LHM Daily Devotion - "The King Enters"

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"The King Enters"

March 21, 2017

... the whole multitude of His disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen (Luke 19:37b, ESV).

Read Luke 19:28-38

Jesus has travelled to Jerusalem many times in His life, but this trip will be the last time. Every other time He walked through its gates, but not this time. Today He rides into the city as Jerusalem's King, its Messiah. But the King of kings does not ride a splendid war horse, instead He sends His disciples to bring Him a humble donkey, a lowly beast of burden. This animal fits Jesus' entire earthly life. He came as the meek, humble Baby born in Bethlehem's manger; He will lay down His life in humility on the cross.

The crowds are caught up in excitement. They shout "Blessed is the King who comes in the Name of the Lord." The term "blessed" points to the Father, who chose this King and continues to bless Him. Even though He rides a humble donkey, Jesus enters Jerusalem as our King, coming to conquer our great enemies-Satan, sin, death and hell.

The crowds add "peace in heaven and glory in the highest," the same words the angels shared with the shepherds at Jesus' birth. Peace in heaven celebrates God's peace coming down upon the earth through the Messiah. His victory brings praise to God from His angels in heaven and from all of us who have been saved by His mighty Son.

Jesus accepts this praise sweeping through the crowds because it is right and true. He is the King riding into Jerusalem to prepare to fight to the death to defend His people. In a few days He will stagger out through the city gates, carrying His cross to the battlefield.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, our great conquering King, You rode into Jerusalem to wage war for Your people. Receive my thanksgiving for the victory You won through Your suffering, death and resurrection. 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 - Dios es generoso

Devociones de Cuaresma  2017

Dios es generoso

21 de Marzo de 2017

... y les dio cuanto querían. Juan 6:11, RVC (6:10-15)

Una vez prediqué sobre este pasaje, y luego del culto un señor ya entrado en años, me preguntó: 'Pastor, ¿de dónde habrán sacado las doce cestas para guardar lo que había sobrado?'

Tal vez una pregunta que este milagro sugiere que nos hagamos es: ¿cómo respondemos cuando Dios es generoso? Aquí los discípulos fueron obedientes a las directivas de Jesús, la multitud fue obediente a las directivas de los discípulos, y recibieron la comida que se les brindó tan generosamente. Y vieron el milagro, y se les ocurrió una idea: ¡hacer de Jesús su rey!

Hay que felicitar a la multitud por su capacidad de ver el milagro, porque no todos vieron siempre los milagros de Dios y su generosidad. Pero inmediatamente, cuando no supieron interpretar ese milagro, surgió un problema y, al final, lo que hicieron fue alejar a Dios de su medio: "Jesús... volvió a retirarse al monte él solo." La actitud de la multitud no encajaba en los planes de Dios. A pesar de la grandeza del milagro, la multitud seguía miope. El resto del capítulo 6 de Juan se encarga de explicar la miopía de la multitud.

Dios ha sido sumamente generoso con nosotros también: ha atendido nuestras necesidades cuando acudimos a él, y aun cuando ni siquiera lo buscamos. Su generosidad supera grandemente las doce cestas. Pero, ¿vemos sus bendiciones? La Escritura nos anima a que mantengamos la perspectiva de lo eterno, a que busquemos al que es el pan de vida, Jesús (Juan 6:35). El Hijo de Dios fue enviado para satisfacer nuestra necesidad más importante: la reconciliación con Dios nuestro Padre. Con su muerte y resurrección, Jesús nos da la más grande y abundante de las bendiciones: perdón, vida y salvación eternas.

Gracias, Padre, porque tu pan del cielo sacia nuestra hambre espiritual para siempre. 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 - Refreshing Spring Rains

Read: Hosea 6:1–4 | Bible in a Year: Joshua 7–9; Luke 1:21–38

He will come to us like the . . . spring rains that water the earth. Hosea 6:3

Needing a break, I went for a walk in the nearby park. As I headed down the path, a burst of green caught my attention. Out of the mud appeared shoots of life that in a few weeks would be cheerful daffodils, heralding spring and the warmth to come. We had made it through another winter!

