LHM Daily Devotion - "Inside a Locked Room"

On this day of Jesus' resurrection two of His followers are walking...

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Inside a Locked Room"

April 17, 2017

And He said to them, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" ... (Luke 24:17, ESV)

Read Luke 24:13-35

On this day of Jesus' resurrection two of His followers are walking to a nearby village called Emmaus. Jesus begins walking with them, but they are kept from recognizing Him. When the stranger asks them what they are discussing, they stop dead in their tracks, stunned that anyone coming from Jerusalem could be unaware of the things that have happened there.

They talk about the powerful prophet Jesus, whom they had believed to be the Messiah, about the horrible end He met, about the chief priests who delivered Him up to be crucified. They add the bitter disappointment of hoping He was the One who would ransom Israel, and they relate the women's confusing report about angels at the tomb.

After letting them unload their grief and sorrow, Jesus begins to solve their mystery. They had been quick to believe the glorious things about the Messiah, but they stubbornly resisted the passion He predicted and the words the prophets had spoken. The Christ first had to pay the ransom price for sins; only then could He enter the glory the Jews had focused on for so long.

When they reached Emmaus, Jesus sat down with them at the table. He blessed and broke the bread, and while He was giving it to them their eyes were opened to recognize Him. Then He vanished from their sight. They discuss the way their hearts warmed with new faith, assurance and joy, when they finally understood the Messiah's work.

They then return to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples. They are greeted with shouts: "The Lord truly arose! And He appeared to Simon." Then the two tell their story.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for taking the time to teach Your disciples and us about the ransom You paid to free us from our sins. Receive our joyful thanksgiving. Amen.

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

CPTLN Devocional de 17 de Abril de 2017

Alimento Diario

Educar para la vida

17 de Abril 2017

...y se las repetirás a tus hijos, y hablarás de ellas cuando estés en tu casa, y cuando vayas por el camino, y cuando te acuestes y cuando te levantes. Deuteronomio 6:7, RVC


Durante su gobierno el Presidente Obama dijo que, para mejorar el nivel educativo de este país, quizás sea necesario alargar el horario escolar y acortar las vacaciones de verano.

Arne Duncan, Secretario de Educación, estaba de acuerdo con el Presidente. Duncan dijo que, dado que la sociedad norteamericana ya no es agraria, los niños no necesitan ayudar a sus familias trabajando en las granjas. También dijo que los niños cuyos padres no pueden pagar escuelas de verano o maestros particulares, durante las vacaciones de verano tienden a olvidar lo aprendido el año anterior.

No sé si pasar más tiempo con un maestro mediocre enseñando clases mediocres va a elevar el nivel de educación de este país. Aún cuando suene tonto por ser tan simple, debo decir que una educación excelente es el resultado de maestros excelentes que con entusiasmo transmiten conocimientos a estudiantes que han sido motivados en el hogar.

Y a eso se refiere nuestro texto de Deuteronomio. Nuestro Dios, que todo lo sabe, dijo a su pueblo que educara a sus hijos en las cosas importantes de la vida... desde el amanecer hasta el anochecer debían contarles la historia del amor de Dios.

El Señor sabía que, si bien es cierto que nuestros hijos van a aprender muchas otras cosas, nunca van a aprender nada más importante que la historia del sacrificio de Dios.

Esa orden de Dios sigue vigente aún hoy. Aún si nuestros hijos no aprenden nada más de nosotros, que por lo menos aprendan que el Padre ha enviado a su Hijo a buscar y salvar a los pecadores perdidos.

No hay ninguna lección que sea tan necesaria e importante como la que dice: "Porque tanto amó Dios al mundo, que dio a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo el que cree en él no se pierda, sino que tenga vida eterna." (Juan 3:16)

ORACIÓN: Querido Señor, gracias por todas las personas que me enseñaron la historia de la salvación. Ayúdame a ser fiel en enseñar ese mismo mensaje a quienes aún no te conocen. En el nombre de Jesús. 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 - At Home With Jesus

Read: John 14:1–4 | Bible in a Year: 2 Samuel 1–2; Luke 14:1–24

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I go and prepare a place for you. John 14:3

“There’s no place like home.” The phrase reflects a deeply rooted yearning within us to have a place to rest, be, and belong. Jesus addressed this desire for rootedness when, after He and His friends had their last supper together, He spoke about His impending death and resurrection. He promised that although He would go away, He would come back for them. And He would prepare a room for them. A dwelling-place. A home.

