LHM Daily Devotion - "Beware"

Jesus has faced every question, challenge and riddle from His enemies...

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Beware"

March 29, 2017

And in the hearing of all the people He said to His disciples, "Beware of the scribes ..." (Luke 20:45-46a, ESV).

Read Luke 20:45-47

Jesus has faced every question, challenge and riddle from His enemies, and has come out shining, while they have been completely humiliated. We might expect gentle Jesus to turn down the heat on His enemies now. But no, turning to His disciples He speaks loud enough for everyone to hear. And that includes the great crowd of Jews filling the temple courts as well as the scribes standing nearby. They certainly weren't pleased to hear Him say, "Beware of the scribes."

The scribes started as simple copyists, laboriously copying the Old Testament scrolls into new ones. They had come to be seen as Bible experts, but in their busyness had completely missed Scripture's central message of salvation from sin, death and hell through the coming Messiah. The people looked at them as experts, and the Pharisees based their living on the traditions and interpretations of these scribes.

Jesus exposes them, warning His disciples to avoid their false teachings. He points out how they love to be recognized and honored in the marketplaces, sitting in the front seats of the synagogues and at the choicest seats at meals.

They greedily devour widows' houses and cover up their robbery with long, elaborate prayers to deceive and impress the unknowing masses. On the Day of Judgment, they will face steep punishment for the way they misused God's Word for their own selfish benefit.

Publicly embarrassed and put to shame, yet unable to find any way to turn the crowds against Jesus, the scribes rage within, looking for an opportunity to take their revenge. That opportunity will come sooner than any of them expect.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I easily fall into the same sins as those scribes, possessing my own pride, selfishness and arrogance. Forgive me and teach me to live in truth and humility. 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 - ¡Arrepiéntanse!

Devociones de Cuaresma  2017

¡Arrepiéntanse!

29 de Marzo de 2017

Así que mejoren sus caminos y sus obras, y atiendan a la voz del Señor su Dios, para que cambie de parecer y no les haga el mal que les ha anunciado. Jeremías 26:13, RVC (26:7-15)

Jeremías se jugó la vida con estas palabras de exhortación al pueblo de Dios. "Has dictado tu sentencia de muerte", espetaron los sacerdotes, los profetas, y todo el pueblo. No les gustó que Jeremías les dijera la verdad de que estaban viviendo alejados de la voluntad divina, confiando en su propio entendimiento y en el hecho que vivían en Jerusalén. Dios estaba anunciando desolación y castigo a un pueblo que no entendía ni su ira, ni su misericordia.

"Mejoren sus caminos y sus obras, y atiendan a la voz del Señor su Dios" quiere decir: arrepiéntanse, porque el juicio ya está anunciado, y sólo falta que venga.

A Dios le interesa un corazón misericordioso que se deje guiar por su santa voluntad. Por eso es que el llamado que nos hace al arrepentimiento es constante. Y es bueno que así sea, porque lo necesitamos a diario, ya que muy fácilmente nos jactamos de nuestros logros, de nuestra sabiduría y de nuestra historia y cultura cristiana. ¿Cómo reaccionamos ante su llamado? ¿Nos enojamos con el mensajero que nos envía a llamarnos al arrepentimiento? ¿Nos molesta que nos digan que nos equivocamos, que el pecado nos domina, que nos falta consagración y amor por nuestro prójimo?

Por medio de su Palabra, Dios sigue llamándonos a que cambiemos nuestra manera de pensar y de obrar, porque quiere cambiar de parecer y no hacernos mal. Esa actitud amorosa de Dios se hizo palpable cuando sentenció a su Hijo a la pena de muerte para que nosotros pudiéramos ser declarados libres. ¡Cuánto amor, paciencia, y buena voluntad mostró Dios por nosotros en Jesús!

Gracias, querido Padre, porque nos llamas al arrepentimiento por medio de tus mensajeros, y nos perdonas en Cristo Jesús. En su nombre oramos. Amén.

© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. ¡Utilice estas devociones en sus boletines! Usado con permiso. Todos los derechos reservados por la Int'l LLL.

Our Daily Bread - Trial by Fire

Read: James 1:1–12 | Bible in a Year: Judges 7–8; Luke 5:1–16

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life.  James 1:12

Last winter while visiting a natural history museum in Colorado, I learned some remarkable facts about the aspen tree. An entire grove of slender, white-trunked aspens can grow from a single seed and share the same root system. These root systems can exist for thousands of years whether or not they produce trees. They sleep underground, waiting for fire, flood, or avalanche to clear a space for them in the shady forest. After a natural disaster has cleared the land, aspen roots can sense the sun at last. The roots send up saplings, which become trees.

For aspens, new growth is made possible by the devastation of a natural disaster. James writes that our growth in faith is also made possible by difficulties. “Consider it pure joy,” he writes, “whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2–4).

It’s difficult to be joyful during trials, but we can take hope from the fact that God will use difficult circumstances to help us reach maturity. Like aspen trees, faith can grow in times of trial when difficulty clears space in our hearts for the light of God to touch us.

Thank You, God, for being with us in our trials, and for helping us to grow through difficult circumstances.

Trials and tests can draw us closer to Christ.

By Amy Peterson

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Thử Thách

Đọc: Gia-cơ 1:1-12 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Các quan xét 7-8; Lu-ca 5:1-16

Phước cho người chịu đựng sự thử thách; vì khi đã chịu nổi sự thử nghiệm, họ sẽ nhận mão triều thiên của sự sống. (Gia-cơ 1:2)

Mùa đông vừa rồi khi thăm bảo tàng lịch sử tự nhiên ở Colorado, tôi được biết sự thật lạ thường về cây dương lá rung. Toàn bộ khu rừng nhỏ gồm những cây dương lá rung thân trắng mảnh khảnh có thể lớn lên từ chỉ một hạt giống và có chung hệ thống rễ. Những hệ thống rễ này có thể tồn tại hàng ngàn năm dù chúng có sinh ra cây con hay không. Chúng nằm im dưới đất, chờ đợi lửa, nước lụt hay tuyết lở sẽ dọn sạch không gian cho chúng trong khu rừng bị che khuất. Sau khi thảm họa nhiên nhiên đã dọn sạch đất, rễ cây dương lá rung đã có thể đón nắng. Bộ rễ tái tạo nên các cây con, mà sẽ trở thành những cây lớn.

Đối với cây dương lá rung, sự sinh trưởng xảy ra nhờ sự tàn phá của thảm họa thiên nhiên. Gia-cơ viết rằng sự tăng trưởng đức tin cũng xảy ra nhờ những khó khăn. Ông viết “hãy xem sự thử thách trăm chiều xảy đến cho anh em như là điều vui mừng trọn vẹn, vì biết rằng sự thử thách đức tin anh em sinh ra kiên nhẫn. Nhưng sự kiên nhẫn phải phát huy hết hiệu lực của nó, để chính anh em được trưởng thành, hoàn hảo, không thiếu sót điều gì” (Gia-cơ 1:2-4).

Thật khó để vui mừng trong thử thách, nhưng chúng ta có thể hy vọng khi biết rằng Đức Chúa Trời sử dụng những hoàn cảnh khó khăn để giúp chúng ta tiến đến sự trưởng thành. Giống như cây dương lá rung, đức tin có thể tăng trưởng trong thử thách bởi khó khăn sẽ dọn chỗ trong tấm lòng chúng ta để ánh sáng Chúa chạm đến.

Lạy Chúa, cảm ơn Ngài đã ở cùng chúng con trong những lúc thử thách, và giúp đỡ chúng con tăng trưởng trong những hoàn cảnh khó khăn.