As we read through the book of Hosea, it can feel in parts like an unrelenting winter. For the Lord gave this prophet the unenviable task of marrying an unfaithful woman as a picture of the Creator’s love for His people Israel (1:2–3). Hosea’s wife, Gomer, broke their wedding vows, but Hosea welcomed her back, yearning that she would love him devotedly (3:1–3). So too the Lord desires that we love Him with a strength and commitment that won’t evaporate like the morning mist.

How do we relate to God? Do we seek Him mainly in times of trouble, searching for answers in our distress but ignoring Him during our seasons of celebration? Are we like the Israelites, easily swayed by the idols of our age, including such things as busyness, success, and influence?

Today, may we recommit ourselves to the Lord, who loves us as surely as the flowers bud in the spring.

Lord Jesus, You gave Yourself that we might be free. Help us to love You wholeheartedly.

Though we may be unfaithful to God, He will never turn from us.

By Amy Boucher Pye

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Mưa Xuân Tưới Mát

Đọc: Ô-sê 6:1-4 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Giô-suê 7-9; Lu-ca 1:21-38

Ngài sẽ đến với chúng ta … như mưa xuân tưới đất. (Ô-sê 6:3)

Vì cần nghỉ giải lao nên tôi đi dạo ở công viên gần nhà. Khi đi xuống đường, một mầm xanh đã thu hút sự chú ý của tôi. Từ trong vũng bùn, xuất hiện những chồi sống mà trong vài tuần nữa sẽ trở thành những cây thủy tiên vàng rực rỡ, báo hiệu mùa xuân và sự ấm áp sắp đến. Chúng tôi đã sống sót thêm một mùa đông nữa.

Khi đọc sách Ô-sê, tôi cảm thấy một chút giống mùa đông khắc nghiệt. Vì Chúa đã giao cho vị tiên tri này nhiệm vụ không ai muốn làm là cưới người phụ nữ không chung thủy như bức tranh về tình yêu của Đấng Tạo Hóa đối với dân sự Ngài là Y-sơ-ra-ên (1:2-3). Gô-me, vợ của Ô-sê đã phá vỡ lời nguyện ước hôn nhân, nhưng Ô-sê vẫn chào đón bà trở về, ao ước bà sẽ yêu ông cách hết lòng (3:1-3). Cũng vậy, Chúa ao ước chúng ta yêu Ngài bằng cả sức lực và sự cam kết mà sẽ không tan biến như sương sớm.

Chúng ta đang đối với Chúa ra sao? Phải chăng chúng ta chỉ tìm kiếm Ngài trong những lúc khó khăn, tìm câu trả lời trong lúc khốn cùng nhưng làm ngơ Ngài trong những lúc hanh thông? Chúng ta có giống như dân Y-sơ-ra-ên, dễ dàng bị ảnh hưởng bởi những thần tượng trong thời đại mình sống, bao gồm những điều như sự bận rộn, thành công và ảnh hưởng?

Hôm nay, nguyện chúng ta sẽ tái cam kết với Chúa, là Đấng luôn yêu thương chúng ta như những bông hoa nảy lộc trong mùa xuân.

Lạy Chúa Jêsus, Ngài đã phó chính mình để chúng con được tự do. Xin giúp chúng con yêu Ngài bằng trọn cả tấm lòng.

Dù chúng ta không trung thành với Chúa, nhưng Ngài sẽ không bao giờ quay lưng với chúng ta.

bởi Amy Boucher Pye

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Lluvias refrescantes

Leer: Oseas 6:1-4 | La Biblia en un año: Lucas 1:21-38

… vendrá a nosotros como la lluvia, como la lluvia tardía y temprana a la tierra (Oseas 6:3).

Necesitaba un descanso y fui a caminar por un parque cercano. Mientras andaba por un sendero, una ráfaga de verde me llamó la atención. En medio del barro, aparecían brotes de vida que, en pocas semanas, se convertirían en alegres narcisos, anunciando la llegada de la primavera y el calor. ¡Había pasado otro invierno…!

