LHM Daily Devotion - "Shattering Illusions"

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Shattering Illusions"

March 10, 2017

(Jesus said) "The Son of Man must suffer many things ..." (Luke 9:22a, ESV).

Read Luke 9:18-22

Jesus' disciples have heard His powerful words and seen many mighty miracles. They believe He is the promised Messiah. But as soon as Peter makes his great confession, Jesus sternly commands the 12 disciples to keep the news to themselves. The Jewish crowds have the wrong idea about the Messiah; they think He will be a great king, driving out the Romans and establishing an earthly kingdom. Even the disciples are swept up in this dream. Now Jesus begins shattering that illusion and teaching them that He came to save the world through His death and resurrection.

Jesus is fully aware of all the horrendous things He will suffer in Jerusalem, but He also knows the disciples are not ready for all the gory facts. So He draws a veil over the details and simply says, "The Son of Man must suffer many things."

But the disciples need to know who will cause His great suffering. So Jesus teaches them that the leaders of His own people-the Jewish high court-will carefully examine Him and reject Him as their Messiah. They will kill Him through an act of judicial murder. But Jesus' revelation to the disciples doesn't end with His death. He clearly states that on the third day after His death He will be raised.

At Christmas when you look at the Baby dozing in Bethlehem's manger, this may not be the life you would picture for Him, but it is exactly what God had planned for Him since the very beginning.

THE PRAYER:  Almighty God, Jesus was careful to shield His disciples from all the horrors He knew He would suffer to save us from our sins. Remind me that You know every detail of my future and give me confidence You will make all thing work together for my good. For Jesus' sake I pray. Amen

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

Devociones de Cuaresma - ¿De quién eres hijo?

Devociones de Cuaresma  2017

¿De quién eres hijo?

10 de Marzo de 2017

Si eres Hijo de Dios... Mateo 4:3, RVC (4:1-4)

Muchos apellidos tienen un sufijo que indica el origen de la familia. En español, por ejemplo, los González son hijos de Gonzalo, y los Rodríguez son hijos de Rodrigo. En inglés, los Williamson son hijos de William, y los Johnson hijos de John. Ser hijos de alguien nos identifica.

Cuando Jesús fue bautizado por Juan en el río Jordán, los cielos se abrieron y con voz fuerte el Padre celestial declaró: "Éste es mi Hijo amado, en quien me complazco" (Mateo 3:17). ¡Qué hermosa afirmación! Con cuánto orgullo el Padre nos presenta a su Hijo. Pero alguien más estaba escuchando: el maligno, el que confronta a Jesús en el desierto para cuestionar su identidad. "Si eres Hijo de Dios..." haz el disparate que te pido. Qué insolente que es el diablo, tentar al mismo Dios, poner en duda la afirmación tan clara del Padre. Jesús no se dejó engañar, y le contestó con la Palabra de Dios.

Tú y yo también somos hijos del Padre en los cielos. Tenemos una identidad que nos fue dada en el Bautismo, cuando Dios declaró: "Te perdono todos tus pecados. Eres mi hijo amado en quien tengo alegría." Sin duda, el diablo también escuchó esta declaración y, muy temprano en nuestra vida, nos presentó sus tentaciones para que dudemos de nuestra identidad como hijos de Dios.

Cuando las cosas no nos salen de acuerdo a nuestros planes, nos preguntamos si Dios realmente nos quiere tanto como dice. Puede ser que cuando pecamos abiertamente en contra de la voluntad divina nos surja la duda de que Dios pueda perdonarnos y pueda recibirnos como sus hijos amados. Pero Dios no ha cambiado de parecer. Una vez que tiene hijos, los ama hasta la muerte. La muerte y resurrección de Jesús así lo confirma.

Gracias, Padre, por hacernos tus hijos amados. Fortalécenos en esa relación de familia divina. Amén.

© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. ¡U tilice estas devociones en sus boletines! Usado con permiso. Todos los derechos reservados por la Int'l LLL. Reina Valera Contemporánea (RVC) Copyright © 2009, 2011 by Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas.

Our Daily Bread - Home

Read: Ephesians 2:11–22 | Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 11–13; Mark 12:1–27

You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people. Ephesians 2:19

A young African refugee who goes by the name of Steven is a man without a country. He thinks he may have been born in Mozambique or Zimbabwe. But he never knew his father and lost his mother. She fled civil war, traveling country to country as a street vendor. Without ID and unable to prove his place of birth, Steven walked into a British police station, asking to be arrested. Jail seemed better to Steven than trying to exist on the streets without the rights and benefits of citizenship.

The plight of living without a country was on Paul’s mind as he wrote his letter to the Ephesians. His non-Jewish readers knew what it was like to live as aliens and outsiders (2:12). Only since finding life and hope in Christ (1:13) had they discovered what it meant to belong to the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:3). In Jesus, they learned what it means to be known and cared for by the Father He came to reveal (Matt. 6:31–33).