Thử thách và thử nghiệm có thể kéo chúng ta lại gần Đấng Christ.

bởi Amy Peterson

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Prueba de fuego

Leer: Santiago 1:1-12 | La Biblia en un año: Lucas 5:1-16

Bienaventurado el varón que soporta la tentación; porque cuando haya resistido la prueba, recibirá la corona de vida… (Santiago 1:12).

El invierno pasado, mientras visitaba un museo de historia natural, aprendí algunas cosas notables sobre los álamos. Un bosque entero de estos delgados árboles puede desarrollarse a partir de una sola semilla y compartir el mismo sistema de raíces. Este sistema puede existir miles de años sin producir árboles, dormido bajo tierra, hasta que un incendio, una inundación o una avalancha permite que las raíces perciban el sol y se abran paso entre las sombras del bosque. La savia que sube se convierte en árbol.

Lo que hace posible que crezcan los álamos es la devastación producida por un desastre natural. Santiago también escribe que las dificultades nos hacen crecer en la fe: «tened por sumo gozo cuando os halléis en diversas pruebas, sabiendo que la prueba de vuestra fe produce paciencia. Mas tenga la paciencia su obra completa, para que seáis perfectos y cabales, sin que os falte cosa alguna» (Santiago 1:2-4).

Es difícil tener gozo durante las pruebas, pero podemos hallar esperanza al saber que Dios utilizará las circunstancias problemáticas para ayudarnos a crecer espiritualmente. Como los álamos, cuando las dificultades despejan nuestro corazón para que la luz de Dios nos alcance, la fe puede crecer.

Señor, gracias por acompañarme en las dificultades. Ayúdame a crecer con ellas.

Las pruebas pueden acercarnos más a Dios.

Por Amy Peterson

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Feuerprobe

Lesen: Jakobus 1,1-12 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: Richter 7–8; Lukas 5,1-16

Selig ist der Mann, der die Anfechtung erduldet; denn nachdem er bewährt ist, wird er die Krone des Lebens erlangen. Jakobus 1,12

Bei einem Besuch im Naturhistorischen Museum letzten Winter habe ich eine Menge über die Zitterpappel gelernt. Aus einem einzigen Samen kann ein ganzer Wald von schlanken Pappeln mit einem gemeinsamen Wurzelsystem wachsen. Diese Wurzeln können tausende von Jahren existieren, auch wenn sie keine Bäume tragen. Sie schlafen im Boden und warten, bis Feuer, Überschwemmung oder eine Lawine im schattigen Wald für sie einen Platz freiräumen. Nachdem eine Naturkatastrophe Brachland geschaffen hat, spüren die Wurzeln endlich die Sonne. Dann schicken sie ihre Sprösslinge hervor, aus denen der Baum erwächst.

Zerstörung durch Naturkatastrophen fördert also das Wachstum von Pappeln. Jakobus schreibt, dass unser Wachstum im Glauben auch durch Schwierigkeiten ermöglicht wird. „Erachtet es für lauter Freude“, sagt er, „wenn ihr in mancherlei Anfechtungen fallt, und wisst, dass euer Glaube, wenn er bewährt ist, Geduld wirkt. Die Geduld aber soll ihr Werk tun bis ans Ende, damit ihr vollkommen und unversehrt seid und kein Mangel an euch sei“ (Jak. 1,2-4).

Es ist schwer, sich in Schwierigkeiten zu freuen, aber wir können Hoffnung daraus schöpfen, dass Gott die schwierigen Umstände nutzen wird, um uns weiterzuhelfen. Wie die Pappeln kann unser Glaube wachsen, wenn Probleme in unserem Herzen einen Raum schaffen, in dem Gottes Licht uns erreichen kann.

Danke, Herr, dass du in Schwierigkeiten bei uns bist und uns hilfst, auch durch Probleme zu wachsen.

Probleme und Anfechtungen können uns näher zu Gott führen.

