LHM Daily Devotion - "A Crumbling Rock"

Jesus predicted Judas' betrayal. Now He turns to Peter, whose name means...

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"A Crumbling Rock"

April 2, 2017

(Jesus said) "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat" (Luke 22:31, ESV).

Read Luke 22:31-34

Jesus predicted Judas' betrayal. Now He turns to Peter, whose name means rock. But this time Jesus doesn't call him "Peter"; instead, He repeats his name, "Simon, Simon," to show His deep concern.

Jesus draws back the spiritual curtain to expose the devil, who stands behind all that Jesus will soon suffer: Judas' betrayal, Peter's denial, the murderous vote of the Jewish leaders, the cowardice of the Roman governor, and the cruelty of the Roman soldiers. In Peter's case Satan demanded that God hand him over to be crushed and sifted. But where Satan demands, Jesus prays. He tells Peter "I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail."

Peter's faith will be sorely tried in the hours to come, but Jesus makes a bold and comforting prophesy, "When you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." Peter's pride and self-confidence will be crushed and sifted like wheat, but the Holy Spirit will safeguard his faith to keep it from failing.

Jesus speaks of the future; Simon speaks of the present. He is proud and confident that he will not fail. He is ready to go with Jesus to prison or even to death. So Jesus explicitly predicts his coming denials: "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know Me."

The Son of God's prophetic word trumps Peter's confident self-assurance. But it will take the rooster's crow and a telling look from Jesus to convince Peter of that fact-and to recall him to repentance, the first step to forgiveness and restoration.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, like Peter sometimes I'm confident in my strength and abilities. At other times I'm utterly defeated. Forgive my sins and fill me with Your Spirit, that I may walk in Your great strength. Amen

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).

Devociones de Cuaresma - Todopoderso

Devociones de Cuaresma  2017

Todopoderso

02 de Abril de 2017

Abrahán sabía que Dios tiene poder incluso para levantar a los muertos. Hebreos 11:19, RVC (Génesis 22:1-14)

Cuando releo en Génesis la historia de cuando Abrahán fue puesto a prueba, mis ojos vuelven una y otra vez al versículo 13: "Abrahán levantó entonces los ojos..." No me concentro tanto ahora en lo extraño del pedido de Dios, ni en cómo Dios cambió de idea, por decirlo así, cuando al punto del sacrificio, detuvo la mano de Abrahán. Me concentro en la actitud obediente de Abrahán y en su acción de levantar la vista.

Ante las extrañas pruebas que Dios pone delante de mí, no siempre aprendo a mirar hacia arriba. Después que miramos hacia arriba, hacia la cruz de donde cuelga Jesús, estamos llamados a mirar hacia abajo, a la tumba vacía, y a sumarnos a la fe de Abrahán que "sabía que Dios tiene poder incluso para levantar muertos" (Hebreos 11:19).

¿Cómo supo Abrahán semejante cosa, si nunca había visto un milagro de esas características? A decir verdad, Abrahán y Sara, "estaban muertos" para tener hijos. Sin embargo, Dios los capacitó para que pudieran tener descendencia. Abrahán experimentó un poco del poder de Dios, y eso le alcanzó para que Dios fuera ahora considerado todopoderoso.

Lo importante es que, una y otra vez, ante todas las circunstancias de la vida, ante todas las pruebas extrañas por las que nos toca pasar, levantemos los ojos. Abrahán encontró el carnero para el sacrificio y nosotros, al levantar la vista, encontramos a Jesús ofrecido en nuestro lugar para que sigamos vivos mediante el perdón de los pecados y pasemos a la vida eterna gracias a su todopoderosa resurrección. ¿Cómo provee el Dios todopoderoso la salida a nuestras aflicciones? Dejemos que nos sorprenda en su sabiduría. Nosotros obedezcamos y miremos hacia arriba. Dios es fiel.

