LHM Daily Devotion - "Father, Forgive Them"

Jesus is not going to die alone. Pilate ordered two criminals to die...

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Father, Forgive Them"

April 12, 2017

And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." ... (Luke 23:34a, ESV)

Read Luke 23:32-34

Jesus is not going to die alone. Pilate ordered two criminals to die with Him. When they finally reach the execution site we read that Jesus is crucified between the two. In that one word "crucified," the Scriptures spare us the horrible details, and carry forward Jesus' charge: "Do not weep for Me."

Now, as the climax of Jesus' suffering is reached and incredible pain wracks His body, the soldiers are casting lots to divide His clothing. Jesus turns to His Father in prayer. But once again He is not praying for Himself, not seeking divine retribution on His foes, or even justice for Himself-He is pleading with His Father to forgive those who have put Him on this cross. They do not know what they are doing.

But Jesus is not only praying for the Roman soldiers, Pontius Pilate, Herod Antipas, the Jewish leaders, the temple guard, Peter and Judas-He is praying for all the people whose sins He is carrying, including yours and mine. So often we commit our sins without giving a second thought to the wrath we are incurring, or the sufferings Jesus endured to save us from them. We don't know what we are doing either.

But God the Father can't simply ignore His wrath at our sins. Nor can He pretend they never took place. His holiness demands that sinners be punished. For the Father to be able to forgive us, Jesus knows He must suffer the torment of hell in our place. He asks His Father to pour His fiery wrath on Him instead.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, in our sin we don't know what we are doing. Yet You willingly took on Yourself our guilt and Your Father's punishment. Make us aware of our culpability that we may repent and trust You alone as our Savior. Amen

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Devociones de Cuaresma - Finales eternos

Devociones de Cuaresma  2017

Finales eternos

12 de Abril de 2017

Miércoles de Semana Santa

Entra en el gozo de tu Señor. Mateo 25:21, RVC (14-30)

La parábola del siervo negligente forma parte del grupo de las parábolas escatológicas que Jesús pronunciara durante la semana de su crucifixión y muerte. En cada una de ellas Jesús menciona el juicio al final de los tiempos. En la parábola para hoy hay dos finales felices y un final infeliz. Lo que tienen en común estos finales es que los tres son eternos.

Aunque para nosotros, hombres mortales y temporales, es muy difícil entender la dimensión de la eternidad, es necesario que prestemos atención a este tema porque, indefectiblemente, la eternidad es lo que nos espera después de la muerte.

¿Cómo estamos usando los talentos que Dios nos dio? Dios nos repartió sus dones cómo él quiso y en las cantidades que quiso, pero no dispuso cómo debemos usarlos y reproducirlos, sino que nos dio la libertad de ponerlos a trabajar de la manera que a nosotros mejor nos parezca. ¡Qué Padre tan generoso y lleno de confianza! Dios confía en que haremos un buen trabajo, que seremos capaces de perdonar porque fuimos perdonados, que amaremos a quienes nos rodean porque él nos llenó de su amor en Jesús, y que ayudaremos a los necesitados porque cuando estuvimos necesitados de paz, amor, y vida, él nos los dio abundantemente.

El punto álgido de la parábola es que, el que repartió los dones, va a volver. Entonces, ¿cómo lo esperas? ¿Contento porque has producido algo? No enterremos los dones que el Señor nos dio. Él fue muy generoso con nosotros, que no merecíamos nada, para que nosotros seamos generosos en su nombre. Delante de nuestros ojos permanece la promesa: "Entra en el gozo de tu Señor." ¿Te imaginas pasar la eternidad con un Dios feliz y contento? Gracias a Jesús, esto será posible.

