LHM Daily Devotion - "The Rock Crumbles"

When Jesus is arrested, the disciples scatter in fear and go into hiding...

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"The Rock Crumbles"

April 6, 2017

Then they seized Him and led Him away, bringing Him into the high priest's house, and Peter was following at a distance. (Luke 22:54, ESV)

Read Luke 22:54-62

When Jesus is arrested, the disciples scatter in fear and go into hiding-all, that is-except for Peter. He follows at a distance then slips into the courtyard, posing as one of the temple police. Though it seems bold and courageous, Jesus does not want him there. He wants him safe with the other disciples. There is no reason for Peter to put himself in jeopardy. Jesus has already spelled out exactly what will happen.

In the cold night air the guards light a fire and Peter sits down to warm himself. But the firelight betrays him. Carefully studying his face, a maid points him out to the other guards: "This man also was with Him."

Realizing the grave danger, Peter quickly answers, "Woman, I do not know Him."

A short time later someone else recognizes him and says, "You also are one of them."

Peter answers, "Man, I am not." Luke's narrative is kind to Peter; he only mentions the denials, not the oaths and curses he calls down on himself.

An hour later still another challenges him, "Certainly, this man also was with Him, for he too is a Galilean."

Peter snaps back, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." And immediately he hears a rooster crowing and turns and looks straight into Jesus' face-even as the words of his third denial are pouring from his lips.

Remembering Jesus' prediction, Peter goes out and weeps bitterly. In its own way Peter's denial was as painful for Jesus as was Judas' betrayal. For Peter the guilt and shame must have been dreadful.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You looked in love on Peter in the midst of his sin. Look on me in my sins and turn me to sorrow and regret, so I may run to You for forgiveness and peace. Amen

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Devociones de Cuaresma - Sigan progresando

Devociones de Cuaresma  2017

Sigan progresando

06 de Abril de 2017

Por lo demás, hermanos, les rogamos y animamos en el Señor Jesús a que cada día su comportamiento sea más y más agradable a Dios, que es como debe ser, de acuerdo con lo que han aprendido de nosotros. 1 Tesalonicenses 4:1, RVC (4:1-7)

Cuando el apóstol Pablo dice: "... su comportamiento sea más y más agradable a Dios", nos está dando la idea de que necesitamos progresar en la vida cristiana. Hay, incluso, una versión de la Biblia que traduce: "Sigan progresando en el modo de vivir que agrada a Dios" (NVI).

El progreso es una gran cosa. Si no fuera por él, hoy seguiríamos cocinando sobre el fuego a leña o carbón, seguiríamos transportándonos a lomo de caballo o de burro, y saldríamos cada día a cazar y a pescar para conseguir la comida. El progreso hizo mucho por nosotros, incluso que hoy nos podamos comunicar en forma instantánea con nuestros amigos y familiares en todas partes del mundo por medio de internet. Pero el progreso trajo consigo también mucha contaminación: nuestros desechos contaminan las aguas, los gases que eliminan los automóviles y las fábricas contaminan el aire que respiramos, y la pornografía contamina nuestra mente y nuestro espíritu. Con el progreso viene también más pecado.

El progreso en la vida cristiana es el único que no contamina, y el progreso en la fe no tiene límites, ¡llega hasta el cielo! Si en algo debemos insistir en no quedarnos estancados es en practicar y en crecer más y más en el comportamiento que agrada a Dios. Crecer en nuestro comportamiento cristiano alaba a Dios, y acerca a otros a la salvación que el Señor Jesús logró para todo el mundo.

Gracias, Padre, porque tu amor no contamina. Ayúdanos a crecer en la gracia, y a ejercitarnos en las buenas obras. En el nombre de Jesús. 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 - What Lasts Forever?

Read: Psalm 102:25–28 | Bible in a Year: 1 Samuel 4–6; Luke 9:1–17

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You remain the same, and your years will never end. Psalm 102:27

My friend, who had gone through many difficulties recently, wrote, “As I reflect on the past four semesters of student life, so many things have changed . . . . It is scary, really scary. Nothing stays forever.”

Indeed, many things can happen in two years—a career change, newfound friendship, illness, death. Good or bad, a life-altering experience may be lurking just around the corner, waiting to pounce! We simply don’t know. What great comfort, then, to know that our loving heavenly Father does not change.