Gracias, Padre, por tu fidelidad a tus promesas. Sabemos que las cumples. Ayúdanos a mirar hacia arriba, a tu trono de gracia. 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 - Behind the Scenes

Read: Daniel 10:1–14 | Bible in a Year: Judges 16–18; Luke 7:1–30

Your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. Daniel 10:12

My daughter sent a text message to a friend, in hopes of having a question answered quickly. Her phone’s messaging service showed that the recipient had read the message, so she waited anxiously for a reply. Mere moments passed, yet she grew frustrated, groaning her annoyance at the delay. Irritation eroded into worry; she wondered whether the lack of response meant there was a problem between them. Eventually a reply came and my daughter was relieved to see their relationship was fine. Her friend had simply been sorting out the details needed to answer the question.

The Old Testament prophet Daniel also anxiously awaited a reply. After receiving a frightening vision of great war, Daniel fasted and sought God through humble prayer (10:3, 12). For three weeks, he received no reply (vv. 2, 13). Finally, an angel arrived and assured Daniel his prayers had been heard “since the first day.” In the meantime, the angel had been battling on behalf of those prayers. Though Daniel didn’t know it at first, God was at work during each of the twenty-one days that elapsed between his first prayer and the angel’s coming.

The confidence that God hears our prayers can cause us to become anxious when His reply doesn’t come when we want it to. We are prone to wonder whether He cares. Yet Daniel’s experience reminds us that God is at work on behalf of those He loves even when it isn’t obvious to us.

Lord, help me to trust Your care for me even when I can’t see it.

Read more at Why Doesn't God Answer Me? discoveryseries.org/hp112.

God is always at work on behalf of His people.

By Kirsten Holmberg

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Hậu Trường

Đọc: Đa-ni-ên 10:1-14 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Các quan xét 16-18; Lu-ca 7:1-30

Ngài đã nghe những lời của ngươi, và chính vì những lời ấy mà ta đã đến. Đa-ni-ên 10:12

Con gái tôi gửi tin nhắn cho một người bạn, với hy vọng bạn sẽ sớm trả lời. Dịch vụ tin nhắn điện thoại cho biết người nhận đã đọc tin nhắn, vì thế con bé hồi hộp chờ hồi âm. Mới được một lúc, con bé nản chí, bực bội cằn nhằn vì bạn chậm trả lời. Sự giận dỗi chuyển dần sang lo lắng; con bé tự hỏi việc chưa trả lời phải chăng có nghĩa là giữa hai đứa có vấn đề gì chăng. Cuối cùng thì bạn nó cũng trả lời và con gái tôi nhẹ cả người khi thấy mối quan hệ giữa hai đứa vẫn ổn. Chỉ là bạn con bé cần xem lại chi tiết rồi mới trả lời câu hỏi.

Vị tiên tri thời Cựu Ước là Đa-ni-ên cũng chờ đợi câu trả lời trong lo lắng. Sau khi nhận được một khải tượng đầy khiếp sợ về một cuộc chiến lớn, Đa-ni-ên đã kiêng ăn và tìm kiếm Chúa bằng sự hạ mình cầu nguyện (10:3, 12). Trong suốt ba tuần, ông không hề nhận được câu trả lời (c.2, 13). Cuối cùng, một thiên sứ đã đến và quả quyết với Đa-ni-ên rằng “ngay từ đầu” Chúa đã nghe lời cầu nguyện của ông. Trong khi chờ đợi, vị thiên sứ đã chiến đấu vì cớ những lời cầu nguyện ấy. Mặc dù ban đầu Đa-ni-ên không biết điều đó, nhưng Chúa đã hành động từng ngày suốt 21 ngày từ lúc ông mới cầu nguyện cho tới khi thiên sứ đến.

Vì tin chắc Chúa sẽ nghe lời cầu nguyện của mình (Thi. 40:1) nên khi Ngài không trả lời trong thời điểm mình mong muốn, chúng ta thường lo lắng. Chúng ta có khuynh hướng tự hỏi liệu Chúa có quan tâm không. Tuy nhiên, kinh nghiệm của Đa-ni-ên nhắc chúng ta rằng Chúa hành động vì những người Ngài yêu ngay cả khi chúng ta không thấy rõ điều đó.

