LHM Daily Devotion - "Facing the Cup"

After the Last Supper we read, "He came out and went, as was His custom...

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Facing the Cup"

April 3, 2017

And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly ... (Luke 22:44a, ESV).

Read Luke 22:39-46

After the Last Supper we read, "He came out and went, as was His custom, to the Mount of Olives." Judas knew that custom well. He knew where he could lead the temple police to arrest Jesus. By choosing this place and not a location unknown to Judas, Jesus is already surrendering Himself to His Father's plan.

Jesus instructs His disciples to pray. He then withdraws from them, kneels down and prays, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me." This cup is God's furious wrath at all our sins. Drinking down that punishment will be bitter and deadly. But Jesus submits Himself to His Father's grand design: "Not My will, but Yours, be done."

The Father sends an angel to strengthen Jesus' body. He did the same after Jesus fasted 40 days in the wilderness, being tempted by Satan. This angel strengthens and renews Jesus' human mind and body to fully face the horror of the wrath of God coming upon Him.

But the struggle is not yet over. Jesus still dreads the cup the Father holds out for Him. We see the intensity of Jesus' struggle as Luke the physician writes, "His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Tiny blood vessels under the skin can rupture under extreme stress, permitting blood to mingle with the sweat. The struggle lasts for hours before Jesus is finally at peace. He rises to His feet, ready to drink the cup down to its dregs.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, Your bitter sufferings in the garden prepared You for the fiery trial to come. Give me grace and strength to pray to You in the darkest hours of my life, for my spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak. Amen

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Devociones de Cuaresma - Vivir en libertad

Devociones de Cuaresma  2017

Vivir en libertad

03 de Abril de 2017

De modo, hermanos, que no somos hijos de la esclava, sino de la libre. Gálatas 4:31, RVC (4:21-31)

El antagonismo que experimentan hoy en día árabes e israelíes viene de los tiempos en que nacieron Ismael e Isaac, los hijos de Abrahán. Dios había advertido a Abrahán que habría enemistad entre los dos pueblos, porque Ismael nació de la esclava de Abrahán y no de su legítima esposa.

San Pablo usa ahora esta situación para explicarles a los miembros de la iglesia en Galacia que los que nacieron de nuevo por la gracia de Dios, y mediante el perdón de los pecados, son ahora declarados hijos de Dios. Los de Galacia, y los creyentes de hoy en día, vivimos en esa gracia. Somos hijos de la promesa, vivimos en la libertad que Cristo nos consiguió. Ser libres de la condenación eterna, y libres de tener que cumplir la ley para alcanzar la salvación, nos permite vivir en alegría, confiados en el poder y la gracia de Dios y prontos para servir a todos a quienes Dios pone en nuestro camino.

Sin embargo, sabemos que fácilmente nos esclavizamos a nuestras culpas, a nuestros temores, y a nuestras inseguridades. ¿Qué es lo que sucede? El hijo de la esclava, nuestro viejo hombre contaminado por el pecado, sigue vivo, desafiando constantemente la libertad que Jesús nos consiguió mediante su muerte y resurrección. San Pablo nos anima a "gritar de alegría" y a "gritar de júbilo", porque somos hijos de la promesa. Gritar aquí significa expresarse con toda la fuerza interior, la fuerza de las emociones y del espíritu. Y como somos hijos de libertad, podemos expresar el amor que Dios nos mostró en Jesús en forma espontánea y generosa dondequiera que estemos.

Gracias, Padre, por habernos adoptados como hijos libres. Ayúdanos a alegrarnos en esa libertad, y a compartir nuestra alegría con las personas que tú pones a nuestro lado. 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 - A Heart of Compassion

Read: Colossians 3:12–17 | Bible in a Year: Judges 19–21; Luke 7:31–50

Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

Seven of us were attending a musical production at a crowded amusement park. Wanting to sit together, we tried to squeeze into one row. But as we did, a woman rushed between us. My wife mentioned to her that we wanted to stay together, but the woman quickly said, “Too bad,” as she and her two companions pushed on into the row.

As three of us sat one row behind the other four, my wife, Sue, noticed that the woman had an adult with her who appeared to have special needs. She had been trying to keep her little group together so she could take care of her friend. Suddenly, our irritation faded. Sue said, “Imagine how tough things are for her in a crowded place like this.” Yes, perhaps the woman did respond rudely. But we could respond with compassion rather than anger.

