LHM Daily Devotion - "Not Yet - But Soon"

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Not Yet - But Soon"

March 20, 2017

(Jesus said) "But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to reign over us'" (Luke 19:14, ESV).

Read Luke 19:11-27

Jesus' choice to stay with the chief tax collector Zacchaeus divides the crowd. Some are upset Jesus is associating with such an open sinner. Others think God's kingdom will appear at once when He reaches the Jewish capital Jerusalem. Jesus tells a parable that answers both ideas.

The people have no trouble picturing His story of a nobleman traveling to a distant country to have himself proclaimed king. That was the way the Roman Empire worked. Herod the Great left the land of Palestine and travelled to Rome before Emperor Augustus proclaimed him king. Only then could he return to rule.

Jesus pictures Himself as that nobleman-the great Son of David and Son of God. Instead of beginning His reign when He enters Jerusalem, He will be murdered by His enemies. But after His resurrection He will leave the earth, ascending into heaven where the Father will proclaim Him King. Then on the Last Day-and not until that Day-Jesus will return to reward His faithful servants and establish His kingdom on the new earth.

Now Jesus turns to His enemies. He has shown great patience, humility, grace, mercy and love toward them, but they have hated Him, without cause. He warns that the time of judgment is coming. He will return with His angel armies to capture His enemies and slaughter them.

To our ears that judgment sounds harsh. But Christ your King has given you fair warning. If you will not bow your knee to Him in faith, you will forfeit your life and suffer eternally in hell.

THE PRAYER: Almighty God, You have established Your Son as the Ruler of all things in heaven and on earth. Break through my rebellious heart that I may love Him and serve Him now and through all eternity. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.

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

Devociones de Cuaresma - Aprender a mirar

Devociones de Cuaresma  2017

Aprender a mirar

20 de Marzode 2017

Jesús alzó la vista y vio que una gran multitud se acercaba a él. Juan 6:5, RVC (6:1-9)

La multitud buscaba satisfacción inmediata a sus necesidades concretas: salud, apoyo, guía, contención. Los miles caminaron muchos kilómetros; los padres trajeron con ellos a sus hijos abandonando temporariamente sus hogares y su trabajo, y no previendo demasiado cuánto tiempo estarían afuera.

La actitud de Jesús es reconfortante: "Alzó la vista." Este detalle está cargado de significado. Jesús siempre alzó la vista para alabar a su Padre, y para buscar su orientación en la oración. Aquí levanta la vista para ver más allá de lo inmediato. Jesús levanta la vista para ver a miles que están buscando algo, aunque ese algo no fuese exactamente lo que él vino a darles. Los miles no vinieron a pedirle el perdón de sus pecados, sino porque "veían las señales que hacía con los enfermos".

Jesús se hace responsable: "¿Dónde compraremos pan, para que éstos coman?" Lo curioso de la pregunta es que Jesús ya sabe la respuesta. Los discípulos son como la multitud: sólo ven lo inmediato. Uno dijo: "Ni doscientos denarios de pan bastarían..." Otro encontró un niño con cinco panes y dos pescados, y comentó: "¿Qué es esto para tanta gente? Ni la multitud ni los discípulos alzaron la vista. Ninguno de los dos consideró a Jesús, y lo que él realmente es y puede hacer.

¿Dónde ponemos nosotros nuestros ojos? ¿En lo inmediato? La actitud de Jesús nos anima a que no perdamos la perspectiva. Dios ya sabe lo que va a hacer con nosotros, por eso nos mueve para que con los ojos de la fe veamos al Jesús que puede y quiere darnos mucho más de lo que nuestros mezquinos y miedosos pensamientos pueden sugerir. ¡Dios nos da el cielo entero!

Gracias, Padre, porque antes de que nosotros alzáramos nuestra vista hacia ti, tú ya nos viste y proveíste lo necesario para la salvación: tu Hijo Jesús. 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 - Running and Rest

Read: Mark 6:30–46 | Bible in a Year: Joshua 4–6; Luke 1:1–20

[Jesus] said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31

The headline caught my eye: “Rest Days Important for Runners.” In Tommy Manning’s article, the former member of the U.S. Mountain Running Team emphasized a principle that dedicated athletes sometimes ignore—the body needs time to rest and rebuild after exercise. “Physiologically, the adaptations that occur as a result of training only happen during rest,” Manning wrote. “This means rest is as important as workouts.”