Cuando leemos el libro de Oseas, ciertas partes pueden parecer un invierno implacable. El Señor le encomendó a este profeta la desagradable tarea de casarse con una mujer infiel, como un cuadro del amor del Creador por Israel (1:2-3). Gomer, la esposa de Oseas, rompió los votos matrimoniales, pero el profeta la recibió de nuevo, anhelando que ella lo amara con devoción (3:1-3). Del mismo modo, el Señor desea que lo amemos con una intensidad y consagración que no se evapore como el rocío matinal.

¿Cómo es nuestra relación con Dios? ¿Lo buscamos mayormente en los momentos difíciles, tratando de encontrar respuestas en medio de nuestra angustia, pero lo ignoramos durante las etapas felices? ¿Somos como los israelitas, fácilmente atraídos por los ídolos de nuestra época como el exceso de actividades, el éxito o la posición?

Consagrémonos hoy nuevamente al Señor, cuyo amor por nosotros es tan indudable como que las flores aparecen en primavera.

Señor, ayúdame a amarte de todo corazón.

Aunque le seamos infieles a Dios, Él nunca se alejará de nosotros.

Por Amy Boucher Pye

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Frühlingsregen

Lesen: Hosea 6,1-4 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: Josua 7–9; Lukas 1,21-38

So sicher, wie . . . im Herbst und Frühjahr der Regen die Erde tränkt, so gewiss wird er kommen und uns helfen. Hosea 6,3 HFA

Ich brauchte eine Pause. Deshalb ging ich für einen Spaziergang in den nahen Park. Als ich den Weg entlanglief, fiel mein Blick auf etwas Grünes. Aus der Erde spross neues Leben hervor, aus dem sich in ein paar Wochen leuchtende Narzissen entwickeln würden, Vorboten des Frühlings und wärmerer Zeiten. Bald war der Winter vorbei!

Wenn wir das Buch Hosea lesen, kann es uns manchmal vorkommen, als habe der Winter alles in seinem eisigen Griff. Denn Gott gab dem Propheten eine Aufgabe, um die er nicht zu beneiden war—er sollte eine untreue Frau heiraten—als Beispiel für die Liebe des Schöpfers zu seinem Volk Israel (1,2-3). Hoseas Frau Gomer brach das Eheversprechen, aber Hosea holte sie zurück und warb um ihre Liebe (3,1-3). Genauso wünscht sich der Herr, dass wir ihn mit einer Kraft und Hingabe lieben, die nicht vergeht wie ein Morgennebel.

Wie gehen wir mit Gott um? Suchen wir ihn vor allem in Zeiten der Not, wenn wir Antwort auf unsere Fragen brauchen, und ignorieren ihn, wenn es uns gut geht? Sind wir wie die Israeliten, schnell abgelenkt von den Götzen unserer Zeit, zu denen auch Geschäftigkeit, Erfolg und Einfluss gehören?

Mögen wir uns heute wieder ganz neu dem Herrn zuwenden, der uns so gewiss liebt, wie im Frühjahr die Knospen hervorkommen.

Herr Jesus, du hast dich selbst hingegeben, damit wir frei sein können. Hilf uns, dich von ganzem Herzen zu lieben.

Auch wenn wir Gott untreu werden, wendet er sich niemals von uns ab.

Von Amy Boucher Pye

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Une pluie rafraîchissante

Lisez : Osée 6.1‑4 | La Bible en un an : Josué 7 – 9 et Luc 1.21-38

Il viendra pour nous comme […] la pluie du printemps qui arrose la terre. (Osée 6.3)

Ayant besoin d’une pause, je suis allée marcher dans le parc voisin. Sur le sentier, un bouquet de verdure a capté mon attention. De la boue sont sorties des pousses de vie qui deviendraient quelques semaines plus tard de joyeux narcisses annonçant le printemps et les chaleurs à venir. Nous avions survécu à un autre hiver !