Von Amy Peterson

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Éprouvé par le feu

Lisez : Jacques 1.1‑12 | La Bible en un an : Juges 7 – 8 et Luc 5.1-16

Heureux l’homme qui supporte patiemment la tentation ; car, après avoir été éprouvé, il recevra la couronne de vie. (Jacques 1.12)

En visitant un musée d’histoire naturelle du Colorado, j’ai découvert quelques faits remarquables au sujet du tremble. Tout un bosquet de trembles élancés et au tronc blanc peut pousser à partir de la même graine en partageant le même système racinaire. Or, ce système peut subsister pendant des milliers d’années, qu’il produise ou non des arbres. Il dort sous terre, attendant qu’un incendie, une inondation ou une avalanche lui taille une place au sein d’une forêt ombragée. Après qu’une catastrophe naturelle leur a fait de la place au sol, les racines du tremble peuvent enfin sentir les rayons du soleil et produire des arbrisseaux qui deviendront des arbres.

Dans le cas du tremble, la dévastation qu’engendre une catastrophe naturelle rend possible une nouvelle croissance. De même, les difficultés rendent possible la croissance de notre foi, selon Jacques : « Mes frères, regardez comme un sujet de joie complète les diverses épreuves auxquelles vous pouvez être exposés, sachant que l’épreuve de votre foi produit la patience. Mais il faut que la patience accomplisse parfaitement son oeuvre, afin que vous soyez parfaits et accomplis, sans faillir en rien » (JA 1.2‑4).

Il est difficile de nous réjouir dans l’épreuve, mais nous avons tout lieu d’espérer puisque Dieu se servira de toute situation pénible pour nous aider à atteindre la maturité. Comme le tremble, la foi peut pousser au sein de l’épreuve, qui fait de l’espace dans notre coeur pour que la lumière de Dieu nous touche.

Les épreuves et les tests peuvent nous rapprocher de Christ.

par Amy Peterson

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Вогняне випробування

Читати: Якова 1:1-12 | Біблія за рік: Суддів 7–8 ; Луки 5:1-16

Блаженна людина, що витерпить пробу, бо, бувши випробувана, дістане вінця життя. — Якова 1:12

Коли минулої зими я завітала до музею природної історії у штаті Колорадо, то взнала деякі цікаві факти про осики. Виявляється, що з однієї насінини може вирости цілий гай струнких дерев з білим стовбуром. Всі ці дерева мають спільну кореневу систему, що може існувати цілі тисячоліття і не завжди давати життя новим деревам. Коренева система перебуває у своєрідній сплячці, чекаючи на пожежу, паводок або який-небудь обвал, щоб у темному лісі з’явилось місце для нових дерев. Коли природня стихія очищує нове місце, коріння осик нарешті може відчути сонце. Воно пускає нові пагони, які потім стають деревами.

Молоді осики часто появляються в результаті стихійного лиха. Апостол Яків пише, що наше зростання у вірі теж неможливе без життєвих труднощів. “Майте повну радість, коли впадаєте в усілякі випробовування, знаючи, що досвідчення вашої віри дає терпеливість. А терпеливість нехай має чин досконалий, щоб ви досконалі та бездоганні були, і недостачі ні в чому не мали” (Як. 1:2-4).

Звісно, важко бути радісним у часи випробувань, але нас може сповняти надією той факт, що Бог використовує важкі обставини, щоб допомогти нам досягти духовної зрілості. Наша віра частіше зростає в часи випробувань, коли труднощі розчищають місце в нашому серці для Божого світла.

Дякуємо, Боже, за Твою присутність у наших випробуваннях і за те, що допомагаєш нам духовно зростати у важких обставинах.

Випробування та труднощі наближають нас до Христа.