He made this place for them—and us—through fulfilling the requirements of God’s law when He died on the cross as the sinless man. He assured His disciples that if He went to the trouble of creating this home, that of course He would come back for them and not leave them alone. They didn’t need to fear or be worried about their lives, whether on earth or in heaven.

We can take comfort and assurance from Jesus’s words, for we believe and trust that He makes a home for us; that He makes His home within us (see John 14:23); and that He has gone ahead of us to prepare our heavenly home. Whatever sort of physical place we live in, we belong with Jesus, upheld by His love and surrounded in His peace. With Him, there’s no place like home.

Lord Jesus Christ, if and when we feel homeless, remind us that You are our home. May we share this sense of belonging with those we meet.

Jesus prepares a place for us to live forever.

By Amy Boucher Pye

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Ở Với Chúa Jêsus

Đọc: Giăng 14:1-4 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: 2 Sa-mu-ên 1-2; Lu-ca 14:1-24

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Ta đi và đã chuẩn bị chỗ. Giăng 14:3

“Không đâu bằng nhà.” Câu nói này phản ánh một ước ao sâu xa trong chúng ta đó là có một nơi để nghỉ ngơi, để là mình và để thuộc về. Chúa Jêsus đã nói về ao ước này khi nói về sự chết và sự sống lại sắp đến của Ngài sau bữa tối cuối cùng với các môn đệ. Ngài hứa rằng mặc dù Ngài phải đi, nhưng Ngài sẽ trở lại để đón họ. Và Ngài sẽ chuẩn bị một chỗ cho họ—một nơi ở. Một quê hương.

Ngài chuẩn bị chỗ này cho họ—và cho chúng ta—bằng cách làm trọn những đòi hỏi của luật pháp Đức Chúa Trời khi chết trên thập tự giá dù Ngài vô tội. Ngài quả quyết với các môn đệ rằng nếu Ngài sẵn sàng chịu khổ để ban cho họ nơi ở này thì Ngài chắc chắn sẽ trở lại đón họ và không để họ cô đơn. Họ không cần phải sợ hãi hay lo lắng về cuộc sống của mình, dù ở dưới đất hay trên trời.

Chúng ta có thể được an ủi và đảm bảo từ lời của Chúa Jêsus, vì chúng ta tin và trông cậy rằng Ngài đã cung ứng một chỗ ở cho chúng ta; Ngài ngự trong chúng ta (xem Giăng 14:23); và Ngài đi trước để chuẩn bị nhà trên trời cho chúng ta. Dù chúng ta đang sống trong căn nhà thế nào trên đất này thì chúng ta cũng đều thuộc về Chúa Jêsus, tình yêu Ngài gìn giữ chúng ta và sự bình an Ngài bao phủ chúng ta. Không gì tuyệt vời hơn khi được sống với Ngài.

Lạy Chúa Jêsus Christ, nếu khi nào chúng con thấy mình là người không nơi nương tựa, xin nhắc chúng con nhớ rằng Ngài là nơi ở của chúng con. Nguyện chúng con chia sẻ đặc ân thuộc về Ngài này cho mọi người chúng con gặp.

Chúa Jêsus chuẩn bị một chỗ ở đời đời cho chúng ta.

bởi Amy Boucher Pye

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - En casa con Jesús

Leer: Juan 14:1-4 | La Biblia en un año: 2 Samuel 1–2; Lucas 14:1-24

… me voy y preparo un lugar para vosotros… (v. 3 LBLA).

«No hay lugar como el hogar». Esta frase refleja un anhelo profundo de tener un lugar para descansar, para estar y al cual pertenecer. Jesús habló de este deseo de echar raíces cuando, después de haber cenado por última vez con sus amigos, mencionó su inminente muerte y resurrección. Prometió que, aunque se iría, volvería a buscarlos. Además, les prepararía un lugar… un lugar donde vivir. Un hogar.

Pudo hacer este lugar para ellos (y para nosotros) al cumplir con los requisitos de la ley de Dios, cuando murió en la cruz como el hombre sin pecado. Les aseguró a sus discípulos que, si se tomaba el trabajo de crear este hogar, por supuesto que volvería a buscarlos y no los dejaría solos. No tenían por qué temer ni preocuparse por sus vidas, ya fuera en la Tierra o en el cielo.