La lecture du livre d’Osée peut ressembler en partie à un hiver interminable, car le Seigneur a donné à ce prophète la tâche non enviable d’épouser une femme infidèle en guise d’image de l’amour du Créateur envers son peuple d’Israël (1.2,3). La femme d’Osée, Gomer, a rompu leurs voeux de mariage, mais Osée a accepté de la reprendre, dans l’espoir qu’elle en vienne à l’aimer avec fidélité (3.1‑3). Or, le Seigneur désire aussi se faire aimer de nous avec une force et un engagement qui ne se dissiperont pas comme la rosée.

Comment percevons‑nous Dieu ? Le recherchons‑nous surtout en période éprouvante, alors que nous cherchons à obtenir des réponses à notre détresse, mais en faisant fi de lui en période de célébration ? Sommes‑nous comme les Israélites, qui se laissaient si facilement distraire par les idoles de leur époque, y compris des choses comme l’hyperactivité, le succès et l’influence ?

Aujourd’hui, renouvelons notre consécration à Dieu, qui nous aime tout aussi sûrement que la fleur bourgeonne au printemps.

Malgré notre infidélité, Dieu ne nous tournera jamais le dos.

par Amy Boucher Pye

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Весняні дощі

Читати: Осії 6:1-4 | Біблія за рік: Ісуса Навина 7–9 ; Луки 1:21-38

Він прийде до нас… немов дощ весняний, що напоює землю. — Осії 6:3

Щоб відпочити від роботи, я пішла прогулятись до парку. Мою увагу привернуло стрімке появлення зелені навколо. Усюди на чорній землі з’являлись ознаки життя – стеблинки, що за пару тижнів мали перетворитись на блідо-жовті нарциси, що радісно сповіщають прихід весни й теплих днів… Разом ми пережили ще одну зиму!

Коли перечитуєш книгу пророка Осії, інколи виникає відчуття суворої, безжалісної зими. Пророк Осія отримав від Господа незавидне завдання одружитись на зрадливій жінці, що символізувало любов Творця до Свого невірного народу – Ізраїлю (Ос. 1:2-3). Гомер порушила шлюбні клятви, але пророк все одно пропонував їй притулок, бо справді бажав, щоб вона вірно його кохала (Ос. 3:1-3). Так і Господь бажає, щоб ми любили Його усією своєю силою та посвяченням – не такою любов’ю, що щезає немов ранковий серпанок.

Яке наше ставлення до Бога? Чи ми шукаємо Його лише за важких часів? Чи прагнемо відповідей на молитви лише тоді, коли купа проблем, і забуваємо про Нього в періоди благополуччя? Чи ми схожі на тих ізраїльтян, що дуже легко збочували вслід за ідолами? Можливо, ми вклоняємося сучасним ідолам – таким, як бізнес, успіх, вплив тощо?

Давайте сьогодні оновимо своє посвячення Господу, Чия любов така ж певна, як і цвітіння квітів весною.

Господи Ісусе, Ти віддав нам Себе Самого, щоб звільнити нас. Допоможи любити Тебе усім своїм серцем.

Бог ніколи не відвертається від нас – навіть коли ми невірні Йому.

Автор Емі Бушер Пай

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Весенние дожди

Читать сейчас: Осия 6:1-4 | Библия за год: Иисуса Навина 7-9; Луки 1:21-38

Он придет к нам, как дождь, как поздний дождь, оросит землю. — Осия 6:3

Ощутив потребность в отдыхе, я отправилась на прогулку в соседний парк. Идя по тропинке, я увидела посреди черной грязи комочек зелени. Новая жизнь давала всходы, через несколько недель здесь расцветут нарциссы, возвещая весну и приход тепла. Мы пережили еще одну зиму!

Читая Книгу пророка Осии, я словно чувствую бесконечную зиму. Господь дал Своему пророку незавидное поручение: жениться на неверной женщине, чтобы стать живой иллюстрацией любви Создателя к Своему народу Израилю (Ос. 1:2-3). Гомерь, жена Осии, попрала супружеские обеты, но после многих злоключений Осия вернул ее домой, надеясь на покаяние и посвященную любовь (Ос. 3:1-3). Так и Господь желает, чтобы мы любили Его с посвящением, которое не улетучится как утренний туман.