Paul realized, however, that as the past fades from view, a short memory can cause us to forget that, while hope is the new norm, despair was the old reality.

May our God help us to live in security—to know each day the belonging that we have as members of His family is by faith in Jesus Christ and to understand the rights and benefits of having our home in Him.

Lord, as we remember how hopeless we were before You found us, please help us not to forget those who are still on the street.

Hope means the most to those who have lived without it.

By Mart DeHaan

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Quê Hương

Đọc: Ê-phê-sô 2:11-22 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Phục truyền 11-13; Mác 12:1-27

Anh em không còn là người xa lạ hoặc là người tạm trú nữa, nhưng là người đồng hương với các thánh đồ. (Ê-phê-sô 2:19)

Một thanh niên tị nạn người châu Phi tên Steven là người không có quê hương. Anh nghĩ có lẽ anh được sinh ra ở Mozambique hoặc Zimbabwe. Nhưng anh chưa bao giờ biết cha của mình và đã lạc mất mẹ. Bà chạy trốn trong cuộc nội chiến, đi từ nước này đến nước khác bán hàng rong trên phố. Không có thẻ căn cước và không thể chứng minh nơi sinh của mình, Steven bước vào đồn cảnh sát của nước Anh, yêu cầu họ bắt giữ mình. Nhà tù dường như tốt cho Steven hơn là cố gắng tồn tại trên đường phố mà không có quyền và lợi ích gì của một công dân.

Hoàn cảnh sống không có quê hương là điều Phao-lô nghĩ đến khi ông viết thư cho người Ê-phê-sô. Những độc giả không phải gốc Do Thái sẽ hiểu thế nào là sống như người xa lạ, ngoại quyền công dân (2:12) Chỉ khi tìm thấy sự sống và hy vọng trong Đấng Christ (1:13), họ mới khám phá ra ý nghĩa của việc thuộc về thiên quốc (Mat. 5:3). Trong Chúa Jêsus, họ biết ý nghĩa của việc được Cha Thiên Thượng biết rõ và chăm sóc như Ngài đã đến để bày tỏ (Mat. 6:31-33).

Tuy nhiên, Phao-lô nhận ra rằng quá khứ dần mờ nhạt, bộ nhớ ngắn hạn có thể khiến chúng ta quên mất rằng, trong lúc hy vọng là tiêu chuẩn mới, thì tuyệt vọng là thực tế xưa cũ.

Nguyện Chúa giúp chúng ta sống trong sự an tâm – để mỗi ngày biết chúng ta được thuộc về gia đình Ngài bởi đức tin nơi Chúa Jêsus Christ và hiểu được quyền và lợi ích khi có quê hương ở trong Ngài.

Lạy Chúa, khi chúng con nhớ mình đã vô vọng thế nào trước khi Ngài tìm thấy chúng con, xin giúp chúng con không quên những người vô gia cư.

Niềm hy vọng có ý nghĩa nhất với những người sống trong vô vọng.

bởi Mart DeHaan

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Extranjeros

Leer: Efesios 2:11-22 | La Biblia en un año: Marcos 12:1-27

Así que ya no sois extranjeros ni advenedizos, sino conciudadanos de los santos, y miembros de la familia de Dios (Efesios 2:19).

Un joven refugiado africano, llamado Esteban, es un hombre sin nación. Cree que nació en Mozambique o en Zimbabue, pero nunca conoció a su padre, y su madre murió. Sin identificación e incapaz de demostrar dónde había nacido, Esteban entró en una estación de policía británica y pidió que lo arrestaran. La cárcel le parecía mejor que vagar por las calles, sin derechos ni beneficios ciudadanos.

Al escribir su carta a los efesios, Pablo tenía en mente la grave situación de vivir sin una patria. Sus lectores gentiles sabían lo que significaba vivir como extranjeros y alienados (2:12). Solo cuando hallaron vida y esperanza en Cristo (1:13), descubrieron lo que significaba pertenecer a la patria celestial (Hebreos 11:14). Por las enseñanzas de Jesús, supieron que tenían un Padre que los conocía y se interesaba por ellos (Mateo 6:31-33).

No obstante, Pablo comprendía que, cuando se pierde de vista el pasado, podemos olvidarnos de que, aunque la esperanza sea la nueva norma de vida, la antigua realidad era la desesperación.

Que nuestro Dios nos ayude a vivir seguros, sabiendo lo que tenemos al ser miembros de su familia por la fe en Jesucristo y entendiendo los derechos y los beneficios de poseer un hogar en Él.

Señor, que no olvidemos hablarles de ti a los que aún están en la calle.

La esperanza es lo más importante para aquellos que han vivido sin tenerla.