The psalmist says, “You remain the same, and your years will never end” (Ps. 102:27). The implication of this truth is immense. It means that God is forever loving, just, and wise. As Bible teacher Arthur W. Pink so wonderfully states: “Whatever the attributes of God were before the universe was called into existence, they are precisely the same now, and will remain so forever.”

In the New Testament, James writes, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). In our changing circumstances, we can be assured that our good God will always be consistent to His character. He is the source of everything good, and everything He does is good.

It may seem that nothing lasts forever, but our God will remain consistently good to those who are His own.

Lord, You are the One who never changes, and You are so good to us. Calm our hearts today with the grace and peace that come only from You.

The One who holds the universe together will not let go of you.

By Poh Fang Chia

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Điều Gì Còn Mãi?

Đọc: Thi Thiên 102:25-28 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: 1 Sa-mu-ên 4-6; Lu-ca 9:1-17

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Nhưng Chúa vẫn y nguyên, các năm Chúa mãi mãi trường tồn. Thi Thiên 102:27

Gần đây khi trải qua rất nhiều khó khăn, bạn tôi đã viết: “Khi tôi nhìn lại bốn học kỳ vừa qua của cuộc đời sinh viên, quá nhiều thứ đã thay đổi… Thật đáng sợ, rất đáng sợ. Chẳng có điều gì còn mãi!”

Thật vậy, nhiều thứ có thể diễn ra trong hai năm—đổi việc, những người bạn mới, tật bệnh, chết chóc. Dù là điều tốt hay xấu thì những trải nghiệm thay đổi cuộc sống luôn ẩn nấp đâu đó quanh ta, chỉ chực chờ để vồ lấy chúng ta! Chỉ đơn giản là chúng ta không biết. Vì vậy, thật là một niềm yên ủi lớn lao khi biết rằng Cha Thiên Thượng đầy lòng yêu thương của chúng ta không hề thay đổi.

Tác giả Thi Thiên nói: “Nhưng Chúa vẫn y nguyên, các năm Chúa mãi mãi trường tồn” (Thi 102:27). Chân lý này có rất nhiều hàm ý. Nó có nghĩa là Đức Chúa Trời mãi mãi yêu thương, công bình và khôn ngoan. Như giáo sư Kinh Thánh Arthur W. Pink đã phát biểu một câu tuyệt vời: “Đức Chúa Trời có những thuộc tính gì trước khi cõi hoàn vũ này được tạo dựng thì những thuộc tính ấy hiện thời vẫn y nguyên, và vẫn mãi như thế.”

Trong Tân Ước, Gia-cơ viết: “Mọi ơn lành tốt đẹp và tặng phẩm toàn hảo đều đến từ thiên thượng, được ban xuống từ Cha của sự sáng; trong Ngài không có sự thay đổi, cũng chẳng có bóng của sự chuyển dịch” (Gia-cơ 1:17). Trước những hoàn cảnh hay thay đổi của mình, chúng ta có thể tin chắc rằng bản tính của Đức Chúa Trời tốt lành mãi mãi không thay đổi. Ngài là nguồn của mọi điều tốt lành, và mọi điều Ngài làm đều tốt lành.

Dẫu có vẻ như không điều gì còn mãi, nhưng Đức Chúa Trời của chúng ta sẽ luôn tốt lành với những ai thuộc về Ngài.

Lạy Chúa, Ngài là Đấng không bao giờ thay đổi, và Ngài quá tốt lành đối với chúng con. Xin làm lòng chúng con hôm nay yên tịnh bằng ân điển và sự bình an chỉ có trong Ngài.

Đấng nắm giữ cõi hoàn vũ sẽ không bỏ rơi bạn.

bởi Poh Fang Chia

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - ¿Qué dura para siempre?

Leer: Salmo 102:25-28 | La Biblia en un año: 1 Samuel 4–6; Lucas 9:1-17

Pero tú eres el mismo, y tus años no se acabarán (v. 27).

Mi amiga, que había estado con muchas dificultades, escribió: «En los últimos semestres de la vida estudiantil, muchas cosas han cambiado… es aterrador. Nada permanece para siempre».

Por cierto, mucho puede suceder en dos años: un cambio de carrera, nuevas amistades, enfermedades, muertes. Para bien o para mal, ¡una experiencia transformadora puede estar a punto de lanzarse en tu camino! Entonces, qué gran consuelo es saber que nuestro amoroso Padre celestial no cambia.