Gracias, Padre, por los talentos que me diste. Ayúdame a ponerlos a trabajar para que produzcan frutos de amor para ti. 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 - Let Down Your Hair

Read: John 12:1–8 | Bible in a Year: 1 Samuel 19–21; Luke 11:29–54

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Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. John 12:3

Shortly before Jesus was crucified, a woman named Mary poured a bottle of expensive perfume on His feet. Then, in what may have been an even more daring act, she wiped His feet with her hair (John 12:3). Not only did Mary sacrifice what may have been her life’s savings, she also sacrificed her reputation. In first-century Middle Eastern culture, respectable women never let down their hair in public. But true worship is not concerned about what others think of us (2 Sam. 6:21–22). To worship Jesus, Mary was willing to be thought of as immodest, perhaps even immoral.

Some of us may feel pressured to be perfect when we go to church so that people will think well of us. Metaphorically speaking, we work hard to make sure we have every hair in place. But a healthy church is a place where we can let down our hair and not hide our flaws behind a façade of perfection. In church, we should be able to reveal our weaknesses to find strength rather than conceal our faults to appear strong.

Worship doesn’t involve behaving as if nothing is wrong; it’s making sure everything is right—right with God and with one another. When our greatest fear is letting down our hair, perhaps our greatest sin is keeping it up.

Search me, God, and know my heart. . . . See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23–24.

Our worship is right when we are right with God.

By Julie Ackerman Link

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Hãy Xõa Tóc

Đọc: Giăng 12:1-8 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: 1 Sa-mu-ên 19-21; Lu-ca 11:29-54

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Ma-ri lấy một cân dầu cam tùng nguyên chất rất quý giá xức chân Đức Chúa Jêsus, rồi dùng tóc mình lau chân Ngài. Giăng 12:3

Trước khi Chúa Jêsus bị đóng đinh không lâu, một người phụ nữ tên là Ma-ri đã đổ một chai dầu thơm đắt tiền lên chân Ngài. Sau đó, bằng một hành động được coi là can đảm hơn thế, cô lấy tóc mình lau chân Ngài (Giăng 12:3). Ma-ri không chỉ hy sinh những gì cô đã tích góp cả đời mà còn hy sinh cả danh tiếng bản thân. Theo văn hóa Trung Đông ở thế kỷ thứ nhất, phụ nữ có lòng tự trọng không bao giờ xõa tóc nơi đông người. Nhưng thờ phượng thật là không bận tâm đến chuyện người khác nghĩ gì về chúng ta (2 Sa-mu-ên 6:21-22). Để thờ phượng Chúa Jêsus, Ma-ri sẵn lòng để bị người ta nghĩ là không đoan chính, thậm chí có thể bị cho là phóng đãng.

Một số người trong chúng ta khi đến nhà thờ có thể cảm thấy áp lực phải làm người hoàn hảo để người khác nghĩ tốt về mình. Nói cách văn hoa là chúng ta ráng giữ đến từng sợi tóc cũng phải nằm đúng nếp. Nhưng một Hội thánh đúng phải là nơi chúng ta có thể xõa tóc và không che giấu tội lỗi của mình phía sau vẻ bề ngoài hoàn hảo. Trong Hội thánh, chúng ta nên chia sẻ những yếu đuối của mình để tìm thấy sức lực thay vì che giấu tội lỗi để tỏ vẻ mạnh mẽ.

Thờ phượng không có nghĩa là làm như thể không có gì sai trật; thờ phượng là đảm bảo rằng mọi thứ đều đúng đắn—đúng với Chúa và đúng với nhau. Khi nỗi sợ lớn nhất của chúng ta là “xõa tóc xuống”, thì có lẽ tội lỗi lớn nhất của chúng ta là đang miệt mài trong tội lỗi.

Đức Chúa Trời ôi! Xin tra xét con và biết lòng con; xin thử nghiệm con và biết tư tưởng con; thử xem con có lối ác nào không, và dẫn con vào con đường đời đời. (Thi Thiên 139:23-24)

Sự thờ phượng chỉ đúng đắn khi chúng ta đúng đắn trước mặt Chúa.

bởi Julie Ackerman Link

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Soltarse el cabello

Leer: Juan 12:1-8 | La Biblia en un año: 1 Samuel 19–21; Lucas 11:29-54

… María tomó una libra de perfume […], y ungió los pies de Jesús, y los enjugó con sus cabellos… (v. 3).

