LHM Daily Devotion - "Where's My Host?"

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Where's My Host?"

March 19, 2017

... "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today" (Luke 19:5b, ESV).

Read Luke 19:1-10

Jesus' final week is just a few days away. He has come to Jericho to spend the night, but His host is not home. So Jesus passes through town to find him.

Zacchaeus is a chief tax collector and extremely wealthy. But he left his tax office when he heard Jesus had come to town. He knew Jesus' reputation-while the Jews and their leaders despised tax collectors as traitors and thieves-Jesus was known as a friend to tax collectors. Rushing to the far edge of town, he climbed a tree to see the Lord.

Jesus comes right up to that spot, stops, and looks up into the tree. Calling Zacchaeus by name, He tells him to come down quickly. Jesus wants to spend this night in his house.

Zacchaeus scurries down and receives Jesus with great joy. The crowd hears this and is terribly scandalized. How could Jesus choose to stay in the home of a notorious sinner? What they didn't know is that Jesus had already begun to change Zacchaeus' heart. The chief tax collector was repenting of his sins and planning to make amends for his past wrongdoings.

Jesus points out that Zacchaeus is a son of Abraham just as are those in the crowd. True children of Abraham share Abraham's faith in God's promise to send the Christ or Messiah. Zacchaeus knew Jesus had given him a great honor by staying in his house. But did he know His Lord had chosen to spend one of the last precious nights He had on earth with him?

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, with amazing grace You sought out the despised chief tax collector Zacchaeus and honored him by staying at His house that night. Help us appreciate the honor You give us, by promising to remain with us always. 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 - Un final feliz

Devociones de Cuaresma  2017

Un final feliz

19 de Marzo de 2017

¡Ah, mujer, tienes mucha fe! ¡Que se haga contigo tal y como quieres! Mateo 15:28, RVC  (15:23b-28)

La mujer está ahora de rodillas, insistiendo en conseguir de Jesús lo que quiere para su hija. En esta escena es importante ver la progresión de las respuestas de Jesús. Primero, su silencio. Segundo, su áspera respuesta. Tercero, su respuesta aún más dura. Cuarto, reconocimiento de la fe de la mujer. Quinto, el acto de misericordia, la entrega de la gracia.

¿Dónde te ves tú en esta historia? ¿Recuerdas alguna situación en la que te encontrabas desesperado? ¿Te sientes desorientado en este momento por las circunstancias que estás viviendo? ¿Te acuerdas cuándo fue la última vez que te arrodillaste delante de Dios para gritar por ayuda? Esta historia nos muestra cómo puede obrar Dios en nuestra vida de todos los días: hay un milagro. La hija de la mujer es sanada. Dios cambia situaciones desafortunadas en bendiciones.

El silencio de Jesús significa algo. Las duras respuestas de Jesús significan algo. Pero la gracia de Jesús corona el final de esta historia. Las situaciones malas revelan nuestra dependencia de Dios.

Cada historia en nuestra vida tiene un final. No hay historia que Jesús no quiera coronar con su gracia.

Cuando Dios derrama su gracia sobre nosotros, la historia de nuestra vida cambia. Cuando pareciera que Dios no escucha, cuando la iglesia piensa que somos molestos (como pensaron los discípulos), Jesús todavía está presente.

La mujer se volvió a su casa sabiendo que no era un perro, sino una hija preciosa para Dios. Las migajas de pan que caen de la mesa son importantes, porque Jesús es el pan de vida. ¿Te imaginas recibir un pan completo? En Cristo lo tienes.

Jesús cruza fronteras, se encuentra con personas "molestas", trata con discípulos insensibles, y otorga su gracia a extranjeros. Sé persistente. No tengas vergüenza de caer de rodillas.

Querido Padre, gracias porque Jesús atravesó la frontera del cielo para hacerse nuestro Salvador. 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 - A Small Fire

Read: James 3:3–12 | Bible in a Year: Joshua 1–3; Mark 16

The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. James 3:5

It was a Sunday night in September and most people were sleeping when a small fire broke out in Thomas Farriner’s bakery on Pudding Lane. Soon the flames spread from house to house and London was engulfed in the Great Fire of 1666. Over 70,000 people were left homeless by the blaze that leveled four-fifths of the city. So much destruction from such a small fire!

