Our Daily Bread - Mistakes Were Made

Read: Exodus 32:1–5, 19–26 | Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 8–10; Mark 11:19–33

They gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf! Exodus 32:24

“Mistakes were made,” said the CEO as he discussed the illegal activity his company had been involved in. He looked regretful, yet he kept blame at arm’s length and couldn’t admit he had personally done anything wrong.

Some “mistakes” are just mistakes: driving in the wrong direction, forgetting to set a timer and burning dinner, miscalculating your checkbook balance. But then there are the deliberate deeds that go far beyond—God calls those sin. When God questioned Adam and Eve about why they had disobeyed Him, they quickly tried to shift the blame to another (Gen. 3:8–13). Aaron took no personal responsibility when the people built a golden calf to worship in the desert. He explained to Moses, “[The people] gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!” (Ex. 32:24).

He might as well have muttered, “Mistakes were made.”

Sometimes it seems easier to blame someone else rather than admitting our own failings. Equally dangerous is to try to minimize our sin by calling it “just a mistake” instead of acknowledging its true nature.

But when we take responsibility—acknowledging our sin and confessing it—the One who “is faithful and just . . . will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Our God offers His children forgiveness and restoration.

The first step to receiving God’s forgiveness is to admit that we need it.

By Cindy Hess Kasper

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Phạm Lỗi

Đọc: Xuất Ê-díp-tô ký 32:1-5, 19-26 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Phục truyền 8-10; Mác 11:19-33

Họ đưa [vàng] cho tôi, tôi ném vào lửa và thành ra bò con nầy. (Xuất 32:24)

“Chúng ta đã phạm lỗi”, Giám đốc điều hành nói khi thảo luận về hoạt động bất hợp pháp mà công ty ông đã dính líu vào. Ông trông có vẻ hối tiếc, tuy vậy ông cứ đổ lỗi bóng gió và không thể thừa nhận cá nhân mình đã làm sai.

Một số “lỗi” chỉ là lỗi như: lái xe ngược chiều, quên hẹn giờ khiến bữa tối bị cháy khét, tính toán sai số tiền còn dư. Nhưng có những hành động cố ý đi quá xa – mà Đức Chúa Trời gọi là tội lỗi. Khi Đức Chúa Trời hỏi A-đam và Ê-va lý do họ không vâng lời Ngài, họ đã nhanh chóng đổ lỗi cho nhau (Sáng. 3:8-13). A-rôn đã không chịu trách nhiệm cá nhân khi dân sự làm con bò vàng để thờ phượng trong đồng vắng. Ông giải thích với Môi-se: “Họ đưa [vàng] cho tôi, tôi ném vào lửa và thành ra bò con nầy” (Xuất. 32:24)

Có lẽ ông cũng lẩm bẩm: “Chúng tôi đã phạm lỗi.”

Đôi khi, dường như việc đổ lỗi cho người khác dễ dàng hơn là thừa nhận những thất bại của mình. Cố gắng đánh giá thấp tội lỗi bằng cách gọi đó “chỉ là sai lầm” thay vì công nhận bản chất thật của nó cũng nguy hiểm không kém.

Nhưng khi chúng ta chịu trách nhiệm – thừa nhận tội lỗi của mình và xưng nó ra – thì Đấng “thành tín, công chính sẽ tha tội cho chúng ta và tẩy sạch chúng ta khỏi mọi điều bất chính” (I Gi. 1:9). Đức Chúa Trời của chúng ta sẵn ban cho con cái Ngài sự tha thứ và sự phục hồi.

Bước đầu tiên để nhận được sự tha thứ của Chúa là thừa nhận chúng ta cần nó.

bởi Cindy Hess Kasper

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Se cometieron errores

Leer: Éxodo 32:1-5, 19-26 | La Biblia en un año: Marcos 11:19-33

… ¿Quién tiene oro? Apartadlo. Y me lo dieron, y lo eché en el fuego, y salió este becerro (Éxodo 32:24).

«Se cometieron errores», dijo un gerente mientras se refería a la actividad ilegal en la que se había involucrado su empresa. Parecía afligido, pero les echaba la culpa a otros, sin admitir que él había hecho algo malo.