Por Mart De Haan

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Daheim

Lesen: Epheser 2,11-22 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 5.Mose 11–13; Markus 12,1-27

So seid ihr nun nicht mehr Gäste und Fremdlinge, sondern Mitbürger der Heiligen und Gottes Hausgenossen. Epheser 2,19

Ein junger afrikanischer Flüchtling, Steven genannt, ist staatenlos. Er meint, er sei in Mosambik geboren, vielleicht aber auch in Simbabwe. Aber seinen Vater hat er nie gekannt und die Mutter verloren. Sie floh vor dem Bürgerkrieg und zog bettelnd von einem Land ins andere. Ohne Identitätsausweis und ohne Nachweis seines Geburtsorts betrat Steven einen englischen Polizeiposten und bat um seine Festnahme. Das Gefängnis erschien ihm besser als der Versuch, sich rechtlos und ohne Bürgerrechte auf der Straße durchschlagen zu müssen.

Das Schicksal, heimatlos zu sein, beschäftigt Paulus auch in seinem Brief an die Epheser. Seine nicht-jüdischen Leser wussten, was es heißt, als Fremde und Außenseiter zu leben (2,12). Erst seit sie in Christus Leben und Hoffnung gefunden hatten (1,13), hatten sie entdeckt, was es bedeutet, zu Gottes Reich zu gehören (Matth. 5,3). In Jesus hatten sie erfahren, wie es ist, von dem Vater gekannt und geliebt zu werden, den zu zeigen der auf die Welt kam (Matth. 6,31-33).

Paulus wusste aber auch, wie schnell Erinnerungen an die Vergangenheit verblassen und vergessen geht, dass man früher einmal in der Verzweiflung lebte.

Möge Gott uns helfen, in Sicherheit zu leben—jeden Tag zu wissen, dass die Heimat, die wir als Kinder seiner Familie haben, im Glauben an Jesus Christus wurzelt, und zu begreifen, was für ein Vorrecht das ist.

Herr, wie hoffnungslos waren auch wir, bevor du uns gefunden hast. Darum lass uns die nicht vergessen, die noch immer auf der Straße leben.

Hoffnung bedeutet dem am meisten, der ohne Hoffnung leben musste.

Von Mart DeHaan

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Chez soi

Lisez : Éphésiens 2.11‑22 | La Bible en un an : Deutéronome 11 – 13 et Marc 12.1-27

Ainsi donc, vous n’êtes plus des étrangers, ni des gens du dehors ; mais vous êtes concitoyens des saints, gens de la maison de Dieu. (Éphésiens 2.19)

Steven, un jeune réfugié africain apatride, croit être né au Mozambique ou au Zimbabwe, mais n’a jamais connu son père et a perdu sa mère. Celle-ci, fuyant la guerre civile, était allée de pays en pays, gagnant sa vie comme vendeuse de rue. Sans papiers et incapable de prouver son lieu de naissance, Steven est entré un jour dans un commissariat britannique pour demander à se faire arrêter. La prison lui semblait préférable à la survie dans la rue sans les droits et les privilèges afférents à la citoyenneté.

Le sort qui l’attendait en tant qu’apatride occupait la pensée de Paul lorsqu’il a écrit son épître aux Éphésiens. Ses lecteurs non‑juifs savaient ce que c’était que de vivre comme des étrangers (2.12). Ce n’était qu’en découvrant la vie et l’espoir en Christ (1.13) qu’ils avaient appris ce que signifiait l’appartenance au royaume des cieux (MT 5.3). En Jésus, ils ont appris ce qu’est le fait d’être connu et aimé du Père qu’il était venu leur révéler (MT 6.31‑33).

Paul a toutefois compris qu’à mesure que le passé s’efface, une mémoire courte risque de nous faire oublier que l’espoir est devenu la nouvelle norme à suivre et que le désespoir est devenu l’ancienne réalité.

Puisse notre Dieu nous aider à vivre en sécurité, sachant jour après jour que notre appartenance à sa famille tient à notre foi en Jésus‑Christ ainsi qu’aux droits et aux privilèges associés au fait de demeurer en lui.

L’espoir est sans prix pour ceux qui ont vécu sans lui.

par Mart DeHaan

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Батьківщина

Читати: Ефесян 2:11-22 | Біблія за рік: Повторення Закону 11–13 ; Марка 12:1-27

Отже, ви вже не чужі й не приходьки, а співгорожани святим, і домашні для Бога. — Ефесян 2:19

Молодий африканський біженець, якого всі звуть Стівен, – це людина без батьківщини. Він каже, що народився у Мозамбіку або Зімбабве, але ніколи не знав свого батька і рано залишився без матері. Він уникнув громадянської війни, подорожуючи з країни в країну як вуличний торгівець. Не маючи жодних документів, щоб довести місце свого народження, Стівен пішов до британського поліцейського відділку і попросив, щоб його заарештували. Перебування в тюрмі здавалося Стівену кращим за намагання якось вижити на вулицях міста без будь-яких прав.

