LHM Daily Devotion - "Another Trap"

 The leaders of the Jewish high court are furious at Jesus, especially...

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Doubts About the Resurrection"

March 27, 2017

There came to Him some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection (Luke 20:27).

Read Luke 20:27-40

The scribes and Pharisees make up part of the Jewish high court; another group is the priests who are Sadducees. They accept only Moses' writings from the Old Testament and reject the resurrection, angels or heaven. But that doesn't stop them from posing a resurrection riddle to try to make Jesus look foolish.

They refer to a Mosaic law that preserved the line of an Israelite man who died childless. If the man's brother married the widow, the first son born could be considered the dead man's son. In their riddle a man died childless, each of his six brothers married the widow in turn, but each died childless. So whose wife will she be in the resurrection?

It seems a no-win question for Jesus. She couldn't be the wife of all seven. But if God chooses one of the brothers to be her husband He would be wronging the others. Jesus easily smashes their house of cards. God's gift of marriage holds only for this earthly period of time-not at the resurrection.

Now Jesus turns to their rejection of the resurrection. He even refers to Moses, the only authority they will accept from the Old Testament. When speaking to Moses out of the burning bush, God said, "I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" (see Exodus 3:6). If there was no life after death God would have had to say "I was their God," not I am their God." God's "I AM" proves the human soul survives physical death and implies the resurrection when Christ returns.

Jesus has corrected the Sadducees so well even the hostile scribes commend Him.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we are often slow to believe things we cannot see. Remove my doubts and unbelief and give me firm confidence in the resurrection and eternal life You have promised to all believers. 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).

Devociones de Cuaresma - Sólo Jesús libra

Devociones de Cuaresma  2017

Sólo Jesús libra

27 de Marzo de 2017

Si ustedes permanecen en mi palabra... conocerán la verdad, y la verdad los hará libres.
Juan 8:31-32 (31-34)

Jesús le habló de libertad a un pueblo que estaba en esclavitud. Tiene sentido, porque hablarle de libertad a un pueblo libre no haría ningún impacto. Sin embargo, los judíos no entendieron las palabras de Jesús en toda su magnitud, porque a pesar de vivir bajo el yugo romano, ellos nunca se consideraron esclavos. La afirmación de los judíos: "Jamás hemos sido esclavos de nadie", es la convicción de aquellos que consideraban que la única esclavitud consistía en no poder adorar a su Dios. Como los romanos les permitieron usar el templo y adorar al Dios de Abrahán, los judíos, aunque sometidos a la autoridad romana, se sentían libres. En este sentido, su pensamiento era correcto.

Pero Jesús habla aquí de una esclavitud mayor: la esclavitud del pecado. El pecado no es solamente una cosita que hacemos que está mal, que nos daña o que lastima a nuestro prójimo, o que daña alguna relación. El pecado esclaviza. Es una adicción que nos quita la libertad de vivir con alegría, sin temores, y en constante servicio a nuestro prójimo. El pecado es algo tan serio, que el mismo Hijo de Dios tuvo que hacerse cargo de él. Sí, Jesús pagó el castigo de nuestra desobediencia con su sufrimiento y muerte en la cruz.

Conocer la verdad es lo que cambia nuestra vida, y permanecer en la Palabra de Dios es lo que nos permite seguir en libertad. ¿Quién quiere volver a esclavizarse nuevamente al pecado para vivir con temor, angustiado, y sin alegría ni esperanza? Yo no.

Adorar al verdadero Dios es lo que nos da la única libertad que nos llena de paz. Demos gracias a nuestro Señor porque nos otorgó el gran privilegio de conocer en Jesús todas sus bendiciones eternas.

Gracias, Padre, porque te revelaste en tu Hijo Jesús, y porque nos diste tu Palabra. Amén

© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones

Our Daily Bread - Image Management

Read: Isaiah 43:1–9 | Bible in a Year: Judges 1–3; Luke 4:1–30

You are precious and honored in my sight, and . . . I love you. Isaiah 43:4

To celebrate Winston Churchill’s eightieth birthday, the British parliament commissioned artist Graham Sutherland to paint a portrait of the celebrated statesman. “How are you going to paint me?” Churchill reportedly asked the artist: “As a cherub, or the Bulldog?” Churchill liked these two popular perceptions of him. Sutherland, however, said he would paint what he saw.