Poco antes de que crucificaran a Jesús, una mujer llamada María derramó una botella de un caro perfume sobre los pies del Señor. Después, en un acto aun más osado, le secó los pies con su cabello (Juan 12:3). María no solo sacrificó lo que posiblemente eran los ahorros de toda su vida, sino también su reputación. En esa cultura, las mujeres respetables nunca se soltaban el cabello en público. Pero, al verdadero adorador, no le preocupa lo que piensen los demás (2 Samuel 6:21-22). Para adorar a Jesús, María estuvo dispuesta a que pensaran que ella era indecente; quizá incluso inmoral.

Tal vez sintamos la presión de ser perfectos cuando vamos a la iglesia, para que los demás piensen bien de nosotros. Metafóricamente hablando, nos esforzamos por mantener cada cabello en su lugar. Sin embargo, en una iglesia saludable, podemos «soltarnos el cabello» y no esconder nuestras imperfecciones. Deberíamos poder revelar nuestra debilidad y encontrar fuerzas.

Adorar no implica comportarse como si nada estuviera mal; es asegurarnos de que todo esté bien… con Dios y con los demás. Cuando nuestro mayor temor es soltarnos el cabello, quizá nuestro mayor pecado sea mantenerlo recogido.

Examíname, oh Dios, y conoce mi corazón; pruébame y conoce mis pensamientos […], y guíame en el camino eterno. Salmo 139:23-24

Nuestra adoración es correcta cuando estamos a cuentas con Dios.

Por Julie Ackerman Link

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Mit offenen Haaren

Lesen: Johannes 12,1-8 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 1.Samuel 19–21; Lukas 11,29-54

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Da nahm Maria ein Pfund Salböl von unverfälschter, kostbarer Narde und salbte die Füße Jesu und trocknete mit ihrem Haar seine Füße. Johannes 12,3

Kurz bevor Jesus gekreuzigt wurde, goss eine Frau eine Flasche teures Parfüm über seine Füße. Dann tat sie etwas, was wohl noch provozierender war: Sie trocknete seine Füße mit ihrem Haar (Joh. 12,3). Sie opferte nicht nur ihre gesamten Ersparnisse, sondern auch noch ihren guten Ruf. Denn keine ehrbare Frau hätte in der damaligen Kultur jemals in der Öffentlichkeit ihr Haar heruntergelassen. Echte Anbetung fragt jedoch nie danach, was andere von uns denken könnten (2.Sam. 6,21-22). Um Jesus zu dienen, war Maria bereit, als verschwenderisch, ja sogar unmoralisch zu gelten.

Vielleicht meinen wir manchmal, wir müssten möglichst perfekt wirken, wenn wir in die Kirche gehen, damit andere nicht schlecht von uns denken. Bildlich gesprochen tun wir alles, damit die Haare gut sitzen. Aber eine gesunde Gemeinde ist ein Ort, an dem wir die Haare offen tragen können und unsere Makel nicht hinter einer Fassade der Vollkommenheit verstecken müssen. In der Gemeinde sollten wir unsere Schwächen zeigen und gestärkt werden können, anstatt sie zu verbergen, damit wir stark wirken.

Anbetung heißt nicht so tun, als wäre alles in Ordnung; sondern dafür zu sorgen, dass alles in Ordnung kommt—mit Gott und den Nächsten. Wenn es unsere größte Angst ist, die Haare zu öffnen, dann ist unsere größte Sünde vielleicht, dass wir den Schein wahren wollen.

Erforsche mich, Gott, und erkenne mein Herz; prüfe mich und erkenne, wie ich’s meine. Und sieh, ob ich auf bösem Wege bin, und leite mich auf ewigem Wege (Psalm 139,23-24).

