LHM Daily Devotion - "An Early Morning Surprise"

The women don't waste a moment making their way to the tomb.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"An Early Morning Surprise"

April 16, 2017

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb ... (Luke 24:1a, ESV)

Read Luke 24:1-12

The women don't waste a moment making their way to the tomb. In a climate where decay rapidly sets in on a corpse, they want to complete their work, while they can still handle Jesus' body. They needn't have hurried; God refused to give death any victory over His Son's body, including any hint of decay. Also, by the time they arrived, Jesus was already gone.

As they reached the tomb they found the stone rolled away. While the women are looking in, two angels appear as young men in the prime of life, wearing dazzling clothes. Immediately, the women are gripped with fear.

The angels point out the folly in what these women are doing: "Why are you looking for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen!" Then they remind the women of Jesus' predictions and the divine necessity behind His suffering. God's divine love for fallen humans required Jesus' suffering and death to remove our sins. They mention three essentials: Jesus had to be delivered into the hands of men, die by crucifixion, and rise again in glory.

At these words the women remember, quickly returning to report them to the 11 apostles, and the other believers with them. Peter sets out for the tomb, stoops down to look into it, and sees with his own eyes the linen bands, empty and undisturbed. Even with this clear evidence of Jesus' miraculous resurrection, Peter still isn't ready to accept it as truth. Instead, he goes away wondering exactly what has actually happened.

THE PRAYER: Almighty God, thank You for the joyous news of the angels: my Lord is risen! I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen

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

Devociones de Cuaresma - Nos vemos en casa

Devociones de Cuaresma  2017

Nos vemos en casa

16 de Abril de 2017

Domingo de Pascua de Resurrección

"No teman. Vayan y den la noticia a mis hermanos, para que vayan a Galilea. Allí me verán." Mateo 28:10, RVC (1-10)

Galilea tiene un lugar especial en mi corazón, pues fue el lugar que vio crecer a Jesús. La orilla del lago fue el lugar de encuentro, de llamado de discípulos, de predicación, y de la mayoría de los milagros que Jesús hizo durante su ministerio. Galilea fue testigo del poder y del amor de Dios. Y Jesús planificaba cerrar su ministerio en la tierra en ese mismo lugar. Galilea iba a ser nuevamente escenario del milagro de la gran pesca y de la restauración de Pedro. La promesa que Jesús les hizo a las mujeres para que la trasmitieran a sus discípulos, es la más esperanzadora que una persona pueda recibir: "Allí me verán."

Cuando releo estas palabras de Jesús, pienso en cuántas veces decimos nosotros palabras similares a nuestros hijos o a nuestros amigos: "Nos vemos en casa." Ésa fue la promesa de Jesús: 'Nos vemos en casa.' Y ésa sigue siendo su promesa para nosotros. El Jesús resucitado victorioso, lleno de vida inmortal, nos dice: 'Nos vemos en casa.' El evangelista Juan nos recuerda que Jesús ascendió a los cielos para prepararnos un lugar (Juan 14), para 'vernos en casa'. No hay promesa que traiga más consuelo ante nuestra propia muerte. Dos veces ocurre esta frase en la lectura de hoy. La primera vez, los ángeles dicen a las mujeres: "...va delante de ustedes a Galilea; allí lo verán." La segunda vez, es el propio Jesús que anuncia: "...vayan a Galilea. Allí me verán."

Jesús resucitado nos dice hoy: "...vayan a Galilea; allí me verán." ¿Dónde se encuentra nuestra Galilea? En la Palabra de Dios y la Santa Cena, allí donde Jesús se hace presente y está dispuesto a vernos, a hacer milagros, a restaurarnos de nuestro pecado. Pero no sólo allí: también hay una Galilea eterna, el lugar del encuentro definitivo. Allí nos veremos.

Gracias, Padre, porque resucitaste a Jesús y lo enviaste delante de nosotros al cielo. Reafirma nuestra fe de que "allí nos veremos". Amén

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

Our Daily Bread - He Understands and Cares

Read: Isaiah 53:1–8 | Bible in a Year: 1 Samuel 30–31; Luke 13:23–35

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Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering. Isaiah 53:4

When asked if he thought that ignorance and apathy were problems in modern society, a man joked, “I don’t know and I don’t care.”