The same is true in our walk of faith and service. Regular times of rest are essential to avoid burnout and discouragement. Jesus sought spiritual balance during His life on Earth, even in the face of great demands. When His disciples returned from a strenuous time of teaching and healing others, “He said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest’” (Mark 6:31). But a large crowd followed them, so Jesus taught them and fed them with only five loaves and two fish (vv. 32–44). When everyone was gone, Jesus “went up on a mountainside to pray” (v. 46).

If our lives are defined by work, then what we do becomes less and less effective. Jesus invites us to regularly join Him in a quiet place to pray and get some rest.

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your example of prayer alone with Your Father. Give us wisdom and determination to make rest a priority as we follow You.

In our life of faith and service, rest is as important as work.

By David McCasland

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Chạy Và Nghỉ Ngơi

Đọc: Mác 6:30-46 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Giô-suê 4-6; Lu-ca 1:1-20

Ngài bảo các sứ đồ: “Các con hãy đi tẽ vào nơi thanh vắng, nghỉ ngơi một lúc.” (Mác 6:31)

Dòng tin tức trên trang đầu khiến tôi chú ý: “Những ngày nghỉ ngơi rất quan trọng đối với các vận động viên chạy đua”. Trong bài viết của Tommy Manning, nguyên là thành viên của Đội Chạy Đua Đường Núi của Mỹ đã nhấn mạnh nguyên tắc mà một số vận động viên chuyên môn đôi khi lơ là – đó là cơ thể cần thời gian để nghỉ ngơi và phục hồi sau khi tập luyện. Manning viết: “Về mặt sinh lý học, kết quả của sự tập luyện là sự thích nghi chỉ xảy ra trong lúc nghỉ ngơi. Điều này có nghĩa là nghỉ ngơi cũng quan trọng như luyện tập.”

Điều đó cũng đúng trong con đường đức tin và phục vụ của chúng ta. Thời gian nghỉ ngơi thường xuyên là rất quan trọng để tránh kiệt sức và nản lòng. Chúa Jêsus đã quan tâm đến sự quân bình thuộc linh trong suốt thời gian Ngài sống trên đất, dù khi đối diện với những nhu cầu lớn lao. Khi các môn đồ trở về sau thời gian giảng dạy và chữa bệnh đầy căng thẳng: “Ngài nói với họ: Các con hãy đi tẽ vào nơi thanh vắng, nghỉ ngơi một lúc.” Mác 6:31. Nhưng đoàn dân đông cứ theo họ, vì vậy Chúa Jêsus dạy dỗ và cho họ ăn chỉ với năm ổ bánh và hai con cá (c.32-44). Khi mọi người đã về, Chúa Jêsus “đi lên núi để cầu nguyện” (c.46).

Nếu cuộc đời chúng ta được định nghĩa bởi công việc, thì điều chúng ta làm ngày càng trở nên ít hiệu quả hơn. Chúa Jêsus mời gọi chúng ta thường xuyên cùng Ngài bước vào nơi yên tĩnh để cầu nguyện và nghỉ ngơi.

Lạy Chúa Jêsus, cảm ơn Ngài đã để lại cho chúng con gương mẫu về sự cầu nguyện một mình với Chúa Cha. Xin ban cho chúng con sự khôn ngoan và sự quyết tâm để biến sự nghỉ ngơi thành ưu tiên khi chúng con theo Ngài.

Trong đời sống đức tin và phục vụ của chúng ta, việc nghỉ ngơi cũng quan trọng như làm việc.

bởi David McCasland

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Correr y descansar

Leer: Marcos 6:30-46 | La Biblia en un año: Lucas 1:1-20

[Jesús] les dijo: Venid vosotros aparte a un lugar desierto, y descansad un poco… (Marcos 6:31).

El titular me llamó la atención: «El descanso es importante para los corredores». El artículo de un exmiembro de una selección nacional de corredores de montaña enfatizaba un principio que, a veces, los atletas dedicados ignoran: el cuerpo necesita descansar y recuperarse después del ejercicio. Y agregaba: «Fisiológicamente, las adaptaciones que ocurren como resultado del entrenamiento solo se producen durante el descanso. Esto significa que descansar es tan importante como los ejercicios».