Unser Gottesdienst ist in Ordnung, wenn wir mit Gott in Ordnung sind.

Von Julie Ackerman Link

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - La chevelure défaite

Lisez : Jean 12.1‑8 | La Bible en un an : 1 SAMUEL 19 – 21 et LUC 11.29‑54

Marie, ayant pris une livre d'un parfum de nard pur de grand prix, oignit les pieds de Jésus, et elle lui essuya les pieds avec ses cheveux. V.3

Peu avant la Crucifixion, une femme nommée Marie a répandu le flacon d’un précieux parfum sur les pieds de Jésus. Puis, d’un geste peut-être encore plus audacieux, elle a essuyé les pieds de celui‑ci de ses cheveux (JN 12.3). Non seulement Marie a‑t‑elle dû sacrifier ce qui constituait sans doute les économies de toute une vie, mais elle a également sacrifié sa réputation. Dans la culture du Moyen‑Orient du Ier siècle, les femmes respectables ne laissaient jamais leur chevelure défaite en public. Reste que les véritables adorateurs ne se soucient guère de ce que les autres peuvent penser d’eux (2 S 6.21,22). Pour adorer Jésus, Marie était prête à passer pour quelqu’un d’immodeste, voire d’immoral.

Il se peut que certains d’entre nous se sentent obligés de se montrer parfaits à l’église, afin que les gens pensent du bien d’eux. Au sens métaphorique, nous nous efforçons de ne pas laisser un seul cheveu dépasser. Reste que l’Église saine est un milieu où nous pouvons « laisser notre chevelure défaite » en ne cachant pas nos défauts derrière une façade de perfection. À l’église, nous devrions pouvoir révéler nos faiblesses afin de puiser dans la force de Dieu plutôt que de dissimuler nos fautes dans le but de passer pour des gens forts.

L’adoration ne consiste pas à agir comme si rien n’allait mal, mais plutôt à veiller à ce que tout aille bien – devant Dieu et entre nous. Ne tombons pas dans le piège des apparences !

Si nous sommes agréables à Dieu, notre adoration le sera aussi.

par Julie Ackerman Link

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Розпустила своє волосся

Читати: Івана 12:1-8 | Біблія за рік: 1 Самуїлова 19−21 ; Луки 11:29-54

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Марія взяла літру мира, з найдорожчого нарду пахучого, і намастила Ісусові ноги, і волоссям своїм Йому ноги обтерла. — Івана 12:3

Незадовго перед тим як Ісуса розп’яли, одна жінка на ім’я Марія вилила Йому на ноги дуже коштовні парфуми. А потім зробила те, що, можливо, було ще більш жертовним актом – витерла Його ноги своїм волоссям (Ів. 12:3). Марія пожертвувала не лише тим, що було найбільшим заощадженням у її житті, але й своєю репутацією. В культурі Близького Сходу першого століття жодна жінка, що поважала себе, не розпустила б прилюдно волосся. Але справжнє поклоніння Богу не переймається тим, що думають інші люди (2 Сам. 6:21-22). Марія поклонялась Ісусу, і навіть згодна була, щоб хтось вважав її нескромною.

Деякі з нас, коли приходять до церкви, відчувають певний тиск – люди чекають від нас “правильного поклоніння”. Висловлюючись метафорично, ми докладаємо чимало зусиль, щоб “кожна волосина була у правильному місці”. Але духовно здорова церква – це така община, де ми можемо “розпустити своє волосся”, тобто не ховати своїх недоліків за фасадом перфекціонізму. В церкві маємо відкривати свої недоліки для отримання допомоги, замість того щоб приховувати свої духовні невдачі, роблячи вигляд, що ми духовно міцні.

Поклоніння Богу не означає, що треба поводитись так, наче в нашому житті все гаразд. Воно означає, що маємо працювати над тим, щоб усе було гаразд – з Богом та іншими людьми.