Wherever we go, we will encounter people who need compassion. Perhaps these words from the apostle Paul can help us view everyone around us in a different light—as people who need the gentle touch of grace. “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Col. 3:12). He also suggests that we “bear with each other and forgive one another” (v. 13).

As we show compassion, we will be pointing others to the One who poured out His heart of grace and compassion on us.

Your compassions never fail, Father. May we mirror Your heart by showing compassion to others.

Compassion is understanding the troubles of others.

By Dave Branon

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Lòng Thương Xót

Đọc: Cô-lô-se 3:12-17 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Các quan xét 19-21; Lu-ca 7:31-50

Hãy mặc lấy lòng thương xót, nhân từ, khiêm nhường, mềm mại, nhịn nhục. Cô-lô-se 3:12

Chúng tôi gồm bảy người đang tham dự một chương trình âm nhạc tại một công viên giải trí đông đúc. Vì muốn ngồi chung với nhau nên chúng tôi cố gắng ngồi sát vào cho đủ một hàng. Nhưng khi chúng tôi đã chật ních như vậy rồi, một phụ nữ vẫn chen vào giữa chúng tôi. Vợ tôi nói với cô ấy là chúng tôi muốn ngồi chung với nhau, nhưng người phụ nữ ấy nhanh nhảu đáp: “Gì kỳ vậy!” trong lúc cô và hai người cùng đi ráng chen vào ghế của chúng tôi.

Khi ba chúng tôi xuống ngồi hàng ghế phía sau bốn người còn lại, vợ tôi quan sát thấy người phụ nữ đó đi cùng với một người có vẻ như có nhu cầu đặc biệt. Cô ấy muốn cả ba người ngồi chung với nhau để cô dễ chăm sóc bạn mình. Đột nhiên, sự bực bội trong chúng tôi tan biến. Vợ tôi nói: “Chắc cô ấy sẽ rất khó khăn khi phải chen chúc trong đám đông như thế này.” Vâng, có lẽ người phụ nữ ấy trả lời cách cộc cằn. Nhưng chúng tôi vẫn có thể đáp lại bằng lòng thương xót thay vì tức giận.

Dù đi đâu, chúng ta cũng sẽ gặp những người cần đến lòng thương xót. Có lẽ những lời của sứ đồ Phao-lô có thể giúp chúng ta nhìn mọi người xung quanh bằng một cái nhìn khác—họ cần sự đụng chạm nhẹ nhàng của ân điển. “Anh em là những người được tuyển chọn của Đức Chúa Trời, là người thánh và rất yêu dấu. Vậy, hãy mặc lấy lòng thương xót, nhân từ, khiêm nhường, mềm mại, nhịn nhục” (Cô-lô-se 3:12). Ông cũng khuyên chúng ta “hãy nhường nhịn nhau và tha thứ nhau” (c.13).

Khi chúng ta bày tỏ lòng thương xót, chúng ta sẽ cho người khác thấy Đấng đã tuôn đổ lòng thương xót và ân sủng của Ngài trên chúng ta.

Cha ơi! Lòng thương xót của Ngài không hề dứt. Nguyện chúng con phản chiếu tấm lòng của Ngài qua việc bày tỏ lòng thương xót đối với người khác.

Thương xót là thấu hiểu những hoạn nạn của người khác.

bởi Dave Branon

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Un corazón compasivo

Leer: Colosenses 3:12-17 | La Biblia en un año: Jueces 19–21; Lucas 7:31-50

Vestíos […] de entrañable misericordia, de benignidad, de humildad, de mansedumbre, de paciencia (v. 12).

Siete amigos asistimos a un espectáculo en un concurrido parque. Como queríamos sentarnos juntos, intentamos ubicarnos en una misma fila. Pero, mientras lo hacíamos, una mujer se apresuró a sentarse entre nosotros y masculló unas palabras descorteses mientras ella y sus dos acompañantes se metían en el medio.

Cuando tres nos sentamos más atrás, mi esposa, Sue, notó que la mujer estaba con un adulto con discapacidades. Había tratado de mantener su grupo unido para cuidar a su amigo. De repente, nuestra irritación desapareció. Sue dijo: «Imagina lo difícil que debe ser para ella estar en un lugar tan abarrotado». Sí, quizá la mujer respondió de forma descortés. Pero nosotros pudimos responder con compasión.