I suppose many discouraged people feel that way about the world today and the people in it. But when it comes to the perplexities and concerns of our lives, Jesus fully understands, and He deeply cares. Isaiah 53, an Old Testament prophecy of the crucifixion of Jesus, gives us a glimpse of what He went through for us. “He was oppressed and afflicted . . . led like a lamb to the slaughter” (v. 7). “For the transgression of my people he was punished” (v. 8). “It was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand” (v. 10).

On the cross Jesus willingly bore our sin and guilt. No one ever suffered more than our Lord did for us. He knew what it would cost to save us from our sins and, in love, He willingly paid it (vv. 4–6).

Because of Jesus’s resurrection from the dead, He is alive and present with us today. Whatever situation we face, Jesus understands and cares. And He will carry us through.

Lord, we give thanks for Your knowledge of our circumstances and Your care for us. Today we want to walk with You and honor You in all we do.

He is not here; He has risen! Luke 24:6

By David McCasland

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Ngài Thấu Hiểu Và Quan Tâm

Đọc: Ê-sai 53:1-8 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: 1 Sa-mu-ên 30-31; Lu-ca 13:23-35

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Thật, Người đã mang sự đau ốm của chúng ta, đã gánh nỗi đau khổ của chúng ta. Ê-sai 53:4

Khi một người được hỏi anh có cho rằng sự ngu dốt và thờ ơ là những vấn nạn trong xã hội hiện đại không, anh đã đùa rằng: “Tôi không biết và tôi không quan tâm!”

Tôi thiết tưởng nhiều người chán nản cũng thấy như vậy về thế giới của chúng ta ngày nay và những con người sống trong đó. Nhưng Chúa Jêsus hiểu hết mọi hỗn độn và lo lắng trong đời sống chúng ta và Ngài thật sự rất quan tâm đến chúng ta. Ê-sai 53, một lời tiên tri trong Cựu Ước về việc Chúa Jêsus bị đóng đinh, đã cho chúng ta thấy một chút về những gì Ngài trải qua vì chúng ta. “Người bị ngược đãi và khốn khổ… như chiên câm lặng trước mặt kẻ hớt lông” (c.7). “Người đã bị đánh phạt và cất khỏi đất người sống là vì tội lỗi của dân Ta” (c.8). “Đức Giê-hô-va vui lòng để Người bị tổn thương và chịu đau khổ. Sau khi đã dâng mạng sống làm tế lễ chuộc tội, Người sẽ thấy dòng dõi mình; các ngày của Người sẽ dài thêm, và ý muốn của Đức Giê-hô-va nhờ tay Người được thành tựu” (c.10).

Trên thập tự giá, Chúa Jêsus đã vui lòng mang lấy tội lỗi và vi phạm của chúng ta. Chưa ai từng chịu khổ như Chúa chịu vì chúng ta. Ngài biết giá Ngài phải trả để cứu chúng ta khỏi tội lỗi và bởi yêu, Ngài vui lòng trả cái giá ấy (c.4-6).

Lạy Chúa, chúng con dâng lên Ngài lời cảm tạ vì Ngài thấu hiểu hoàn cảnh của chúng con và Ngài quan tâm đến chúng con. Hôm nay, chúng con muốn bước đi với Ngài và tôn vinh Ngài trong tất cả những gì chúng con làm.

Ngài không ở đây đâu, Ngài đã sống lại rồi! Lu-ca 24:6

bởi David McCasland

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Él entiende y le importa

Leer: Isaías 53:1-8 | La Biblia en un año: 1 Samuel 30–31; Lucas 13:23-35

Ciertamente llevó él nuestras enfermedades, y sufrió nuestros dolores… (v. 4).

Cuando le preguntaron si creía que la ignorancia y la apatía eran problemas de la sociedad moderna, un hombre bromeó: «No sé ni me interesa».

Probablemente, muchas personas desanimadas sienten eso sobre el mundo y los que en él habitan. Pero Jesús entiende bien la confusión y las preocupaciones de nuestras vidas, y le importa lo que nos sucede. Isaías 53, una profecía del Antiguo Testamento sobre la crucifixión de Cristo, nos deja entrever lo que padeció por nosotros. «Angustiado él, y afligido […]; como cordero fue llevado al matadero» (v. 7). «Por la rebelión de mi pueblo fue herido» (v. 8). «Con todo eso, el Señor quiso quebrantarlo, sujetándole a padecimiento. Cuando haya puesto su vida en expiación por el pecado, verá linaje, vivirá por largos días, y la voluntad del Señor será en su mano prosperada» (v. 10).

