Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us!” So Satan, you are defeated and impotent! Get out of here!

Charles Wesley wrote about this in one of his beloved hymns:

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

RESPONSE: Today I will overcome my enemy, Satan, by faith in the shed blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for providing all I need to be an overcomer.

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

Girlfriends in God - You Can Count on the Promises of God

by Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

I will give thanks to Your name for Your unfailing love and faithfulness, because Your promises are backed by all the honor of Your name (Psalm 138:2, NLT).

Friend to Friend

I love money-back guarantees. We once bought a car to replace a van that had 125,000 miles on it. Our first vacation in the new car was a disaster. We began having trouble the very first day. On our way home, we stopped in four different cities, trying to find a mechanic who could repair the car. No one could explain or even find the problem. Needless to say, we were not happy campers. But when we returned home and contacted the dealership, we were told that because of the guarantee on the car, we could get our money back or trade it in for another one. Loved it!

Did you know that every promise of God is backed His name? Here it is in Psalm 138:2: “I will give thanks to Your name for Your unfailing love and faithfulness, because Your promises are backed by all the honor of Your name”. Now if those words are true, why do we find it so hard to experience true peace and contentment in our lives?

I know life can be hard. Some of you are in so much pain that it is almost a grueling task to just breath. But God knows where you are and what you are going through – and you really can trust Him. The apostle Paul had a firm grip on this truth when he wrote:

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:11b-12, NIV).

Paul understood and lived by the truth that God is constantly at work in and around us, monitoring every step we take. Paul examined every circumstance, understanding that it had already passed through His Father’s hands - with His permission. God came through for Paul, and He will come through for you. To find real security and contentment, we must learn to search for the handprints of God in the every day circumstances of life.

Paul had every human right to be angry with God. After all, Paul had been faithful. He had given up much and endured great pain. And yet the undercurrent theme of this passage is gratitude. Notice that it is an attitude chosen by Paul. It is a learned perspective. In this verse, “learned” implies that Paul was educated by experience. In other words, Paul was saying that all of his experiences in life, good and bad, had become his tutor in contentment.

The word content can best be defined as contained. Don’t miss this truth. Paul had trained himself to focus on his inner resources, the resources his heart contained, rather than the outward circumstances of his life. He chose to be grateful. He chose to praise God – period. We hear his determination in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 when he says, “No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus”.

There is an old poem that captures this idea well.

“I rejoice in knowing that
There is no oil without squeezing the olives,
No wine without pressing the grapes,
No fragrance without crushing the flowers
And no real joy without sorrow.” (Author unknown)

Gratitude not only brings contentment, it yields perseverance and produces strength. God entrusts trials to us, giving us the opportunity to choose gratitude. It is easy to practice gratitude when the seas are calm and the skies are clear, but the real test of gratitude is in the midst of the greatest storm of our lives.

In Africa there is a fruit called the “taste berry.” When eaten it changes a person’s taste buds so that everything tastes good and sweet. Gratitude is the “taste berry” in our spiritual lives. When our hearts are filled with gratitude, we will find contentment. Choose to practice gratitude.

Gratitude is wrapped around trust and contains the element of acceptance. Gratitude understands that God is sovereign and that His ways are not our ways. There will be times when we find it impossible to understand His process, but we can always trust His heart. Remember, you can count on every promise of God.

Let’s Pray

Father, I come to You, confessing that I tend to have a heart that is filled with whining and complaining instead of gratitude. Please forgive me. Help me learn to see Your hand at work in my life. I want to trust You even when I don’t understand my circumstances. Right now, I choose to praise You, Lord.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

By faith, accept the truth that God is always at work in your life and thank Him for His steadfast provision. Look back over the last few days, weeks and months. Now praise Him for the things He has done.

Read Proverbs 3:5-6. What are the steps listed in this passage that – when taken – will produce contentment?

More from the Girlfriends

If you or someone you love struggles with depression, Mary’s book, Hope in the Midst of Depression, offers practical steps you can take to experience God’s deliverance from that pit and live a life of victory.

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

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Tuesday, March 7, 2017