Напевно саме про жалюгідне життя людини без батьківщини думав апостол Павло, коли писав листа до ефесян. Читачі знали, як важко жити чужинцям та приходькам (Еф. 2:12). Лише отримавши життя й надію у Христі (Еф. 1:13), ефесяни пізнали, що значить належати до небесного царства (Мт. 5:3). В Ісусі вони відчули, що значить, коли Отець знає тебе особисто і піклується про тебе. Саме для того прийшов Ісус, щоб відкрити нам Отця (Мт. 6:31-33).

Минуле стирається з пам’яті, і ми схильні забувати велику істину: відчай – то колишня реальність, а надія – теперішня. Нехай Бог допоможе нам постійно пам’ятати про свою належність до великої родини Ісуса Христа через віру і розуміти свої права й привілеї як громадян небесної батьківщини.

Господи, допоможи нам, коли згадуємо свою безнадію перед наверненням до Тебе, не забувати тих, хто ще блукають “вулицями цього світу”.

Надія значить надзвичайно багато для тих, хто все життя жили без неї.

Автор Мартін де Гаан

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Дом

Читать сейчас: Ефесянам 2:11-22 | Библия за год: Второзаконие 11-13; Марка 12:1-27

Итак, вы уже не чужие и не пришельцы, но сограждане святым и свои Богу. — Ефесянам 2:19

Молодой африканский беженец, называющий себя Стивеном, – человек без родины. Он считает, что родился в Мозамбике или Зимбабве. Но он никогда не знал своего отца и потерял мать. Она переезжала из страны в страну, зарабатывая на жизнь уличной торговлей. Не имея паспорта и гражданства, Стивен обратился в Британскую полицию с просьбой, чтобы его арестовали. Тюрьма представлялась лучшим вариантом в сравнении с жизнью на улице.

ысль о жизни на чужбине была в сердце Павла при написании Послания к ефесянам. Его языческие читатели знали, что значит быть чужаками и пришельцами (Еф. 2:12). Только обретя жизнь и надежду во Христе (Еф. 1:13), они узнали, что значит принадлежать Небесному Царству (Мф. 5:3). Благодаря Иисусу, они обрели любовь и заботу Отца, Которого Он им открыл (Мф. 6:31-33).

Павел, однако, понимал, что со временем они могут забыть, что их новый образ жизни – надежда, а отчаяние ушло в прошлое.

Пусть Бог поможет нам каждый день помнить про свою принадлежность по вере к семье Иисуса Христа и понимать все права и привилегии, которые мы имеем как граждане небесного отечества.

Господи, вспоминая, как безнадежны были мы до того, как Ты нас нашел, просим: помоги нам не забыть тех, кто все еще на улице.

Надежда – самое главное для тех, кто жил без нее.

автор: Мартин де Гаан

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for THURSDAY, March 9, 2017

 The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Deuteronomy 9:23-10:5

And when the LORD sent you from Kadesh-barnea, saying, "Go up and occupy the land that I have given you," you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God, neither trusting him nor obeying him. You have been rebellious against the LORD as long as he has known you. Throughout the forty days and forty nights that I lay prostrate before the LORD when the LORD intended to destroy you, I prayed to the LORD and said, "Lord GOD, do not destroy the people who are your very own possession, whom you redeemed in your greatness, whom you brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Remember your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; pay no attention to the stubbornness of this people, their wickedness and their sin, otherwise the land from which you have brought us might say, 'Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land that he promised them, and because he hated them, he has brought them out to let them die in the wilderness.' For they are the people of your very own possession, whom you brought out by your great power and by your outstretched arm." At that time the LORD said to me, "Carve out two tablets of stone like the former ones, and come up to me on the mountain, and make an ark of wood. I will write on the tablets the words that were on the former tablets, which you smashed, and you shall put them in the ark." So I made an ark of acacia wood, cut two tablets of stone like the former ones, and went up the mountain with the two tablets in my hand. Then he wrote on the tablets the same words as before, the ten commandments that the LORD had spoken to you on the mountain out of the fire on the day of the assembly; and the LORD gave them to me. So I turned and came down from the mountain, and put the tablets in the ark that I had made; and there they are, as the LORD commanded me.

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

The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from Hebrews 4:1-10

Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest is still open, let us take care that none of you should seem to have failed to reach it. For indeed the good news came to us just as to them; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. For we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, "As in my anger I swore, 'They shall not enter my rest,'" though his works were finished at the foundation of the world. For in one place it speaks about the seventh day as follows, "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works." And again in this place it says, "They shall not enter my rest." Since therefore it remains open for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, again he sets a certain day-- "today"-- saying through David much later, in the words already quoted, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not speak later about another day. So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; for those who enter God's rest also cease from their labors as God did from his.

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

The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in John 3:16-21
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God."