Lạy Chúa, xin giúp con tin rằng Ngài luôn quan tâm chăm sóc con ngay cả khi con không nhìn thấy điều đó.

Đức Chúa Trời luôn hành động vì cớ người thuộc về Ngài.

bởi Kirsten Holmberg

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Detrás de escena

Leer: Daniel 10:1-14 | La Biblia en un año: Jueces 16–18; Lucas 7:1-30

… fueron oídas tus palabras; y a causa de tus palabras yo he venido (v. 12).

Mi hija le envió un mensaje de texto a una amiga, esperando que le respondiera pronto. Apenas momentos después, empezó a disgustarse y a quejarse molesta por la demora. La irritación dio lugar a la preocupación, y mi hija se preguntó si la falta de respuesta indicaría un problema entre ella y su amiga. Al rato, llegó la respuesta, y mi hija se sintió aliviada. Simplemente, su amiga había estado resolviendo los detalles necesarios para responder.

El profeta Daniel también esperaba con ansias una respuesta. Después de recibir una visión espantosa de una gran guerra, ayunó y buscó a Dios en humilde oración (10:3, 12). Durante tres semanas, no hubo respuesta (vv. 2, 13). Por fin, apareció un ángel y le aseguró que sus oraciones habían sido escuchadas «desde el primer día». Desde entonces, el ángel había estado batallando a favor de esas oraciones. Aunque Daniel no lo sabía, Dios había estado obrando cada día desde su primera oración hasta la llegada del ángel.

Saber que Dios oye nuestras oraciones (Salmo 40:1) puede ponernos ansiosos si su respuesta no llega rápido. Solemos preguntarnos si le importará lo que nos pasa. Sin embargo, la experiencia de Daniel nos recuerda que Dios obra a favor de aquellos que ama, aunque no podamos verlo.

Señor, ayúdame a confiar en tu cuidado por mí aunque no pueda verlo.

Dios siempre está obrando a favor de su pueblo.

Por Keila Ochoa

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Hinter den Kulissen

Lesen: Daniel 10,1-14 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: Richter 16–18; Lukas 7,1-30

Deine Worte [wurden] erhört, und ich wollte kommen um deiner Worte willen. Daniel 10,12

Meine Tochter hatte eine SMS verschickt und wartete auf Antwort. Ihr Handy zeigte an, dass die Empfängerin die Nachricht gelesen hatte. Eigentlich waren erst ein paar Minuten verstrichen, aber schon beklagte sie sich über die ausbleibende Reaktion. Aus dem Ärger wurde Sorge. Hatte die Freundin etwa ein Problem mit ihr und meldete sich deshalb nicht? Schließlich kam die Antwort und alles war gut. Die Freundin hatte einfach noch ein paar Dinge abklären müssen, bevor sie antworten konnte.

Der Prophet Daniel wartete auch auf eine Antwort. Nachdem er eine Vision von einem großen Krieg gehabt hatte, fastete er und betete zu Gott (10,3.12). Drei Wochen lang geschah nichts (V.2.13). Schließlich kam ein Engel und versicherte ihm, dass seine Gebete „von dem ersten Tage an“ erhört worden seien. Aber der Engel hatte wegen dieser Gebete drei Wochen lang kämpfen müssen. Gott war in den einundzwanzig Tagen zwischen dem ersten Gebet und der Ankunft des Engels nicht untätig gewesen, auch wenn Daniel davon nichts gewusst hatte.

Die Zuversicht, dass Gott unsere Gebete erhört (Ps. 40,2), kann ins Wanken kommen, wenn die Antwort nicht dann eintrifft, wenn wir es erwarten. Dann fragen wir uns, ob er sich überhaupt um uns kümmert. Doch was Daniel erlebt hat, zeigt uns, dass Gott für seine Kinder am Werk ist, auch wenn wir es nicht sehen.