Lo mismo sucede con la fe y el servicio. Es esencial descansar con regularidad para evitar el agotamiento y el desánimo. Jesús buscó el equilibrio espiritual durante su vida en la Tierra, aun frente a demandas importantes. Cuando sus discípulos volvieron de un extenuante viaje de enseñanza y sanidades, Jesús les dijo: «Venid vosotros aparte a un lugar desierto, y descansad un poco» (Marcos 6:31). Pero una gran multitud los siguió; entonces, Jesús les enseñó y les dio de comer (vv. 32-44). Cuando se retiraron todos, Él «fue al monte a orar» (v. 46).

Si lo que define nuestra vida es el trabajo, lo que hacemos se torna cada vez más ineficaz. Jesús nos invita a reunirnos con Él en un lugar tranquilo para orar y descansar.

Señor, gracias por tu ejemplo en la oración y el descanso. Ayúdame a imitarte.

En nuestra vida de fe y servicio, el descanso es tan importante como el trabajo.

Por David C. McCasland

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Rennen und ruhen

Lesen: Markus 6,30-46 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: Josua 4–6; Lukas 1,1-20

Und [Jesus] sprach zu ihnen: Geht ihr allein an eine einsame Stätte und ruht ein wenig. Markus 6,31

Die Überschrift sprang mir in die Augen: „Ruhetage wichtig für Läufer.“ Der Artikel von einem ehemaligen Mitglied eines Bergläuferteams behandelte ein Thema, das passionierte Sportler manchmal ignorieren—der Körper braucht nach dem Einsatz Zeit zum Ruhen und sich Regenerieren. „Physiologisch gesehen werden die Anpassungen, die durch das Training ausgelöst werden, erst während der Ruhephase wirksam“, hieß es in dem Artikel. „Das heißt, dass Ruhe genauso wichtig ist wie das Training.“

Dasselbe gilt für unseren Glauben und Dienst. Regelmäßige Ruhezeiten sind wichtig, um Frustration und Burnout vorzubeugen. Jesus suchte während seines Erdenlebens selbst in Zeiten größter Herausforderungen die geistliche Balance. Als seine Jünger von einem anstrengenden Einsatz zurückkehrten, sagte er zu ihnen: „Geht ihr allein an eine einsame Stätte und ruht ein wenig“ (Mark. 6,31). Aber eine große Menge folgte ihnen. Also lehrte Jesus sie und speiste sie mit nur fünf Broten und zwei Fischen (V.32-44). Danach „ging er hin auf einen Berg, um zu beten“ (V.46).

Wenn sich unser Leben nur um die Arbeit dreht, wird immer weniger dabei herauskommen. Jesus lädt uns ein, regelmäßig mit ihm eine einsame Stätte aufzusuchen, um zu beten und ein wenig zu ruhen.

Herr Jesus, hab Dank für dein Beispiel. Du hast die Stille gesucht, um allein mit deinem Vater zu reden. Schenke uns Weisheit und den Willen, auch auf unserem Weg der Nachfolge immer wieder die Stille zu suchen.

In deinem Leben und in deinem Dienst sind Zeiten der Ruhe genauso wichtig wie die Arbeit.

Von David McCasland

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Course et repos

Lisez : Marc 6.30‑46 | La Bible en un an : Josué 4 – 6 et Luc 1.1-20

Jésus leur dit : Venez à l’écart dans un lieu désert, et reposez‑vous un peu. (Marc 6.31)

Le gros titre a attiré mon attention : « Les jours de repos sont importants pour les coureurs. » Dans l’article de Tommy Manning, l’ancien membre de l’équipe américaine de course en montagne, a insisté sur un principe dont font fi certains athlètes consacrés à leur sport : le corps a besoin de repos pour se refaire après l’exercice. « Sur le plan physiologique, les adaptations qui se produisent après un entraînement ne sont possibles qu’au repos, écrit Manning, ce qui signifie que le repos compte autant que l’entraînement. »

Il en va de même pour notre marche de foi et de service. Il est essentiel de se reposer souvent pour éviter épuisement et découragement. Jésus a recherché un équilibre spirituel au cours de sa vie ici‑bas, même lorsqu’il était très sollicité. Quand ses disciples sont rentrés d’avoir durement travaillé à apporter des enseignements et des guérisons, « Jésus leur dit : Venez à l’écart dans un lieu désert, et reposez‑vous un peu » (MC 6.31). Une foule nombreuse s’est toutefois mise à les suivre, si bien que Jésus l’a enseignée et nourrie au moyen de seulement cinq pains et deux poissons (V. 32‑44). Une fois tout le monde reparti, Jésus « s’en alla sur la montagne, pour prier » (V. 46).