Churchill was not happy with the results. Sutherland’s portrait had Churchill slumped in a chair wearing his trademark scowl—true to reality, but hardly flattering. After its official unveiling, Churchill hid the painting in his cellar. It was later secretly destroyed.

Like Churchill, most of us have an image of ourselves we want others to have of us also—whether of success, godliness, beauty, or strength. We can go to great lengths to conceal our “ugly” sides. Perhaps deep down we fear we won’t be loved if the real us is known.

When the Israelites were taken captive by Babylon, they were seen at their worst. Because of their sins, God allowed their enemies to conquer them. But He told them not to fear. He knew them by name, and He was with them in every humiliating trial (Isa. 43:1–2). They were secure in His hands (v. 13) and “precious” to Him (v. 4). Despite their ugliness, God loved them.

We will find ourselves less motivated to seek the approval of others when such a truth truly sinks in. God knows the real us and still loves us immeasurably (Eph. 3:18).

God’s deep love means we can be real with others.

By Sheridan Voysey

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Giữ Hình Ảnh

Đọc: Ê-sai 43:1-9 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Các quan xét 1-3; Lu-ca 4:1-30

Vì Ta xem con là quý báu và đáng chuộng….Chính Ta đã yêu con. (Ê-sai 43:4)

Để kỷ niệm sinh nhật lần thứ 80 của Winston Churchill, nghị viện Anh đã ủy thác cho Graham Sutherland vẽ chân dung vị chính khách lừng danh này. Tin tức nói rằng Churchill đã hỏi người họa sĩ: “Anh dự định vẽ tôi như thế nào?” “Như một thiên sứ, hay Bulldog (chó bun)?” Churchill thích hai khái niệm phổ biến này về ông. Tuy nhiên, Sutherland nói ông sẽ vẽ những gì ông thấy.

Churchill không vui về kết quả. Bức chân dung của Sutherland miêu tả ông ngồi sụp trong chiếc ghế với vẻ mặt cau có đặc trưng– rất thật nhưng không hề xu nịnh. Sau khi xem, Churchill đã giấu bức tranh dưới hầm. Về sau, nó đã bị hủy cách bí mật.

Giống Churchill, hầu hết chúng ta đều có hình ảnh mà chúng ta muốn người khác nhìn về chính mình – dù là thành công, tin kính, đẹp đẽ hay mạnh mẽ. Chúng ta có thể cố gắng hết sức để giấu đi những mặt “xấu xí” của mình. Có lẽ trong sâu thẳm, chúng ta sợ sẽ không được yêu thương nếu người ta biết con người thật của mình.

Khi dân Y-sơ-ra-ên bị Ba-by-lôn bắt làm phu tù, họ đã ở trong bộ dạng tệ hại nhất. Bởi vì tội lỗi của họ, Chúa cho phép những kẻ thù xâm chiếm họ. Nhưng Ngài bảo họ đừng sợ hãi. Ngài biết họ từng tên và Ngài ở với họ trong mọi thử thách nhục nhã (Es. 43:1-2). Họ an ninh trong tay Ngài (c.13) và “quý giá” đối với Ngài (c.4). Dù họ xấu xa thế nào, Chúa vẫn yêu họ.

Chúng ta sẽ bớt tìm kiếm sự chấp nhận của người khác khi thật sự thấm nhuần lẽ thật này. Chúa biết con người thật của chúng ta và Ngài vẫn yêu thương chúng ta vô cùng (Eph 3:18).

Lạy Cha, cảm ơn Ngài đã yêu thương con, tha thứ tội lỗi con qua Đấng Christ và khiến con trở nên con cái Ngài. Vì lẽ đó, con từ bỏ nhu cầu được hoàn hảo trong mắt người khác.

Tình yêu sâu nhiệm của Chúa khiến chúng ta có thể sống thật với người khác.

bởi Sheridan Voysey

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Administrador de imagen

Leer: Isaías 43:1-9 | La Biblia en un año: Jueces 1–3 Lucas 4:1-30

Porque a mis ojos fuiste de gran estima, fuiste honorable, y yo te amé… (Isaías 43:4).

Para celebrar los 80 años de Winston Churchill, el parlamento británico le encomendó al artista Graham Sutherland que pintara un retrato del célebre estadista. A Churchill no le gustó el resultado, ya que, en vez de mostrarlo como a él le gustaba, aparecía desplomado en una silla y con su característico ceño fruncido; fiel a la realidad, pero nada atractivo. Después de su muestra oficial, Churchill lo escondió en su sótano.