Algunos «errores» son simplemente errores: conducir en la dirección equivocada, olvidarse de poner la alarma y que la comida se queme, calcular mal el saldo de la cuenta bancaria. Pero, además, hay actos deliberados que van mucho más allá, a los que Dios llama pecado. Cuando Dios le preguntó a Adán y a Eva por qué habían desobedecido, de inmediato, se culparon el uno al otro (Génesis 3:8-13). Aarón negó su responsabilidad cuando el pueblo hizo un becerro de oro para adorar en el desierto. Le explicó a Moisés: «me […] dieron [oro], y lo eché en el fuego, y salió este becerro» (Éxodo 32:24). Como si dijera: «Se cometieron errores».

A veces, es más fácil culpar a otro que admitir nuestros errores. Así de peligroso es también intentar minimizar nuestro pecado, llamándolo «un simple error», y no reconocer su verdadera naturaleza.

Cuando asumimos la responsabilidad, reconociendo nuestro pecado y confesándolo, el Señor «es fiel y justo para perdonar nuestros pecados, y limpiarnos de toda maldad» (1 Juan 1:9). Dios ofrece a sus hijos perdón y restauración.

Señor, enséñame a confesar mis pecados.

El primer paso para recibir el perdón de Dios es admitir que lo necesitamos.

Por Cindy Hess Kasper

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Fehler machen

Lesen: 2.Mose 32,1-5.19-26 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 5.Mose 8–10; Markus 11,19-33

Ich warf [das Gold] ins Feuer; daraus ist das Kalb geworden. 2.Mose 32,24

„Es wurden Fehler gemacht“, sagte der Manager, als es um die illegalen Praktiken ging, in die seine Firma verwickelt war. Er wirkte zerknirscht, distanzierte sich aber von dem Vorwurf, dass er persönlich irgendetwas falsch gemacht hätte.

Manche Fehler sind wirklich nur Fehler: Man fährt in die verkehrte Richtung, vergisst den Timer zu stellen und das Essen brennt an oder man verliert den Überblick über den Kontostand. Aber es gibt auch die bewussten Handlungen, die weit darüber hinausgehen—Gott nennt sie Sünde. Als Gott Adam und Eva fragte, warum sie ihm nicht gehorcht hatten, versuchten sie die Schuld dem anderen zuzuschieben (1.Mose 3,8-13). Aaron wollte nicht persönlich die Verantwortung dafür übernehmen, dass das Volk in der Wüste ein goldenes Kalb errichtet hatte, und erklärte Mose: „Ich warf [das Gold] ins Feuer; daraus ist das Kalb geworden“ (2.Mose 32,24).

Er hätte auch murmeln können: „Es wurden Fehler gemacht.“

Manchmal scheint es leichter, andere anzuklagen, als einen Fehler zuzugeben. Genauso gefährlich ist es, wenn wir unsere Sünde herunterspielen und sie als „Fehler“ bezeichnen, anstatt zu erklären, was Sache ist.

Aber wenn wir die Verantwortung übernehmen—unsere Sünde eingestehen und bekennen—dann ist Gott „treu und gerecht, dass er uns die Sünden vergibt und reinigt uns von aller Ungerechtigkeit“ (1.Joh. 1,9).

Der erste Schritt, um Gottes Vergebung zu erhalten, besteht in dem Eingeständnis, dass wir sie brauchen.

Von Cindy Hess Kasper

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Des fautes ont été commises

Lisez : Exode 32.1‑5,19‑26 | La Bible en un an : Deutéronome 8 – 10 et Marc 11.19-33

Et ils me l’ont donné [leur or] ; je l’ai jeté au feu, et il en est sorti ce veau. (Exode 32.24)

Des fautes ont été commises », a déclaré le PDG en abordant la question des activités illégales auxquelles son entreprise s’était livrée. Il semblait avoir des remords ; pourtant, il s’est défendu d’avoir quoi que ce soit à se reprocher et a refusé d’admettre ses propres torts.

Certaines « erreurs » ne sont que des erreurs : conduire dans le mauvais sens, laisser brûler le repas parce qu’on a oublié de régler la minuterie, mal faire les calculs de son carnet de chèques. Il y a néanmoins aussi les actions délibérées aux conséquences beaucoup plus graves – ce que Dieu appelle le péché. Quand il a demandé à Adam et Ève pourquoi ils lui avaient désobéi, ils se sont empressés de se blanchir de tout blâme (GE 3.8‑13). Aaron n’a assumé aucune responsabilité personnelle quant au fait que le peuple s’était fabriqué un veau d’or à adorer dans le désert, s’expliquant ainsi à Moïse : « Que ceux qui ont de l’or s’en dépouillent ! Et ils me l’ont donné ; je l’ai jeté au feu, et il en est sorti ce veau » (EX 32.24).