Si notre travail définit notre vie, ce que nous faisons dans la vie perdra de plus en plus de son efficacité. Jésus nous invite à le retrouver souvent dans le silence afin de prier et de nous reposer.

Dans la foi et le service, le repos compte autant que le travail.

par David McCasland

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Біг та відпочинок

Читати: Марка 6:30-46 | Біблія за рік: Ісуса Навина 4–6 ; Луки 1:1-20

І сказав Він до них: “Ідіть осібно самі до безлюдного місця, та трохи спочиньте”. — Марка 6:31

Заголовок у журналі, що привернув мою увагу, звіщав: “Відпочинок важливий для перемог”. То була стаття колишнього члена команди легкоатлетів. Він підкреслював один важливий принцип, що його часто ігнорують занадто заповзяті спортсмени: тіло потребує часу для спочинку і відновлення після навантажень. “Психологічна адаптація, що є одним із результатів тренувань, можлива лише під час відпочинку, – писав автор. – Це означає, що відпочинок в такій же мірі важливий, що й фізичні вправи”.

Цей принцип стосується нашої віри й служіння. Регулярний відпочинок потрібен, щоб запобігти перегоранню. Ісус, під час земного служіння, шукав духовного балансу – навіть під тиском великої кількості термінових справ. Коли учні Христа повернулись після звершення напруженої місії, Господь сказав їм: “Ідіть осібно самі до безлюдного місця, та трохи спочиньте” (Мр. 6:31). Але великі натовпи людей слідували за ними, тому Ісус навчав їх, а потім накормив їх п’ятьма хлібцями і двома рибками (Мр. 6:32-44). Коли ж люди розійшлися, Христос “пішов помолитись на гору” (Мр. 6:46).

Якщо наше життя цілковито підпорядковується роботі, тоді те, що ми робимо, стає все менш і менш ефективним. Ісус же запрошує нас регулярно приходити до Нього в тихе місце, щоб помолитись і спочити.

Господи Ісусе, дякуємо Тобі за приклад постійного спілкування з Отцем. Дай нам мудрості й рішучості приділяти належну увагу відпочинку в нашому слідуванні за Тобою.

В християнському житті відпочинок настільки ж важливий, як і праця.

Автор Давид Маккасланд

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Бег и отдых

Читать сейчас: Марка 6:30-46 | Библия за год: Иисуса Навина 4-6; Луки 1:1-20

[Иисус] сказал им: «Пойдите вы одни в пустынное место и отдохните немного». — Марка 6:31

Заголовок в журнале привлек мое внимание: «Отдых важен для побед». Бывший член легкоатлетической команды делился опытом и делал особое ударение на принцип, пренебрегаемый многими бегунами: телу нужно время для отдыха и восстановления после тренировок. «Психологически адаптации, как результат тренировок, возникают только во время отдыха, – пишет автор. – Это значит, что покой так же важен, как и нагрузка».

То же касается нашей веры и служения. Регулярный отдых необходим, чтобы избежать перегорания и разочарования. Иисус соблюдал духовный баланс во время земной жизни, даже перед лицом великих свершений. Когда Его ученики вернулись после напряженного периода проповеди и исцелений, «Он сказал им: “Пойдите вы одни в пустынное место и отдохните немного”» (Мк. 6:31). Но большая толпа пошла за ними следом, поэтому Иисус вначале учил людей, а затем накормил всех пятью хлебами и двумя рыбами (Мк. 6:32-44). Когда все разошлись, Он «пошел на гору помолиться» (Мк. 6:46).

Если жизнь перегружена работой, то производительность будет неуклонно снижаться. Господь призывает нас регулярно приходить к Нему в тихое место для молитвы и отдыха.

Господь Иисус, благодарим Тебя за пример постоянного общения с Отцом. Даруй нам мудрость и последовательность в том, чтобы, следуя за Тобой, уделять отдыху должное внимание.

Для веры и служения отдых так же важен, как и труд.

автор: Дэвид Маккасланд

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Readings for SUNDAY, March 19, 2017 - 3rd Sunday in Lent (Oculi)

The Water of Life Discourse between Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well by Angelika Kauffmann , 17–18th century

The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Exodus 17:1-7

From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarreled with Moses, and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?" But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?" So Moses cried out to the LORD, "What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me." The LORD said to Moses, "Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink." Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the LORD, saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?"