The Bible warns us of another small but destructive fire. James was concerned about lives and relationships, not buildings, when he wrote, “The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark” (James 3:5).

But our words can also be constructive. Proverbs 16:24 reminds us, “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” The apostle Paul says, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Col. 4:6). As salt flavors our food, grace flavors our words for building up others.

Through the help of the Holy Spirit our words can encourage people who are hurting, who want to grow in their faith, or who need to come to the Savior. Our words can put out fires instead of starting them.

Lord, I can always use help with the way I talk. For this day, help me to speak words of hope and encouragement to build up others.

What will our words be like today?

By Bill Crowder

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Ngọn Lửa Nhỏ

Đọc: Gia-cơ 3:3-12 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Giô-suê 1-3; Mác 16

Cũng vậy, cái lưỡi là một bộ phận nhỏ nhưng khoe khoang những việc lớn. Một tia lửa nhỏ có thể làm bùng cháy cả một cánh rừng rộng lớn biết bao! (Gia-cơ 3:5)

Đó là đêm Chúa nhật tháng Chín và hầu hết mọi người đều đang ngủ khi một đám lửa nhỏ bùng phát tại xưởng bánh của Thomas Farriner ở đường Pudding Lane. Chẳng bao lâu, ngọn lửa lan rộng từ nhà này đến nhà khác và thành phố Luân Đôn bị nhấn chìm trong trận Đại Hỏa Hoạn năm 1666. Hơn 70,000 người trở thành vô gia cư bởi ngọn lửa đã san bằng 4/5 diện tích thành phố. Sự tàn phá khủng khiếp đến từ ngọn lửa nhỏ.

Kinh Thánh cảnh báo chúng ta về ngọn lửa nhỏ tàn phá khác. Gia-cơ quan tâm đến đời sống và các mối quan hệ, chứ không phải những tòa nhà, khi ông viết: “Cũng vậy, cái lưỡi là một bộ phận nhỏ nhưng khoe khoang những việc lớn. Một tia lửa nhỏ có thể làm bùng cháy cả một cánh rừng rộng lớn biết bao!” (Gia-cơ 3:5)

Nhưng lời nói của chúng ta cũng có thể mang lại sự gây dựng. Châm ngôn 16:24 nhắc nhở rằng “Lời nói ân hậu giống như tàng ong, ngon ngọt cho tâm hồn và khỏe mạnh cho xương cốt.” Sứ đồ Phao-lô nói: “Lời nói của anh em phải luôn có ân hậu và nêm thêm muối, để anh em biết phải đối đáp thế nào với mỗi người” (Col. 4:6). Như muối làm tăng thêm hương vị cho thức ăn, thì ân điển giúp lời nói của chúng ta gây dựng người khác.

Bởi sự giúp đỡ của Thánh Linh, lời nói của chúng ta có thể khích lệ những người đang bị tổn thương, những người muốn tăng trưởng trong đức tin hay những người cần đến với Cứu Chúa. Lời nói của chúng ta có thể dập tắt lửa thay vì thổi bùng chúng.

Lạy Chúa, con luôn có thể nhờ Ngài giúp đỡ trong cách con nói. Hôm nay, xin giúp con nói những lời hy vọng và khích lệ để gây dựng người khác.

Hôm nay chúng ta sẽ nói những lời như thế nào?

bởi Bill Crowder

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Un fuego pequeño

Leer: Santiago 3:3-12 | La Biblia en un año: Marcos 16

… la lengua es un miembro pequeño, pero se jacta de grandes cosas. He aquí, ¡cuán grande bosque enciende un pequeño fuego! (Santiago 3:5).

Un domingo de septiembre, por la noche, mientras la mayoría de la gente dormía, se desencadenó un pequeño fuego en la panadería de Thomas Farriner, en Pudding Lane. Al instante, las llamas se extendieron de una casa a otra, y Londres se vio envuelta en el Gran Incendio de 1666. Más de 70.000 personas quedaron sin casa por fuego que arrasó el 80% de la ciudad. ¡Tanta destrucción por un incendio tan pequeño!