Il aurait tout aussi bien pu marmonner : « Des fautes ont été commises. »

Il semble parfois plus facile de rejeter le blâme sur autrui que d’avouer nos propres torts. Or, il est tout aussi dangereux de minimiser nos péchés en les qualifiant « de simples fautes » au lieu d’en reconnaître la vraie nature.

Avouons et confessons donc nos péchés, puisque notre Dieu enclin au pardon « est fidèle et juste pour nous les pardonner, et pour nous purifier de toute iniquité » (1 JN 1.9).

Pour obtenir le pardon divin, il faut d’abord avouer en avoir besoin.

par Cindy Hess Kasper

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Просто помилився

Читати: Вихід 32:1-5, 19-26 | Біблія за рік: Повторення Закону 8–10 ; Марка 11:19-33

І сказав я до них: Хто має золото, поздіймайте з себе. І дали вони мені, а я кинув його в огонь, і вийшло те теля. — Вихід 32:24

“Були допущені помилки”, – сказав головний виконавчий директор під час обговорення незаконної діяльності, до якої була залучена його компанія. Він був сумним, але намагався вигородити себе.

Деякі “помилки” – дійсно помилки: поїхати у неправильному напрямку, забути поставити таймер, неправильно порахувати баланс на рахунку. Але якщо йдеться про навмисні вчинки, що виводять нас за межі правильного, морального, то Бог називає це гріхом. Коли Бог запитав Адама і Єву про причини непослуху, вони відразу почали звинувачувати одне одного (Бут. 3:8-13). Аарон теж не взяв на себе відповідальність, коли народ зробив у пустелі золотого тельця, щоб вклонятися йому. “І сказав я до них: Хто має золото, поздіймайте з себе. І дали вони мені, а я кинув його в огонь, і вийшло те теля”, – намагався виправдати він себе (Вих. 32:24).

Зазвичай набагато легше звинуватити когось, ніж визнати власну провину. Не менш небезпечно применшувати серйозність гріха, називаючи його просто “помилкою”.

Якщо ми беремо на себе відповідальність – тобто визнаємо свої гріхи і сповідуємо їх, – “Він вірний та праведний, щоб гріхи нам простити, та очистити нас від неправди всілякої” (1 Ів. 1:9). Бог завжди пропонує Своїм дітям прощення й відновлення.

Перший крок отримати Боже прощення – визнати потребу в ньому.

Автор Сінді Хесс Каспер

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Ошибки

Читать сейчас: Исход 32:1-5; 19-26 | Библия за год: Второзаконие 8-10; Марка 11:19-33

Я сказал им: «У кого есть золото, снимите с себя». И отдали мне; я бросил его в огонь, и вышел этот телец. — Исход 32:24

«Да, мы совершили ошибку», – сказал директор по поводу незаконной деятельности, в которую было вовлечено его предприятие. Говорил он это с сожалеющим видом, но при этом отказывался признать, что сам лично совершил что-то плохое.

Некоторые «ошибки» – это действительно просто ошибки, как, скажем, сбиться с дороги, забыть завести будильник или ошибиться в расчетах. Однако есть еще и умышленные проступки, что значит намного больше. Бог называет это грехом. Когда Он спрашивал Адама и Еву о причинах непослушания, они тут же попытались переложить вину друг на друга (Быт. 3:8-13). Аарон не принял личной ответственности за идолопоклонство израильтян в пустыне. Он объяснил Моисею: «Я сказал им: “У кого есть золото, снимите с себя”. И отдали мне; я бросил его в огонь, и вышел этот телец» (Исх. 32:24).

Намного легче обвинить кого-то другого, чем признать собственную вину. Не менее опасно пытаться приуменьшить грех, называя его «ошибкой» и скрывая его подлинную природу.

Но если мы берем на себя ответственность за грех и исповедуем его, Бог, «будучи верен и праведен, простит нам грехи наши и очистит нас от всякой неправды» (1 Ин. 1:9). Он дарует Своим детям прощение и восстановление.

Первый шаг в принятии Божьего прощения – признание нужды в нем.