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

Morning Psalms

Psalm 50 Deus deorum
1   The LORD, the God of gods, has spoken; he has called the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
2   Out of Zion, perfect in its beauty, God reveals himself in glory.
3   Our God will come and will not keep silence; before him there is a consuming flame, and round about him a raging storm.
4   He calls the heavens and the earth from above to witness the judgment of his people.
5   Gather before me my loyal followers, those who have made a covenant with me and sealed it with sacrifice.
6   Let the heavens declare the rightness of his cause; for God himself is judge.
7   Hear, O my people, and I will speak: "O Israel, I will bear witness against you; for I am God, your God.
8   I do not accuse you because of your sacrifices; your offerings are always before me.
9   I will take no bull-calf from your stalls, nor he-goats out of your pens;
10   For all the beasts of the forest are mine, the herds in their thousands upon the hills.
11   I know every bird in the sky, and the creatures of the fields are in my sight.
12   If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the whole world is mine and all that is in it.
13   Do you think I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?
14   Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and make good your vows to the Most High.
15   Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall honor me."
16   But to the wicked God says: "Why do you recite my statutes, and take my covenant upon your lips;
17   Since you refuse discipline, and toss my words behind your back?
18   When you see a thief, you make him your friend, and you cast in your lot with adulterers.
19   You have loosed your lips for evil, and harnessed your tongue to a lie.
20   You are always speaking evil of your brother and slandering your own mother's son.
21   These things you have done, and I kept still, and you thought that I am like you."
22   I have made my accusation; I have put my case in order before your eyes.
23   Consider this well, you who forget God, lest I rend you and there be none to deliver you.
24   Whoever offers me the sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me; but to those who keep in my way will I show the salvation of God."

Evening Psalms

Psalm 19 Caeli enarrant
1   The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows his handiwork.
2   One day tells its tale to another, and one night imparts knowledge to another.
3   Although they have no words or language, and their voices are not heard,
4   Their sound has gone out into all lands, and their message to the ends of the world.
5   In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun; it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber; it rejoices like a champion to run its course.
6   It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens and runs about to the end of it again; nothing is hidden from its burning heat.
7   The law of the LORD is perfect and revives the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent.
8   The statutes of the LORD are just and rejoice the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear and gives light to the eyes.
9   The fear of the LORD is clean and endures for ever; the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10   More to be desired are they than gold, more than much fine gold, sweeter far than honey, than honey in the comb.
11   By them also is your servant enlightened, and in keeping them there is great reward.
12   Who can tell how often he offends? cleanse me from my secret faults.
13   Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not get dominion over me; then shall I be whole and sound, and innocent of a great offense.
14   Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.

Psalm 46 Deus noster refugium
1   God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2   Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea;
3   Though its waters rage and foam, and though the mountains tremble at its tumult.
4   The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
5   There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
6   God is in the midst of her; she shall not be overthrown; God shall help her at the break of day.
7   The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are shaken; God has spoken, and the earth shall melt away.
8   The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
9   Come now and look upon the works of the LORD, what awesome things he has done on earth.
10   It is he who makes war to cease in all the world; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, and burns the shields with fire.
11   Be still, then, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.
12   The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

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 09, 2017

2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV) He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

Read all of 2 Timothy 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 - "An Essential for Ministry"

But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.

—Matthew 9:36 (NKJV)

Everywhere Jesus went during His earthly ministry, He was mobbed by people who were pushing and pulling, always wanting something from Him. They wanted healings, like the woman who had spent all her money on doctors and still was sick, or Jairus, who came to the Lord because his daughter had died, and he wanted Jesus to raise her from the dead. So many wanted a touch from the Savior.

Jesus saw their deepest need. He saw where they were hurting the most. He saw behind the façade, behind the defense mechanisms people put up. He saw the real cry of their hearts. He saw them as sheep without a shepherd, as people who were going astray, everyone turning to their own way. And He had compassion on them.

If you want to be used by God in any capacity, then you have to develop something called compassion. We see a pattern of compassion throughout the ministry of Jesus. We see it when He talked with the woman at the well in Samaria. The Bible says that He “needed to go through Samaria” (John 4:4). Normally Jews did not go to Samaria because there was a deep racial prejudice between Samaritans and Jews that was passed from generation to generation. But in spite of His busy schedule and all He had to do, Jesus knew there was a lonely, burned-out, hurting woman who would be waiting at the well.

Sometimes we see nonbelievers as the enemy: “Look at those sinners. Look at what they’re doing.” But let’s remember something: Behind that sin there is an empty, searching, lost person that God loves.

We are called to appeal to these people with the message of the gospel, but we need compassion. Jesus had it overflowing from His life. Do we?