Как мы относимся к Богу? Возможно, ищем Его в дни трудностей, когда нам нужны ответы, но игнорируем во времена благополучия? Не ведем ли мы себя как израильтяне, без особого сопротивления увлекаясь идолами своего времени: бизнесом, успехом, положением?

Вновь посвятим себя Господу, Который любит нас так же верно, как каждой весной на земле появляются цветы.

Господь Иисус, Ты отдал Себя, чтобы мы обрели свободу. Помоги нам любить Тебя всем сердцем.

Хотя мы бываем неверны Богу, Он остается верен нам.

автор: Эми Бушер Пай

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for MONDAY, March 20, 2017 - Saint Joseph's Day (Traditional)

The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from 2 Samuel 7:4, 8-16

But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan: Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings. But I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.

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

Psalms

Psalm 89:1-29
1   Your love, O LORD, for ever will I sing; *
from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.
2   For I am persuaded that your love is established for ever; *
you have set your faithfulness firmly in the heavens.
3   I have made a covenant with my chosen one; *
I have sworn an oath to David my servant:
4   'I will establish your line for ever, *
and preserve your throne for all generations.'"
5   The heavens bear witness to your wonders, O LORD, *
and to your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones;
6   For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? *
who is like the LORD among the gods?
7   God is much to be feared in the council of the holy ones, *
great and terrible to all those round about him.
8   Who is like you, LORD God of hosts? *
O mighty LORD, your faithfulness is all around you.
9   You rule the raging of the sea *
and still the surging of its waves.
10   You have crushed Rahab of the deep with a deadly wound; *
you have scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
11   Yours are the heavens; the earth also is yours; *
you laid the foundations of the world and all that is in it.
12   You have made the north and the south; *
Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your Name.
13   You have a mighty arm; *
strong is your hand and high is your right hand.
14   Righteousness and justice are the foundations of your throne; *
love and truth go before your face.
15   Happy are the people who know the festal shout! *
they walk, O LORD, in the light of your presence.
16   They rejoice daily in your Name; *
they are jubilant in your righteousness.
17   For you are the glory of their strength, *
and by your favor our might is exalted.
18   Truly, the LORD is our ruler; *
The Holy One of Israel is our King.

Psalm 89: Part II Tunc locutus es
19   You spoke once in vision and said to your faithful people: *
"I have set the crown upon a warrior and have exalted one chosen out of the people.
20   I have found David my servant; *
with my holy oil have I anointed him.
21   My hand will hold him fast *
and my arm will make him strong.
22   No enemy shall deceive him, *
nor any wicked man bring him down.
23   I will crush his foes before him *
and strike down those who hate him.
24   My faithfulness and love shall be with him, *
and he shall be victorious through my Name.
25   I shall make his dominion extend *
from the Great Sea to the River.
26   He will say to me, 'You are my Father, *
my God, and the rock of my salvation.'
27   I will make him my firstborn *
and higher than the kings of the earth.
28   I will keep my love for him for ever, *
and my covenant will stand firm for him.
29   I will establish his line for ever *
and his throne as the days of heaven."

The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from Romans 4:13-18

For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations")-- in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become "the father of many nations," according to what was said, "So numerous shall your descendants be."

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

The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in Luke 2:41-52
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!

Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety." He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.

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

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 20, 2017

1 Peter 2:2-3 (NIV) Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Read all of 1 Peter 2

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 - "Ignoring God's Warnings

"But you would not listen to me," says the Lord. "You made me furious by worshiping idols you made with your own hands, bringing on yourselves all the disasters you now suffer."

—Jeremiah 25:7 (NLT)

Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were Jewish teenagers who ended up as captives in ancient Babylon. Through the years, their people had a propensity to turn to false gods. So the Lord raised up prophets again and again to warn them, but they didn’t listen. God even raised up the prophet Jeremiah to tell them that if they didn’t stop their idol worship, He would judge them and allow another nation to defeat them in battle and take them captive. Not only did God tell them this would happen, but He also told them which nation would defeat them.

The Israelites persisted in ignoring God’s warnings, however, and just as He predicted, King Nebuchadnezzar overtook them and hauled them off to Babylon as captives.