автор: Синди Хесс Каспер

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for WEDNESDAY, March 8, 2017

The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Deuteronomy 9:13-21

Furthermore the LORD said to me, "I have seen that this people is indeed a stubborn people. Let me alone that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven; and I will make of you a nation mightier and more numerous than they." So I turned and went down from the mountain, while the mountain was ablaze; the two tablets of the covenant were in my two hands. Then I saw that you had indeed sinned against the LORD your God, by casting for yourselves an image of a calf; you had been quick to turn from the way that the LORD had commanded you. So I took hold of the two tablets and flung them from my two hands, smashing them before your eyes. Then I lay prostrate before the LORD as before, forty days and forty nights; I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all the sin you had committed, provoking the LORD by doing what was evil in his sight. For I was afraid that the anger that the LORD bore against you was so fierce that he would destroy you. But the LORD listened to me that time also. The LORD was so angry with Aaron that he was ready to destroy him, but I interceded also on behalf of Aaron at that same time. Then I took the sinful thing you had made, the calf, and burned it with fire and crushed it, grinding it thoroughly, until it was reduced to dust; and I threw the dust of it into the stream that runs down the mountain.

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

The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from Hebrews 3:12-19

Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partners of Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end. As it is said, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." Now who were they who heard and yet were rebellious? Was it not all those who left Egypt under the leadership of Moses? But with whom was he angry forty years? Was it not those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, if not to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

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

The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in John 2:23-3:15
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!

When he was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to testify about anyone; for he himself knew what was in everyone. Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God." Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? "Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

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

Morning Psalms

Psalm 119: Zayin Memor esto verbi tui
49   Remember your word to your servant, because you have given me hope.
50   This is my comfort in my trouble, that your promise gives me life.
51   The proud have derided me cruelly, but I have not turned from your law.
52   When I remember your judgments of old, O LORD, I take great comfort.
53   I am filled with a burning rage, because of the wicked who forsake your law.
54   Your statutes have been like songs to me wherever I have lived as a stranger.
55   I remember your Name in the night, O LORD, and dwell upon your law.
56   This is how it has been with me, because I have kept your commandments.

Psalm 119: Heth Portio mea, Domine
57   You only are my portion, O LORD; I have promised to keep your words.
58   I entreat you with all my heart, be merciful to me according to your promise.
59   I have considered my ways and turned my feet toward your decrees.
60   I hasten and do not tarry to keep your commandments.
61   Though the cords of the wicked entangle me, I do not forget your law.
62   At midnight I will rise to give you thanks, because of your righteous judgments.
63   I am a companion of all who fear you and of those who keep your commandments.
64   The earth, O LORD, is full of your love; instruct me in your statutes.

Psalm 119: Teth Bonitatem fecisti
65   O LORD, you have dealt graciously with your servant, according to your word.
66   Teach me discernment and knowledge, for I have believed in your commandments.
67   Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.
68   You are good and you bring forth good; instruct me in your statutes.
69   The proud have smeared me with lies, but I will keep your commandments with my whole heart.
70   Their heart is gross and fat, but my delight is in your law.
71   It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.
72   The law of your mouth is dearer to me than thousands in gold and silver.

Evening Psalms

Psalm 49 Audite haec, omnes
1   Hear this, all you peoples; hearken, all you who dwell in the world, you of high degree and low, rich and poor together.
2   My mouth shall speak of wisdom, and my heart shall meditate on understanding.
3   I will incline my ear to a proverb and set forth my riddle upon the harp.
4   Why should I be afraid in evil days, when the wickedness of those at my heels surrounds me,
5   The wickedness of those who put their trust in their goods, and boast of their great riches?
6   We can never ransom ourselves, or deliver to God the price of our life;
7   For the ransom of our life is so great, that we should never have enough to pay it,
8   In order to live for ever and ever, and never see the grave.
9   For we see that the wise die also; like the dull and stupid they perish and leave their wealth to those who come after them.
10   Their graves shall be their homes for ever, their dwelling places from generation to generation, though they call the lands after their own names.
11   Even though honored, they cannot live for ever; they are like the beasts that perish.
12   Such is the way of those who foolishly trust in themselves, and the end of those who delight in their own words.
13   Like a flock of sheep they are destined to die; Death is their shepherd; they go down straightway to the grave.
14   Their form shall waste away, and the land of the dead shall be their home.
15   But God will ransom my life; he will snatch me from the grasp of death.
16   Do not be envious when some become rich, or when the grandeur of their house increases;
17   For they will carry nothing away at their death, nor will their grandeur follow them.
18   Though they thought highly of themselves while they lived, and were praised for their success,
19   They shall join the company of their forebears, who will never see the light again.
20   Those who are honored, but have no understanding, are like the beasts that perish.