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

Psalms

Psalm 95 Venite, exultemus
1   Come, let us sing to the LORD; let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
2   Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
3   For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
4   In his hand are the caverns of the earth, and the heights of the hills are his also.
5   The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands have molded the dry land.
6   Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, and kneel before the LORD our Maker.
7   For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!
8   Harden not your hearts, as your forebears did in the wilderness, at Meribah, and on that day at Massah, when they tempted me.
9   They put me to the test, though they had seen my works.
10   Forty years long I detested that generation and said, This people are wayward in their hearts; they do not know my ways."
11   So I swore in my wrath, "They shall not enter into my rest."

The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from Romans 5:1-11

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person-- though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

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

The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in John 4:5-42
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!

So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?" (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." The woman said to him, "Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?" Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water." Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come back." The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband' for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!" The woman said to him, "Sir, I see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us." Jesus said to her, "I am he, the one who is speaking to you." Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, "What do you want?" or, "Why are you speaking with her?" Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, "Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?" They left the city and were on their way to him. Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, "Rabbi, eat something." But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." So the disciples said to one another, "Surely no one has brought him something to eat?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. Do you not say, 'Four months more, then comes the harvest'? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor." Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I have ever done." So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world."

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

The Apostle's Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The New Revised Standard Version Bible may be quoted and/or reprinted up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without express written permission of the publisher, provided the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible or account for fifty percent (50%) of the total work in which they are quoted.

History Needs Some Changing - The Sermon for SUNDAY, March 19, 2017 - 3rd Sunday in Lent (Oculi)

So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?" (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." The woman said to him, "Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?" Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water." Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come back." The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband' for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!" The woman said to him, "Sir, I see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us." Jesus said to her, "I am he, the one who is speaking to you." Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, "What do you want?" or, "Why are you speaking with her?" Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, "Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?" They left the city and were on their way to him. Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, "Rabbi, eat something." But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." So the disciples said to one another, "Surely no one has brought him something to eat?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. Do you not say, 'Four months more, then comes the harvest'? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor." Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I have ever done." So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world." (John 4:5-42, ESV)

"History Needs Some Changing"
by David Trexler

The conflict the Jews had with the Samaritans goes way back, and I mean way back. When the Hebrew people were brought out of the land of Egypt there were originally twelve tribes—twelve lands. But due to reasons of survival these twelve tribes were basically combined into two kingdoms about the time of David in 1000 BCE. They were Israel the northern kingdom and Judah the southern kingdom—where Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem.

These two kingdoms never did see eye to eye. The northern kingdom was conquered by Assyria (current day Syria) in 722 BCE, and the southern kingdom of Jerusalem in 587 BCE by the Babylonias (current day Iraq). However, 70 years later king Cyrus of Persia (current day Saudi Arabia) defeated both the Assyrians and the Babylonias and allowed the Hebrew people to return home and rebuild their temple.

At this time the Hebrews of the south actually become a formal religion—Judaism. They considered themselves the true religion and would not allow these so-called Samaritan’s who had remained behind during the years of captivity to help rebuild the temple. Even though Samaritan actually means “keepers of the law,” these second class citizens had their own holy ground in the north and worshipped the God of Abraham and Jacob as we see in today’s reading.

At the time of Christ the Jews had such animosity for these outcast they would not talk to them and refused to even walk through Samaria. This posed a problem cause if you wished to travel from Judea to Galilee, Samaria was in the middle and so the devout Jews would go out of their way, cross the Jordan River, travel north and then cross back over the Jordan.

Sounds a little ridiculous, huh? But I can remember not too long ago in Hickory NC, there were second class citizens and actually once again two parts of the city, white and black. White school, black school, white restrooms, black restrooms, and on and on. The main streets were even rerouted so one did not have to go through the black section of town.

My father, a Lutheran pastor, doing the work of Christ, began assisting with the civil rights movement. He had a large church in the white neighborhood, some 2000 members, and one Sunday the dean of English at Duke University attended our all white congregation. The following Sunday there stood a sign that read, “No Niggers Allowed.”