Автор Емі Петерсон

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Испытание огнем

Читать сейчас: Иакова 1:1-12 | Библия за год: Судей 7-8; Луки 5:1-16

Блажен человек, который переносит искушение, потому что, будучи испытан, он получит венец жизни. — Иакова 1:12

Прошлой зимой, посетив музей естественной истории в Колорадо, я узнала несколько удивительных фактов об осинах. Целая рощица стройных осинок может вырасти из единственного семечка, имея общую корневую систему. Эта система может существовать тысячи лет, не производя деревья. Она спит под землей, ожидая пожара, наводнения или оползня. Когда природное бедствие очистит землю и осиновый корень почувствует солнце, он пускает ростки, которые затем превращаются в деревья.

Молодые осины растут после опустошения, вызванного стихией. Иаков пишет, что наше возрастание в вере также становится возможным, благодаря трудностям. Он пишет: «С великой радостью принимайте, братья мои, когда впадаете в различные искушения, зная, что испытание вашей веры производит терпение; терпение же должно иметь совершенное действие, чтобы вы были совершенны во всей полноте, без всякого недостатка» (Иак. 1:2-4).

Непросто радоваться, когда все плохо. Но мы можем утешиться надеждой, что Бог употребит трудные обстоятельства, чтобы помочь нам достичь зрелости. Подобно осинам, наша вера может укрепиться, когда трудности расчистят место в нашем сердце для Божьего света.

Благодарим Тебя, Боже, что находишься рядом во всех трудностях и помогаешь расти в сложных обстоятельствах.

Испытания и скорби приближают нас ко Христу.

автор: Эми Петерсон

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for TUESDAY, March 28, 2017

The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Jeremiah 17:19-27

Thus said the LORD to me: Go and stand in the People's Gate, by which the kings of Judah enter and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem, and say to them: Hear the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who enter by these gates. Thus says the LORD: For the sake of your lives, take care that you do not bear a burden on the sabbath day or bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem. And do not carry a burden out of your houses on the sabbath or do any work, but keep the sabbath day holy, as I commanded your ancestors. Yet they did not listen or incline their ear; they stiffened their necks and would not hear or receive instruction. But if you listen to me, says the LORD, and bring in no burden by the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but keep the sabbath day holy and do no work on it, then there shall enter by the gates of this city kings who sit on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their officials, the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city shall be inhabited forever. And people shall come from the towns of Judah and the places around Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin, from the Shephelah, from the hill country, and from the Negeb, bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and frankincense, and bringing thank offerings to the house of the LORD. But if you do not listen to me, to keep the sabbath day holy, and to carry in no burden through the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates; it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem and shall not be quenched.

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

The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from Romans 7:13-25

Did what is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, working death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am of the flesh, sold into slavery under sin. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh I am a slave to the law of sin.

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

The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in John 6:16-27
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!

When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going. The next day the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there. They also saw that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Then some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal."

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

Morning Psalms

Psalm 97 Dominus regnavit
1   The LORD is King; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of the isles be glad.
2   Clouds and darkness are round about him, righteousness and justice are the foundations of his throne.
3   A fire goes before him and burns up his enemies on every side.
4   His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees it and is afraid.
5   The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6   The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.
7   Confounded be all who worship carved images and delight in false gods! Bow down before him, all you gods.
8   Zion hears and is glad, and the cities of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O LORD.
9   For you are the LORD, most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
10   The LORD loves those who hate evil; he preserves the lives of his saints and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11   Light has sprung up for the righteous, and joyful gladness for those who are truehearted.
12   Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, and give thanks to his holy Name.

Psalm 99 Dominus regnavit
1   The LORD is King; let the people tremble; he is enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth shake.
2   The LORD is great in Zion; he is high above all peoples.
3   Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome; he is the Holy One.
4   O mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5   Proclaim the greatness of the LORD our God and fall down before his footstool; he is the Holy One.
6   Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among those who call upon his Name, they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
7   He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; they kept his testimonies and the decree that he gave them.
8   O LORD our God, you answered them indeed; you were a God who forgave them, yet punished them for their evil deeds.
9   Proclaim the greatness of the LORD our God and worship him upon his holy hill; for the LORD our God is the Holy One.