Como él, la mayoría tenemos una imagen de nosotros mismos que queremos que los demás también la tengan; ya sea de éxito, altruismo, belleza o fuerza. Hacemos todo lo posible para esconder nuestros lados «feos». Quizá, en lo profundo, temamos que no nos amen si nos conocen realmente.

La deportación de los israelitas a Babilonia reveló lo peor del pueblo de Dios. Por su pecado, el Señor permitió que los enemigos los conquistaran. Pero les dijo que no temieran; que los conocía por nombre y que estaba con ellos en todas las humillantes pruebas (Isaías 43:1-2). Estaban seguros en sus manos (v. 13) y eran «de gran estima» para Él (v. 4). A pesar de su fealdad, Dios los amaba.

No nos importa tanto que los demás nos aprueben cuando asimilamos esta verdad. Dios sabe cómo somos y, aun así, sigue amándonos sin medida (Efesios 3:18).

Señor, gracias por amarme como soy.

El profundo amor de Dios significa que podemos ser auténticos con los demás.

Por Rebeka Werner

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Imagepflege

Lesen: Jesaja 43,1-9 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: Richter 1–3; Lukas 4,1-30

Weil du in meinen Augen so wert geachtet bist und weil ich dich lieb habe. Jesaja 43,4

Zum achtzigsten Geburtstag von Winston Churchill ließ das britische Parlament ein Porträt des gefeierten Staatsmannes malen. Der Überlieferung nach wird berichtet, dass Churchill fragte: „Wie wollen Sie mich darstellen? Als Cherub oder als Bulldogge?“ Der Künstler erwiderte, er werde malen, was er sehe.

Churchill war nicht glücklich über das Ergebnis. Es zeigte ihn zusammengesackt auf einem Stuhl mit dem üblichen mürrischen Blick—wirklichkeitsgetreu, aber nicht gerade vorteilhaft. Nach der offiziellen Enthüllung wanderte das Bild in den Keller. Später ließ er es vernichten.

Wie Churchill haben die meisten eine Vorstellung davon, wie sie von anderen gesehen werden wollen—ob erfolgreich, gütig, schön oder stark. Die „hässlichen“ Seiten wollen wir verstecken—aus Angst, man würde uns nicht mehr lieben, wenn man uns wirklich kennen würde.

Als die Israeliten von Babylon erobert wurden, wurden alle ihre schlechten Seiten offenbar. Wegen ihrer Sünden hatte Gott den Feinden erlaubt, sie zu besiegen. Aber er sagte, sie sollten sich nicht fürchten. Er kannte sie mit Namen und war selbst in den tiefsten Stunden dabei (Jes. 43,1-2). In seiner Hand waren sie sicher (V.13) und sie waren ihm „wertvoll“ (V.4). Er liebte sie trotz aller Hässlichkeit.

Wenn wir das begreifen, werden wir feststellen, dass auch uns die Anerkennung anderer nicht mehr so wichtig ist.

Himmlischer Vater, hab Dank, dass du mich liebst, dass du mir in Jesus meine Schuld vergibst und mich zu deinem Kind machst. Deshalb muss ich für andere nicht mehr perfekt sein.

Weil Gott uns so sehr liebt, können wir vor anderen sein, wie wir sind.

Von Sheridan Voysey

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - La gestion de notre image

Lisez : Ésaïe 43.1‑9 | La Bible en un an : Juges 1 – 3 et Luc 4.1-30

Parce que tu as du prix à mes yeux […] je t’aime. (Ésaïe 43.4)

Pour célébrer le 80e anniversaire de Winston Churchill, le Parlement britannique a confié à l’artiste Graham Sutherland le soin d’en peindre le portrait. Or, on dit que Churchill aurait demandé à l’artiste : « Comment comptez‑vous me représenter ? En chérubin ou en Bulldog ? » Churchill se plaisait à entretenir ces deux perceptions que les gens avaient de lui. Sutherland lui aurait toutefois répondu qu’il allait peindre ce qu’il voyait.

Or, le résultat a déplu à Churchill, car l’artiste l’avait peint affalé sur une chaise et arborant son air typiquement renfrogné – un portrait fidèle à la réalité, mais peu flatteur. Après le dévoilement officiel de la toile, Churchill l’a cachée dans son cellier, et l’a fait secrètement détruire plus tard.