El salmista declara: «Pero tú eres el mismo, y tus años no se acabarán» (Salmo 102:27). La repercusión de esta verdad es inmensa: Dios es amoroso, justo y sabio para siempre. Como afirma Arthur W. Pink: «Cualquiera que fueran los atributos de Dios antes de crear el universo con su Palabra, son exactamente los mismos ahora, y permanecerán inmutables para siempre».

En el Nuevo Testamento, Santiago escribe: «Toda buena dádiva y todo don perfecto desciende de lo alto, del Padre de las luces, en el cual no hay mudanza, ni sombra de variación» (1:17). En nuestro mundo cambiante, podemos saber que nuestro Dios bueno siempre será coherente con su carácter.

Quizá parezca que nada dura para siempre, pero Dios sigue siendo bueno con su pueblo.

Señor, gracias porque eres el único que nunca cambia, y eres bueno con nosotros.

Aquel que sustenta el universo no te dejará.

Por Poh Fang Chia

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Was bleibt?

Lesen: Psalm 102,26-29 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 1.Samuel 4–6; Lukas 9,1-17

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Du aber bleibst, wie du bist, und deine Jahre nehmen kein Ende. Psalm 102,28

Eine Bekannte hat in letzter Zeit viel Schweres durchgemacht. Sie schrieb vor kurzem: „In den letzten vier Semestern hat sich wahnsinnig viel verändert . . . Es ist beängstigend. Nichts bleibt.“

Ja, in zwei Jahren kann viel passieren—ein Berufswechsel, neue Freundschaften, Krankheit, Tod. Ob gut oder böse, schon hinter der nächsten Ecke kann ein Ereignis lauern, das unser Leben auf den Kopf stellt. Was für ein Trost ist es da, zu wissen, dass unser Vater im Himmel sich nicht verändert.

Der Psalmist sagt: „Du aber bleibst, wie du bist, und deine Jahre nehmen kein Ende“ (Ps. 102,28). Das ist eine gewaltige Aussage. Sie bedeutet nämlich, dass Gott immer liebend, gerecht und weise ist. Oder, wie ein Ausleger es so wunderbar formuliert: „Egal, welche Eigenschaften Gott hatte, bevor die Welt geschaffen wurde, sie sind noch immer genau dieselben und werden es auf ewig bleiben.“

Jakobus schreibt im Neuen Testament: „Alle gute Gabe und alle vollkommene Gabe kommt von oben herab, von dem Vater des Lichts, bei dem keine Veränderung ist noch Wechsel des Lichts“ (Jak. 1,17). Auch wenn die Umstände sich ändern, können wir gewiss sein, dass Gott sich immer treu bleibt. Er ist der Ursprung alles Guten und alles, was er tut, ist gut.

Es mag uns scheinen, dass nichts bleibt, wie es ist, aber unser Gott ist immer gut zu seinen Kindern.

Herr, du bist der Eine, der sich niemals ändert, und du bist gut zu uns. Erfülle unsere Herzen heute mit der Gnade und dem Frieden, die nur du geben kannst.

Der Eine, der die Welt in seinen Händen hält, wird auch dich niemals loslassen.

Von Poh Fang Chia

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Qu’est‑ce qui dure toujours ?

Lisez : Psaume 102.26‑29 | La Bible en un an : 1 SAMUEL 4 – 6 et LUC 9.1‑17

Mais toi, tu restes le même, et tes années de finiront point. V.28

Un ami ayant traversé de nombreuses difficultés dernièrement a écrit : « En me remémorant les quatre derniers trimestres en tant qu’étudiant, force m’est de constater que beaucoup de choses se sont produites. […] C’est affolant, vraiment affolant. Rien ne dure toujours. »

En effet, tant de choses peuvent arriver en deux ans – un changement de carrière, une nouvelle amitié, une maladie, un décès. Qu’elle soit bonne ou mauvaise, une expérience transformatrice de la vie peut nous guetter au tournant ! C’est juste que nous l’ignorons. Quel merveilleux réconfort, alors, de savoir que notre Père bienveillant ne change jamais !