Herr, lass mich dir vertrauen, auch wenn ich deine Hilfe nicht sehe.

Mehr dazu in „Wenn Gott Gebete nicht erhört“ unsertaeglichbrot.org/ds/wenn-gott-gebete-nicht-erhort/

Gott ist niemals untätig.

Von Kirsten Holmberg

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Dans les coulisses

Lisez : Daniel 10.1‑14 | La Bible en un an : JUGES 16 – 18 et LUC 7.1‑30

Tes paroles ont été entendues, et c'est à cause de tes paroles que je viens. V.12

Ma fille a envoyé un texto à une amie dans l’espoir de recevoir rapidement la réponse à une question. Son service de messagerie lui a signalé que son message avait été lu, si bien qu’elle a attendu d’y recevoir une réponse. Au bout de quelques instants à peine, ma fille rechignait déjà. Puis sa contrariété s’est changée en inquiétude, car elle s’est mise à se demander si ce retard signifiait que leur relation s’était détériorée. Une réponse a fini par lui parvenir, et ma fille a alors pu constater à son grand soulagement que leur relation était intacte. Son amie avait tout simplement dû faire quelques recherches pour bien répondre à sa question.

Le prophète Daniel a lui aussi attendu impatiemment une réponse. Après avoir reçu la vision terrifiante d’une grande guerre, il a jeûné et cherché la face de Dieu en priant avec humilité (10.3,12). Pendant trois semaines, il n’a reçu aucune réponse (V. 2,13). Puis un ange lui est apparu et lui a assuré que ses prières avaient été entendues « dès le premier jour ». C’est qu’entre‑temps, l’ange avait combattu selon elles. Même si Daniel l’ignorait, Dieu n’avait cessé d’oeuvrer durant les vingt et un jours qui s’étaient écoulés entre la première prière du prophète et l’arrivée de l’ange.

Même en sachant que Dieu entend nos prières (PS 40.1), notre tendance à douter de son amour nous rend craintifs quand la réponse tarde. Or, le vécu de Daniel nous rappelle que Dieu oeuvre néanmoins sans relâche pour ceux qu’il aime, bien qu’à leur insu.

Dieu est toujours à l’oeuvre en faveur de son peuple.

par Kirsten Holmberg

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - За лаштунками

Читати: Даниїла 10:1-14 | Біблія за рік: Суддів 16–18 ; Луки 7:1-30

Були почуті слова твої, і я прийшов ради твоїх слів. — Даниїла 10:12

Якось моя донька відіслала своїй подрузі текстове повідомлення, очікуючи на швидку відповідь. Спеціальна функція в її телефоні показала, що текст прочитали, і нетерпіння доньки лише зросло. Проминуло кілька секунд, але відповіді все ще не було. Це засмутило доньку. Роздратування швидко перетворилось на занепокоєння: чи між ними не зіпсувались стосунки, що немає відповіді? Нарешті відповідь прийшла, і моя донька з великим полегшенням побачила, що з їхньою дружбою все гаразд. Просто її подрузі потрібно було для відповіді з’ясувати деякі деталі.

Пророк Даниїл у свій час теж занепокоєно чекав на відповідь. Після тривожного видіння він постив і звертався у молитві до Бога (Дан. 10:3, 12). Але відповіді не було на протязі трьох тижнів (Дан. 10:2, 13). Нарешті з’явився ангел і запевнив Даниїла, що його молитви були почуті ще “від першого дня”. Але весь той час ангел вів війну з ворогом “ради слів” пророка (Дан. 10:12). Даниїл не знав, що Бог працював щодня всі ті три тижні.

Наша щира віра в те, що Бог чує наші молитви (Пс. 39:1), може стати причиною занепокоєння і розчарування, якщо Бог не відповідає тоді, коли нам хочеться. Проте цей випадок у житті Даниїла нагадує нам, що Бог завжди звершує труд заради блага тих, кого Він полюбив.