Comme Churchill, nous nous percevons pour la plupart tels que nous aimerions être perçus – l’image du succès, de la piété, de la beauté ou de la force. Il se peut que nous nous efforcions par tous les moyens de dissimuler nos côtés « laids ». Peut‑être redoutons‑nous au fond que les gens refusent de nous aimer s’ils découvrent notre véritable personnalité.

Leurs péchés leur ayant valu d’être emmenés en captivité à Babylone, les Israélites ont paru sous leur pire jour. Après avoir permis à leurs ennemis de triompher d’eux, Dieu les a rassurés. Les connaissant par leur nom, il s’est tenu à leur côté durant chaque épreuve humiliante (ÉS 43.1,2) et les a gardés en sécurité dans sa main (V. 13), eux qui avaient « du prix » à ses yeux (V. 4). Dieu les a ainsi aimés malgré leur laideur.

Grâce à l’amour profond de Dieu, l’authenticité nous est possible.

par Sheridan Voysey

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Правдивий імідж

Читати: Ісаї 43:1-9 | Біблія за рік: Суддів 1–3 ; Луки 4:1-30

Ти став дорогий в Моїх очах… Я тебе покохав. — Ісаї 43:4

Британський парламент доручив художнику Г. Сазерленду намалювати портрет Уїнстона Черчилля на честь його 80-річчя. Черчилль запитав митця: “Як ви збираєтесь відобразити мене на полотні? Як херувима чи як бульдога?” Політику подобались ці два популярні порівняння. Але Сазерленд відповів, що намалює таким, яким він його бачить.

Черчиллю не сподобалась картина, бо автор зобразив його розпластаним у кріслі зі звичним похмурим виразом на обличчі. Портрет був правдивим, але далеко не улесливим. Після офіційної презентації Черчилль сховав картину у своєму підвалі, а потім знищив.

Кожен із нас має бажання створити імідж успіху, благочестя, краси, сили. Ми намагаємося приховати потворні куточки свого єства − боїмося, що люди не зможуть любити нас, якщо знатимуть, які ми є насправді.

Через численні гріхи Бог попустив ворогам відвести Його народ до Вавилону. Але Він наказав їм не боятись. Він знав кожного з них по імені і був з ними, незважаючи на всі приниження та випробування на чужині (Іс. 43:1-2). В Його руках вони були безпечні (Іс. 43:13). Вони “стали дорогими в Його очах” (Іс. 43:4). Якщо ця істина проникне в наші серця, ми будемо менше перейматись тим, що думають про нас люди. Бог знає, які ми справді є, однак, не перестає нас любити безмірною любов’ю (Еф. 3:18).

Отче, дякую Тобі за те, що так сильно мене полюбив, що завдяки Христу простив мої гріхи і зробив мене Своєю дитиною. Це допомагає мені звільнитись від потреби постійно створювати імідж довершеної людини.

Божа любов означає, що ми можемо бути справжніми у стосунках з людьми.

Автор Шерідан Войсі

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Изображение

Читать сейчас: Исаия 43:1-9 | Библия за год: Судей 1-3; Луки 4:1-30

«Ты дорог в очах Моих, многоценен, и Я возлюбил тебя». — Исаия 43:4

На восьмидесятилетие Уинстона Черчилля Британский парламент поручил художнику Грэму Сазерленду написать портрет виновника торжества. «Как вы меня собираетесь нарисовать? – спросил художника Черчилль. – Как херувима или как бульдога?» Черчиллю нравились эти прозвища, ходившие о нем в народе. Однако Сазерленд сказал, что изобразит то, что видит.

Результат Черчиллю не понравился. Сазерленд написал его расплывшимся в кресле со своим фирменным взглядом исподлобья. Очень похоже, но не очень привлекательно. После официального представления портрета Черчилль спрятал его в своем подвале, а позже и вовсе уничтожил.

Подобно Черчиллю, большинство из нас имеет некий привлекательный образ, который выставляется напоказ. Это может быть успех, благочестие, красота или сила. Мы также на многое готовы, чтобы скрыть свои неприглядные стороны. По-видимому, где-то глубоко внутри мы боимся, что нас не будут любить, если увидят наше истинное лицо.

Уведенные в плен израильтяне представляли собой жалкое зрелище. За многочисленные грехи Бог позволил врагам поработить их. Но при этом сказал, что им не следует бояться. Он знал их по имени и был с ними в каждом испытании (Ис. 43:1-2). В Его очах они были дороги и многоценны (Ис. 43:4). Несмотря на отталкивающую внешность, Бог любил их.