Podemos encontrar consuelo y seguridad en las palabras de Jesús porque creemos y confiamos en que Él se nos adelantó para prepararnos un hogar celestial y que vivirá con nosotros (ver Juan 14:23). No importa en qué clase de lugar físico vivamos, nuestro hogar está con Jesús, su amor nos sostiene y su paz nos rodea. Con Él, no hay lugar como el hogar.

Señor, si alguna vez nos sentimos desamparados, recuérdanos que tú eres nuestro hogar. Que podamos compartir este sentido de pertenencia con los demás.

Jesús nos prepara un lugar para vivir eternamente.

Por Amy Boucher Pye

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Zuhause mit Jesus

Lesen: Johannes 14,1-4 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 2.Samuel 1–2; Lukas 14,1-24

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Ich gehe hin, euch die Stätte zu bereiten. Johannes 14,2

„Zuhause ist es am Schönsten.“ Der Satz zeugt von der tiefen Sehnsucht des Menschen nach einem Ort der Ruhe, an dem er einfach sein kann, an den er hingehört. Jesus sprach diesen Wunsch nach einem Verwurzeltsein an, als er mit seinen Freunden die letzte gemeinsame Mahlzeit eingenommen hatte und von seinem bevorstehenden Tod und seiner Auferstehung sprach. Er versprach, dass er für sie wiederkommen würde, auch wenn er jetzt erst einmal fortging. Und er würde einen Ort für sie vorbereiten—eine Wohnung. Ein Zuhause.

Er hat diesen Ort für sie—und für uns—geschaffen, indem er die Forderungen des göttlichen Gesetzes erfüllte und als Sündloser am Kreuz starb. Er versicherte seinen Jüngern, dass er, wenn er sich schon die Mühe machte, eine Wohnung für sie vorzubereiten, natürlich auch zurückkommen und sie nicht allein lassen würde. Sie brauchten keine Angst zu haben und um ihr Leben fürchten, weder auf der Erde noch im Himmel.

Wir können aus Jesu Worten Trost und Gewissheit schöpfen, denn auch wir glauben und vertrauen, dass er ein Zuhause für uns schafft. Ja, er will sogar in uns wohnen (siehe Joh. 14,23). Aber er ist auch vorausgegangen, um uns eine Heimat im Himmel vorzubereiten. Egal, wo wir leben und wohnen, wir gehören zu Jesus, werden von seiner Liebe gehalten und sind von seinem Frieden umgeben. Bei ihm ist es immer am Schönsten.

Herr Jesus Christus, wenn wir uns heimatlos fühlen, erinnere uns daran, dass du unser Zuhause bist. Und lass uns dies Gefühl der Geborgenheit mit anderen teilen.

Jesus bereitet eine Wohnung für uns vor, in der wir immer bleiben dürfen.

Von Amy Boucher Pye

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - À la maison avec Jésus

Lisez : Jean 14.1‑4 | La Bible en un an : 2 SAMUEL 1 – 2 et LUC 14.1‑24

Je m'en serai allé, et [...] je vous aurai préparé une place. V.3

On n’est jamais mieux que chez‑soi. » Cette expression reflète une soif profonde en nous, qui nous pousse à désirer ardemment avoir un lieu où nous reposer, où vivre et auquel appartenir. Après avoir partagé un dernier repas avec ses amis, Jésus a parlé de sa mort et de sa résurrection imminentes en évoquant le désir d’être enraciné quelque part. Il a promis que, même s’il était sur le point de les quitter, il reviendrait les chercher, sans compter qu’il leur préparerait une place dans la maison du Père, où tous seraient donc chez eux.

Il a préparé cette place pour eux — et pour nous — en répondant aux exigences de la loi de Dieu par sa mort sur la croix en tant qu’homme n’ayant jamais péché. Il a assuré à ses disciples que, s’il s’est donné toute cette peine, il reviendra forcément les chercher et ne les laissera pas seuls. Ils n’avaient nul besoin de craindre pour leur vie, ni sur la terre ni au ciel.

Nous pouvons puiser consolation et assurance dans les paroles de Jésus, car nous savons pertinemment : qu’il nous prépare une place où nous serons chez nous ; qu’il habite en nous (Voir JN 14.23) ; qu’il nous a devancés afin de nous préparer cette place céleste. Ainsi, quel que soit le lieu physique où nous vivons ici‑bas, il n’en demeure pas moins que nous sommes destinés à vivre auprès de Jésus, soutenus par son amour et entourés de sa paix. En lui, aucun chez‑nous ne vaut le toit de notre Père céleste.