Господи, допоможи мені не сумніватись у Твоїй турботі, навіть коли я не бачу її.

Бог завжди працює заради блага Своїх дітей.

Автор Кірстен Холмберг

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - За кулисами

Читать сейчас: Даниил 10:1-14 | Библия за год: Судей 16-18; Луки 7:1-30

Слова твои услышаны, и я пришел... по словам твоим. — Даниил 10:12

Моя дочь послала текстовое сообщение подруге, требующее быстрого ответа. Мобильный оператор подтвердил, что сообщение прочитано, и она с нетерпением поглядывала на экран. Шли минуты, беспокойство росло. Не могло ли молчание подруги означать, что она на что-то обиделась? Наконец сообщение пришло, и моя дочь убедилась, что между ними все в порядке. Подруга просто собирала сведения, необходимые для ответа.

Ветхозаветный пророк Даниил также с нетерпением ожидал ответа. Получив пугающее видение о великой войне, он постился и взывал к Богу в сокрушенной молитве (Дан. 10:3, 12). Три недели Бог молчал (Дан. 10:2, 13). Наконец появился ангел, который и заверил Даниила, что его молитвы были услышаны и он в тот же день хотел отправиться к нему. Однако ангела задержала битва в духовном мире, имеющая отношение к этим молитвам. Хотя Даниил сначала ничего не знал, Бог все это время совершал Свой труд.

Наша вера в то, что Бог слышит наши молитвы (Пс. 39:2), может поколебаться, когда ответ не приходит в скором времени. Мы начинаем сомневаться в Божьей заботе. Однако опыт Даниила напоминает, что Бог неусыпно заботится о тех, Кого любит, даже если они этого не видят.

Господь, помоги мне верить в Твою заботу, даже если я ее не вижу.

Бог всегда совершает труд на благо Своего народа.

автор: Кирстен Холмберг

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings SATURDAY, for April 1, 2017

The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Jeremiah 23:9-15

Concerning the prophets: My heart is crushed within me, all my bones shake; I have become like a drunkard, like one overcome by wine, because of the LORD and because of his holy words. For the land is full of adulterers; because of the curse the land mourns, and the pastures of the wilderness are dried up. Their course has been evil, and their might is not right. Both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in my house I have found their wickedness, says the LORD. Therefore their way shall be to them like slippery paths in the darkness, into which they shall be driven and fall; for I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment, says the LORD. In the prophets of Samaria I saw a disgusting thing: they prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray. But in the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a more shocking thing: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from wickedness; all of them have become like Sodom to me, and its inhabitants like Gomorrah. Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: "I am going to make them eat wormwood, and give them poisoned water to drink; for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land."

The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from Romans 9:1-18

I am speaking the truth in Christ-- I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit-- I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. It is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all Israelites truly belong to Israel, and not all of Abraham's children are his true descendants; but "It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you." This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as descendants. For this is what the promise said, "About this time I will return and Sarah shall have a son." Nor is that all; something similar happened to Rebecca when she had conceived children by one husband, our ancestor Isaac. Even before they had been born or had done anything good or bad (so that God's purpose of election might continue, not by works but by his call) she was told, "The elder shall serve the younger." As it is written, "I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau." What then are we to say? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." So it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy. For the scripture says to Pharaoh, "I have raised you up for the very purpose of showing my power in you, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth." So then he has mercy on whomever he chooses, and he hardens the heart of whomever he chooses.

The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in John 6:60-71

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?" But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, "Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father." Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil." He was speaking of Judas son of Simon Iscariot, for he, though one of the twelve, was going to betray him.

Morning Psalms

Psalm 107:33-34
33  He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground,
34  A fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants.

Psalm 108:1-6
1   My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being!
2   Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!
3   I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.
4   For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
5   Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!
6   That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer me!

Psalm 108:7-13
7   God has promised in his holiness: “With exultation I will divide up Shechem and portion out the Valley of Succoth.
8   Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah my scepter.
9   Moab is my washbasin; upon Edom I cast my shoe; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”
10   Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?
11   Have you not rejected us, O God? You do not go out, O God, with our armies.
12   Oh grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man!
13   With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.