Мы будем меньше заботиться о мнении других, если эта истина укоренится в нашем сердце. Бог знает нас настоящих и любит нас безмерной любовью (Еф. 3:18-19).

Бог Отец, благодарю, что так сильно возлюбил меня, простил мои грехи во Христе и сделал Своим чадом. Поэтому я не хочу больше представляться идеальным перед другими.

Божья любовь означает, что мы можем быть настоящими перед людьми.

автор: Шеридан Войси

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Readings for SUNDAY, March 26, 2017 - 4th Sunday in Lent (Laetare)

The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from 1 Samuel 16:1-13

The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons." Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me." And the LORD said, "Take a heifer with you, and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.' Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you." Samuel did what the LORD commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, "Do you come peaceably?" He said, "Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice." And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed is now before the LORD." But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one." Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one." Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen any of these." Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all your sons here?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here." He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; for this is the one." Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.

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

Psalms

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

The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from Ephesians 5:8-14

For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light-- for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

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

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

Click HERE to read today's Holy Gospel Lesson and sermon.

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.

The Sermon for SUNDAY, March 26, 2017 - 4th Sunday in Lent (Laetare)

The Holy Gospel Lesson

Today's Holy Gospel lesson is written in John 9:1-41

As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man's eyes, saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, "Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?" Some were saying, "It is he." Others were saying, "No, but it is someone like him." He kept saying, "I am the man." But they kept asking him, "Then how were your eyes opened?" He answered, "The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.' Then I went and washed and received my sight." They said to him, "Where is he?" He said, "I do not know." They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, "He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see." Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?" And they were divided. So they said again to the blind man, "What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened." He said, "He is a prophet." The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?" His parents answered, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself." His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, "He is of age; ask him." So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, "Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner." He answered, "I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see." They said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" He answered them, "I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?" Then they reviled him, saying, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from." The man answered, "Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." They answered him, "You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?" And they drove him out. Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" He answered, "And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him." Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he." He said, "Lord, I believe." And he worshiped him. Jesus said, "I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind." Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, "Surely we are not blind, are we?" Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, 'We see,' your sin remains. (ESV)

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

Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen

Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, in our baptism into the death and resurrection of Jesus, your beloved Son, you have redeemed us from sin and death, and claimed us as your own. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, help us to realize that our new birth in baptism continues to unfold throughout our lives, and that you will never abandon us. This we ask, in Christ’s holy name. Amen

Words, words, words! There is a long-standing university class exercise where you are to take a long piece of work and capture the meaning in a sentence or two. These 41 verses might be summed up as, “A man is healed, people found it hard to believe it but he is still healed” Why all the words?

Jesus saw a man who was blind and did what was needed -- he healed the man. That is where the problem begins. He did it on the wrong day, to the wrong person, without proper witnesses, all wrong! The religious authorities are only so willing to tell him so and Jesus is only too willing to play word games with these masters of words. The healed man, on the other hand, is just happy to be healed.

Someone once said that every age has, from time to time, the need to refresh its theology. What is theology? Theology is simply words that we use to speak of God. We need words to make sense, in our little world and little minds, of a God who transcends all we can possibly understand. So we create theology. Theology is more than words because the words we use reveal how we think of God and how we relate to God. Good theology keeps our relationship with God and one another in proper perspective. Bad theology places God subject to our thinking, makes God act according to our bidding, or make God into something that God is not.

In today’s Gospel we see Jesus poking holes in the bad theology of his day, and we see the theologians fighting to defend their carefully built theology. Jesus came to heal the sick and the blind, and the religious leaders want to protect the rules.

Jesus’ attack on bad theology is also a time for us to reflect on the bad theology which has crept into our worship of God, twisting God to fit into our image of what we think God should look like and how God should act. There is an old saying, “Remember to keep the main thing, the main thing.” This is what good theology is all about. God is to be given glory and praise.

“Who sinned, this man or his parents?”