Sounds ridiculous, don’t you think? But I can remember not too long ago in Louisville KY, there were second class citizens in the church. The women could do all the grunt work, while the men were the only ones who could make the decisions and proclaim the good news. One particular Sunday a female pastor stood up in the pulpit and began to share with us one of the most powerful sermons I’ve ever heard. Close to half of the congregation walked out.

How ridiculous is that? But I can remember like it was yesterday in parts of Indiana, there were second class citizens still in the church, straight and homosexual. Sure the gays and lesbian were told they are welcome to do the grunt work, but just don’t proclaim the message of Christ’s love. Cause if you do, then we’ll go find another church that doesn’t have Samaritans, homosexuals, women pastors, or people who are different than us.

All these true stories sound so ridiculous its no wonder the Church is falling flat on its face and fighting a losing battle. We proclaim the Words of Jesus as the Christ, but live our lives in total opposition to the message. We walk around the people who need it the most. Think of it this way.

Would you buy a product that promised to grow hair from a man who's head was as slick as baby’s butt? Of course not! What a silly question.

Then can we expect the youth of our society, the broken and downtrodden, the searching, anybody different than us to buy into the message of the life changing gospel from a bunch of ridiculous people? Of course not! Again what a silly question.

The sad part of the story is that today most of the people descending from the Samaritan race now subscribe to Islam where they worship the same God and just happened to be accepted by the Muslim people with open arms.

If only, if only we could learn from Jesus in today’s lesson? Jesus the Christ shattered any idea of stereotypes and prejudices. He shatters any notice that who we are, male, female, Jew, Samaritan, black, white, straight, gay makes no difference to a God of Love.

You know Jesus could have easily done what the good Jew would do and go around Samaria, but no! In the first verses of today’s reading it says, “He had to go.” He had to go, because that is what Jesus came for.

He came to a Samaritan. Not only a Samaritan, but a woman Samaritan. Not only a woman Samaritan, but a woman Samaritan scarred by life, a sinner who could not even gather water around her own kind—when most of the women would have been gathering water in the cool of the morning—she had to wait until the heat of day so as not be seen.

Jesus knows every single thing about this woman and still he offers to her living water, the freedom of the gospel, and the knowledge of God’s Love with open arms, not with words of condemnation.

Yet can we learn from Jesus in today’s lesson?

Next time you find yourself being tempted to judge by skin color, gender, religion, life style remember the heart of Christ, and simply turn around and look at yourself in the mirror.

Because in that mirror you will see the Samaritan woman, a person who is an outcast Gentile, a person who is a sinner and has a past just like that poor woman sometimes ashamed to be seen. And yet while Jesus knows every single thing about you, he still offers to you living water, the freedom of the gospel, the knowledge of God’s love with open arms.

And with this new found living water of Christ Jesus you are truly free to live knowing that you are accepted for who you are and then you in turn will walk through unknown territories accepting others who differ from you. Paul writes, since we are justified (made right) by faith, we now have peace with God, and folks this peace with God makes a world of difference in how you live and how you will treat others.

But there’s one last thing I would like to point out about this text, which deals with the future of our Christian nation—deals with the future of this Lampstand we call Gloria Dei.

While Jesus shatters the boundaries of prejudice and comes to all sinners alike. Notice what the poor Samaritan woman does next. She becomes the first evangelist in the gospel of John. Get that folks! Tell me the Bible isn’t full of unexpected twist and turns—like life. Your very first non-Jew disciple/pastor was a shady, sinful woman despised by the religious leaders of the day. Sort of ridiculous huh?

She leaves her jar. She goes back to her city and says, “Come and see a man who told me everything I’ve ever done and still he offers me life.”

She wasn’t now perfect, her past still lingered in her memories, but first the first time this woman was accepted for who she was.

It says, many other Samaritans from the city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony and Jesus stayed amongst the outcast for two days, for two days.

They didn’t believe because now she was better than them, she was still a sinner, but they believed because they saw a change. They saw that whoever this person Jesus was, he had cause something different and exciting in this woman and they were curious.

Can we look in the mirror and realize that we are no better than any sinner in God’s good creation? And then, then can we go out as something different and tell others the exciting good news about a certain man named Jesus who knows all about my faults and yet is willing to offer living water with open arms?

I sure hope so, because the course of history needs some changing, and it will only change through the Love of Christ Jesus.

Amen

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The New Revised Standard Version Bible may be quoted and/or reprinted up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without express written permission of the publisher, provided the verses quot.