Speaking through Jeremiah, God said to them, “Because you have not listened to me, I will gather together all the armies of the north under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, whom I have appointed as my deputy. I will bring them all against this land and its people and against the surrounding nations. I will completely destroy you and make you an object of horror and contempt and a ruin forever” (25:8–9).

I can’t help but think that God has been giving warnings to our own nation as well. How long will people in the United States continue to thumb their noses at God? How long will they continue to mock Christians and mock the Word of God? Do they not think that God could allow another nation to defeat us? Do they not think that we could reap the inevitable consequences of our sin?

We could. I believe the Lord is warning our nation. And I think we have two options before us in the United States: judgment or revival. I hope it’s the latter.

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny


Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation®, NLT® copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Devotion by Greg Laurie © 2017 Harvest Christian Fellowship; all rights reserved.

Un Dia a la Vez - Oración por aceptación

¡Cuán precioso, oh Dios, es tu gran amor! Todo ser humano halla refugio a la sombra de tus alas.
Salmo 36:7 (NVI)

Hoy busco tu rostro, Dios mío, porque he entendido que mi identidad está en ti. Que no importa la condición física que tenga, pues tú me aceptas y me amas.

Así que debo empezar por aceptarme a mí mismo, ya que solo con tu ayuda lograré ser capaz de salir de esta ansiedad, esta tristeza y esta inconformidad por haber quedado con limitación o por la de algún ser querido.

En este día me declaro aceptado, amado, respetado, valorado y querido.

Además, pongo mi vida completa en tus manos, sabiendo que cuidas de mí y me cubres con tus alas de amor.

Ayúdame a desarrollar el carácter de tu Hijo y a vivir aceptando los propósitos que tienes para mí.

Te pido, mi Dios, que sanes mi alma, me limpies de toda falta de perdón y me uses como un ejemplo a seguir. Permite que mi vida sea de testimonio para cada uno de mis familiares, mis amigos y de todas las personas para las que mi vida pueda servir de influencia.

Gracias por tu misericordia que es nueva cada día.

Amén y amén.

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 - JESUS IS WORTH IT ALL

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV)

In Eritrea today, thousands of Christians are imprisoned for their faith without formal charges. Recently three prisoners who had escaped the prison setting were interviewed in safety. Their interpreter said, “They have really suffered. They did nothing wrong. But just for their faith they have spent years in prison. They were locked up in containers, tied up in the helicopter position, denied food. Why? Because they worship Christ. Because they say they are born-again. Because it is wrong to be evangelical Christians.”

The three men, Peter, Paul and John met in prison after being arrested for their Christian activity involvement. They worked hard. They farmed, mined, did building work on government projects—always in the sun. No shade or rest in very high degree heat.

They say, “The prisons are very dirty. There is no washing, no cleaning. And the food is very little—just bread many times, sometimes even no food. This makes many prisoners sick. They did not allow us to see a doctor. Many people died. It is very sad. Also, they beat us very much, for no reason. Some had broken hands, legs, even chest bones and most of the time no doctor to attend to our injuries. Some died from their injuries. We think some also died because they lost hope. Their hearts just gave up! We saw some die like this.”

They were repeatedly asked to deny their faith and sign an official document. One said, “The police threatened to arrest our other family members also if we refused to recant and sign the document. But we refused because we do not want to leave Jesus and become Marxist.”

They say they encouraged each other not to give up. Finally, one evening they broke out of the line and jumped over the fence surrounding the prison. One said, “The fence was made up of plants with big thorns. We jumped over them and ran. When the prison guards started shooting, we went in different directions. We heard bullets flying over our heads but none hit us.”

The Lord proved faithful and all three men separately and safely crossed the border after walking for days. How happy they were when they were miraculously reunited at a camp. They however could not stay at that refugee camp as they were informed that they could still be arrested and repatriated. And through the help that God provided using Christian brethren, they moved on to a safer place where they are awaiting God’s opening of doors to resettle at a more secure place.

One of them spoke for the others in saying, “When I reached here, I looked back, and saw that I had lost my freedom. But I also see now that I had lost time. I could not continue with school, I could not get skills training. I do not know how to do office work. I can’t even see myself marrying and having my own family. I am almost forty years now and I have to start from nothing.” Then he smiled and concluded, “But I still have Jesus. And He is worth it all.”