In bad theology, sickness, tragedy and misfortune are often seen as results of not living right. We are told that AIDS is God’s judgment on immoral nations. Some have suggested that the terrorist attack on Sept. 11 was God’s judgment on the US for its stand on abortion, the lax laws on morality and any number of things these people are against. This theology takes shape in the less dramatic statement of wondering, “Why him and not me?” when good fortune strikes. The standard funeral eulogy these days seem to suggest that if you paint the life of the deceased in glowing enough terms, God will have to let them into heaven. Recently, Canada Lutheran had an article about funerals and the author recounts several incidents of bad theology that he has heard. He writes in one account, “I recently attended a funeral for someone who had died in a skiing accident. The homily questioned why such a tragedy should befall someone so good and loving. ‘This shouldn’t have happened to someone as good as Edward.’”

The other side of this bad theology would suggest that wealth is a sign of God’s blessing. God’s “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval” is wealth of the true believers. You can find “proof” in any Christian bookstore. Then there are the books that if you recite an obscure Old Testament prayer, you are guaranteed of blessing.

His blindness has nothing to do with sin -- he is blind. Rain falls on the just and the unjust. Good things happen to bad people, Bad things happen to good people. Read the book of Job. This blindness presents the opportunity for God’s work to be revealed. God loves you simply because God created you and continues to love you no matter what.

“This man is not from God, for he does not observe the Sabbath.”

Yes, we need to take time to worship God, to take time to prove to ourselves that the world will continue without our 24/7 attention. It is wonderful to gather with other Christians in worship but to demand rigid adherence to a time or a place is to make the day more important than the worship. We can get to the point that by rigidly observing the day we think we have fulfilled some duty, all that is required of us. We can look down on those who do not. We can be lead to believe that we live our faith one hour a week and leave our care and concern for others inside the church as we walk out. We gather to give glory to God, the more the merrier.

The Pharisees had it figured out how many steps you could take, how much of a meal you could prepare before you broke the Sabbath.

Nurses and doctors, pastors and others need to be about their callings on all days of the week. Good theology leads us to give glory to God at all times and places, together with others and alone, to be open to caring for people when and where we find them.

“How can a man who is a sinner, perform such signs.”

We can get caught up behavior. Elections are won and loss over the slightest indiscretion of the candidate. Media go to great length to prove that a person is unfit to govern because he or she committed some questionable act. There is nothing like a sexual indiscretion to dry up the support of a tele-evangelist. We hear comments such as “Who does he think he is?”, “I am not worthy to assist at worship.” All with the implication that somehow we earn the right to be about the work that God sets before us.

We are all sinners, people whom God desires to forgive. At the same time saint and sinner. All people gifted by God to be about the work of the body of Christ. Our history, our failings do nothing to change that fact that Jesus died for each one of us. The magnitude of our service says nothing about our worthiness.

“Ask him, he is of age.”

The parents of the man who was healed did not want to be pulled into this argument, and who could blame them. The religious authorities had immense power over their lives. It was they who could throw them out of the synagogue. Bad theology gives religious leaders more power than God. Bad theology leads us to fear those in power and do as they say rather than what God requires of us. God does not follow our rules, so God will have to go!

We know about this one. I just have to remember the “Hymn book wars” of the past and I am reluctant to tell you that there is a new hymn-book being explored. The church can be a place of turf protection for those who have power rather than a place of welcome where people see, without any confusion, the love of God being lived out by all those present.

“Do you want to become his disciples?”

A tongue-in-cheek poke at the Pharisees. They knew God so well, they knew better than God what God expected. Bad theology makes God a buddy who is always there when we need a hand. Someone we are comfortable with and need no formality. No, God is beyond our comprehension, all powerful and yet at the same time so loving that God came to live among us so that we might not fear death or anything else that life may throw at us.

Jesus Christ is not to be our buddy but our Savior. One who died that we might not die. Our place is to fall to our knees and give God the glory. It is our privilege to give glory to God and to seek to live as disciples, lives transformed through faithful obedience to all that Jesus commands.

“You were born entirely in sins, and you are trying to teach us?”

When all else fails, check credentials. Grace is not earned but a free gift. This blind man is healed, he knows the grace of God first hand, his sin has nothing to do with it. Bad theology would suggest that there are good people and there are bad people. The good people have credibility and the bad do not. Oh, yes, and the ones using this criteria are always the good. Good theology focuses on sin and grace. We all sin, we all are showered by grace. There is no distinction between us, and certainly not based upon sin.

Enough of bad theology! The ‘bottom line’ of this story – the “Main thing” – is that one who was blind can now see. Give glory to God. God has blessed us with life and salvation – why would we not give glory to God? In response we are to be about transforming lives, to be a part of the ministry that Jesus was about. Healing because healing is needed. Lifting up those who are bowed down because people need to be lifted up. Sight returned to the blind, because people are not able to see God clearly.