“Випробуй, Боже, мене, і пізнай моє серце, досліди Ти мене, і пізнай мої задуми, і побач, чи не йду я дорогою злою, і на вічну дорогу мене попровадь!” —Псалом 138:23-24

Наше поклоніння лише тоді правильне, коли наші стосунки з Богом правильні.

Автор Джулія Аккерман Лінк

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Распустите волосы

Читать сейчас: Иоанна 12:1-8 | Библия за год: 1 Царств 19-21; Луки 11:29-54

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Мария же, взяв фунт нардового чистого драгоценного мира, помазала ноги Иисуса и отерла волосами своими ноги Его. — Иоанна 12:3

За несколько дней до распятия Христа женщина по имени Мария полила дорогим благовонным составом Его ноги, а затем совершила еще более неожиданный поступок: отерла их своими волосами (Ин. 12:3). Она пожертвовала не только, может быть, многолетними накоплениями, но и своей честью. В культуре Ближнего Востока того времени уважаемая женщина никогда бы не распустила волосы на людях. Но искреннее поклонение не заботится о том, что думают другие (2 Цар. 6:21-22). Чтобы послужить Господу, Мария была готова на все.

Порой, идя в церковь, мы чувствуем давление общественного мнения и хотим, чтобы все думали о нас хорошо. Образно говоря, мы усердно трудимся над тем, чтобы каждый волосок лежал на месте. Но здоровая церковь – это место, где можно «распустить волосы» и не скрывать своих недостатков за фасадом мнимого совершенства. В церкви мы должны быть готовы признать свою слабость, чтобы обрести силу.

Поклонение не требует лощеного, показного благочестия. Оно требует правильных отношений – с Богом и людьми. Если мы больше всего боимся «опростоволоситься», то определенно нуждаемся в исправлении.

«Испытай меня, Боже, и узнай сердце мое; испытай меня и узнай помышления мои; и зри, не на опасном ли я пути, и направь меня на путь вечный». — Псалом 138:23-24

Наше поклонение правильно, если мы правы перед Богом.

автор: Джулия Акерман Линк

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for TUESDAY, April 11, 2017 - Tuesday in Holy Week

Holy Week procession in Livingston, Guatemala

Morning Prayer

O God:
Give me strength to live another day;
Let me not turn coward before its difficulties or prove recreant to its duties;
Let me not lose faith in other people;
Keep me sweet and sound of heart, in spite of ingratitude, treachery, or meanness;
Preserve me from minding little stings or giving them;
Help me to keep my heart clean, and to live so honestly and fearlessly that no outward failure can dishearten me or take away the joy of conscious integrity;
Open wide the eyes of my soul that I may see good in all things;
Grant me this day some new vision of thy truth;
Inspire me with the spirit of joy and gladness;
and make me the cup of strength to suffering souls;
in the name of the strong Deliverer, our only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen

The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Isaiah 49:1-7

Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The LORD called me before I was born, while I was in my mother's womb he named me. He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. And he said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified." But I said, "I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my cause is with the LORD, and my reward with my God." And now the LORD says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honored in the sight of the LORD, and my God has become my strength-- he says, "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations, the slave of rulers, "Kings shall see and stand up, princes, and they shall prostrate themselves, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you."

Psalm 71:1-14
1   In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge; let me never be ashamed.
2   In your righteousness, deliver me and set me free; incline your ear to me and save me.
3   Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe; you are my crag and my stronghold.
4   Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the clutches of the evildoer and the oppressor.
5   For you are my hope, O LORD God, my confidence since I was young.
6   I have been sustained by you ever since I was born; from my mother's womb you have been my strength; my praise shall be always of you.
7   I have become a portent to many; but you are my refuge and my strength.
8   Let my mouth be full of your praise and your glory all the day long.
9   Do not cast me off in my old age; forsake me not when my strength fails.
10   For my enemies are talking against me, and those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together.
11   They say, "God has forsaken him; go after him and seize him; because there is none who will save."
12   O God, be not far from me; come quickly to help me, O my God.
13   Let those who set themselves against me be put to shame and be disgraced; let those who seek to do me evil be covered with scorn and reproach.
14   But I shall always wait in patience, and shall praise you more and more.