Psalm 100 Jubilate Deo
1   Be joyful in the LORD, all you lands; serve the LORD with gladness and come before his presence with a song.
2   Know this: The LORD himself is God; he himself has made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
3   Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise; give thanks to him and call upon his Name.
4   For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his faithfulness endures from age to age.

Evening Psalms

Psalm 94 Deus ultionum
1   O LORD God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, show yourself.
2   Rise up, O Judge of the world; give the arrogant their just deserts.
3   How long shall the wicked, O LORD, how long shall the wicked triumph?
4   They bluster in their insolence; all evildoers are full of boasting.
5   They crush your people, O LORD, and afflict your chosen nation.
6   They murder the widow and the stranger and put the orphans to death.
7   Yet they say, "The LORD does not see, the God of Jacob takes no notice."
8   Consider well, you dullards among the people; when will you fools understand?
9   He that planted the ear, does he not hear? he that formed the eye, does he not see?
10   He who admonishes the nations, will he not punish? he who teaches all the world, has he no knowledge?
11   The LORD knows our human thoughts; how like a puff of wind they are.
12   Happy are they whom you instruct, O Lord! whom you teach out of your law;
13   To give them rest in evil days, until a pit is dug for the wicked.
14   For the LORD will not abandon his people, nor will he forsake his own.
15   For judgment will again be just, and all the true of heart will follow it.
16   Who rose up for me against the wicked? who took my part against the evildoers?
17   If the LORD had not come to my help, I should soon have dwelt in the land of silence.
18   As often as I said, "My foot has slipped, " your love, O LORD, upheld me.
19   When many cares fill my mind, your consolations cheer my soul.
20   Can a corrupt tribunal have any part with you, one which frames evil into law?
21   They conspire against the life of the just and condemn the innocent to death.
22   But the LORD has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my trust.
23   He will turn their wickedness back upon them and destroy them in their own malice; the LORD our God will destroy them.

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

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 28, 2017

1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NIV) For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.

Read all of 1 Timothy 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 - "The Ghost Bike"

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

—John 14:6 (NKJV)

Once when I was traveling, I caught a cab to the airport for my flight home. The cab driver’s name was Tom. We were cruising along, just chatting away, when we passed a “ghost bike.”

Do you know what a ghost bike is? It is a bike that has been painted white and placed on the roadside to commemorate someone who was killed there in a biking accident.

I said aloud, “That is so sad.” Tom said, “Yeah. I had a friend who was killed on this highway. A lot of people have died riding road bikes on this highway.” Then I asked, “Tom, what do you think happens after we die?”

Tom told me that he believes in reincarnation and that we will come back as another lifeform. He went on explaining that for little bit. I didn’t interrupt him. I didn’t contradict him. I just listened. Then, when he was done, he said to me, “Well, what do you think happens after we die?” Don’t ever ask a preacher a question like that unless you want a sermon!

Well, Tom did get a little mini-sermon. I said, “Tom, I believe that if you have put your faith in Jesus Christ, you will go to Heaven. And one day I believe that Heaven will come back to earth and we will be with Christ for all eternity.”

Tom said, “Man, I like your version of the afterlife better than mine.” I said, “That is not my version, Tom. That is the Bible’s version. That is what Jesus said.”

Tom then said, “You know, it is funny—my wife always calls me a doubting Thomas.” So I told him the story of Thomas in the Bible. You remember that it was to Thomas Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

It was a good conversation.

To say that Jesus is the only way to Heaven is not a very popular thing in today’s society. But listen, do you think if all roads led to the same destination, and living a good life could get you to Heaven, that God would have poured His judgment on His own beloved Son? Of course not. There was no other way to satisfy His righteous demands—not good works, not reincarnation, not karma or positive thinking or anything else. Only the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Jesus died in our place, and He rose again from the dead on that first Easter morning. Now we have the hope of life beyond the grave.