Theology is of use only to the degree it helps us to see God for who God is, to help us give God the glory due. This is why our mission statement is so important. “As members of the body of Christ and because of God’s unconditional love, Ichthus Fellowship seeks to nurture all peoples through worship and community, and to walk with others in the journey through the realities of life.” God has transformed our lives through love and acceptance – can we do any less for those around us?

Thanks be to God!

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus 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. Sermon shared by  Roger Haugen on Mar 7, 2002.

Verse of the Day - March 26, 2017

Philippians 1:29 (NIV) For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,

Read all of Philippians 1

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 - Tiempo de dar gracias

El Señor te guiará siempre; te saciará en tierras resecas, y fortalecerá tus huesos. Serás como jardín bien regado, como manantial cuyas aguas no se agotan.
Isaías 58:11

Este mes de marzo es muy significativo para mí, pues fue cuando comencé varias de las cosas que hoy celebro con este devocional.

Por mencionar algunas de las tantas cosas que le agradezco a Dios: Hace veintitrés años que llegué a vivir en este país y hace veinte años que inicié mi carrera en la radio.

Quiero motivarte a que traigas a tu memoria todo lo que te ha dado Dios.

Que puedas hoy, al comenzar tu día, dar gracias por tu vida, por tus hijos, trabajo, salud, por todo.

Sé que la vida no ha sido fácil para ninguno de los que hoy leemos este libro. Tuvimos que salir de nuestros países y pasar por muchas necesidades. No obstante, cuando miramos y analizamos nuestra vida, de seguro que Dios nos ha guardado, nos ha bendecido, nos ha dado más de lo que esperábamos.

Y si tú dices: «Bueno, será para ella que le ha ido bien, pues yo aún no he logrado lo que quiero. Mi situación en este país ha ido de mal en peor. Aquí terminó mi matrimonio. En este lugar perdí a un hijo». Cualquiera que sea tu situación, no quiero que te desanimes, por favor.

En mi caso, valoro mucho más las cosas cuando se logran de manera difícil. No se trata de que sea masoquista, sino porque cuando las cosas mejoran, podemos ver la mano de Dios en cada una de ellas. Por eso, es tiempo de dar gracias y creerle a nuestro Padre celestial.

Cuando le entregamos nuestras preocupaciones por completo, nuestro panorama cambia porque Él es fiel.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - SUPERHUMAN FORGIVENESS: THE CROSS

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Luke 23:34

Today’s devotional again comes from a Chinese house church pastor who was arrested and held for three weeks just prior to this talk. He says his experience was going with Christ to the Garden and to the Cross. Today he explains The Cross:

This is what amazed me the most. Whenever I was beaten up (and that was quite often during those three weeks), I would first feel searing pain, and then another feeling would flood in, almost wiping the pain away. Do you know what that feeling was? Pity. Pity for the man who was beating me.

I kept seeing my interrogator as a man gone wrong. I felt sorry for his mother, who would be so ashamed of him. I wondered what kind of father he must have had, to turn him into such a monster. I felt sad to be in the presence of one of God’s creatures that could treat another human so badly with so little concern.

Then I would get amazed at myself. Through the pain I would think, “I should be angry, but I’m not, all I want is for this man to be saved.” I had three ribs and a wrist broken, two teeth knocked out, my kidneys were malfunctioning, and yet all I could wish for was for the man beating me to find Christ and forgiveness.

Now I agree with that young sister. It sounds very strange. It doesn’t even ring true. It’s more human to be angry, or to be afraid. But I can only say this was not myself making me feel that way, but Christ within me. It was superhuman. It was Divine. And to this day, it serves as the greatest assurance I have that I am saved.

Again, this is also the way of Christ. In Luke 23:34, He says from the Cross itself, in the midst of excruciating pain, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” I tell you, it gives you such a thrill to know that you feel as Christ felt. That’s why suffering is counted such a joy, such a privilege. It confirms to the sufferers that they are Christ’s, and He lives in them. We don’t have to trust a word that this is so. We feel it in our very breastbones.

RESPONSE: Today I will forgive those who are causing me grief as Jesus would and did on the cross.

PRAYER: God, fill me with Your superhuman forgiveness so that I may walk today as Jesus did in forgiving those harming Him. Help me also feel pity and compassion for those who so easily treat others badly.