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 - Tú la mereces

No temas, porque yo estoy contigo; no desmayes, porque yo soy tu Dios que te esfuerzo; siempre te ayudaré, siempre te sustentaré con la diestra de mi justicia. Isaías 41:10 (RV-60)

En muchas ocasiones, las personas pueden pensar que las bendiciones de las que hablábamos en el devocional anterior no son realidad en sus vidas. Piensan que la felicidad, el éxito y el reconocimiento son para otras personas, no para ellas.

Se pasan la vida pensando y creyendo que los milagros son cosas del pasado.

Y aunque a menudo nos hablen de que el Señor quiere bendecirlas, no le creen a Dios.

En tu caso, quizá no puedas creer que por tus errores del pasado, tus faltas y tu manera de haber vivido, Dios pueda acordarse de ti. Es más, si estás alejado, si lo que has vivido en los últimos tiempos sabes que no está bien delante de Dios, se te hace muy difícil creer que Dios te quiere perdonar.

Por favor, necesitas entender que todos somos importantes para Él. Que no importa tu falta, pues hoy mismo, sí quieres, te puedes reconciliar con tu Padre Dios.

Entonces, el que es lento para la ira y grande en misericordia extenderá sus brazos y te dará el perdón que buscas. Te dará una nueva oportunidad para ser feliz y llenarte de bendiciones.

Hoy, aparte de reconciliarte con tu Dios, busca una Biblia. Si no tienes una, cómprala. Luego, cuando llegues a ese momento tuyo con Dios, pídele que te muestre las promesas que dejó para ti y para mí. Dicen los que saben que son más de treinta y tres mil promesas.

Te dejo hoy con una. Así que guárdala y atesórala en tu corazón.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón. Versión Reina-Valera 1960 © Sociedades Bíblicas en América Latina, 1960. Renovado © Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas, 1988.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - WILLING TO GIVE THEIR LIVES

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)

Within overcomers is the ultimate secret of victory that destroys any consideration for reputation, safety, comfort or freedom. They make themselves a willing self-offering patterned on Christ’s own life—a repeated message in the gospels. Not just martyrdom, but loyalty to Jesus ahead of comfort, safety and security.

In March 2007, a co-worker had the joy of training a group of Arab Christians who were preparing for an outreach to various Muslim countries in North Africa. His teaching focused on bringing glory to God and also on a biblical understanding of opposition, persecution, hardship and possible martyrdom. The students ended the week with a declaration, as they stood up one by one, committing themselves to live to the glory of God. They declared to live a life to be forgotten so that Christ can be remembered.

A month later two outreach teams from the school travelled to Sudan. One team was sent to the Juba Mountains in partnership with a local church. The team was staying in a village and went out to a rural area to show the JESUS Film. While they were travelling in a truck back to the village at about 10:30 pm, they were ambushed by armed gunmen. The truck driver drove away as quickly as possible, but a number of Sudanese and Egyptians on the truck were wounded in the shooting. Three Sudanese and one Egyptian were killed.

They first drove franticly to the nearest town looking for a clinic to tend to the wounded and the dead. With no facilities or medicine there, they then had to drive a further five hours to the nearest hospital for help. The darkness and hopelessness turned the journey into an eternity. The questions, the fear and yet the serenity of it all made it seem surreal. When they finally reached the hospital it was too late for Daniel, one of the wounded Egyptians. Daniel died in the arms of one of the leaders. His last words to his faithful friend reflected the words of his commitment to his beloved Saviour: “Tell my father that I died for the glory of Jesus.”

Two years later, our co-worker trained another group who were again on their way to Sudan. The group committed themselves to go back to the very region of the traumatic event, not despite the tragedy but because of the tragedy.

Our co-worker concluded, “I realized anew that the battle is real but also that victory only belongs to those who participate. So often I hear Christians say ‘we are more than conquerors!’ You can only say that if you are part of the battle.”

When martyrs meet torture and death without fear, they demonstrate power over Satan’s attempts to try and control us by fear. Evil is defeated because it cannot ultimately win. Then you are an overcomer!

RESPONSE: Today I recommit myself to live a life to be forgotten so that Christ can be remembered.

PRAYER: Jesus I adore You; lay my life before You; how I love You.

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

NIV Devotions for Men - Finish Lines

John 19:28–37

Recommended Reading: 2 Samuel 22:32—23:5; Colossians 2:6–15; 2 Timothy 4:1–8; Hebrews 12:1–2

Climb inside the mind of a marathon runner. Listen to his thoughts.

You’ve run this race countless times in your mind and hundreds of times in practice. But none of those resemble the real thing. The course takes you cross-country, and the running surface changes constantly. You could stumble at any step. Every change in terrain brings new challenges. Each race offers a different combination of obstacles and difficulties. And even though there are people at the roadside water stations to refresh your body, and crowds of individuals standing by to revive your spirit with their encouragement, it’s still just you out there—you, your two legs and your two feet. No matter which race you’re running, all of them have at least two things in common: the pain and the finish line.