Evening Psalms

Psalm 33 Exultate, justi
1   Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous; it is good for the just to sing praises.
2   Praise the LORD with the harp; play to him upon the psaltery and lyre.
3   Sing for him a new song; sound a fanfare with all your skill upon the trumpet.
4   For the word of the LORD is right, and all his works are sure.
5   He loves righteousness and justice; the loving-kindness of the LORD fills the whole earth.
6   By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, by the breath of his mouth all the heavenly hosts.
7   He gathers up the waters of the ocean as in a water-skin and stores up the depths of the sea.
8   Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all who dwell in the world stand in awe of him.
9   For he spoke, and it came to pass; he commanded, and it stood fast.
10   The LORD brings the will of the nations to naught; he thwarts the designs of the peoples.
11   But the LORD'S will stands fast for ever, and the designs of his heart from age to age.
12   Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD! happy the people he has chosen to be his own!
13   The LORD looks down from heaven, and beholds all the people in the world.
14   From where he sits enthroned he turns his gaze on all who dwell on the earth.
15   He fashions all the hearts of them and understands all their works.
16   There is no king that can be saved by a mighty army; a strong man is not delivered by his great strength.
17   The horse is a vain hope for deliverance; for all its strength it cannot save.
18   Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon those who fear him, on those who wait upon his love,
19   To pluck their lives from death, and to feed them in time of famine.
20   Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
21   Indeed, our heart rejoices in him, for in his holy Name we put our trust.
22   Let your loving-kindness, O LORD, be upon us, as we have put our trust in you.

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 - April 1, 2017

Psalm 14:1 (NIV) [For the director of music. Of David.] The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.

Read all of Psalm 14

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 - "Loving the Dark"

And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

—John 3:19 (NKJV)

The Pharisees did not doubt Jesus because they merely disagreed with Him. They doubted Jesus because they were hardened against Him.

Doubt is a matter of the mind. Even Christians have moments of doubt. We don’t always understand what God is doing or why He is doing it. Unbelief, in contrast, is a matter of the will. It is a choice we make.

The Pharisees were full of unbelief. They did not reject Jesus for lack of evidence or because He was not consistent with what He said. The fact is that Jesus was the perfect example. Even Pontius Pilate, who had examined countless people, said, “I find no fault in this Man” (Luke 23:4), and “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person” (Matthew 27:24). Judas Iscariot, who spent three concentrated years with Jesus and even betrayed Him said, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4). So Jesus clearly was a model of everything that He said.

The Pharisees rejected Jesus because it interfered with the way they wanted to live. And that is why people reject Him today. Jesus said, “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (John 3:19–20).

People don’t reject Jesus because they have carefully examined the evidence and have determined that it is not convincing enough. They don’t reject Him because they have read through the Scriptures and have found some apparent contradiction. They don’t reject Him because of the so-called hypocrisy of some in the church. They reject Him because He interferes with the way they want to live.

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 - La pildorita contra el estrés

Aun los jóvenes se cansan, se fatigan [...] pero los que confían en el Señor renovarán sus fuerzas.
Isaías 40:30-31, NVI 

Muchas veces a lo largo de tu vida, sin importar la edad que tengas, te sentirás con la sensación de que ya no puedes más con las cosas que estás viviendo. Incluso, ni siquiera te motivará la búsqueda de Dios.

Has intentado de todo para hallar la paz y la solución a tus problemas, y ya te has dado cuenta que las pastillas para la depresión no dan resultado. Que las visitas al que se supone que conoce tu futuro ya te desilusionó porque al fin comprendes que te han quitado tu dinero, pues nadie conoce tu futuro sino solo Dios.

Hoy te digo que Dios es el único que basta. Él es el que saca del hoyo tu vida. El que te viste con ropas nuevas y el Dios de las oportunidades.