Le psalmiste a dit : « Mais toi, tu restes le même, et tes années ne finiront point » (PS 102.27). Cette vérité aux implications immenses signifie que Dieu conserve toujours son amour, sa justice et sa sagesse. Comme le professeur de la Bible Arthur W. Pink le dit si bien : « Quels qu’aient pu être les attributs de Dieu avant la création de l’univers, ce sont encore précisément les mêmes aujourd’hui et qui demeureront pour l’éternité. »

Jacques a écrit : « Toute grâce excellente et tout don parfait descendent d’en haut, du Père des lumières, chez lequel il n’y a ni changement ni ombre de variation » (JA 1.17). En toute situation, nous pouvons toujours avoir l’assurance que notre Dieu si bon restera toujours fidèle à lui‑même. Il est la source même de tout ce qui est bon et tout ce qu’il fait est bon.

Contrairement à tout le reste, Dieu ne change jamais.

Celui qui soutient l’univers ne vous abandonnera pas.

par Poh Fang Chia

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Чи є щось вічне?

Читати: Псалом 101:26-29 | Біблія за рік: 1 Самуїлова 4−6 ; Луки 9:1-17

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Ти ж Той Самий, а роки Твої не закінчаться! — Псалом 101:28

Моя подруга, що останнім часом зазнала багатьох труднощів, написала: “Коли згадую минулі чотири семестри студентського життя, то думаю: як багато чого змінилось. І це лякає. Нічого нема вічного”.

І дійсно, чимало речей можуть статись протягом двох років – зміна кар’єри, нові друзі, хвороба, смерть. Добре це чи погано, але зміни, що можуть перевернути все наше життя, інколи чекають нас буквально за рогом! Тому велика втіха знати, що наш люблячий Небесний Отець ніколи не змінюється.

Псалміст каже: “Ти ж Той Самий, а роки Твої не закінчаться!” (Пс. 101:28). Ці слова означають, що Бог вічно є мудрий, справедливий, люблячий. Біблійний вчитель Артур Пінк чудово сказав: “Про які б Божі атрибути не йшла мова, вони існували ще до того, як до буття був викликаний Всесвіт, залишились незмінними дотепер і будуть існувати незмінними вічно”.

 

Апостол Яків пише: “Усяке добре давання та дар досконалий походить згори від Отця світил, що в Нього нема переміни чи тіні відміни” (Як. 1:17). В нашому мінливому світі ми можемо бути абсолютно впевнені в тому, що наш благий Бог завжди діє відповідно до Свого характеру. Він є джерелом всього доброго.

Здається, що не існує нічого вічного, але це не стосується Бога, Хто навіки залишається люблячим Отцем для Своїх дітей.

Господи, Ти є Той, Хто ніколи не змінюється. І Ти такий благий до нас. Заспокой сьогодні наші серця Твоєю благодаттю й миром, що приходять лише від Тебе.

Той, Хто тримає докупи весь Всесвіт, ніколи не полишить тебе.

Автор Пох Фанг Чіа

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Что вечно?

Читать сейчас: Псалом 101:26-28 | Библия за год: 1 Царств 4-6; Луки 9:1-17

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Ты – тот же, и лета Твои не кончатся. — Псалом 101:28

Мой друг, перенесший много трудностей, недавно написал: «Размышляя о прошлых четырех семестрах студенческой жизни, я понимаю, сколько всего поменялось... Это страшно, действительно страшно. Ничто не вечно».

В самом деле, многое может произойти за два года: перемена карьеры, обретение новых друзей, болезнь, смерть. Хорошие или плохие, перемены порой словно ждут за углом, чтобы ошарашить своим появлением. И какое великое утешение заключается в том, что наш любящий Небесный Отец не меняется. Псалмопевец пишет: «Ты – тот же, и лета Твои не кончатся» (Пс. 101:28). Применение этой истины удивительно. Она означает, что Бог вечно любящ, справедлив и мудр. Как проницательно отмечает учитель Библии Артур Пинк: «Какими качествами обладал Бог до того, как появилась вселенная, такими же в точности Он обладает сейчас и таким останется навсегда».

В Новом Завете Иаков пишет: «Всякое даяние доброе и всякий дар совершенный нисходит свыше, от Отца светил, у Которого нет ни изменения и ни тени перемены» (Иак. 1:17). В нашем переменчивом мире мы всегда можем быть уверены, что благой Бог всегда будет постоянен в Своих совершенствах. Он – источник всякого добра, и все, что Он делает, хорошо.

Может показаться, что ничто не вечно. Но это не касается нашего Бога, вечно хранящего верность Своим детям.

Господь, Ты неизменен, и Ты так благ к нам. Успокой наши сердца благодатью и миром, приходящими только от Тебя.