Ah, the finish line! It makes all the pain bearable. Sometimes you forget the idea of winning the race in your all-consuming effort just to reach the finish line. You face the challenge and embrace the pain of running for over 26 miles, and a surge of joy fills your heart as you see the tape stretched across the journey’s end. Every last ounce of strength drives you across the finish line.

Jesus understood that intense drive to finish. With one of his last breaths, he cried out, “It is finished!” In the language of the New Testament, that’s a one-word exclamation: “Done!”

Jesus had joined the human race for a very special and specific reason—to finish God’s plan to provide forgiveness, salvation and eternal life for a fallen humanity. When Jesus shouted “Finished!” he was declaring that he had endured the judgment of sin on behalf of all humankind. He’d crossed the finish line for each of us. And in order to finish, he had to seal the arrangement with his life.

The cross represented the last hours in a long race marked out for Jesus. Even though he knew exactly how the race would end—with his sacrificial death—he still ran. Even though he had his disciples around him to provide companionship and support, not one of them knew exactly what he was going through in his final hours. Jesus knew that he’d experience excruciating pain. He knew that many would never accept his sacrifice, but he also knew that many would, and for us he ran. And finished. For this we’ll spend eternity in grateful appreciation.

To Take Away

• Do you see your life as a race? Why? How would you describe your progress so far?
• When you think of Jesus dying on your behalf on the cross, how does it make you feel? What effect does this reality have on your daily life?
• How can Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross motivate you to run the race God sets out before you?

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

Girlfriends in God - The Architect of My Life

by Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT).

Friend to Friend

Our son was born to be a builder. From the time he could hold a plastic red hammer in his toddler-sized hands, Jered began hammering imaginary nails into the coffee table, fixing everything that was broken in our house. No wooden surface in our home was safe from Jered’s scrutiny or design.

Since my husband enjoyed woodworking, he decided to build Jered a miniature workbench beside his own. Several nights each week, Dan and Jered headed to the garage to pound and hammer and do what they called “man stuff.” I thought it was cute – a philosophy that would drastically change in the years to come.

When he was in middle school, Jered built a clubhouse inside our garage. And what a clubhouse it was! For weeks, Jered scrounged wood and “treasures” from neighborhood dumpsters and construction sites. The clubhouse was made largely of plywood but had a carpeted floor, four walls, and a roof. Jered cut out windows and found an old rusty – but still working - window unit to keep him and his friends cool during their club meetings. It was truly a work of art!

Jered built a jewelry box for my birthday and a toy box that held his prized Mutant Ninja Turtles. If we needed storage cabinets in our garage, Jered built them. He designed and built a queen-sized bunk bed over a built-in desk and bookshelves to conserve space in his room. We no longer bought furniture. Jered simply built it. Looking back, I didn’t realize those plastic tools would pave the way for our son’s career. Today, he is a Project Site Superintendent for a large construction company as well as a master carpenter and builder.
Jered reminds me of another young man who was destined to become a builder – Jesus.

Jesus’s earthly father Joseph was a carpenter and taught Jesus everything he knew about being a master carpenter. In those days, it was not uncommon for the son to carry on his father’s business. I often wonder if Jesus didn’t have a little workbench beside Joseph’s. I imagine Jesus probably followed His daddy around, hammering alongside His father’s true blows. Joseph may have had to remove a few stray nails driven by Jesus and even repair a few of his son’s “jobs.”

Did Jesus make a jewelry box for His mother, or did He build a piece of furniture that Mary treasured like I treasure everything Jered has ever built for our home? Jesus was just like His Father – God, the ultimate architect and builder.

Yes, God is the Master Creator, but His greatest creations are not of wood or stone. God was and is the creator of eternal masterpieces like you and me. His blueprint for our lives is second to none, is detailed in the Word of God, and is without flaw as it molds us into the image of God.

We are His living masterpieces - created by the One who knows us best and loves us most.

There are no accidents with God. Before we were ever conceived in the heart and mind of man, we were conceived in the heart and mind of God. Wanted, loved and planned since before the world began. He had a plan in mind and lovingly, purposefully created us in response to that plan.

I know there are days when the plan of God seems completely wrong, and we simply don’t understand. Every moment is pregnant with darkness, and our hearts are numb, paralyzed by fear and doubt. We are treading water in the stormy seas of life, desperately longing to see God walking on the treacherous waves toward us, rescue in His hand. It is in those shadowed moments that we must choose to trust the Plan Maker, the Master Designer.

Even though our faith is small, and we cannot understand the plan or make sense of His divine blueprints. God’s ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. And one day, every one of our question marks will be yanked into exclamation points as we see that plan like God sees it – perfect.

Today, Girlfriend, set aside your meager agenda. Lay down your limited life arrangement and look for God to meet you at the point of surrender – power and victory in His hands. Now that is a great plan created by God, our Architect and Builder.