La Biblia nos advierte sobre otro fuego pequeño, pero destructivo. A Santiago le interesaban las personas y la relación entre ellas, no los edificios; por eso, escribió: «la lengua es un miembro pequeño, pero se jacta de grandes cosas. He aquí, ¡cuán grande bosque enciende un pequeño fuego!» (Santiago 3:5).

Pero nuestras palabras también pueden ser edificantes. Proverbios 16:24 nos recuerda: «Panal de miel son los dichos suaves; suavidad al alma y medicina para los huesos». Y el apóstol Pablo dice: «Sea vuestra palabra siempre con gracia, sazonada con sal, para que sepáis cómo debéis responder a cada uno» (Colosenses 4:6). Como la sal sazona la comida, la gracia hace lo mismo con nuestras palabras para edificar a los demás.

Con la ayuda del Espíritu Santo, nuestras palabras pueden apagar incendios en vez de provocarlos.

Señor, ayúdame a transmitir esperanza y ánimo con mis palabras.

¿Cómo serán hoy nuestras palabras?

Por Bill Crowder

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Ein kleines Feuer

Lesen: Jakobus 3,3-12 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: Josua 1–3; Markus 16

So ist auch die Zunge ein kleines Glied und richtet große Dingen an. Siehe, ein kleines Feuer, welch einen Wald zündet’s an! Jakobus 3,5

Es war ein Sonntagabend im September und die meisten Menschen schliefen schon, als in der Bäckerei von Thomas Farriner in der Pudding Lane ein kleines Feuer ausbrach. Bald sprangen die Flammen von Haus zu Haus und ganz London versank im Großen Feuer von 1666. Über 70‘000 Menschen verloren bei der Feuersbrunst, die vier Fünftel der Stadt in Asche legte, ihre Häuser. Was für eine Zerstörung durch ein kleines Feuer!

Die Bibel warnt uns vor einem anderen kleinen, aber vernichtenden Feuer. Jakobus dachte an Menschen und Beziehungen, nicht an Häuser, als er schrieb: „So ist auch die Zunge ein kleines Glied und richtet große Dingen an. Siehe, ein kleines Feuer, welch einen Wald zündet’s an!“ (Jak. 3,5).

Aber unsere Worte können auch aufbauend sein. Sprüche 16,4 erinnert uns: „Freundliche Reden sind Honigseim, trösten die Seele und erfrischen die Gebeine.“ Und der Apostel Paulus sagt: „Eure Rede sei allezeit freundlich und mit Salz gewürzt, dass ihr wisst, wie ihr einem jeden antworten sollt“ (Kol. 4,6). Wie Salz ein gutes Essen würzt, würzt unsere Freundlichkeit unsere Worte.

Durch die Hilfe des Heiligen Geistes können unsere Worte anderen Menschen Mut machen, die leiden, die im Glauben wachsen oder überhaupt erst zu Jesus kommen wollen. Wir können mit dem, was wir reden, nicht nur Feuer anzünden, sondern auch löschen.

Herr, beim Reden kann ich immer deine Hilfe brauchen. Lass mich heute Worte der Hoffnung und Ermutigung sagen, die andere Menschen aufbauen.

Was werden unsere Worte heute vermitteln?

Von Bill Crowder

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Un petit feu

Lisez : Jacques 3.3‑12 | La Bible en un an : Josué 1 – 3 et Marc 16

De même, la langue est un petit membre, et elle se vante de grandes choses. Voici, comme un petit feu peut embraser une grande forêt. (Jacques 3.5)

Par un dimanche soir de septembre, la plupart des gens dormaient quand un petit incendie a éclaté à la pâtisserie de Thomas Farriner dans la rue Pudding Lane. Les flammes n’ont pas tardé à se propager de maison en maison, si bien que toute la ville s’est retrouvée en proie au grand incendie de Londres de 1666. Le brasier qui a ainsi réduit en cendres les quatre cinquièmes de la ville a jeté à la rue plus de 70 000 personnes. Une telle destruction engendrée par un si petit feu !