Jésus nous prépare une place où nous vivrons pour toujours.

par Amy Boucher Pye

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Вдома з Ісусом

Читати: Івана 14:1-4 | Біблія за рік: 2 Самуїлова 1−2 ; Луки 14:1-24

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А коли відійду й приготую вам місце, Я знову прийду й заберу вас до Себе... — Івана 14:3

“Ніщо не замінить рідну домівку!” Ця фраза відображає глибоко вкорінене бажання мати місце, де можна спочити, де на тебе чекають. Про бажання мати свою оселю Ісус згадував у колі Своїх друзів після останньої з ними вечері, коли попереджав їх про наближення Своєї смерті й про воскресіння. Він пообіцяв, що хоча й залишить їх, але одного дня повернеться за ними. А поки що піде приготувати їм оселю – місце вічного перебування з Ним. Небесну домівку.

Цю оселю для Своїх учнів і всіх нас Ісус приготував тим, що спочатку виконав усі вимоги Божого Закону, а потім умер безгрішним на хресті. Він запевнив Своїх учнів, що якщо перетерпить усе заради створення небесної оселі для них, то неодмінно повернеться за ними і вже ніколи не полишить їх самих. Отже, учням не потрібно було боятися або непокоїтись за своє життя чи то на землі, чи то на небі.

Ці слова Ісуса можуть стати для нас джерелом великої втіхи і впевненості, адже ми віримо, що Він готує для нас домівку. Пам’ятаймо, що в наших серцях Він також створив Собі оселю (Ів. 14:23). Господь пішов попереду нас на небо, щоб там приготувати нам місце. Яку б домівку ми не мали тут, на землі, ми належимо Ісусу. Він підтримує нас Своєю любов’ю, огортає Своїм миром. З Ним маємо рідну оселю, яку ніщо не замінить.

Господи Ісусе Христе, якщо ми інколи почуваємося безхатніми, нагадуй нам, що у Тебе є наша рідна оселя. Навчи це почуття приналежності Тобі нести всім, кого зустрічаємо.

Ісус готує нам місце для вічного життя.

Автор Емі Бушер Пай

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Дома с Иисусом

Читать сейчас: Иоанна 14:1-4 | Библия за год: 2 Царств 1-2; Луки 14:1-24

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«Я иду приготовить место вам». — Иоанна 14:2

В гостях хорошо, а дома лучше. Эта пословица отражает глубоко укоренившееся в нас желание иметь постоянное место покоя, надежное пристанище. Спаситель обратился к этому основополагающему желанию человека, когда после вечери с учениками сообщил им о Своей приближающейся смерти и последующем воскресении. Он пообещал апостолам, что, хотя Ему нужно теперь уйти, Он вновь вернется за ними. А перед этим приготовит для них вечные обители в доме Небесного Отца.

Он создал это место покоя для них и для нас, исполнив требования Божьего закона, когда умер на кресте как безгрешная жертва. Он заверил учеников, что не оставит их сиротами и придет к ним. Им не следовало бояться или переживать за свою жизнь, будь то на земле или на небе.

Вместе с ними мы также можем обрести утешение и уверенность в словах Господа, потому что верим, что Он готовит дом на небесах, куда в Свое время нас введет. Но библейская идея дома со Христом этим не ограничивается. Кроме небесных обителей, Он еще созидает Свой дом в нас самих (см. Ин. 14:23). Где бы ни жили, мы принадлежим Иисусу Христу, устроены Его любовью и окружены Его миром. С Ним – повсюду дом.

Господь Иисус Христос, если мы почувствуем себя вырванными из родного дома, напомни сердцу, что Ты – наш дом. Помоги говорить о Твоих обителях со всеми, кого мы встречаем.

Иисус готовит нам место для вечной жизни.

автор: Эми Бушер Пай

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Readings for SUNDAY, April 16, 2017 - Easter Sunday - The Resurrection of Our Lord

THE INTROIT

Alleluia! Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.