Hace unos meses escuché una vez más que un joven de veintiún años se había quitado la vida porque no pudo soportar la muerte de su novia. Entró en depresión y, pasado un tiempo, se quitó la vida. ¡Qué dolor para la familia!

Ni tú, ni él, ni ninguno de nosotros se puede aferrar a la vida de otras personas, incluyendo las de nuestras parejas e hijos, nuestros pastores o líderes. No debemos convertir esos seres especiales en la razón para vivir. Es idolatría y Dios la detesta. Debes entender hoy que no puedes poner tu vida y tu confianza en el hombre porque lo más seguro es que te va a fallar.

Dios es el que te ayudará en todas tus necesidades y te dará nuevos comienzos.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - COMMISSIONING ASPECT OF COMMITMENT

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

—Luke 9:23

The personal and trusting relationship between God and His followers now leads the believer to the commissioning aspect of commitment—a task that is characteristic of being His true followers—“and follow me.” This commitment is not to a task but to a person. To be a follower of Jesus is to be a disciple of Jesus. A disciple is one who follows the teaching of another; one who is like another; one who models after another.

What is the task to which he has called us? The task is none other than the words of what we call “The Great Commission”:

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18–20)

The Christian’s task is nothing short of being a servant of Jesus Christ proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ and helping others become followers of Jesus. Our primary responsibility is neither overthrowing governments nor opposing ideologies but a proactive one of making disciples of all nations.

In the course of our obedience to God’s authority, we may come in conflict with the existing government. We have been called to be good citizens and history has proven that Christians are generally law-abiding and hard working. But when conflicts come, the Christian is ready to choose his commitment to Christ over his or her commitment to local authorities (Acts 4:19–20).

RESPONSE: Today I complete my commitment to follow Jesus in sharing His love with others.

PRAYER: As a true disciple, I give myself, Lord, to the task of world evangelization starting where You place me today.

NIV Devotions for Couples - Holy Habits Under Pressure

Daniel 6:1–28

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
Daniel 6:10

Some years ago a major research firm conducted a survey to determine what people would be willing to do for ten million dollars. The results were astounding:

3 percent would put their children up for adoption
7 percent would kill a stranger
16 percent would divorce their spouses
25 percent would leave their families

We all apparently have our selling price. It might be ten million dollars or only a bottle of wine. Our selling price is linked to our identity; the deeper our character, the higher our selling price.

Daniel was a foreigner in a strange land, and there were many officials who wished to define his identity for him. Yet he tenaciously clung to the rituals that helped define his truest self as a child of God. Daniel would not sell himself short, even when the pressure was on. He continued to get down on his knees three times a day, giving thanks to God, even when he knew the penalty for doing so was being torn apart by hungry lions. He knew that without God he was nothing.

When a ship is built, each part has a voice of its own. As seamen walk through the new ship, they can almost hear the creaking whispers: “I am a rivet!” “I am a sheet of steel!” “I am a propeller!” “I am a beam!” For a while these little voices sing their individual songs, proudly independent and fiercely self-protective.

But then a storm blows in on the high seas. The waves toss, the gales hurl and the rains beat. If the parts of the ship tried to withstand the pummeling independent from one another, each would be lost. On the bridge, however, stands the captain. He issues orders that take all of the little voices and bring them together for a larger purpose. By the time the vessel has weathered the storm, sailors sense a new and deeper song echoing from stem to stern: “I am a ship!”

Our Captain calls each of us, especially in marriage, to a greater purpose than furthering ourselves. Answering that call is a top priority for our lives, as Daniel knew. Those who hear the Captain’s call are able to sail true and straight. And those who have that strong sense of service and self-awareness are able to give out of that fullness to the Lord and to others.

Wayne Brouwer

Let’s Talk

• What kind of home life might have created in Daniel the strength of character he displayed for a lifetime, even in adverse conditions?
• What habits of faith and its expressions are routine and meaningless in our lives? Which ritual practices do we do mainly for others?
• What habits might be good to develop to grow our relationship?

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