Psalm 53 Dixit insipiens
1   The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." All are corrupt and commit abominable acts; there is none who does any good.
2   God looks down from heaven upon us all, to see if there is any who is wise, if there is one who seeks after God.
3   Every one has proved faithless; all alike have turned bad; there is none who does good; no, not one.
4   Have they no knowledge, those evildoers who eat up my people like bread and do not call upon God?
5   See how greatly they tremble, such trembling as never was; for God has scattered the bones of the enemy; they are put to shame, because God has rejected them.
6   Oh, that Israel's deliverance would come out of Zion! when God restores the fortunes of his people Jacob will rejoice and Israel be glad.

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 - March 08, 2017

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV) [Praise to the God of All Comfort] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Read all of 2 Corinthians 1

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 - "Why We Must Care"

He said to his disciples, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few."

—Matthew 9:37 (NLT)

It’s amazing how parents can ask their teenagers to clean their rooms or take out the trash, and they’ll say, “I want to, but I’m so busy. I don’t have time.” But if something comes along that they want to do, they suddenly and mysteriously have time in their busy schedules.

It is not about having time; it is about a lack of will. They don’t clean their rooms because they don’t want to clean their rooms. They don’t take out the trash because they don’t want to take out the trash.

That is motivation. We must have the motivation to do something. And if we don’t have the motivation, we aren’t going to do anything.

Let’s expand that to the spiritual realm. When it comes to sharing our faith and reaching out to others with the gospel, we offer up a plethora of excuses as to why we cannot do it.

Jesus told the story of ten bridesmaids, five of whom were wise and five were foolish. The five who were wise had oil in their lamps, and the five who were foolish did not. When the cry went out that the bridegroom was coming, those who didn’t have any oil said, “Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out” (Matthew 25:8).

But the other bridesmaids answered, “We don’t have enough. . . . Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves” (verse 9). Essentially, “That isn’t our concern. We’re set. We’re happy. Work out your own problems.”

Quite honestly, that is the way many people in the church feel. Talking about the need for evangelism or designing programs to mobilize the church to do it is of no consequence if we lack one simple thing: a burden and a concern for unbelievers.

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny


Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation®, NLT® 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 © 2017 Harvest Christian Fellowship; all rights reserved.

Un Dia a la Vez - La bendición

Dichosos más bien [...] los que oyen la palabra de Dios y la obedecen. Lucas 11:28 (NVI)

Cada instante que vivimos es una bendición. Cada vez que despertamos es una bendición.

Cada enseñanza que nos da la vida es una bendición.

Cada experiencia que vivimos es una bendición.

Encontrar el amor y recibir el amor es una bendición.

Cada tropiezo es una bendición porque nos acerca más a Dios.

Conocerle cada día es una bendición.

Cada vez que triunfo es una bendición.

Aun así, la mayor bendición es haber conocido a Jesús y tener vida eterna.

Estas son algunas de las cosas en las que puedes ver la mano de Dios cada día de tu vida.

¡Déjate sorprender por Dios!

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 WORD OF THEIR TESTIMONY

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)

Overcoming believers also declare Christ’s love and forgiveness aloud to themselves, to Satan, and to the world. It is the second way we become “more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37).

Daniel was called by the Lord to the north of Vietnam where he soon found himself in the midst of a revival. People were coming to know the Lord and Daniel immediately started a training program to equip these new believers. He also witnessed the power of God as people were healed and many were delivered from their addiction to opium. The inevitable soon happened and Daniel was sent to prison, his “training school,” for three years. With a smile that illuminated the room, Daniel shared his experiences in prison:

“After my arrest I was put in solitary confinement and chained to the ground for six months. This was a very hard time for me. The cell was small, there were no lights in the cell and I only had one bowl of rice and salt a day. A piece of bamboo was stuck over my crossed legs and chained to the ground. Being chained to the ground for such a long time also resulted in my body swelling and creating a lot of pain. I felt totally deserted. I asked the Lord to take my life. It was too much for me. I prayed a lot but thankfully the Lord did not do what I asked.