(Psalm 139:18, 5, 6)

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 Jeremiah 31:1-6

“At that time, declares the Lord, I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they shall be my people.” Thus says the Lord: “The people who survived the sword    found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers. Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant and shall enjoy the fruit. For there shall be a day when watchmen will call in the hill country of Ephraim: ‘Arise, and let us go up to Zion, to the Lord our God.’”

Psalms

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
1   Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his mercy endures for ever.
2   Let Israel now proclaim, "His mercy endures for ever."
14   The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.
15   There is a sound of exultation and victory in the tents of the righteous:
16   The right hand of the LORD has triumphed! the right hand of the LORD is exalted! the right hand of the LORD has triumphed!
17   I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
18   The LORD has punished me sorely, but he did not hand me over to death.
19   Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter them; I will offer thanks to the LORD.
20   This is the gate of the LORD; he who is righteous may enter.
21   I will give thanks to you, for you answered me and have become my salvation.
22   The same stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
23   This is the LORD'S doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24   On this day the LORD has acted; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from Colossians 3:1-4

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in Matthew 28:1-10

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

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

The Apostle's 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, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

A Prayer for Sundays

O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

A Prayer for Mission

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. 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.

EASTER SUNDAY, April 16, 2017 - "The Resurrection of Our Lord"

Alleluia! Christ is risen.

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:1-10, ESV)

"The Resurrection of Our Lord"

Quite a text! To read this text and to think of all we do to celebrate Easter, there has got to be more to the story than meets the eye. The story comes off a little flat. Women coming to the tomb and you wonder if they only intended to view the grave from a distance, remember their teacher, tell a few stories and then go back remembering the good times of the past for what they were, events of the past. Done and only to be remembered.

There is a touch of defeat in the story. Maybe Pilate was correct, the dead Jesus was going to be kept dead. These are people living in fear, people who feared the worst, people with little hope. There seems to be little reason to hope. Just one more day following after the horrors of the weekend – betrayal, denial, abandonment and death.

Matthew’s Easter story is a story for people who know fear. People, when they feel the earth shake imagine doom and despair. It is a story for fearful people who look at a grave and only see an end to life. It is hard not to conclude that death is winning – read the story.

If this is a story for people who know fear, it is a story for us. We know fear. Death is all around us. People we love are dying, violence forces us to be fearful in our own community. Nations all around the world are torn by terrorism and war and the oceans no longer insulate us from such events. This is a story for people, who think that death, and fear, and sadness are more reliable than life, and joy, and hope.

Matthew knows about fear and it is to this fear that Matthew speaks. Yes, there is an earthquake but this is the apocalyptic earthquake of God entering into our world of fear. God bringing about the ultimately decisive event for human history – the one who came into the world to save the world from sin, death and fear, has completed his work.

Death, which has bound humanity for all time, is no longer in charge.

The words of the angel and the words of Jesus are words for us, “Do not be afraid.” The earth shakes but it is not about hopelessness and despair, but about God who enters the world to make things right, to give us hope.

We do not celebrate a faith that is centered at the shrine of an grave but we celebrate and live a resurrection faith. A resurrection faith that does not depend on evidence but on the experience of a risen Christ. A Christ who goes before us into a world of fear but fear that no longer paralyzes, no longer a fear with the power to destroy.

This is a faith that expects us not to stay at the tomb and wonder and remember. It is a faith that leads us into the future, following one who goes before us. He is the one, as the angel said, “going ahead of you into Galilee.” Galilee, the key word for Matthew referring to the place where the people who did not know God were found.

A resurrection faith seeks to share the love of God with those who have not experienced God’s love. Such a faith looks to others rather being caught up in the commemoration of an event or a place. Salvation has been accomplished, Christ is arisen, let the world know. Let go of the fear that holds you, follow the one who goes before you.

Matthew was right, for those who need tangible proof, there is precious little. It is easier to live lives diminished by fear. We are tempted to build lives which we can control because then we can be sure. But Jesus invites us to meet him in Galilee, the future that only he can see. Galilee, where there is no shortage of things to be afraid of, yet a place where Jesus goes on before us.

When many of us were small we learned the bedtime prayer,

“Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I should die before I wake
I pray the Lord my soul to take.”

Mike Slaughter reminded me of that prayer. He writes,

Do you remember praying that? Death and all that stuff was scary. But we knew God was big enough to hold us, didn’t we? When we went to bed, we didn’t lack fear. There were monsters under the bed, and bigger monsters in the closet! But we weren’t like adults. We went to sleep knowing that God was big enough to care for us.