Let’s Pray

Father, please forgive me when I stubbornly choose to ignore Your plan. Thank You for always being ready to rescue me from my own selfish desires and decisions. Help me remember that Your plan is the highest and best plan for my life and give me the strength to follow You. I want to honor and please You, Lord.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read and memorize 1 Corinthians 3:16 that says, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” How does this verse impact the way you live, think, and act? Record your thoughts in your journal.

More from the Girlfriends

Have you ever wondered why you were even born? Do feelings of insecurity and doubt plague your life? Mary’s book, 10-Day Trust Adventure, will lead you to understand how valuable you are and help you learn to trust God as you discover His unique design for your life. Check it out!

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

Seeking God?

Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal

relationship with Jesus Christ.

LHM Daily Devotion - "Is it Unlawful to Do Good?"

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Is it Unlawful to Do Good?"

March 9, 2017

But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus. (Luke 6:11, ESV)

Read Luke 6:6-11

The opposition against Jesus is mounting-neighbors from Nazareth and the devil with his demonic army. Now two new enemies join the fray.

The scribes have spent centuries copying Old Testament scrolls, which teach God's Law to show us why we need His promised Savior. But they have distorted that word: teaching that heaven can be earned with less-than-perfect lives. Sitting with the scribes are their disciples the Pharisees, who dedicate themselves to live by these teachings and traditions.

In the synagogue sits a man whose right hand is withered and useless. What will Jesus do? Scribal traditions forbid any work on the Sabbath, even healing a man's withered hand. So the scribes and Pharisees silently watch to see if Jesus will break their Sabbath rules.

Jesus calls the man to stand, dramatically drawing everyone's attention. Then He turns to the scribes and asks, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?" He exposes the hypocrisy of their tradition that would forbid Him to use His powers to end someone's suffering just because it is the Sabbath. Looking around at them, He lets His point sink in. Jesus then tells the man, "Stretch out your hand," and his hand is completely restored.

The scribes and Pharisees are furious. Jesus clearly broke the spirit of their Sabbath tradition, but by the letter of their law they have no charge to bring against Him. Nobody thought to write a law forbidding a man to stretch out his hand.

THE PRAYER:  Almighty God, Jesus' enemies grew furious when He showed concern for a man who was hurting. Forgive my cold, unfeeling heart toward those suffering around me, and help me flee to Jesus for forgiveness. I pray His 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 búsqueda del tesoro

Devociones de Cuaresma  2017

La búsqueda del tesoro

9 de Marzo de 2017

Donde esté tu tesoro, allí estará también tu corazón. Mateo 6:21, RVC (6:16-21)

Una vez escuché a un colega decir lo siguiente: "Tu Dios es aquél a quien dedicas tu tiempo, y en quien inviertes tu dinero." Esta frase me hace pensar que somos más idólatras de lo que creemos, algo que no es para nada nuevo. Jesús ya vio la idolatría en sus contemporáneos. Estaba presente en sus prácticas de oración, en su ayuno, y en sus buenas obras. Algunos tenían dobles intenciones: querían quedar bien con Dios, a la vez que ser admirados por sus vecinos. Otros tenían una sola intención: alimentar su vanidad, aparentando piedad ante los demás. Para ello invertían tiempo y dinero para adorarse a sí mismos, acumulando así tesoros terrenales superfluos y baratos delante de Dios, tesoros que no enriquecen a nadie.

Nosotros no somos muy diferentes: nos dejamos atrapar por las cosas que brillan un poco y por el halago que nos hace sentir bien y que alimenta nuestro orgullo por un momento. No es que esté mal tener una apreciación adecuada de lo que somos y tenemos, ni que otros nos animen con palabras de aliento. El problema surge cuando dedicamos nuestro tiempo, nuestros esfuerzos, y nuestros recursos a que otros nos aprueben.

¿Dónde está nuestro corazón? Jesús nos exhorta a buscar las cosas de Dios, a invertir nuestro tiempo y nuestros recursos en el estudio de su Palabra, en la participación de la Santa Comunión, y en sostenernos constantemente unos a otros. El tesoro de su Palabra enriquece nuestro corazón haciéndolo brillar de tal forma, que sólo el Padre en los cielos puede verlo. El corazón que brilla por la gracia de Dios, late de una manera diferente: es un corazón agradecido, simple, enfocado en el tesoro eterno que, según Jesús, nadie nos podrá quitar.

Mi búsqueda del tesoro ha terminado. Jesús me encontró. No necesito más.

Gracias, Padre, porque hiciste accesible a nosotros todas las riquezas del cielo. Ayúdanos a atesorarlas debidamente. Amén.

© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. ¡U tilice estas devociones en sus boletines! Usado con permiso. Todos los derechos reservados por la Int'l LLL. Reina Valera Contemporánea (RVC) Copyright © 2009, 2011 by Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas.