LHM Daily Devotion - "Time to Clean House"

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Time to Clean House"

March 23, 2017

And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold (Luke 19:45, ESV).

Read Luke 19:45-48

The Jerusalem temple was a reminder of God's presence with His people, and animal sacrifices were a central component of the worship there. As the worshipper laid his hands on the animal's head and confessed his sins, God transferred his guilt to the animal, which was put to death in his place. All these sacrifices pointed ahead to Jesus. He is the Lamb of God who would take our place and be put to death for the sins of the whole world.

Since Jewish pilgrims travelled great distances for the Passover feast, they were unable to bring along their own sacrificial animals. Jesus has no problem with sacrificial animals being available for sale or with moneychangers converting foreign currency into temple currency. His problem is where those animals were being sold-in the courtyards of the temple.

In holy wrath Jesus drives all of them out. He quotes Isaiah, "It is written, 'My house shall be a house of prayer,' but you have made it a den of robbers'" (Matthew 21:13; see Isaiah 56:7). It is bad enough to make themselves robbers by selling the sacrificial animals at unreasonable prices. But even worse, they carry on their trade in the very courtyard of the temple, where worshippers are trying to pray to God amidst all these distractions.

The Jewish leaders are infuriated that Jesus would challenge their authority and interfere with their trade. But they cannot destroy Him because the great crowds of pilgrims are hanging on His words. As we'll see in the coming days, His teachings will grow more pointed, and His popularity will continue to increase.

THE PRAYER: Almighty God, Your Son drove out all distractions from Your temple courts. Clear my mind of all distractions that I may worship You with all my heart, mind and soul. 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.

The Jerusalem temple was a reminder of God's presence with His people...

Devociones de Cuaresma - Con la piedra en la mano

Devociones de Cuaresma  2017

Con la piedra en la mano

23 de Marzo de 2017

Aquel de ustedes que esté sin pecado, que arroje la primera piedra. Juan 8:7, RVC (8:1-11)

Una vez vi en un noticiero en la televisión algo que sucedió hace pocos años en un país del Medio Oriente: una multitud iba corriendo detrás de un muchacho con piedras y ladrillos en la mano. Cuando lo alcanzaron, comenzaron a tirarle las piedras hasta matarlo. El muchacho no tendría más de 20 años. Presenciar una lapidación me causó escalofrío. Pensé que hay que estar enardecido y lleno de odio para juntar piedras para tirárselas a otro.

No me imagino cómo estaría temblando la mujer a punto de ser lapidada. Los fariseos ya la habían sentenciado. Seguramente había piedras por todas partes. El odio y la falta de amor y compasión sobraban en los líderes religiosos. ¿Qué iba a suceder ahora?

Pero Jesús es diferente. Él no sentencia a la ligera, ni está cargado de odio, ni le falta compasión. Jesús guarda un respetuoso silencio, no para ignorar a los fariseos, sino para poner las cosas en perspectiva. Luego habla, involucrando a cada uno de los acusadores: "Aquel que esté sin pecado..." No hizo falta decir nada más. Ahora el silencio fue mayor. Las acusaciones ahora apuntaban a otro lado. Los versículos bíblicos que condenaban, ahora se dirigían a los fariseos. Jesús les dio el tiempo necesario para que sus conciencias los acusaran y se fueran alejando, vencidos.

Los fariseos se fueron vencidos, pero no avergonzados por Jesús. Él ni siquiera levantó la vista. Él no avergüenza a nadie. Él vence con amor.

Los silencios de Jesús son para hacernos pensar, para que aprendamos a poner las cosas en perspectiva, y para que su ley obre en nosotros mostrándonos que somos tan pecadores como los demás. Él no nos arrojó piedras, no nos avergonzó por nuestro pecado. Él nos venció con su amor.

Gracias, Padre, porque no nos haces pasar vergüenza, porque tu perdón nos permite estar ante tu presencia. Amén.

© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Reina Valera Contemporánea (RVC) Copyright © 2009, 2011 by Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas.

Alimento diario... un mensaje de esperanza

Our Daily Bread - Cradled in Comfort

Read: Isaiah 66:12–16 | Bible in a Year: Joshua 13–15; Luke 1:57–80

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you. Isaiah 66:13

My friend entrusted me with the privilege of holding her precious, four-day-old daughter. Not long after I took the baby into my arms, she started to fuss. I hugged her closer, my cheek pressed against her head, and began to sway and hum in a gentle rhythm to soothe her. Despite these earnest attempts, and my decade and a half of parenting experience, I couldn’t pacify her. She became increasingly upset until I placed her back into the crook of her mother’s eager arm. Peace washed over her almost instantaneously; her cries subsided and her newborn frame relaxed into the safety she already trusted. My friend knew precisely how to hold and pat her daughter to alleviate her distress.

God extends comfort to His children like a mother: tender, trustworthy, and diligent in her efforts to calm her child. When we are weary or upset, He carries us affectionately in His arms. As our Father and Creator, He knows us intimately. He “will keep in perfect peace all who trust in [him], all whose thoughts are fixed on [him]” (Isa. 26:3 nlt).

When the troubles of this world weigh heavy on our hearts, we can find comfort in the knowledge that He protects and fights for us, His children, as a loving parent.

Lord, help me to look to You for my comfort in times of distress.

For help in finding God’s comfort, read The Lord Is My Shepherd: Rest and Renewal from Psalm 23 at discoveryseries.org/hp952.

God’s comfort soothes us perfectly.

By Kirsten Holmberg

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Được An Ủi

Đọc: Ê-sai 66:12-16 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Giô-suê 13-15; Lu-ca 1:57-80

Ta sẽ an ủi các con như người mẹ an ủi con mình. (Ê-sai 66:13)

Bạn tôi tin cậy cho tôi đặc ân bế đứa con gái 4 ngày tuổi quý giá của cô ấy. Không lâu sau khi tôi bế cháu trong vòng tay, cháu bắt đầu quấy khóc. Tôi ôm cháu chặt hơn, má tôi áp sát đầu cháu và bắt đầu lắc lư và ngân nga giai điệu êm dịu để dỗ cháu. Dù cố gắng hết sức thì kinh nghiệm mười lăm năm làm mẹ của tôi cũng không thể làm cháu ngưng khóc. Cháu ngày càng khó chịu cho đến khi tôi trao cháu lại trong vòng tay trìu mến của mẹ. Cháu cảm thấy bình yên ngay lập tức; tiếng khóc lặng dần và thân hình bé nhỏ của cháu thoải mái khi được đặt trong vòng tay an toàn mà cháu tin tưởng. Bạn tôi biết nên bế con thế nào và biết cách vỗ về để dỗ dành cháu.

Đức Chúa Trời bày tỏ sự an ủi với con cái Ngài như người mẹ: nhẹ nhàng, đáng tin cậy và cố gắng để trấn an đứa bé. Khi chúng ta mệt mỏi hay buồn bã, Chúa trìu mến ẵm bồng chúng ta trong vòng tay Ngài. Là Đấng Tạo Hóa và là Cha, Ngài biết chúng ta rất rõ. “Người nào để tâm trí mình nương cậy nơi Chúa, thì Ngài sẽ gìn giữ người trong sự bình an trọn vẹn” (Ê-sai 26:3).

Khi những hoạn nạn của thế giới này làm tấm lòng chúng ta trĩu nặng, thì chúng ta có thể tìm thấy sự an ủi khi biết rằng Chúa đang bảo vệ và chiến đấu cho chúng ta là con cái Ngài như một người mẹ yêu thương.

Lạy Chúa, xin giúp con tìm sự an ủi nơi Ngài trong những lúc đau buồn.

Sự an ủi của Chúa xoa dịu chúng ta cách trọn vẹn.

bởi Kirsten Holmberg

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Arrullo consolador

Leer: Isaías 66:12-16 | La Biblia en un año: Lucas 1:57-80

Como aquel a quien consuela su madre, así os consolaré yo a vosotros… (Isaías 66:13).

Mi amiga me confió el privilegio de sostener a su preciosa hija de cuatro días de edad. Poco después de tomarla en mis brazos, la bebé empezó a protestar. La abracé un poco más, puse suavemente mi mejilla contra su cabeza, y empecé a hamacarla y a tararearle con delicadeza para calmarla. A pesar de mis denodados esfuerzos y mis más de quince años de criar hijos, no lo logré. Se ponía cada vez peor, hasta que volví a colocarla en el hueco arrullador del brazo de su mamá. La paz la envolvió casi de inmediato; dejó de llorar y su cuerpecito recién nacido se relajó en la seguridad en la que ya confiaba. Mi amiga sabía exactamente cómo sostener y palmear a su hijita para aliviar su malestar.

Dios consuela a sus hijos como lo hace una madre: mostrando ternura, confiabilidad y diligencia al esforzarse para calmar a su bebé. Cuando estamos cansados o decepcionados, el Señor nos arrulla cariñosamente en sus brazos. Como nuestro Padre y Creador, nos conoce íntimamente. Por eso, podemos decir con el profeta: «¡Tú guardarás en perfecta paz a todos los que confían en ti; a todos los que concentran en ti sus pensamientos!» (Isaías 26:3 ntv).

Cuando los problemas nos agobien, el consuelo está en saber que Él nos protege y lucha por nosotros, sus hijos, como un padre amoroso.

Señor, abrázame fuerte.

El consuelo de Dios nos calma por completo.

Por Kirsten Holmberg

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Getröstet

Lesen: Jesaja 66,12-16 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: Josua 13–15; Lukas 1,57-80

Ich will euch trösten, wie einen seine Mutter tröstet. Jesaja 66,13

Meine Freundin gewährte mir die Gunst, ihre kostbare, erst vier Tage alte Tochter zu halten. Doch ich hatte die Kleine noch nicht lange auf dem Arm, da begann sie zu quengeln. Ich zog sie näher an mich, legte meine Wange auf ihren Kopf und fing an, sie zu wiegen und eine leise Melodie zu summen, damit sie sich beruhigte. Doch trotz aller Bemühungen und fünfzehn Jahren eigener Erfahrung als Mutter, konnte ich sie nicht zur Ruhe bringen. Sie wurde immer aufgeregter, bis ich sie schließlich zurücklegte in die wartenden Arme ihrer Mutter. Fast augenblicklich wurde sie still, das Weinen verstummte und sie entspannte in der so vertrauten Sicherheit. Meine Freundin wusste genau, wie sie ihre Tochter halten und streicheln musste und was ihr guttat.

Gott will seine Kinder trösten wie eine Mutter: zart, vertraut und beruhigend. Wenn wir müde oder durcheinander sind, trägt er uns liebevoll auf seinen Armen. Als unser Vater und Erschaffer kennt er uns genau. Er gibt „Frieden dem, der sich fest an [ihn] hält und [ihm] allein vertraut“ (Jes. 26,3 HFA).

Wenn die Sorgen dieser Welt schwer auf uns lasten, können wir Trost finden in dem Wissen, dass er uns, seine geliebten Kinder, schützt und für uns kämpft, wie ein Vater es tut.

Herr, hilf mir, in schwierigen Zeiten bei dir Trost und Hilfe zu suchen.

Gottes Trost bringt uns zur Ruhe.

Von Kirsten Holmberg

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Bercé et consolé

Lisez : Ésaïe 66.12‑16 | La Bible en un an : Josué 13 – 15 et Luc 1.57-80

Comme un homme que sa mère console, ainsi je vous consolerai. (Ésaïe 66.13)

Mon amie m’a accordé le privilège de tenir sa fillette de quatre jours dans mes bras. Peu après l’avoir prise, le bébé s’est mis à regimber. Je lui ai alors pressé la tête contre ma poitrine, et j’ai commencé à la bercer en fredonnant doucement pour la calmer. Malgré mes efforts redoublés et mon expérience parentale d’une décennie et demie, je ne suis pas parvenue à l’apaiser. Comme elle s’agitait de plus en plus, j’ai fini par la remettre entre les bras de sa mère, qui ne demandait pas mieux que de la reprendre. La paix a alors envahi la petite presque instantanément ; ses larmes se sont taries et son corps minuscule s’est détendu dans la sécurité qu’elle ressentait déjà. Mon amie savait pertinemment comment tenir et caresser son enfant pour apaiser sa détresse.

Dieu apporte la consolation à ses enfants comme une mère le ferait, en usant de tendresse, de fiabilité et de zèle dans ses efforts pour calmer son enfant. Lorsque nous sommes inquiets ou bouleversés, il nous prend affectueusement dans ses bras. Étant notre Père et notre Créateur, il nous connaît intimement. Il nous assure la paix parce que nous nous confions en lui (ÉS 26.3).

Lorsque les problèmes de ce monde nous accablent, nous pouvons trouver du réconfort dans le fait de savoir qu’il nous protège et combat pour nous, ses enfants, comme tout bon parent le ferait.

La consolation de Dieu nous apaise à la perfection.

par Kirsten Holmberg

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Заколисані Божою втіхою

Читати: Ісаї 66:12-16 | Біблія за рік: Ісуса Навина 13–15 ; Луки 1:57-80

Як когось його ненька втішає, так вас Я потішу. — Ісаї 66:13

Моя подруга дала мені потримати на руках крихітну доньку, якій було лише чотири дні. Та не встигла я взяти крихітку на руки, як вона почала нервувати. Я притулила її ближче до себе, щоб її голівонька торкнулась моєї шоки. Потім почала ніжно колихати і тихенько наспівувати колискову, щоб її заспокоїти. Однак, незважаючи на всі мої щирі спроби, на весь мій п’ятнадцятирічний материнський досвід, немовля почало плакати. Маленька плакала все гучніше, поки я не віддала її знову до рук матері. Крихітка майже миттєво заспокоїлась. Її тільце відразу розслабилось, відчувши знайомі обійми, яким вона вже звикла довіряти. Моя подруга точно знала, як потрібно тримати і пестити свою доньку, щоб угамувати її неспокій.

Бог пропонує Своїм дітям втіху, немов та ненька – ніжна, надійна і старанна у своїх спробах заспокоїти своє немовля. Коли ми втомлені або сумні, Бог з любов’ю несе нас на Своїх руках. Як наш Отець і Творець, Він дуже близький до нас. “Думку, оперту на Тебе, збережеш Ти у повнім спокої, бо на Тебе надію вона покладає” (Іс. 26:3).

Коли тягарі життєвих проблем тиснуть на нашу душу, можемо знаходити втіху в тій істині, що Бог захищає нас і бореться за нас, Своїх дітей, мов любляча ненька.

Господи, допоможи в часи випробувань підіймати очі до Тебе, Джерела втіхи.

Божа втіха – довершене джерело спокою.

Автор Кірстен Холмберг

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Утешение

Читать сейчас: Исаия 66:12-16 | Библия за год: Иисуса Навина 13-15; Луки 1:57-80

«Как утешает кого-либо мать его, так утешу Я вас». — Исаия 66:13

Подруга доверила мне подержать ее прелестную малышку четырех дней от роду. Девочка побыла у меня на руках всего ничего, как вдруг начала капризничать. Я обняла ее покрепче, прижалась щекой к ее головке и стала плавно раскачиваться, напевая ласковую песенку. Вопреки всем стараниям и пятнадцатилетнему родительскому стажу, капризуля не успокаивалась. Напротив, хныкала все громче. Пришлось отдать ее матери. Через секунду на лице девочки появилось умиротворение. Почувствовав знакомые руки, она расслабилась и засопела. Подруга в точности знала, что делать с дочерью, чтобы та успокоилась.

Бог утешает Своих детей словно мать: нежно и умело. Когда мы расстроены или утомлены, Он заботливо берет нас на руки. Наш Отец и Создатель хорошо знает нас. Он будет хранить «в совершенном мире» тех, чьи мысли обращены к Нему (Ис. 26:3).

Когда заботы мира сего тяжелым бременем ложатся на наши сердца, мы можем обрести утешение в сознании того, что Небесный Отец защищает и оберегает Своих детей. Он может успокоить нас лучше любой матери.

Господь, помоги мне в любой скорби искать утешения у Тебя.

Божье утешение имеет идеальное действие.

автор: Кирстен Холмберг

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for WEDNESDAY, March 22, 2017

The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Jeremiah 8:18-9:6

My joy is gone, grief is upon me, my heart is sick. Hark, the cry of my poor people from far and wide in the land: "Is the LORD not in Zion? Is her King not in her?" ("Why have they provoked me to anger with their images, with their foreign idols?") "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored? O that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears, so that I might weep day and night for the slain of my poor people! O that I had in the desert a traveler's lodging place, that I might leave my people and go away from them! For they are all adulterers, a band of traitors. They bend their tongues like bows; they have grown strong in the land for falsehood, and not for truth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not know me, says the LORD. Beware of your neighbors, and put no trust in any of your kin; for all your kin are supplanters, and every neighbor goes around like a slanderer. They all deceive their neighbors, and no one speaks the truth; they have taught their tongues to speak lies; they commit iniquity and are too weary to repent. Oppression upon oppression, deceit upon deceit! They refuse to know me, says the LORD.

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

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 8:12-20
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." Then the Pharisees said to him, "You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid." Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf." Then they said to him, "Where is your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also." He spoke these words while he was teaching in the treasury of the temple, but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.

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

Morning Psalms

Psalm 119: Mem Quomodo dilexi!
97   Oh, how I love your law! all the day long it is in my mind.
98   Your commandment has made me wiser than my enemies, and it is always with me.
99   I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your decrees are my study.
100   I am wiser than the elders, because I observe your commandments.
101   I restrain my feet from every evil way, that I may keep your word.
102   I do not shrink from your judgments, because you yourself have taught me.
103   How sweet are your words to my taste! they are sweeter than honey to my mouth.
104   Through your commandments I gain understanding; therefore I hate every lying way.

Psalm 119: Nun Lucerna pedibus meis
105   Your word is a lantern to my feet and a light upon my path.
106   I have sworn and am determined to keep your righteous judgments.
107   I am deeply troubled; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word.
108   Accept, O LORD, the willing tribute of my lips, and teach me your judgments.
109   My life is always in my hand, yet I do not forget your law.
110   The wicked have set a trap for me, but I have not strayed from your commandments.
111   Your decrees are my inheritance for ever; truly, they are the joy of my heart.
112   I have applied my heart to fulfill your statutes for ever and to the end.

Psalm 119: Samekh Iniquos odio habui
113   I hate those who have a divided heart, but your law do I love.
114   You are my refuge and shield; my hope is in your word.
115   Away from me, you wicked! I will keep the commandments of my God.
116   Sustain me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be disappointed in my hope.
117   Hold me up, and I shall be safe, and my delight shall be ever in your statutes.
118   You spurn all who stray from your statutes; their deceitfulness is in vain.
119   In your sight all the wicked of the earth are but dross; therefore I love your decrees.
120   My flesh trembles with dread of you; I am afraid of your judgments.

Evening Psalms

Psalm 81 Exultate Deo
1   Sing with joy to God our strength and raise a loud shout to the God of Jacob.
2   Raise a song and sound the timbrel, the merry harp, and the lyre.
3   Blow the ram's-horn at the new moon, and at the full moon, the day of our feast.
4   For this is a statute for Israel, a law of the God of Jacob.
5   He laid it as a solemn charge upon Joseph, when he came out of the land of Egypt.
6   I heard an unfamiliar voice saying, "I eased his shoulder from the burden; his hands were set free from bearing the load."
7   You called on me in trouble, and I saved you; I answered you from the secret place of thunder and tested you at the waters of Meribah.
8   Hear, O my people, and I will admonish you: O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
9   There shall be no strange god among you; you shall not worship a foreign god.
10   I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and said, "Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it."
11   And yet my people did not hear my voice, and Israel would not obey me.
12   So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their hearts, to follow their own devices.
13   Oh, that my people would listen to me! that Israel would walk in my ways!
14   I should soon subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes.
15   Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him, and their punishment would last for ever.
16   But Israel would I feed with the finest wheat and satisfy him with honey from the rock.

Psalm 82 Deus stetit
1   God takes his stand in the council of heaven; he gives judgment in the midst of the gods:
2   How long will you judge unjustly, and show favor to the wicked?
3   Save the weak and the orphan; defend the humble and needy;
4   Rescue the weak and the poor; deliver them from the power of the wicked.
5   They do not know, neither do they understand; they go about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6   Now I say to you, 'You are gods, and all of you children of the Most High;
7   Nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, and fall like any prince.'"
8   Arise, O God, and rule the earth, for you shall take all nations for your own.

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 22, 2017

Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV) [The Armor of God] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Read all of Ephesians 6

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 - "He Knows Best"

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

—Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

There are some things this side of Heaven that I never will understand. But when I don’t know something, I fall back on what I do know. There are times when someone asks, “Cap'n, why did God do this?”

And many times I say, “I don’t know. I just can’t answer that. But I know this: God loves you. God is wiser than you. And ‘all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.’”

It’s during those difficult times that we must walk by faith. We don’t understand, and there is turmoil going on deep inside. But we don’t know what God has in store.

Maybe you’ve had a setback in your life. Things were going well, and then all of a sudden, you went down in flames. You’re wondering, “What is this all about? How could this possibly result in anything good?”

I think Joseph must have felt that way. He was faithful to the Lord, yet it seemed as though he had setback after setback and went deeper and deeper into his problems. But each setback actually was a stepping stone to a greater plan God in store for him. That resulted in his being used more powerfully by God than anything else Joseph could have accomplished.

One day we’ll be able to look back and say, “Now I know why the Lord did this and why He did that.” For some of us, it only will be on the other side of eternity when we can look back and understand it.

We don’t see the big picture. But the great comfort is that He who makes and controls all circumstances knows what is best and will act accordingly. He will do the right thing.

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 - No menosprecies tu llamado

Porque hemos buscado a Jehová nuestro Dios; le hemos buscado, y él nos ha dado paz por todas partes. Edificaron, pues, y fueron prosperados.
2 Crónicas 14:7 (RVR1960)

Muchos somos los que dedicamos nuestra vida a tiempo completo en el servicio a Dios. Hay quienes lo hacen en un medio de comunicación, una escuela o una iglesia. Otros lo realizan como pastores, líderes, cantantes, etc. Incluso, hay quienes son farolitos alumbrando el amor de Dios. Por mencionarte algunos casos, veamos algunas personas muy reconocidas y queridas por todos nosotros:

• Fernando Arau, un tremendo humorista en «Despierta América», de la cadena Univisión,

y líder junto con su esposa de un grupo de apoyo a matrimonios.

• Yuri, presentadora de «Noche de Estrellas» por Univisión. Además, dedica su vida en el apoyo a su esposo, Rodrigo Espinosa, pastor de una iglesia de más de trescientos miembros en el Distrito Federal.
• Nuestro presidente del Grupo Génesis, el pastor Edwin Lemuel Ortiz, dueño de las estaciones La Nueva 88.3 y La Nueva 90.9, en Miami. Por más de quince años, la hermosa voz principal de la cadena Univisión.
• Nuestro Ernesto Suazo no solo es pastor y presentador por varios años del programa de «La Nueva» El Top 20, sino que también es una de las voces destacadas de la cadena Telemundo.

Y así te podría nombrar a miles de personas que Dios coloca como faros en diferentes lugares. Allí, de una manera única, llevan la Palabra de Dios a personas que nosotros nunca podríamos alcanzar. No menosprecies tu llamado, ni menosprecies el llamado de los demás.

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

Standing Strong Through the Storm - WHY PERSECUTION AND MARTYRDOM?

…in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. John 16:2b (NIV)

Today we begin a two-part look at the testimony of a terrorist persecutor named Maulana who ultimately gave his life to Christ and became a Christian missionary:

I was born in a Muslim family in a small town of Demak, central Java, Indonesia. My family was very strict in following Islamic Sharia laws. As a Muslim, I read a lot of the Koran, Hadits, the sayings of the prophet Mohammed, and all the other books that help me be a devoted Muslim.

I started to learn about a famous international Muslim named Ayatollah Komeini from Iran. I welcome Ayatollah Khomeini’s ideas and his call to revolution to all Muslims because it will be very nice to have Islamic Sharia law applied in our society. That would arrange all ways of life in this country according to the truth of the Koran. I don’t like the West because their lifestyle has affected the Eastern lifestyle, young people dress like those in the West, which is so far from Islamic propriety. I hate that.

And this has also caused me to hate tourists who come to Indonesia. They bring Western lifestyle and can’t be a role model for us in Islam. I see Christians as hindering Sharia teaching in Indonesia. Indonesia must be cleansed from the cross. It’s a must! Sharia must happen in civil society. The Christians worship Jesus, who is merely a man. For us this is sin, and we must stop this movement through churches.

The Indonesian government is committed to freedom of religion, as stated in our national constitution. But for Muslims this is not good. It will not bring any good to the country’s future. Because we do not get support from the government, we take law into our own hands. We attack churches; we shoot pastors while they are preaching to cause fear. We do it because the government does not back us up, so we do it by ourselves. We do not fear death because we were encouraged by Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini to spill our blood to the last drop to make this happen.

Remember the bombing in Bali? That was a combined expression of our frustration and our goal. Calling us terrorists is a big mistake, because we’re just Muslim God lovers.

The government supports Eastern Indonesia and the islands to be Christian, and is actually hindering us from teaching or implementing Sharia law there. So we devised secret plans to bring about Sharia law in Eastern Indonesia. I was one of the first 5,000 soldiers sent from east Java on a ship to the island of Ambon. En route from Surabaya to Ambon, we hijacked the ship in Solo. We searched the ship and checked each passenger’s identity. Anyone with a Christian ID was either killed or thrown into the ocean. And together our group took over the ship and headed for Ambon Island to eliminate the church of Jesus Christ.

Tomorrow the change that comes to Maulana’s life when he meets Jesus.

RESPONSE: Today I understand that it is Jesus in me which prompts persecution and martyrdom.

PRAYER: Pray for Christians in conflict zones like Indonesia who risk their lives living for Jesus.

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

Girlfriends in God - The Power of Your Story

by Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth

“Thomas fell to his knees and cried, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28 NIV)

Friend to Friend

When Jesus appeared to the disciples after His resurrection, there was one who was absent from the motley crew: Thomas. When he came back to the group, they were all abuzz talking about Jesus’ surprise appearance. But Thomas didn’t believe a word of it.

“Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it,” he declared.

A week later his disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus suddenly appeared and stood among them.

“Peace be with you!” he said.

Then Jesus turned to a stunned Thomas and said, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

Thomas fell to his knees and cried, "My Lord and my God!"

The world is full of “Thomases.” I was one and perhaps you were one too. And even though I did not run my fingers over Jesus’ nail-scarred hands or thrust my hand into his sword-pierced side, I recognized Jesus through the scars of the men and women who were not afraid to share their stories of healing and redemption…and I believed.

In Revelation 12:11, John wrote, “They overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Incredible power is released when we drop the chains of bitterness, fear and shame to tell our stories.

Because Satan knows that our stories are instrumental in his ultimate defeat, he will do anything and everything to convince us to keep the treasures hidden away. Oh dear one, God is calling us to not be ashamed of our scars, for it is by those very scars that others will recognize the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Do you know a “Thomas” who needs to see Jesus’ scars…perhaps in your own life? This week, I encourage you to share your story of redemption with one other person and watch a miracle take place!

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, thank You that there was no hint of condemnation from the other disciples when Timothy doubted. I pray that I will never condemn a friend who is struggling with her own faith. Give me the courage to show my scars to someone who needs to see what You’ve done in my life. I want to be one of those people whom Jesus mentioned when he said to Timothy, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29 NIV).
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Have you ever had times of doubting God? If so, what changed your heart?

Is there a friend who is struggling with her faith in God? If so, how can you help her see God at work?

Is there a scar in your own life that, if revealed, would help someone believe?

I would love to hear your story! You can email me directly at Sharon@sharonjaynes.com. I may not be able to respond to every email, but I promise to read your story and pray for you!

More from the Girlfriends

Did you know that your scars are beautiful to God? He longs to turn your hurt into hope, your pain into purpose, and your messes into ministry. Don’t waste your sorrows! Allow God to use what you have gone through to be a blessing to others. To learn more, see my book, Your Scars are Beautiful to God: Finding Peace and Purpose in the Hurts of Your Past. It also includes a study guide for those who want to dig deeper into God’s Word. And for you married gals, I’d love for you to hop over and join us at the new Praying Wives Club at www.Facebook.com/ThePrayingWivesClub.

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.