Matthew ends his Easter story with some fearful women coming to a tomb while the men hunkered down in fear elsewhere. It is into this group of paralyzed and fearful people that Jesus comes with the words, “do not be afraid, I go before you.” These are the words for us today also, “do not be afraid, I go before you.” Following these words he gives us our mission,

“All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.”

Tell people what it is like to experience the love of God and invite them to experience the same love of God in their lives. Lives which are so full of fear – but fear which need not paralyze and destroy.

Jesus leaves us with those powerful words, “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This is the resurrection faith we live today. This is the resurrection hope that turns the cross from a means of death into a means of life. This is the faith that allows us to move into the future facing fear knowing that Jesus is alive, and goes on before us.

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen

Alleluia! Christ is risen.

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The New Revised Standard Version Bible may be quoted and/or reprinted up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without express written permission of the publisher, provided the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible or account for fifty percent (50%) of the total work in which they are quoted. Sermon shared by Roger Haugen on Mar 28, 2002.

Prayer of the Day - Sunday, April 16, 2017 - Easter Sunday

O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Verse of the Day - April 16, 2017 - Easter Sunday

Romans 13:8 (NIV) [Love Fulfills the Law] Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.

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.

Un Dia a la Vez - Día de testimonio

Cristo nos libertó para que vivamos en libertad. Por lo tanto, manténganse firmes y no se sometan nuevamente al yugo de esclavitud.
Gálatas 5:1, NVI

Mientras escribía el devocional anterior, mi Dios, que es tan lindo, me permitió tener otra vivencia para que se las relatara a ustedes. No lo hago porque me sucediera a mí, sino para reconocer la grandeza de nuestro Padre. Y también para testificar que cuando en verdad decidimos entregar toda nuestra vida en sus manos, Él nos honra y nos bendice.

La historia que quiero contarles es de una chica que me llamó para decirme que desde hacía varios meses tenía pensado quitarse la vida debido a sus muchos problemas. Entonces, llamó a nuestro programa radial y, gracias a Dios, pudimos ayudarla, tranquilizarla y ubicarla de modo que recibiera el apoyo necesario.

Hoy, dándole las gracias a Dios, me llamó para decir que me escucha todos los días, que está tranquila, trabajando y que vive con su mami. Además, está asistiendo a un grupo de oración y apoyo, y en estos momentos espera con ilusión su tercer hijo. De las muchas cosas lindas que me contó, me llenó de alegría cuando dijo: «De lo que sí estoy segura por completo es que no vuelvo a las drogas. Dios me liberó y me quitó el deseo. Ahora, al mirar atrás, veo el tiempo que perdí no estando con mis hijas y el dinero que gasté en las drogas».

Las dos le dimos muchas gracias a Dios por este hermoso testimonio que, una vez más, nos muestra que no hay circunstancia que Él no pueda cambiar. Hoy es tu oportunidad.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón.

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

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

Romans 8:35f, 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 “danger.”

Dr. Paul Negrut pastored the largest Baptist church in Europe which is located in Oradea, Romania. He served the church faithfully under the cruel Ceaucescu regime and often suffered personal mistreatment.

He shared with our Open Doors leaders that the most difficult time he remembers was a night he returned home rejoicing after a very successful evangelistic crusade. But when he walked in the house, he saw his wife weeping and his nine-year-old daughter was trembling. Through her tears his wife shared that when their daughter was coming home from school that day, the Securitate (Romanian secret police) tried to rape her to destroy her and the family.

Paul said, “That night I was in a great struggle. For the first time I was thinking to emigrate from Romania. I asked the Lord, ‘Should I leave the blessing of suffering or should I endure to see my girl like that?’

“I talked to my wife and after prayer, we chose to stay. Two days later they tried to rape our daughter again. And two days later they tried to rape my wife. But every time God was protecting them in a miraculous way.”

Today Dr. Paul Negrut is the pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Oradea and the Chancellor of Emmanuel Baptist University. Dr. Negrut weathered the days of communism in Romania and rose to great influence when the Iron Curtain came down. He was offered a job with the new democratic government in a free Romania, but turned it down believing that serving the Lord was a higher calling. Emmanuel University and the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Oradea are known throughout Europe. The university trains people from all over Romania and many other parts of the world.

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

PRAYER: Help me remember, Lord, that You are there in the midst of all my troubles.