En la cruz, Jesús cargó voluntariamente con nuestro pecado y nuestra culpa. Nadie sufrió jamás como el Señor por nosotros. Sabía lo que costaría salvarnos de nuestros pecados y, por amor, quiso pagar el precio (vv. 4-6).

Gracias a la resurrección de Jesús, Él está vivo y con nosotros hoy. No importa qué situación enfrentemos, Jesús entiende y le importa. Y nos ayudará a atravesarla.

Señor, gracias porque conoces nuestras circunstancias y te preocupas por nosotros.

No está aquí, sino que ha resucitado… Lucas 24:6

Por david c. mccasland

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Er versteht

Lesen: Jesaja 53,1-8 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 1.Samuel 30–31; Lukas 13,23-35

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Fürwahr, er trug unsere Krankheit und lud auf sich unsre Schmerzen. Jesaja 53,4

Auf die Frage, ob er meine, Unwissenheit und Gleichgültigkeit seien ein Problem in der heutigen Gesellschaft, erwiderte ein Mann lachend: „Keine Ahnung, und es ist mir auch egal.“

Ich fürchte, viele frustrierte Menschen empfinden heute genauso. Jesus jedoch hat vollstes Verständnis für unsere Sorgen und Fragen, und sie sind ihm nicht egal. Jesaja 53, ein Kapitel im Alten Testament, das Jesu Tod am Kreuz vorhersagt, gibt uns einen Einblick in das, was er für uns durchgemacht hat. „Als er gemartert ward, litt er doch willig . . . wie ein Lamm, das zur Schlachtbank geführt wird“ (V.7). „Denn er ist . . . für die Missetat meines Volkes geplagt“ (V.8). „So wollte ihn der Herr zerschlagen mit Krankheit. Wenn er sein Leben zum Schuldopfer gegeben hat, wird er Nachkommen haben und in die Länge leben, und des Herrn Plan wird durch seine Hand gelingen“ (V.10).

Am Kreuz litt Jesus willig für unsere Schuld und Sünde. Niemand hat je mehr erduldet als unser Herr für uns. Er wusste, was es ihn kosten würde, uns von der Sünde zu erretten. Er war aus Liebe bereit, den Preis zu zahlen (V.4-6).

Weil Jesus von den Toten auferstand, lebt er und ist heute bei uns. Egal, in welcher Situation wir uns befinden, Jesus versteht uns. Wir sind ihm nicht egal, und er wird uns durchtragen.

Herr, wir danken dir, dass du unsere Umstände kennst und dich um uns kümmerst. Wir wollen heute mit dir gehen und dir mit allem, was wir tun, Ehre bereiten.

Er ist nicht hier, er ist auferstanden! Lukas 24,6

Von David McCasland

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Il nous aime et nous comprend

Lisez : Ésaïe 53.1‑8 | La Bible en un an : 1 SAMUEL 30 – 31 et LUC 13.23‑35

C'est de nos douleurs qu'il s'est chargé. V.4

Lorsqu’on lui a demandé s’il trouvait que l’ignorance et l’apathie étaient problématiques au sein de la société moderne, un homme a répondu à la blague : « Je l’ignore et je m’en fous. »

J’imagine que beaucoup de gens sont découragés de constater l’état du monde actuel et de la population mondiale. Reste que Jésus comprend notre perplexité et notre inquiétude, et qu’il tient à nous en soulager. La prophétie vétérotestamentaire de la crucifixion de Jésus nous donne un aperçu de ce qu’il a subi pour nous : « Il a été maltraité et opprimé […] semblable à un agneau qu’on mène à la boucherie […] et frappé pour les péchés de [son] peuple » (ÉS 53.7,8). Par ailleurs, « [il] a plu à l’Éternel de le briser par la souffrance […] Après avoir livré sa vie en sacrifice pour le péché, il verra une postérité et prolongera ses jours ; et l’oeuvre de l’Éternel prospérera entre ses mains » (V. 10).