Тот, Кто хранит вселенную, сохранит и вас.

автор: По Фанг Чиа

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for WEDNESDAY, April 5, 2017

The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Jeremiah 25:30-38

You, therefore, shall prophesy against them all these words, and say to them: The LORD will roar from on high, and from his holy habitation utter his voice; he will roar mightily against his fold, and shout, like those who tread grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth. The clamor will resound to the ends of the earth, for the LORD has an indictment against the nations; he is entering into judgment with all flesh, and the guilty he will put to the sword, says the LORD. Thus says the LORD of hosts: See, disaster is spreading from nation to nation, and a great tempest is stirring from the farthest parts of the earth! Those slain by the LORD on that day shall extend from one end of the earth to the other. They shall not be lamented, or gathered, or buried; they shall become dung on the surface of the ground. Wail, you shepherds, and cry out; roll in ashes, you lords of the flock, for the days of your slaughter have come-- and your dispersions, and you shall fall like a choice vessel. Flight shall fail the shepherds, and there shall be no escape for the lords of the flock. Hark! the cry of the shepherds, and the wail of the lords of the flock! For the LORD is despoiling their pasture, and the peaceful folds are devastated, because of the fierce anger of the LORD. Like a lion he has left his covert; for their land has become a waste because of the cruel sword, and because of his fierce anger.

The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from Romans 10:14-21

But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world." Again I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, "I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry." Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, "I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me." But of Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people."

The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in John 10:1-18

"Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers." Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away-- and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father."

Morning Psalms

Psalm 119: Qoph Clamavi in toto corde meo
145   I call with my whole heart; answer me, O LORD, that I may keep your statutes.
146   I call to you; oh, that you would save me! I will keep your decrees.
147   Early in the morning I cry out to you, for in your word is my trust.
148   My eyes are open in the night watches, that I may meditate upon your promise.
149   Hear my voice, O LORD, according to your loving-kindness; according to your judgments, give me life.
150   They draw near who in malice persecute me; they are very far from your law.
151   You, O LORD, are near at hand, and all your commandments are true.
152   Long have I known from your decrees that you have established them for ever.

Psalm 119: Resh Vide humilitatem
153   Behold my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget your law.
154   Plead my cause and redeem me; according to your promise, give me life.
155   Deliverance is far from the wicked, for they do not study your statutes.
156   Great is your compassion, O LORD; preserve my life, according to your judgments.
157   There are many who persecute and oppress me, yet I have not swerved from your decrees.
158   I look with loathing at the faithless, for they have not kept your word.
159   See how I love your commandments! O LORD, in your mercy, preserve me.
160   The heart of your word is truth; all your righteous judgments endure for evermore.

Psalm 119: Shin Principes persecuti sunt
161   Rulers have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your word.
162   I am as glad because of your promise as one who finds great spoils.
163   As for lies, I hate and abhor them, but your law is my love.
164   Seven times a day do I praise you, because of your righteous judgments.
165   Great peace have they who love your law; for them there is no stumbling block.
166   I have hoped for your salvation, O LORD, and have fulfilled your commandments.
167   I have kept your decrees and I have loved them deeply.
168   I have kept your commandments and decrees, for all my ways are before you.

Psalm 119: Taw Appropinquet deprecatio
169   Let my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding, according to your word.
170   Let my supplication come before you; deliver me, according to your promise.
171   My lips shall pour forth your praise, when you teach me your statutes.
172   My tongue shall sing of your promise, for all your commandments are righteous.
173   Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your commandments.
174   I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight.
175   Let me live, and I will praise you, and let your judgments help me.
176   I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; search for your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.

Evening Psalms

Psalm 128 Beati omnes
1   Happy are they all who fear the LORD, and who follow in his ways!
2   You shall eat the fruit of your labor; happiness and prosperity shall be yours.
3   Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house, your children like olive shoots round about your table.
4   The man who fears the LORD shall thus indeed be blessed.
5   The LORD bless you from Zion, and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
6   May you live to see your children's children; may peace be upon Israel.

Psalm 129 Sæpe expugnaverunt
1   Greatly have they oppressed me since my youth, let Israel now say;
2   Greatly have they oppressed me since my youth", but they have not prevailed against me."
3   The plowmen plowed upon my back and made their furrows long.
4   The LORD, the Righteous One, has cut the cords of the wicked.
5   Let them be put to shame and thrown back, all those who are enemies of Zion.
6   Let them be like grass upon the housetops, which withers before it can be plucked;
7   Which does not fill the hand of the reaper, nor the bosom of him who binds the sheaves;
8   So that those who go by say not so much as, "The LORD prosper you. We wish you well in the Name of the LORD."