RESPONSE: Today I will appreciate what I have in Christ and know that He is worth every deprivation.

PRAYER: Pray for the many still in prison today in Eritrea. Pray they will also be strong in faith.

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

Women of the Bible - Deborah

Her name means: "Honey Bee"

Her character: Her vision of the world was shaped not by the political situation of her day but by her relationship with God. Though women in the ancient world did not usually become political leaders, Deborah was just the leader Israel needed—a prophetess who heard God and believed him and whose courage aroused the people, enabling them to throw off foreign oppression.
Her sorrow: That her people had sunk into despair because of their idolatry, forgetting God's promises and the faith of their ancestors.
Her joy: That God turned the enemy's strength on its head, bestowing power to the weak and blessing the land with peace for forty years.
Key Scriptures: Judges 4-5

Her Story

Jericho, gateway to Canaan, had lain in ruins for two hundred years. From there, the Israelites had swept across the country like a storm of locusts, devouring everything in their path. But the native peoples had somehow managed to survive, and like well-rooted weeds, their idolatry spread until it began to strangle Israel's faith.

Rahab and Joshua were the palest of memories now, and the slaves-turned-warriors were once again underdogs, oppressed for twenty years by a coalition of Canaanite rulers, whose chief warrior was Sisera. His nine hundred iron-plated chariots terrified the ill-armed Israelite people, threatening to sweep over them with invincible force. Small wonder no one challenged him.

Sisera must have felt smugly secure, especially since Israel was now led by a woman. But his military calculations failed to account for one key variable: the strategic power of that woman's faith. Deborah was a prophetess who held court under a palm tree several miles northwest of Jericho. Though much of Israel was divided and dispirited, she refused to lose heart. How could she forget God's faithfulness, living so close to ruined Jericho?

She summoned Barak, a Hebrew from the north, and told him plainly: "The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: 'Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead the way to Mount Tabor. I will lure Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.' " But, like every other man of Israel, Barak was terrified of Sisera, and he refused to comply unless one condition was met: Deborah must accompany him in battle. She would be his talisman in the fight. "Very well," she replied, "I will go with you. But because of the way you are going about this, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will hand Sisera over to a woman."

Hearing of the plot, Sisera led his troops and chariots to the Kishon Wadi, a dry riverbed, determined to crush the uprising. But his very strength turned against him as rain swelled the valley to floodtide. Suddenly, nine hundred iron chariots became a huge liability. No matter how furiously the soldiers flogged their horses, urging them onward, oozing mud held them. They became easy targets for Barak's troops sweeping down from Mount Tabor, putting every man but Sisera to the sword.

Once again, God had heard his people's cries and had sent a deliverer—this time a woman whose faith stilled the nattering voices of doubt and timidity so that the people could hear the one Voice that mattered. On their day of victory, Deborah and Barak sang this song:

When the princes in Israel take the lead,
when the people willingly offer themselves—
praise the Lord!
Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers!
I will sing to the Lord, I will sing;
I will make music to the Lord, the God of Israel….
Village life in Israel ceased,
ceased until I, Deborah, arose,
arose a mother in Israel. - Judges 5:2-3, 7

Indeed, a mother in Israel had arisen, a woman whose strong faith gave birth to hope and freedom and a peace that lasted forty years. Never again would the Canaanites join forces against Israel. Like an ancient Joan of Arc, Deborah arose and called the people to battle, leading them out of idolatry and restoring their dignity as God's chosen ones.

Her Promise

Godly Deborah has been an encouragement to women throughout the centuries. When women feel confined or mistreated, when they are unsure of what is right or which way to proceed, when they are entering unknown territory, when they feel overlooked or ignored—they gain stability and help from remembering Deborah. Whatever Deborah had is available to you today. Her wisdom is discovered in the Scriptures. Her confidence in God is found in a relationship with him. Her bravery is achievable when you put your trust in God and his promises. Her inner strength and calm leadership are characteristic of confidence not in herself but in her God. All Deborah offered to Israel she offers to you as an example of a woman willing to be used by God.