“One night in my prison cell, chained to the ground, I saw a vision of the Lord. He did not speak a word. He just placed his hand on me and I felt how new strength filled my body. I cried and repented before the Lord. Then I knew the Lord was saying to me that He would not allow me to leave this world defeated, that when He takes me “home” it will be victoriously.

“The next day the police came and took me to another cell with other prisoners. Today I can see why God allowed this difficult time. I could share the gospel with many people in prison. After three years in prison there is a church in every area where I spent time in a prison and more than 200 inmates came to know the Lord while I was in prison. Three other prisoners who came to know the Lord also started churches in prison. When I was released from prison, I found my church in the village had grown to 500 people.”

As Daniel concluded his testimony co-workers could positively see the grace and love of the Lord in this humble man. He looked at them and summed up a life of sacrifice with the following words. “I know that God has a good plan—He sent me to prison to preach the gospel and to become a strong warrior for Him.”

RESPONSE: I will overcome today by speaking out the word of my testimony to myself, to Satan and to the world.

PRAYER: Lord, even though I am not in prison, I can be a faithful overcomer today by sharing your love with others I meet through the word of my testimony.

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

Girlfriends in God - When Grief Runs Deep

by Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28, NIV)

Friend to Friend

I read the text in horror and disbelief.

How could he be gone? He was the picture of potential. So much going for him. He had been through so many challenges and had come so far. Achieved so many accolades. How could his world have crumbled so low that taking his life became the answer he turned to?

Shockwaves ripple through the core of my heart. A landslide of sorrow.

All who knew and loved him grieved. In our homes. On social media. In our conversations. In our prayers. In our hearts.

We grieved deep with a pain that stings fierce.

We grieved for his family, for the empty seat at their dinner table, and the empty gape in their hearts and home. We grieved for his friends, our children, his teammates, and our community. We grieved because death hurts.

As we gathered in community to celebrate his life many stories were shared. In the sacred sanctuary of God’s presence, we were reminded that God is the healer of the broken. We were reminded that death is not the end for those that place their faith in Christ. We were reminded to cherish those we love and to keep our eyes wide open to the needs of those around us.

The pastor painted a canvas of Hope as he spoke. Each word a stroke of truth. A smattering of grace in full and vibrant color. He shared from the Word of God about the Word made flesh: our Hope, Jesus.

And then this... “Our friend did not die of hopelessness, he died of brokenness."

Oh, my soul.

How does one who is surrounded by a community of love feel broken to the point of death? To the point of thinking that suicide is a solution to the pain?

I struggled to breathe as I think back on this tragedy.

I consider the lives I love that are tortured by depression and sigh inwardly.

The weight of it all still sits heavy on my heart.

Inwardly I speak to the Father. I remember pouring my heart out to the Comforter and sensing His peace in the middle of the grief. The burden remains, but the pressure of it is lightened in His presence. And I’m reminded that God’s strength comes to me as I yoke myself to Jesus and allow Him to share in the carrying of my grief. In doing so, I am locked into His power that walks with me step by step through every struggle.

When life is jagged and darkness taunts us like a bully, how can we see beyond the despair that grips us?

I don’t have a simple list of answers, but I do know this: when grief runs deep God’s comforting love runs deeper still. 

The peace we long for and the rest we are desperate for will always be found in the arms of Jesus. And those arms are constantly reaching out to us.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)

This is the invitation Jesus gives to each of us.

If you find yourself in a place of unrest… if you are trying to sift through a landslide of soul sorrow… if you’re carrying a heavy load, will you turn toward Hope and accept His invitation right now?

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, Please help me bring my grief to You. Thank You for being a God of hope and healing. Remind me of the peace and plans you have for me.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read Isaiah 41:10. What two things does God not want you to do? Why? What three things does He promise to do for you? How will these promises affect the way you deal with your challenges today?

Who is one person you know that is struggling and in need of encouragement right now? How will you encourage her/him?

More from the Girlfriends

Gwen Smith is a speaker, worship leader, songwriter, and author of I Want I ALL, which includes a Bible Study Guide right in the back of the book; no extra purchase required. I WANT IT ALL is easy to read yet contains compelling and challenging content. You'll connect with the stories, probably dust off a few heart dreams, think bigger thoughts of God, laugh and smile a lot, search your soul, and even cry a little ... because each page lovingly directs you to the personal grace and truth of JESUS.

(CLICK HERE to get a FREE Downloadable “7 Day I WANT IT ALL” Devotional Ebook.)

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