The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength. Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in John 12:20-36

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. "Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say-- 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?" Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light." After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them.

The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen

Collect of the Day

O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

A Collect for Peace

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. 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.

Verse of the Day - April 11, 2017

1 Peter 2:24 (NIV) “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

Read all of 1 Peter 2

Listen to 1 Peter 2

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Morning Devotions with Cap'n Kenny - The Lord's Supper

Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

—1 Corinthians 11:27–28 (NKJV)

Matthew 26 contains one of the most well-known events in human history and certainly the most famous meal ever eaten, the Last Supper.

As the disciples sat together, Jesus said, “‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood’” (1 Corinthians 11:24–25).

Jesus, as He often did, was speaking symbolically. To say He was speaking literally here does not fit with the word pictures He often used. After all, Jesus said He was the Bread of Life. And didn’t He say that He was the Door?

So, do we insist that Christ is an actual loaf of bread or a door? Of course not. Nor should we insist that the bread and the contents of the cup are actually Christ’s body and blood. There is no evidence of a supernatural process that transforms the cup’s contents into Jesus’ blood and the bread into His flesh.

Therefore, as we participate in Communion, we don’t want to overly mystify what it represents. We don’t want to think of the bread as flesh and the cup as containing blood.

On the other hand, we don’t want to devalue Communion by thinking it means nothing. Clearly, the Scriptures warn us about taking part in Communion without recognizing its significance (see 1 Corinthians 11:23–30).

The bread and the cup are not holy elements in and of themselves. But they do represent something that is very holy. So it is with great respect and reverence that we come to the Communion table, recognizing it is a symbol of what Jesus Christ accomplished for us on the cross.

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 - Cuida la paz de tu corazón

Aleja de tu corazón el enojo, y echa fuera de tu ser la maldad.
Eclesiastés 11:10, NVI

En realidad, el corazón es un músculo. Está situado en el centro del pecho, un poco hacia la izquierda, y es casi del tamaño de tu puño. Este músculo es especial por lo que hace: El corazón envía sangre a todo el cuerpo.

Sabemos que el día en que el corazón deje de latir, ya no estaremos para hacer el cuento. De ahí que los especialistas hablen de la importancia de hacer ejercicio y alimentarse bien para tener larga vida.

Sin embargo, ¿qué sacamos teniendo una buena salud si nuestro corazón está amargado, está lleno de resentimientos, de ira, de maldad? De esa manera, no podemos sentir paz ni tranquilidad, porque todas esas cosas que acabo de mencionar atormentan nuestra existencia.

Por eso la Biblia dice que el corazón es engañoso… ¿Quién lo conocerá?

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - TROUBLE CANNOT SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble…?

Romans 8:35a, NIV

The question asked is a personal one. Not “what” can separate us but “who”? The inference is our enemy, Satan, who tries every tactic he can garner to make us think we can be separated from Christ’s love. Today we look at his tactic of “trouble.”

Chinese Brother Mak spent years in prison and tells of the trouble he experienced from his captors and what he learned from it:

At first they would punch and kick me. There was a certain guard who slapped my face over a hundred times, until his hand hurt. Then I said to him, “Praise the Lord! I will pray for your hand.”

The most painful experience was when they raised me with my hands turned backwards, and using handcuffs, attached my hands to two bars on an iron gate. Then they moved the iron gate back and forth from left to right, pulling my whole torso. It felt as if my entire body would rip apart. The area where my hands were cuffed especially hurt. The iron from the handcuffs seemed to enter my very joints, preventing the blood in my palms from circulating normally.

During this time, I experienced just how much the Lord loves me. Because He does love me, He calls me to suffer, and to experience more of His love. He also makes me realize how minute and temporal peoples’ suffering is, compared to a future eternity with the Lord. This is God’s teaching. He is teaching me how to walk the way of the cross.