Verse of the Day - March 19, 2017

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Read all of Galatians 5

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

Un Dia a la Vez - Nuestra identidad está en Dios

Sean fuertes y valientes. No teman ni se asusten [...] pues el Señor su Dios siempre los acompañará; nunca los dejará ni los abandonará.
Deuteronomio 31:6 (NVI)

Estos días venimos reflexionando en cómo la vida nos puede cambiar y de qué manera en diferentes personas la vida es aún bella, cualquiera que sea su condición, pues encontraron su identidad en Cristo.

Esta es mi reflexión para cada uno de nosotros: Aunque tengamos en nuestro cuerpo marcas de accidentes, defectos físicos o cualquier cosa que nos haga sentir diferentes a los demás, debemos entender que Dios nos ama igual. Si Él permitió que llegaras a este mundo, no eres una equivocación, ni eres un estorbo, aunque personas sin sentimientos algún día te lo hayan dicho o te hayas sentido despreciado y rechazado. Quiero reafirmarte hoy que no eres algo que se escapó del control de las manos de Dios y que Él no está al tanto de cómo te sientes.

Tú debes aceptarte hoy como eres. Debes quererte como eres y tener muy claro que eres un hijo de Dios. Tu identidad está en Él. A pesar de tus limitaciones, Dios es el que te ama de manera incondicional, te defiende y te protege. Nunca te rechazará ni te abandonará. Cuando entiendes esto y lo llevas de tu corazón a tu mente, cambia la manera de verte y de comportarte. Así que no olvides que hay miles de valientes que incluso con su impedimento son deportistas, cantantes, artistas, predicadores, bailarines, comunicadores, padres y madres de familia, maestros, profesionales en todas las ramas, y que se han destacado aun más que una persona con todas sus capacidades.

¡Anímate! No te eches a morir. Dios te necesita y el mundo espera por otro valiente como tú. 

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 -

Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:33 (NIV)

Some of Jesus’ disciples took time to come to a place where they recognized this very human being they followed was also God. Interestingly, in Matthew’s account of their journey with Jesus, it was the calming of the terrible storm that finally convinced them. Jesus later told His disciples that people who have not seen His miracles and still believe are even more blessed. But still today, many people need a supernatural revelation to trust Him.

Throughout the Muslim world come reports of people having dreams and visions of Jesus. In this way, He becomes real to them and further reading of scripture confirms His status as Messiah and Savior.

Hedayat is an Iranian youth who had always been a good Muslim and practiced the rituals required by his faith, but he had never considered the message of the Quran to be very positive. An Armenian Christian friend of Hedayat sometimes shared a little with Hedayat about the Christian faith of his family. He didn’t say too much, because he did not want to get in trouble for it. But one day he gave Hedayat a movie, warning him to watch it when he was alone.

Watching the movie did not convince Hedayat of the Christian faith, nor his dream afterwards. He says, “I had prayed the prayer at the end of the video, and then I had this dream. I saw a man in my house, standing before me. I saw marks in his wrists and feet, and I just knew this must be Jesus.”

Hedayat recalls after that, he had felt very confused and did not want to accept any of this. He realized that especially his older brother might become furious if he accepted the Christian faith. So he decided to block any thoughts about this and cut the relationship with his Armenian friend.

Although the Armenian tried to get in touch many times, Hedayat always refused. Four years later the Armenian believer mustered up courage and went to the electronics shop where Hedayat worked. Walking up to his old friend, he shoved a small present over the counter.

“I will never forget you and will always pray for you,” the Christian said. Then he turned around and left the shop, leaving Hedayat astonished.

“From the size of the package, I thought it was a pocket-diary. But it turned out to be a New Testament,” Hedayat remembers. “At the moment I unpacked it, I felt anger coming up, because he was chasing me with his Christianity! I put it away, but in the evening I became curious and wondered if I could discover if the Bible indeed was corrupted, as I was told.”

So Hedayat started reading Matthew, Mark, and Luke. After a few months, Hedayat contacted his Armenian friend at the phone number that was on a little note in the Bible. The Word of God had convinced him that there was no Mehdi coming, as Iranian Shias believe, but that it was Jesus the Messiah he should be expecting. Through his friend, he was soon welcomed into a house church and discipled.

RESPONSE: Today I will thank God for His Son revealed through His Word which is enough for me.

PRAYER: Pray for many more who see Jesus in dreams and visions to come to a place of acceptance.

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