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny

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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 - Madres, debemos ser el mejor ejemplo

Instruye al niño en su camino, y aun cuando fuere viejo no se apartará de él.
Proverbios 22:6, RV-60

Los próximos días quiero que nos enfoquemos en nuestra condición de madres, pero hombres, no se vayan que esto les conviene leerlo.

Dios nos escogió a las mujeres para tener el privilegio de ser madres y nos dio el maravilloso regalo de disfrutar del embarazo, para luego realizar la linda pero difícil tarea de criarlos.

Sé que esta posición de madre es muy fuerte. Desde niña, siempre escuché que madre solo hay una y es verdad. Mamás, nuestro papel es fundamental en la vida de nuestros hijos. Lo que enseñes y hagas por ellos marcará sus vidas para siempre.

La Palabra de Dios está repleta de consejos valiosos. Solo para que lo compruebes, dale una leída al libro de Proverbios y ahí hallarás sabiduría para disciplinarlos y entenderlos.

No te des por vencida. Por más difícil que sea educarlos y formarlos, Dios nos ha dado el mejor secreto para tener hijos espiritualmente saludables al decirnos que los instruyamos en su camino.

NO malcriemos a los hijos… muchas por pereza no los disciplinan y ya sabes lo que pasará:

Te avergonzarán en público.

NO desautorices a tu esposo o padre de tu hijo cuando lo está disciplinando.

NO lo consientas en exceso, porque será después incontrolable.

NO les des todos los gustos, a fin de que valoren lo que con esfuerzo les das.

NO te apartes de los caminos de Dios, pues de Él viene la sabiduría.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón

Standing Strong Through the Storm - A PRIVILEGE TO DIE FOR CHRIST

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

The Apostle Paul was convinced that whether alive or dead, Christ is gain. This enabled him to minister amid severe hardship and persecution. It also helped him face the potential of premature death without fear and concern. When Christ is everything, life and death are left in His hands.

Bad news interrupted the Standing Strong Through the Storm (SSTS) training for pastors in a rural town of Colombia clouding the happy spirit felt in that meeting.

A letter was received from Pastor Manuel who explained that he was prevented from attending the workshop. Guerrilla leaders found out about the event. They told him that because of his insistence on preaching the gospel, they would not let him travel out of the village.

The amazing thing is that in spite of the continuous threats against Pastor Manuel, the guerrillas have not been able to carry them out against him. On repeated occasions, the army has come just in time to save him from some guerrilla attack.

While participants were grieving from this news about Pastor Manuel, another pastor, Hermes, told about two attempts against his own life by the same subversive band the previous month. Immediately participants expressed their desire to continue their ministry in places where the gospel is prohibited.

However, seven days later, the guerrillas brought together all the leaders that participated in the SSTS workshop and told them, “We are tired of the Christian’s disobedience. We do not want to kill anybody; the only thing we want is that you stop telling the people about the Bible. We will have to execute you. Tell Pastor Hermes that we will take drastic measures against him since we know that he is the one who encourages you…”

Pastor Hermes reported that instead of frightening the believers, this difficult situation generated a more intense plan of spiritual and ministerial action. The leaders want Open Doors seminars to come to places where it is impossible to preach.

How are they going to do it? Pastor Hermes said that a network of prayer was established during the time they were together. He believes the only way is through personalized training, or delivering a booklet and training to only one person at a time. For now it is the only way to use this tool to strengthen the believers. The training will take longer, but it is very dangerous to meet and to preach in houses because the guerrillas have cleverly infiltrated the area.

He concluded, “Materials from Standing Strong Through the Storm have been the driving force for us to continue preaching…Others also are striving to follow Christ and we have to do the same to prevent our church believers from losing their fervor.

“Besides prayer and fasting, we have to take action…God has protected us up to this moment, and if one day we die for preaching Christ, it will be a privilege.” 

RESPONSE: Today I will live in such a way that Christ is honored and glorified. If it takes all my strength or even my death, I will sacrifice all for Him and consider it a privilege.