Sur la croix, Jésus a porté nos péchés et notre culpabilité de son plein gré. Personne n’a jamais souffert davantage que notre Seigneur l’a fait pour nous. Il savait ce qui lui en coûterait pour nous sauver de nos péchés et, par amour, il a choisi d’en payer le prix (V. 4‑6).

Étant donné que Jésus est ressuscité des morts, il est vivant et présent au milieu de nous aujourd’hui. Quelle que soit la situation que nous devons affronter, Jésus nous comprend et se préoccupe de nous. Or, cette vérité nous permettra de tout surmonter.

Il n’est point ici, mais il est ressuscité. LUC 24.6

par David McCasland

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Він розуміє

Читати: Ісаї 53:1-8 | Біблія за рік: 1 Самуїлова 30−31 ; Луки 13:23-35

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Направду ж Він немочі наші узяв і наші болі поніс. — Ісаї 53:4

Один чоловік, коли його спитали, чи справді невігластво та апатія є проблемами сучасного суспільства, відповів жартома: “Не знаю. Мені байдуже!”

Гадаю, що чимало розчарованих людей вважають, що світ дійсно такий. Але на відміну від них, Ісус все розуміє і виявляє велику турботу, що стосується проблем, складностей і турбот у нашому житті. Старозавітне пророцтво про розп’яття Ісуса, яке записано в Ісаї 53, відкриває нам картину того, через що Христос пройшов заради нас. “Він гноблений був та понижуваний… як ягня був проваджений Він на заколення” (Іс. 53:7). “За провини Мого народу на смерть Його дано” (Іс. 53:8). “Та зволив Господь, щоб побити Його, щоб муки завдано Йому. Якщо ж душу Свою покладе Він як жертву за гріх, то побачить насіння, і житиме довгії дні, і замір Господній рукою Його буде мати поводження!” (Іс. 53:10).

На хресті Ісус добровільно поніс наші гріхи і провини. Він знав, як дорого Йому коштуватиме спасіння нас від гріхів, але добровільно, з любов’ю сплатив цю ціну (Іс. 53:4-6).

Ісус воскрес із мертвих, і завдяки цьому Він є живий і присутній у нашому житті. В яких би обставинах ми не опинились, Ісус завжди розуміє і піклується про нас. Він щасливо проведе нас крізь усі випробування.

Господи, дякуємо Тобі за те, що розумієш всі наші обставини і завжди піклуєшся про нас. Бажаємо цей день прожити так, щоб прославити Тебе кожним своїм вчинком.

“Нема Його тут, бо воскрес!” — Луки 24:6

Автор Давид Маккасланд

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Он понимает

Читать сейчас: Исаия 53:1-8 | Библия за год: 1 Царств 30-31; Луки 13:23-35

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Он взял на Себя наши немощи и понес наши болезни. — Исаия 53:4

Одного человека спросили, что он думает о невежестве и безразличии в современном обществе. В ответ он пошутил: «Я не знаю, и мне все равно».

Мне кажется, что многие разочарованные люди чувствуют себя подобным образом, глядя на мир и людей в нем. Но не так с Иисусом Христом. Какие бы трудности и переживания ни обрушились на нас, Он все понимает и искренне заботится. Глава 53 Книги пророка Исаии, ветхозаветного пророчества о распятии Христа, показывает, через что Он прошел ради нас. «Он истязуем был... как овца, веден был Он на заклание» (Ис. 53:7). «За преступления народа Моего претерпел казнь» (Ис. 53:8). «Господу угодно было поразить Его, и Он предал Его мучению. Когда же душа Его принесет жертву умилостивления, Он узрит потомство долговечное, и воля Господа благоуспешно будет исполняться рукой Его» (Ис. 53:10).

На кресте Иисус добровольно взял на Себя нашу вину. Никто не страдал больше, чем наш Господь за нас. Он знал, во что обойдется наше спасение, но из любви уплатил все сполна (Ис. 53:4-6).

На третий день после распятия Христос воскрес, теперь Он с нами. Что бы ни случилось в жизни, Он все понимает и может помочь.

Господи, мы воздаем Тебе благодарение за то, что знаешь наши обстоятельства и заботишься о нас. Мы хотим жить с Тобой и прославлять Тебя во всем, что делаем.

Взгляните еще раз на события распятия и воскресения глазами очевидцев в брошюре Рэя Стэдмана «Слух о надежде».