If I don’t suffer, how can I learn to serve? My suffering is for my benefit. Suffering leads me to face death. Only in this way can I die with Christ, and then be buried and resurrected with Him. Living is a struggle. This is the only way to reach heaven and experience victory. Thanks be to God! Jesus Christ has already triumphed over everything.

RESPONSE: I will live this day in the awareness that troubles can never separate me from Christ’s love.

PRAYER: Lord, may all Christian prisoners today gain the insights of Your love like Brother Mak.

Girlfriends in God - When You’ve Failed and Bailed

by Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV)

Friend to Friend

I just love Moses. I can relate to him on so many levels.

For about forty years, he thought he was an Egyptian...the son of the Pharaoh’s daughter. But somehow he discovered that he was NOT an Egyptian after all. He was a Hebrew, the son of a slave woman. . . and that changed everything.

Moses had a mid-life crisis and came up with a plan to save his true people from Egyptian slavery. God did not call him to this plan. He came up with it all on his own. (Red flag for all of us.)

One day Moses was walking among his people and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave. Glancing first one way and then another to make sure no one was looking, Moses killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. One down. Several million to go. Moses was working the plan.

The next day, Moses was out walking among his people and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, “Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?”

The man said, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?”

Moses realized what he had done was widely known. The Pharaoh was out to kill him, and his fellow Hebrews mocked him. So he failed and he bailed.

Moses fled to a place called Midian, married a gal named Zipporah, and joined the family business taking care of sheep. The next time we see Moses, forty years have passed; he is now 80 years old . . . and he is stuck. Oh, sister, I’ve been there. Have you?

Moses was stuck in Midian and held hostage by his failures. He had settled for less than what he was made for. Less than what God had prepared him for. Less than what he had hoped for in himself. And there he stayed.

This is where many people drive their tent stakes in the ground and settle. They make a mistake, fall flat on their face, and run away to the far side of the wilderness, hoping no one will notice. Praying everyone will just leave him or her alone, at the same time, absolutely miserable that life has morphed into a monotonous, lackluster checklist. Like Moses, many bury their hopes and dreams to protect their hearts from further disappointment.

But that’s not where God wants you to stay. We all fail. We all make mistakes. Peter did. Moses did. Jacob did. Samson did. David did. But just because you failed does not mean you ARE a failure. You are a child of God who makes mistakes.

God wasn’t finished with Moses and He’s not finished with you or me. He has a plan...a good and perfect plan.

So if you feel stuck...if you’ve failed and bailed to your far side of the wilderness...it’s time to get unstuck and move forward. God has burning bushes all around. This could be one right now. He’s calling you to let go of your failure, move forward in all that He has for you to do, and live bold.

Come on. Let’s do it together! He’s calling your name.

Let’s Pray

God, I cringe at the times I’ve let You down. It breaks my heart to think about the times that I’ve failed. But I am so thankful for Your GRACE. Thank You for calling me off the bench and back into the game even when I didn’t feel worthy. I love you so much.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read John 21:15-17, Jesus’ discussion with Peter, not by a burning bush, but by another burning fire.

What had Peter done to let Jesus down?

What was Jesus doing during this conversation with Peter?

What is Jesus saying to you through today’s devotion?

More from the Girlfriends

A mediocre, mundane faith is not your destiny! In Take Hold of the Faith You Long For: Let Go, Move Forward, Live Bold, I reveal the most common reasons we get stuck in our Christian faith. I show you how to break free of all that holds you back, move forward with all that God promises, and live the adventurous faith of bold believing. Leave behind feelings of inferiority, insecurity, and inadequacy that hold you hostage and take hold of the mountain-moving faith God intends. You were meant for more…take hold of God’s truth and thrive. Also see the laminated card of your True Identity in Christ filled with verses front and back, and Take Hold Lambano necklace made by women rescued from poverty in Haiti and Mexico.

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

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