Dondequiera que vayamos, encontraremos personas que necesitan compasión. Tal vez estas palabras del apóstol Pablo nos ayuden a ver a los demás como personas que necesitan un toque de gracia. «Vestíos, pues, como escogidos de Dios, santos y amados, de entrañable misericordia, de benignidad, de humildad, de mansedumbre, de paciencia» (Colosenses 3:12). Además, nos insta a soportarnos y perdonarnos unos a otros (v. 13).

Cuando mostramos compasión, señalamos a Aquel que derramó su corazón de gracia y misericordia sobre nosotros.

Tu compasión nunca falla, Padre. Que podamos reflejar tu corazón.

Compasión es entender los problemas de los demás. 

Por Dave Branon

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Ein Herz voll Erbarmen

Lesen: Kolosser 3,12-17 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: Richter 19–21; Lukas 7,31-50

So zieht nun an . . . herzliches Erbarmen, Freundlichkeit, Demut, Sanftmut, Geduld. Kolosser 3,12

Zu siebt wollten wir uns ein Musical ansehen. Wir wollten gern in einer Reihe sitzen. Aber eine Frau drängte sich dazwischen. Meine Frau protestierte, aber die andere erwiderte nur kurz: „Pech gehabt“, und schob sich mit ihren beiden Begleitern in unsere Sitzreihe.

Uns blieb nichts anderes übrig, als zu dritt eine Reihe weiter hinten Platz zu nehmen. Dabei fiel uns auf, dass eine der beiden Personen offensichtlich ein Handicap hatte. Die Frau hatte versucht, ihre kleine Gruppe zusammenzuhalten, damit sie sich um sie kümmern konnte. Sofort verflog unser Ärger. „Stell dir vor, wie schwierig es sein muss, in einem solchen Gedränge zurechtzukommen“, meinte meine Frau. Gewiss, die andere war unhöflich gewesen. Aber wir hätten barmherzig statt verärgert reagieren können.

Egal, wo wir sind, überall werden uns Menschen begegnen, die unsere Anteilnahme brauchen. Vielleicht können uns die Worte von Paulus helfen, unsere Mitmenschen in einem anderen Licht zu sehen—als solche, die etwas Gnade brauchen: „So zieht nun an als die Auserwählten Gottes, als die Heiligen und Geliebten, herzliches Erbarmen, Freundlichkeit, Demut, Sanftmut, Geduld“ (Kol. 3,12). Außerdem meint er: „Ertrage einer den andern und vergebt euch untereinander“ (V.13).

Wenn wir Anteil nehmen, verweisen wir andere auf den Einen, der uns mit seinem Erbarmen beschenkt hat.

Dein Erbarmen, Vater, hört niemals auf. Lass uns etwas von deinem Wesen widerspiegeln und anderen gegenüber barmherzig sein.

Anteilnahme heißt, die Sorgen der anderen verstehen.

Von Dave Branon

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Un coeur compatissant

Lisez : Colossiens 3.12‑17 | La Bible en un an : JUGES 19 – 21 et LUC 7.31‑50

Revêtez-vous d'entrailles de miséricorde, de bonté, d'humilité, de douceur, de patience. V.12

Nous étions sept à tenter de nous asseoir dans la même rangée pour assister à un concert donné dans un parc d’attractions bondé, mais une femme est venue vite s’interposer entre nous. Ma femme lui a alors indiqué que nous souhaitions rester ensemble, mais la nouvelle venue lui a répondu « Tant pis ! » en s’installant là malgré tout avec ses deux compagnons.

Tandis que trois d’entre nous nous installions dans la rangée derrière celle qu’occupaient les quatre autres, ma femme, Sue, a remarqué que l’intruse était accompagnée d’un adulte qui semblait être handicapé. Elle s’était efforcée de garder son petit groupe uni pour veiller sur son ami. Soudain, notre irritation s’est estompée, et Sue a alors déclaré : « Imaginez combien ce doit être difficile pour elle d’être dans un lieu aussi bondé. » Oui, peut‑être que cette femme s’était montrée impolie, reste que nous devrions agir envers elle avec compassion, plutôt qu’avec colère.

Où que nous allions, des gens auront besoin de compassion et de grâce. Or, peut‑être pourrions‑nous nous laisser inspirer en ce sens par les paroles de l’apôtre Paul : « Ainsi donc, comme des élus de Dieu, saints et bien‑aimés, revêtez‑vous d’entrailles de miséricorde, de bonté, d’humilité, de douceur, de patience » (COL 3.12), en ajoutant : « Supportez‑vous les uns les autres, et […] pardonnez‑vous réciproquement » (V. 13).