PRAYER: Pray for strength and endurance for pastors in rural Colombia facing death threats daily.

Girlfriends in God - Are You in the Right Spot?

by Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16, NIV).

Friend to Friend

We all want to be successful in our work. Your office may be downtown or just inside your front door. Your work clothes may be an elegant suit or ragged jeans and a stained t-shirt. You may be paid in cash or with crayon drawings and sticky kisses. It doesn't really matter because none of these things alone makes us successful in the work place.

Many people never experience success in their work because they are in the wrong work to begin with. Not me. As a high school student, I knew exactly what I wanted to be – a nurse. My mother was a nurse, and I wanted to be just like her. So I signed up to be a student volunteer at the hospital where my mother worked. When I told her the good news, she thought for a moment and then simply said, "That's great, honey. You'll make a wonderful nurse."

On my first day, I eagerly donned the required red and white striped uniform and reported for duty. The head nurse welcomed me and explained that I would be checking each patient to make sure they had water to drink, magazines to read, and a listening ear. That sounded simple enough. "Oh, and one more thing," she continued. In retrospect, I should have instantly recognized the danger in those words and run for the nearest exit. In my ignorance, I stayed. "Since we are short-handed, I may ask you to do just a few things to help the other nurses on duty," she said. "No problem" I assured her.

At that precise moment, a scream pierced the air! The head nurse calmly looked at me, smiled and said, "Could you check on that, please?" Surely, I had misunderstood her. "Now!" she continued. Taking a deep breath, I headed in the direction of the scream, praying that that it was nothing more than the celebratory cry of someone who had just won a million dollars.

As I neared the room in question, a bedpan flew through the doorway in front of me, landing at my feet. Furthermore, the bedpan was not empty. I decided right then and there that nursing was not for me, turned in my candy cane apron, and raced for the nearest exit. Mama was waiting for me as I stepped off the elevator. She smiled, handed me the cars keys, and simply said "See you at home." Fortunately, I had a wise and wonderful mother who knew me well, and from that day on encouraged me to be the teacher God created me to be.

I truly believe many people are living stress-filled lives because they have never sought and discovered God's plan and are trapped in jobs and careers that simply do not fit. Every day, they feel like the proverbial round peg being jammed into a square hole – a painful and frustrating experience.

What does fit is God's plan. In Psalm 23:3, David writes, "He leads me in paths of righteousness." In this verse "righteousness" simply means "right things." The Shepherd has a plan for His sheep. Unfortunately, so does everyone else. The difference is that God's plan is filled with the "right things" He shaped and created us to do while the agendas of others tend to service their own purposes instead of God's.

God empowers His plan, but when we step into our own agenda or a plan created by anyone else, we are stepping into and relying upon our frail, limited strength. We will soon be empty and stress will flood in, filling the emptiness with anxiety and tension. Don't waste another day just doing the "next" thing. Take a long, hard look at your work, your job, and your agenda to make sure you are in the right place - doing what you were created to do in this world.

Let’s Pray

Father, I want to follow Your plan for my life. Help me walk in daily obedience so that Your perfect plan for my life will naturally unfold before me. And when I am discouraged because of the work I am doing, give me Your peace and the assurance that I am in the right spot doing the right things You created me to do.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

The amazing truth is that more than we want to know God’s plan for our life - He wants us to know it and stands ready to guide us. God always reveals His plan to an obedient and seeking heart. Are you willing to do whatever God asks you to do?

More from the Girlfriends

If we approach each day searching for His handprints in every situation, choosing to walk in obedience to His Word, we will surely find ourselves in the right spot.

Mary’s E-Bible Study Take This Job and Love It offers six principles from the life of the Proverbs 31 woman that will help you be successful in your work, no matter where you work or what your job may be. Study guide included.

Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website and connect with Mary through email or on Facebook.

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God P.O. Box 725 Matthews, NC 28106

info@girlfriendsingod.com

www.girlfriendsingod.com