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.

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 5, 2017

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NIV) For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Read all of 2 Corinthians 5

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 God Who Suffers"

He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief . . . Surely He has borne our grief and carried our sorrows.

—Isaiah 53:3–4 (NKJV)

When we think of God, we usually consider the fact that He is righteous, holy, loving, and good. But here is something else to consider about God: He is the God who has suffered. We don’t tend to think that a perfect Creator would experience such a human trait as human pain and suffering. After all, why would you suffer if you did not have to?

But God has suffered, and more deeply than any of us could ever imagine. In his book The Cross of Christ, John Stott said, “Our God is a suffering God.” And I think he is right.

Listen to Isaiah’s description of what Jesus (who was God) went through at Calvary:

“He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with griefs . . . Surely He has borne our grief and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:3–5)

“A man of suffering.” That was Jesus. But why did God suffer? Because He loved and loves. That means He also enters into our suffering as well.

Hebrews 2:17–18 tells us:

“Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he is able to help us when we are being tempted” (NLT).

You are not alone in your suffering today. Jesus has been there and walked in your shoes and He is here for you right now. Call out to Him.

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. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation®, NLT® copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Devotion by Greg Laurie © 2017 Harvest Christian Fellowship; all rights reserved.

Un Dia a la Vez - Tiempos difíciles y de oportunidades

A las montañas levanto mis ojos; ¿de dónde ha de venir mi ayuda? Mi ayuda proviene del Señor, creador del cielo y de la tierra.
Salmo 121:1-2, NVI

Hace unos meses nuestro jefe P. Mauricio Quintana, inspirado en una enseñanza de su pastor, nos hacía reflexionar en que atravesábamos un tiempo muy difícil, desde el punto vista económico. A decir verdad, muchas personas perdieron sus casas y muchos medios de comunicación hablaban de la crisis. Entonces nos enseñaba que hay dos maneras de ver el problema.

La primera es cuando te montas en la crisis y declaras que son tiempos muy difíciles, que tu vida va de mal en peor y que vas rumbo al abismo.

La segunda es cuando te paras en medio de la misma situación con otra mentalidad. En esta, sabes y aplicas lo que Dios dice en su Palabra cuando promete estar con nosotros y poner a prueba nuestra fe, si es cierto que todo lo que hablamos y decimos a otros lo aplicamos a nuestra propia vida, ahora que las cosas no están tan bien.

El año pasado, mientras algunos hablaban de perder sus casas, otros hablaban de su gran oportunidad para hacer los negocios que soñaron. Esto lo aplicamos para cualquier situación y de allí deberíamos aprender varias cosas: En tiempos difíciles podemos apreciar la misericordia de Dios, crecemos en lo espiritual y aprendemos a depender únicamente de Él.

Recuerda que Dios no da más carga de la que no podamos soportar.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - FOLLOW ME

Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

John 12:26, NIV

I’ll never forget my first visit to the house church of Pastor Samuel Lamb in Quangzhou, China with my wife Dianne. That night we were introduced to his twenty-four-year-old assistant pastor. We soon learned that she had no danwei or work-unit. This was how all people in China were identified and registered. Even some shopping required a danwei.

When asked, “Isn’t it risky for you to work full-time in a house church and not have a danwei?” she simply replied, “It’s the way of the cross!”

One of our Canadian couriers to Cuba asked a leading pastor who received many needed Spanish Bibles from us, “We’re placing you at risk, aren’t we?” He answered with his hand on his heart, “Risk? What risk? I took a risk when I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior and became a minister. And if they want to shoot me, so much the better. I’ll go into glory sooner.”

Rinaldo Hernandez is a Methodist pastor in Cuba. His father spent five years in prison for political subversion and wanted the family to escape to Miami. But Rinaldo decided that staying in Cuba was a cross he must bear:

“I remember my father told me that I would pay a high price for that decision,” he says. His price was to come later when his seminary education was disrupted by assignment to compulsive military service in a work camp. There conditions were primitive and most of the men were hardened criminals.

He and seven other Christians met secretly at night in the sugar cane fields to pray, read the Bible and encourage one another. “I became a pastor in that work camp, not in seminary,” he concludes.