En usant de compassion, nous attirerons l’attention des gens sur celui qui a répandu sa grâce et sa compassion sur nous.

Compatir revient à comprendre les difficultés d’autrui.

par Dave Branon

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Співчуття

Читати: Колосян 3:12-17 | Біблія за рік: Суддів 19−21 ; Луки 7:31-50

Отож, зодягніться, як Божі вибранці, святі та улюблені, у щире милосердя, добротливість, покору, лагідність, довготерпіння. — Колосян 3:12

Нас було семеро. Ми прийшли подивитись музичне шоу в переповненому людьми парку і шукали вільну лавку. Але не встигли сісти, як між нами раптово опинилась одна жінка з двома хлопцями. Моя дружина зауважила їй, що наша сім’я хотіла б сидіти разом, але незнайомка лише буркнула у відповідь: “Дуже погано”. А потім сіла на нашу лавку разом з двома своїми супутниками.

Троє з нас змушені були сісти позаду. І тут моя дружина Сью помітила, що один із супутників нечемної незнайомки був людиною “з особливими потребами”. Ця жінка мала пильнувати його, тому й намагалась бути поруч з обома хлопцями. Наше роздратування відразу вляглося. “Уяви собі, як їй важко з ними тут, серед натовпу”, – сказала Сью. Так, ця жінка відповіла грубо, але ми мали відреагувати зі співчуттям.

Де б ми не були, завжди можна зустріти людей, що потребують співчуття. Можливо, наступні слова апостола Павла допоможуть нам подивитись іншими очима на людей, хто потребують ніжного дотику благодаті: “Отож, зодягніться, як Божі вибранці, святі та улюблені, у щире милосердя, добротливість, покору, лагідність, довготерпіння” (Кол. 3:12). Це також означає, що маємо “терпіти один одного” (Кол. 3:13).

Співчутливо ставлячись до інших, ми цим вказуємо на Того, Хто вилив зі Свого серця на нас потоки ласки й співчуття.

Отче, Твоє милосердя ніколи не вичерпується. Навчи нас співчувати іншим, щоб явити людям Твоє серце.

Співчуття – то ласкаве розуміння проблем інших.

Автор Давид Бренон

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Сочувствие

Читать сейчас: Колоссянам 3:12-17 | Библия за год: Судей 19-21; Луки 7:31-50

Облекитесь, как избранные Божии, святые и возлюбленные, в милосердие, благость, смиренномудрие, кротость, долготерпение. — Колоссянам 3:12

Всемером мы пришли в парк, где было музыкальное представление. Хотелось быть вместе, и мы решили занять целый ряд. Вдруг между нами вклинилась какая-то женщина. Моя жена сказала ей, что нам не хотелось бы разлучаться, на что был дан ответ: «Придется потерпеть». И она с двумя своими спутниками заняла намеченные нами места.

Троим пришлось сесть на другой ряд. И тут моя жена Сью увидела, что один из спутников грубой женщины – инвалид. Она хотела быть рядом с ним, чтобы в случае чего прийти на помощь. Тут же наше раздражение прошло. Сью сказала: «Представь, как ей трудно с ним в толпе». Да, она ответила нам не слишком вежливо. Но и мы могли отреагировать кротко и не злиться на нее.

Где бы мы ни оказались, везде есть люди, нуждающиеся в сочувствии. Благодаря словам апостола Павла, мы можем посмотреть на окружающих другими глазами. «Облекитесь как избранные Божии, святые и возлюбленные, в милосердие, благость, смиренномудрие, кротость, долготерпение» (Кол. 3:12). Он также призывает нас снисходить друг ко другу и взаимно прощать (Кол. 3:13).

Проявляя сочувствие, мы будем отражать перед людьми образ Того, Кто пожалел и простил нас.

Твое сострадание никогда не прекращается, Отче. Помоги нам иметь такое же отношение, проявляя сочувствие к людям.

Сострадание – это понимание чужих скорбей.

автор: Дэвид Брэнон

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Readings for SUNDAY, March 26, 2017 - 5th Sunday in Lent (Judica Sunday)

Resurrection of Lazarus. 12-13 c.