La Bible nous met en garde contre un autre petit feu tout aussi destructeur. Jacques s’intéressait aux vies et aux relations, et non aux bâtiments, en écrivant : « De même, la langue est un petit membre, et elle se vante de grandes choses. Voici, comme un petit feu peut embraser une grande forêt » (JA 3.5).

Reste que nos paroles peuvent aussi s’avérer constructives : « Les paroles agréables sont un rayon de miel, douces pour l’âme et salutaires pour le corps » (PR 16.24). L’apôtre Paul a également dit : « Que votre parole soit toujours accompagnée de grâce, assaisonnée de sel, afin que vous sachiez comment il faut répondre à chacun » (COL 4.6). Comme le sel assaisonne notre nourriture, la grâce assaisonne nos paroles d’encouragement.

Avec l’aide du Saint‑Esprit, nos paroles peuvent encourager les gens qui souffrent, qui désirent grandir dans la foi ou qui ont besoin de venir au Sauveur, éteignant ainsi les feux plutôt que d’en allumer.

De quoi seront faites nos paroles aujourd’hui ?

Par Bill Crowder

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Маленький огонь

Читати: Якова 3:3-12 | Біблія за рік: Ісуса Навина 1–3 ; Марка 16

Так само й язик, малий член, але хвалиться вельми! Ось маленький огонь, а запалює величезного ліса! — Якова 3:5

Була ніч вересневої неділі, і більшість людей спали, коли невеличкий огонь спалахнув у пекарні Томаса Фаррінера на вулиці Паддінг Лейн. Огонь поширювався від будинку до будинку, і незабаром Лондон був охоплений полум’ям Величезної пожежі. Це сталося у 1666 році. Понад 70 000 людей залишились без даху над головою. Пожежа знищила 80 відсотків міста. Ось що спричинив маленький огонь!

Біблія попереджає нас про інший маленький, але дуже руйнівний “огонь”. Апостол Яків переймався не будівлями, а стосунками між людьми, коли писав: “Так само й язик, малий член, але хвалиться вельми! Ось маленький огонь, а запалює величезного ліса!” (Як. 3:5).

Але наші слова можуть і будувати. Автор Книги Приповістей 16:24 нагадує нам: “Приємні слова − щільниковий то мед, солодкий душі й лік на кості”. Апостол Павло каже: “Слово ваше нехай буде завжди ласкаве, приправлене сіллю, щоб ви знали, як ви маєте кожному відповідати” (Кол. 4:6). Як сіль придає їжі смак, так “приправлені благодаттю” слова духовно збудовують інших людей.

За допомогою Святого Духа наші слова можуть підбадьорювати тих, хто страждають, хто прагнуть зростати у вірі або потребують прийти до Спасителя. Наші слова можуть загасити небезпечний вогонь, замість того щоб його роздмухувати.

Господи, я знаю, що завжди можу допомогти комусь добрим словом. Навчи сьогодні казати такі слова, що несуть іншим надію, підбадьорення для їхнього збудування.

Якими будуть сьогодні наші слова?

Автор Білл (Уїльям) Краудер

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Небольшой огонь

Читать сейчас: Иакова 3:3-12 | Библия за год: Иисуса Навина 1-3; Марка 16

Язык – небольшой член, но много делает. Посмотри, небольшой огонь как много вещества зажигает! — Иакова 3:5

Был воскресный сентябрьский вечер, и большинство людей мирно спали, когда небольшой язычок пламени вырвался из пекарни Томаса Фарринера на Паддинг-лейн. Через некоторое время огонь разгорелся, стал перескакивать с дома на дом, и вскоре Лондон был охвачен пламенем Великого пожара 1666 г. Больше 70 000 человек остались без крова. Разбушевавшаяся стихия уничтожила 4/5 города. Такое страшное разрушение от крохотного огонька!

Библия предупреждает о другом малом, но разрушительном «огне». Апостол Иаков был обеспокоен не состоянием жилья, а состоянием сердец и отношениями между людьми, когда писал: «Язык – небольшой член, но много делает. Посмотри, небольшой огонь как много вещества зажигает!» (Иак. 3:5).