Today's reading is a brief excerpt from Women of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda (Zondervan). © 2010 by Ann Spangler. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Enjoy the complete book by purchasing your own copy at the Bible Gateway Store. The book's title must be included when sharing the above content on social media.

Girlfriends in God - Not a Fan of Closed Doors?

by Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:11, NIV).

Friend to Friend

As a grandmother, I can testify to the importance of gates. Shortly after our grandson Hudson’s first birthday, he started to walk. He had been a champion crawler for several months - and he loved stairs. We just happened to live in a townhouse that had three flights of stairs, much to Hudson’s delight. Oh, we bought him toys, but they were nothing more than momentary distractions from his favorite toy – the stairs.

When Hudson first learned to climb up the stairs, we bought a gate to keep him from falling down those same stairs. I wondered how he would react to his new confinement. It didn’t take long to find out. When our daughter dropped him off for a visit, Hudson played with the toys I kept for him downstairs in the living room. After a few minutes, his sparkling blue eyes caught mine, and I knew what was about to happen. Yep! He made a mad dash for the stairs. Halfway up, he looked back at me with a mischievous smile as if to ask, “Are you coming, Mimi?” Laughing, I scrambled up the stairs behind him. When we reached the landing, I quickly scooped him up in my arms, put the gate in place, and sat him on the floor to play. Hudson clapped his hands and laughed … until he saw the gate.

With a look of suspicion and doubt … definitely doubt … Hudson reached out to touch the wall now separating him from his beloved stairs. He glanced back at me and seemed to ask, “What have you done, Mimi?” I tried to play the gate up as a good thing that was for his safety and protection, but Hudson was not buying one word of my cheery explanation. His chubby little hands tentatively grasped the gate as he pulled himself to his feet for a closer inspection. I watched as our precious grandson peered through the bars of the gate to the stairs below. He then turned to stare at me in disbelief and promptly burst into tears. He was not done. He pulled and pushed the gate with every ounce of toddler strength he could muster, wailing in anger and frustration as he tried to dislodge his prison wall. Hudson made it crystal clear that he was not a fan of gates.

I tend to react the same way to the gates God places in my life.

I have a plan – one that I think is right. I like my plan and don’t really see the need to bother God with the details of that plan. After all, my plan is logical and could even be described as good since it fits within the parameters of Scripture. It must be His will for my life, right? So I scramble through the steps of my plan until I run smack dab into a wall or, as Hudson would call it, a gate. My first reaction is suspicion and doubt – definitely doubt – and I quickly conclude that Satan must have placed the gate there.

I try everything within my human strength to knock down the barrier to my beloved plan. The gate does not move. Frustration and anger fill my heart as I cry out to God, pleading for Him to remove the unwanted obstacle from my path. It is then that He takes me in His arms and gently explains, “Child, the gate is for your good. It is for your protection and safety.”

When will I understand that God’s plan for my life is higher and better than any plan I can possibly imagine? When will I learn to wholly trust Him? When will I realize just how much He loves me? When I look back over my life, I cannot count the number of times I first considered a closed door to be the work of Satan, only to discover it was really the hand of God protecting me or keeping me from making a terrible mistake.

How about you? Has God closed a door that you thought was the perfect opportunity? Has He placed a gate across the path that you thought was so right? Trust Him. Wait on Him. He is at work in your life.

Let’s Pray

Father, I come to You today, choosing to trust You. Thank You for the perfect and amazing plan You have for my life. Help me learn to trust You more. Teach me how to praise You for the doors You have closed - as well as for the ones You have opened. Today, I rest in Your unfailing love for me and lean wholly on You.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Look back over your life. Pinpoint five “gates” God placed in your path that you now see are for your good. Record them in your journal. Thank God for each one.

Read and memorize Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.” Record this verse in your journal. Circle all of the action words. Which ones of these actions do you need to take?

More from the Girlfriends

Need help finding God’s plan for your life? Check out Mary’s E-Book Bible Study, It’s Never Too Late to Be Great. Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website and connect with Mary through email or on Facebook. 

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