Introitus: Iudica me Deus

JUDGE me, O God: and plead my cause against an ungodly nation. O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man: for Thou art the God of my strength. O send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy holy hill. Glory be to the Father, (Psalm 43:1-3)

The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Ezekiel 37:1-14

The hand of the LORD came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. He said to me, "Mortal, can these bones live?" I answered, "O Lord GOD, you know." Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the LORD." So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude. Then he said to me, "Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.' Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken and will act, says the LORD."

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

Psalms

Psalm 130 De profundis
1   Out of the depths have I called to you, O LORD; LORD, hear my voice; let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.
2   If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, O LORD, who could stand?
3   For there is forgiveness with you; therefore you shall be feared.
4   I wait for the LORD; my soul waits for him; in his word is my hope.
5   My soul waits for the LORD, more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.
6   O Israel, wait for the LORD, for with the LORD there is mercy;
7   With him there is plenteous redemption, and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.

The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from Romans 8:6-11

To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law-- indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.

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

The Nicene Creed

• We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

• We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

• We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen

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

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.

“When God Delays” - The Sermon for SUNDAY, April 2, 2017 - 5th Sunday Sunday in Lent (Judica Sunday)

Raising Lazarus, 1875, Carl Heinrich Bloch

The Holy Gospel Lesson

Today's Holy Gospel lesson is written in John 11:1-45

Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." But when Jesus heard it, he said, "This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God's glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them." After saying this, he told them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him." The disciples said to him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right." Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead. For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world." When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you." And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?" Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, "Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go." Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. (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

“When God Delays”

INTRODUCTION

One of the most difficult situations in the Christian life is when God remains silent to our prayers.

A family I know has two teenagers. Their oldest son has been diagnosed with ADD, and he has been treated for this condition for years. For the past couple of years, the young man has also battled depression undergoing both counseling and medication therapy. His life hasn’t been charmed. He has been a handful to raise. He has struggled and his parents have struggled with him. Throughout the teen’s life, his parents have kept him in prayer. But it seems that God has not heard their prayers. Recently, he has been hanging out with the wrong crowd and getting into drugs. The couple wrestles with why God hasn’t answered their prayers and help their son.

A middle aged woman was pink slipped about a year ago. Since that time, she has been diligent in seeking another job. She’s gone on three second interviews. She’s prayed and prayed that the Lord would open the door for these jobs. They were great jobs. But she was not hired for any of them. She wonders where God is in this situation and why God hasn’t answered her prayers.

We know people with similar stories. WE have similar stories. This story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead allows us to catch a glimpse of what God is doing in our lives and in our world.

JESUS WAITS

Lazarus, a friend of Jesus, was sick in Bethany—a town near to where Jesus was staying. His sisters sent word to Jesus of his predicament. They hoped that Jesus would come and heal Lazarus. Instead, Jesus does a very strange thing, he waits. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were people whom he loved. Still he waited.

Not only does Jesus wait, but he also makes a rather strange comment to rationalize his waiting. Jesus said, “This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” There appears to be more a stake here than simply curing a serious illness. Jesus sees this as an opportunity for God to be honored and glorified.

We can’t explain all the reasons why God delays, but one explanation is that God delays because he sees the bigger picture. There may be issues with which we need to deal and God’s delaying allows us to address these issues. Perhaps someone else needs to face elements in his or her life that need to be changed and God’s slow response to our prayers allows the individual to do that. God may want something better for us. There may be hundreds of things that God sees that we do not see, which cause God to pause in answering our prayers.

Though God waits, God is still in control. God is still able to answer our prayer. God is still able to be glorified. And, God cares.

JESUS WEEPS

While we wait and we carry on that internal discussion, we sometimes begin to tell ourselves that God doesn’t care about us. “If God did care for us, then God would answer our prayer,” we rationalize to ourselves.

Jesus was very caring in this story, even though he waited. John writes that Jesus loved Mary and Martha. When Jesus arrives at Bethany and he is surrounded by all of the mourners, Jesus feels their grief and pain and begins to weep.

When we shed tears, God sheds tears with us. When we ache at the very core of our being, God aches with us. God shares our suffering, just as he shares our successes and victories.


JESUS WORKS

Martha voices trust in the resurrection from the dead—that things will be made right eventually. Jesus corrects her by proclaiming that he is the resurrection and the life. The resurrection life is now, and the situation is never hopeless.