Но слова могут быть и созидательными. Книга притч напоминает: «Приятная речь – сотовый мед: сладка для души и целебна для костей» (Притч. 16:24). Апостол Павел говорит: «Слово ваше да будет всегда с благодатью, приправлено солью, дабы вы знали, как отвечать каждому» (Кол. 4:6). Как соль улучшает вкус пищи, так благодать умножает доброе влияние слов для назидания слушающих.

С помощью Святого Духа наши слова могут ободрить скорбящих, желающих возрастать в вере или нуждающихся в Спасителе. Словом можно не только разжечь, но и угасить огонь.

Господь, я всегда могу прибегнуть к Тебе за помощью в управлении речью. Помоги мне говорить слова надежды и ободрения для назидания окружающих.

Какими будут сегодня ваши слова?

автор: Билл Краудер

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for SATURDAY, March 18, 2017

The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Jeremiah 5:20-31

Declare this in the house of Jacob, proclaim it in Judah: Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but do not see, who have ears, but do not hear. Do you not fear me? says the LORD; Do you not tremble before me? I placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass; though the waves toss, they cannot prevail, though they roar, they cannot pass over it. But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart; they have turned aside and gone away. They do not say in their hearts, "Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest." Your iniquities have turned these away, and your sins have deprived you of good. For scoundrels are found among my people; they take over the goods of others. Like fowlers they set a trap; they catch human beings. Like a cage full of birds, their houses are full of treachery; therefore they have become great and rich, they have grown fat and sleek. They know no limits in deeds of wickedness; they do not judge with justice the cause of the orphan, to make it prosper, and they do not defend the rights of the needy. Shall I not punish them for these things? says the LORD, and shall I not bring retribution on a nation such as this? An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule as the prophets direct; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?

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

The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from Romans 3:19-31

Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For "no human being will be justified in his sight" by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

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

The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in John 7:1-13
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!

After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He did not wish to go about in Judea because the Jews were looking for an opportunity to kill him. Now the Jewish festival of Booths was near. So his brothers said to him, "Leave here and go to Judea so that your disciples also may see the works you are doing; for no one who wants to be widely known acts in secret. If you do these things, show yourself to the world." (For not even his brothers believed in him.) Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify against it that its works are evil. Go to the festival yourselves. I am not going to this festival, for my time has not yet fully come." After saying this, he remained in Galilee. But after his brothers had gone to the festival, then he also went, not publicly but as it were in secret. The Jews were looking for him at the festival and saying, "Where is he?" And there was considerable complaining about him among the crowds. While some were saying, "He is a good man," others were saying, "No, he is deceiving the crowd." Yet no one would speak openly about him for fear of the Jews.

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

Morning Psalms

Psalm 75 Confitebimur tibi
1   We give you thanks, O God, we give you thanks, calling upon your Name and declaring all your wonderful deeds.
2   I will appoint a time, says God; I will judge with equity.
3   Though the earth and all its inhabitants are quaking, I will make its pillars fast.
4   I will say to the boasters, 'Boast no more, ' and to the wicked, 'Do not toss your horns;
5   Do not toss your horns so high, nor speak with a proud neck.'"
6   For judgment is neither from the east nor from the west, nor yet from the wilderness or the mountains.
7   It is God who judges; he puts down one and lifts up another.
8   For in the LORD'S hand there is a cup, full of spiced and foaming wine, which he pours out, and all the wicked of the earth shall drink and drain the dregs.
9   But I will rejoice for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10   He shall break off all the horns of the wicked; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.

Psalm 76 Notus in Judæa
1   In Judah is God known; his Name is great in Israel.
2   At Salem is his tabernacle, and his dwelling is in Zion.
3   There he broke the flashing arrows, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of battle.
4   How glorious you are! more splendid than the everlasting mountains!
5   The strong of heart have been despoiled; they sink into sleep; none of the warriors can lift a hand.
6   At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both horse and rider lie stunned.
7   What terror you inspire! who can stand before you when you are angry?
8   From heaven you pronounced judgment; the earth was afraid and was still;
9   When God rose up to judgment and to save all the oppressed of the earth.
10   Truly, wrathful Edom will give you thanks, and the remnant of Hamath will keep your feasts.
11   Make a vow to the LORD your God and keep it; let all around him bring gifts to him who is worthy to be feared.
12   He breaks the spirit of princes, and strikes terror in the kings of the earth.