«Его нет здесь: Он воскрес». — Луки 24:6

автор: Дэвид Маккасланд

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for SATURDAY, April 15, 2017 - Holy Saturday

Statue of Jesus lying in the tomb by Gregorio Fernández

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 Introit

Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow which was brought upon me, whom the Lord hath afflicted. (Lamentations 1:12)

The Old Testament Lesson

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

"A mortal, born of woman, few of days and full of trouble, comes up like a flower and withers, flees like a shadow and does not last. Do you fix your eyes on such a one? Do you bring me into judgment with you? Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? No one can. Since their days are determined, and the number of their months is known to you, and you have appointed the bounds that they cannot pass, look away from them, and desist, that they may enjoy, like laborers, their days. "For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease. Though its root grows old in the earth, and its stump dies in the ground, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth branches like a young plant. But mortals die, and are laid low; humans expire, and where are they? As waters fail from a lake, and a river wastes away and dries up, so mortals lie down and do not rise again; until the heavens are no more, they will not awake or be roused out of their sleep. Oh that you would hide me in Sheol, that you would conceal me until your wrath is past, that you would appoint me a set time, and remember me! If mortals die, will they live again? All the days of my service I would wait until my release should come.

Psalms

Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16
1   In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.
2   Incline your ear to me; make haste to deliver me.
3   Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe, for you are my crag and my stronghold; for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.
4   Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, for you are my tower of strength.
15   My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.
16   Make your face to shine upon your servant, and in your loving-kindness save me."

The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from 1 Peter 4:1-8

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin), so as to live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God. You have already spent enough time in doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry. They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme. But they will have to give an accounting to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the spirit as God does. The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.

The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in Matthew 27:57-66

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, "Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, 'After three days I will rise again.' Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, 'He has been raised from the dead,' and the last deception would be worse than the first." Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can." So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.

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

Prayer of the Day

O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

A Prayer for Saturdays

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

A Prayer for Mission

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen

Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God!

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. 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.

Prayer of the Day - April 15, 2017 - Holy Saturday

O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Verse of the Day - April 15, 2017

Romans 13:6-7 (NIV) This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Read all of Romans 13

Listen to Romans 13

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 - "Easter Is for Everyone"

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live"

—John 11:25 (NKJV)

Easter is for everyone!

It is about Jesus, and it is specifically about Jesus crucified and risen again from the dead.

I don’t know how you might describe your life this Easter. Maybe you are full of faith and looking forward to joining your family and friends at church and perhaps a special meal later in the day. If everything is going well for you, then praise God for that.

For others, it might be a different story. For some, Easter may even be a bittersweet day.

Death can seem so brutal, so ruthless, and so final. And that is exactly how the disciples felt when they saw the beaten, bloodied body of their Lord hanging on a Roman cross. Then, in addition to the Crucifixion, a Roman soldier took his spear, thrust it into Jesus’ side, and out of it came blood and water.

There was no question about it. Christ had died. If the Crucifixion hadn’t killed him, certainly the spear of the Roman soldier would have. The disciples thought it was over. They thought death had finished it.

So the disciples were shocked to find an angel waiting for them with the good news: “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him” (Mark 16:6).

They thought He was dead. But He was alive again.

Because Jesus has died and has risen again, it means that we as believers do not have to be afraid of death. As 1 Corinthians 15:20 tells us, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” Jesus has gone to the other side, He has returned, and He has the keys to death and hell (see Revelation 1:18).

He is the resurrection and the life, and if we believe in Him, though we were dead, yet shall we live.

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny

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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV® Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Devotion by Greg Laurie © 2017 Harvest Christian Fellowship; all rights reserved.

Un Dia a la Vez - El recuerdo sin dolor

Pero fiel es el Señor, que os afirmará y guardará del mal.
2 Tesalonicenses 3:3, RV-60

En días pasados, acompañé a mi princesa Niki a realizarse unos exámenes generales, pues no se había sentido muy bien. Así que estuvimos en el hospital Memorial, de Pembroke Pines y allí le hicieron un examen conocido como tomografía axial compute-rizada (TAC). Como Niki estaba un poco nerviosa, le explique de qué se trataba la prueba. No sé si todos lo saben, pero te meten en un aparato que gira en torno al cuerpo del paciente emitiendo un haz de rayos X que, mediante unos cristales, se reciben y registran una serie de datos que se envían a una computadora que convierte la información en una imagen sobre una pantalla. Este examen es tan completo que se detecta cualquier tipo de problema.