Jesus is taken to the tomb. He orders the stone rolled away. Martha protests. Jesus calls for Lazarus to come out of the tomb and moments later Lazarus does.

Eventually, Jesus acted, and when he did the people around him realized that a miracle had occurred. They gave glory to God for what had happened. People came to faith. It was also the turning point for the Pharisees who now saw that they needed to quickly eliminate Jesus.

CONCLUSION

We may not have all of the answers, but we can still take comfort in the truth that God is present and in control. God also loves us and wants the very best for us. And, God will be glorified in our lives.

Amen

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 Kevin Ruffcorn, Apr 13, 2011.

Verse of the Day - April 2, 2017

Matthew 20:17-19 (NIV) [Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time] Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

Read all of Matthew 20

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 - Tu futuro

No les hagan caso a sus [...] adivinos, intérpretes de sueños, astrólogos y hechiceros [...] Las mentiras que ellos les profetizan solo sirven para que ustedes [...] mueran.
Jeremías 27:9-10, NVI

Muchas de nuestras familias, ya sea por tradición o por cultura, tienen la costumbre de visitar brujos, espiritistas, lectores de cartas y manos y santeros, por mencionar algunos. Su propósito es escuchar, según cabe suponer, lo que les deparará el destino. Lo hacen sin imaginarse siquiera que estas personas inescrupulosas les mienten para sacar verdades y, lo que es peor, para robarles su dinero.

Algunas personas buscan así su futuro, aun sabiendo lo que Dios dice al respecto en la Palabra. Y si no lo habías leído nunca, dice con claridad que ninguno de los que mencioné antes entrará en el reino de los cielos.

Dios dice en varias partes de la Palabra que no debemos consultar «ni practicar adivinación, brujería o hechicería; ni hacer conjuros, servir de médium espiritista o consultar a los muertos» (Deuteronomio 18:10-11). Además, advierte sobre las consecuencias.

Como hija de Dios, mi deber es orientarte a que si crees que eso que haces es bueno, debes saber que no está bien y te lo dijo con conocimiento de causa.

Si quieres estar en paz con Dios y a cuentas con Él, no debes seguir haciendo este tipo de actos deshonrosos para Dios.

Así que te invito a que hoy mismo renuncies y le pidas perdón a Dios. No te maldigas ni te contamines consultando estos medios, ya que son abominación para el Señor.

Descansa en Dios y pídele que te guíe en tu vida, paso a paso, y sé obediente a su Palabra. De esa manera, tu vida estará realmente segura en Dios. Recuerda, tu vida está en manos de tu Creador.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - THE ROAD TO CALVARY

They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!” 

John 12:13, NIV

There were two crowds who greeted Jesus on that first Palm Sunday. The first crowd were Passover celebrators who came out from Jerusalem to meet Jesus as he approached from Bethany (John 12:12). The second crowd was made up of those accompanying Him from Bethany who had witnessed the recent miraculous resurrection of Lazarus (John 12:17). Both crowds loudly proclaimed praises to Jesus as he rode into town on a donkey on the road leading Him to Calvary.

John’s account of this day also indicates there were two types of responses to Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem. One outspoken group “continued to spread the word” about Jesus causing many people to look for Him. It even caused the Pharisees to say, “Look how the whole world has gone after him” (John 12:19).

A second group believed in Jesus but would not publicly confess their faith because of fear of losing their status in the local synagogue. They loved praise from men more than praise from God, John concluded (John 12:42-43).

Palm Sunday is thus a challenge to us about how outspoken or not we are about King Jesus. Do we continue to loudly proclaim Him as our King or are we so fearful of consequences that we hold back and hesitate, losing every opportunity to make Him known.

A pastor friend of Rev. Joseph Tson in Romania was told by an interrogating officer, “We know that Mr Tson would love to be a martyr, but we are not so foolish as to fulfill his wish.”

Pastor Tson said:

Now that I had placed my life on the altar and decided I was ready to die for the Gospel, they were telling me they would not kill me. I could go wherever I wanted in the country and preach whatever I wanted knowing I was safe. As long as I tried to save my life, I was losing it. Now that I was willing to lose it, I found it…

Jesus taught us long ago: with Him, the road down leads upward. With Him, the path of suffering ends in victory. The road to Calvary does not stop until resurrection. 

RESPONSE: Today I commit to joining the group of disciples who “continue to spread the word.”

PRAYER: Lord, help me walk the Calvary road with You right through to resurrection!