Evening Psalms

Psalm 23 Dominus regit me
1   The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.
2   He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.
3   He revives my soul and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.
4   Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5   You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over.
6   Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalm 27 Dominus illuminatio
1   The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?
2   When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who stumbled and fell.
3   Though an army should encamp against me, yet my heart shall not be afraid;
4   And though war should rise up against me, yet will I put my trust in him.
5   One thing have I asked of the LORD; one thing I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life;
6   To behold the fair beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
7   For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling and set me high upon a rock.
8   Even now he lifts up my head above my enemies round about me.
9   Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation with sounds of great gladness; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
10   Hearken to my voice, O LORD, when I call; have mercy on me and answer me.
11   You speak in my heart and say, "Seek my face." Your face, LORD, will I seek.
12   Hide not your face from me, nor turn away your servant in displeasure.
13   You have been my helper; cast me not away; do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.
14   Though my father and my mother forsake me, the LORD will sustain me.
15   Show me your way, O LORD; lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.
16   Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen up against me, and also those who speak malice.
17   What if I had not believed that I should see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
18   O tarry and await the LORD'S pleasure; be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; wait patiently for the LORD.

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 18, 2017

Romans 15:13 (NIV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Read all of Romans 15

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 - What Suffering Reveals

Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?"

—Job 1:8 (NKJV)

Most of us can accept the idea of suffering in general, especially when it comes as a consequence of bad behavior. We don't have a problem with that.

What we do have a problem with is when bad things happen to people who are godly. It is not suffering that troubles us; it is undeserved suffering.

Job was not doing wrong; he was doing right. In fact, he was doing so well spiritually that God actually was bragging on him up in Heaven. Then one day, without warning, the bottom dropped out. The problem for poor Job was that he had never read the book of Job. He lived it in real time. And all he knew was that one day he woke up, and everything bad that could happen happened—and then even more bad things happened.

Sometimes God will use the worst to accomplish the best. It is then that we must trust Him. When the worst thing imaginable happened to Job, he fell down on his knees and said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord " (Job 1:21).

We admire that, and we should. If you have faith, your faith will get stronger when things get harder. If your faith doesn't get stronger, then I wonder what kind of faith you have. A faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted. If your faith cannot survive adversity, then your faith isn't real. It is through adversity that real faith grows stronger.

Job showed that he really was everything God said he was: a man of integrity, a man whom God could brag on. When the worst things happened, he stood tall.

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 - Hay esperanza

Y ahora, Señor, ¿qué esperanza me queda? ¡Mi esperanza he puesto en ti!
Salmo 39:7 (NVI)

Tal como le sucedió a Fredy, nuestro amigo del devocional de ayer, la vida lo sorprendió. De un día para otro, cambió su vida. Por robarlo recibió ese disparo que le cambió su condición física. Y a lo mejor esto te pasó a ti. Tienes una condición similar y quizá se deba a un accidente, una enfermedad o una incapacidad de nacimiento que cambió tu vida por completo.

¿Estamos preparados para afrontarlo? ¿Cómo sería nuestra reacción emocional? En la mayoría de los casos, estas grandes calamidades nos hacen más sensibles, nos motivan a buscar más de Dios, a pedirle ayuda y, por qué no, un milagro.

Por alguna razón que no tengo respuesta, Dios en algunos casos obra con milagros impresionantes. Sin embargo, en otra gran cantidad de ocasiones no hay sanidad física.

Conozco casos cercanos, incluso en mi familia, donde he podido ver que Dios ha dejado seres muy queridos para mí con sus limitaciones. A pesar de eso, sé también que no es casualidad que esas personitas a quienes quiero tanto Dios las haya levantando en lo espiritual de una manera única y hoy en día son grandes líderes. Su fe y sus testimonios han acercado a más de uno a los pies de Cristo.

A decir verdad, siempre hay esperanza. No sé cuál sea tu limitación, ni cuál fue esa situación que cambió tu vida para siempre, pero recuerda que Dios tiene un propósito con tu vida y serás de apoyo para otros que viven, o vivirán, lo mismo que tú y podrás ayudarles al testificarles del amor de 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.