A Chinese Christian brother from the north-west province of Xinjiang was released after serving twenty years in prison. He shared this poem written by his wife just before her death in prison:

As a real disciple I have dedicated my life hoeing the fields energetically,
Begging for food shamelessly,
Wearing worn-out clothes as if they were formal dresses
Freezing to death at the windy station yet uttering not a word of complaint.
Only if the Gospel would be widely spread
Am I willing to be hung upside down on the cross…with no regret.

The late Jamie Buckingham made this memorable statement: “The risk-free life is a victory-free life. It means life-long surrender to the mediocre and that is the worst of all possible defeats.”[1]

RESPONSE: I will not surrender to the defeat of mediocrity but follow Jesus whatever the risk.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to truly follow You – even to the cross!

1. Jamie Buckingham, “Best Quotes,” Charisma (August, 1995), p. 51.

Girlfriends in God - Celebrate the Broken

by Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise (Psalm 51:17, NIV).

Friend to Friend

He was a friend … a pastor visiting my husband and me for a few days. He had come for help and advice because his wife was broken – a statement that made me just a tad bit angry for some reason. I didn’t really know why it made me angry, but it did.

“John, what did you mean when you said your wife is broken?” I asked. His eyes filled with tears as he explained, “She has been diagnosed with clinical depression. Mary, you have never met her, but she is the strongest woman I have ever known. She is talented, godly, and beautiful. But six months ago, she broke. It’s like she shattered into a million pieces … and we don’t know how to put them back together. I can’t help her. And it is killing me!” With that, he began to weep.

Dan and I tried our best to encourage him.

We prayed with him.

We shared Scripture with him.

We promised to continue to pray for him and his wife.

But it didn’t seem like enough.

You see I am a fixer. If something is broken, I fix it. How hard is that? I had lived my life on the premise that if I was in some kind of pit, I built a bridge and got over it. Simple. It had been working fairly well … so far.

I don’t like broken things. Broken is frustrating. Fixed is good. Right? That is the way the human mind works – which is so often polar opposite to the way God’s mind works.

God’s ways really are so much higher than ours, and His thoughts are absolutely so much higher than ours. And I am so glad! I really do not want a God I can explain or fully understand. I desperately need a God who is supernatural … and my God is!

It was only a matter of months until I found myself at the bottom of that same dark pit of clinical depression. I, too, was broken. And for the first time in my life, I could not fix it. Not alone. It took an army of family, friends, and doctors … all used by God to bring His healing in His time.

And that is when I discovered an amazing truth that has changed the way I do everything – life, ministry – absolutely everything!

God loves broken.

Boom! There it is!

I know! It sounds backwards doesn’t it? But the fact is that His light shines best through the broken places in our lives. While we frantically try to fill those broken places with something … anything … He asks us to stop, be still, rest in Him, and let Him fill each wounded, broken place in our lives with His healing grace and love and forgiveness. When we do, He makes us stronger than we ever thought we could be.

And where is our greatest source of strength? Yep! You got it – in those broken places. And that is not all. It is from those broken places that He allows us to impact the lives of others who are broken.

M.R. DeHann says it beautifully:

"God used two broken stones tablets to cause the Israelites to repent of their disobedience.

God used broken earthen vessels to give the impression of an enormous army accompanying Gideon.

God used a broken heart to return King David to Himself.

God used a broken roof to provide access for a cripple to be lowered by four faithful friends into the healing presence of Jesus.

God used broken loaves to feed five thousand and then some.

God used broken fishing nest to challenge the disciple to depend on him rather than their own efforts for their needs.

God used a broken ship to steer Paul to the island of Malta to reveal the gospel to the natives there.

God used a broken body, pierced for our sins, to provide salvation for all humankind."

Today, embrace the pain in your life. Celebrate the broken places. Surrender them to your God and let Him heal them for your good and His glory.

Let’s Pray

Father, I come to You – broken, shattered and desperate for You. I come to You in complete surrender. Please lift me out of this pit and show me the way, Lord.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read Psalm 40:1-3. “I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.”

Circle all of the “action” words in these verses. What does God ask you to do? What does God say He will do? Do you believe Him? Are you willing to let Him be God in your life?

More from the Girlfriends

How can we trust God when our life seems to be falling apart? Mary’s book, The 10-Day Trust Adventure will help you learn to trust God in every area of your life.

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