Estando allí, la tuve que esperar afuera y empecé a recordar la época de mi enfermedad. En mi caso, pasé por esa misma prueba durante momentos críticos al estar recién operada y cuando el cuadro médico no daba muchas esperanzas de vida. Así que todo era gris y misterioso. Entonces me puse a rememorar varios de esos momentos en que me llevaban en medio de tanto dolor y sintiendo la muerte a mi alrededor.

De pronto, sentí unos deseos enormes de llorar y le agradecí a Dios el milagro de mi sanidad. Nunca me cansaré de reconocer cómo me sanó Dios y de que hoy sea un testimonio viviente.

No es vivir en el pasado, pero nunca debemos olvidar lo que Dios hace por nosotros. Además, eso nos dará la fuerza para seguir adelante.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón.

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

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

Romans 8:35b, 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 “nakedness.”

In the northeast part of China there was a severe flood. Most of the homes were ruined and peoples’ belongings were totally destroyed. There was a couple who were not Christians. The wife was paralyzed from the waist down. They lost everything in the flood so the husband bought some poison pills and was going to give them to his wife and then also take them himself so they could both commit suicide.

They had no place to live so they could only lie on the ground at the train station. They were ragged and filthy with nowhere to bathe and without food. A Christian walked by, saw and smelled them, and asked them what happened. He then invited them to his home. The Christian even carried the crippled wife on his back. This Christian had his wife bathe and clothe the crippled wife. He bathed and clothed the husband. Then they gave them food and shared the gospel with them and this couple committed their lives to Jesus.

The husband of the couple said that they could see from the lives of their hosts that God is real and is a God of love.

The whole church helped this couple to build a house and it also later became a house church meeting place. 

RESPONSE: I will live this day aware that nakedness can never separate me from Christ’s love.

PRAYER: Lord, give me eyes of love to help those who need You and also need a practical example of Your love for them.

NIV Devotions for Couples - The Really Good Life

Micah 6:1–16

He has showed you, O mortal, what is good.
Micah 6:8, NIV

My friend Meg keeps a fuzzy blue sock filled with diamond rings, bracelets and earrings—all gifts from her husband—inside her top dresser drawer. She wears expensive clothes, which her husband insists she buy, and they’re always taking trips to the Bahamas or Hawaii.

My friend is tanned, toned, her hair highlighted and her face lifted, but she’s miserable. Although most people who know Meg and her high-profile husband envy their “good life,” only Meg’s closest friends know how much she hates it.

Most people associate the good life with a nice house, the latest electronic toys and sleek cars, but those things don’t necessarily make life good. My friend would gladly give up everything she owns for a more fulfilling life.

In the community, Meg’s husband is generous and giving and the life of every party. He does favors for everyone and is the first to make a showy donation to a cause. But at home, he’s aloof, demanding, cutting and very controlling. With each new gift he tells my friend, “See how much I love you?” Outwardly, his life looks good, but he misses the mark when it comes to what God requires of him in loving his wife.

The Israelites were also guilty of making showy declarations of love for God, but those gifts were mere bribes. And God abhors such sacrifices. Micah told Israel that God was not impressed or pleased with the offerings of “thousands of rams” and “ten thousand rivers of olive oil” (Micah 6:7).

Instead, what God requires, what he says is good, is to act justly, with fairness and equity; to love mercy and kindness, to be steadfastly dependable, respectful and committed; and to walk humbly with God (see Micah 6:8).

So too in marriage spouses are called to live together sacrificially and with respect (see Ephesians 5:33). We are to “clothe [ourselves] with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12). We are to “keep [our] lives free from the love of money and be content with what [we] have” (Hebrews 13:5).

We are to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above [ourselves], not looking to [our] own interests but each of [us] to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:3–4).

The good life, according to Micah 6:8, is not diamonds stashed in fuzzy socks; it’s doing what is good.

Nancy Kennedy

Let’s Talk

• How do we define the “good life”?
• In what ways can we show each other justice, mercy and humility? What do I treasure from you as acts of justice, mercy and kindness? What do you treasure from me? In what ways do these differ? In what ways are they the same?
• What areas do we specifically need to work on in our marriage to live according to Micah 6:8?