LHM Daily Devotion - April 19, 2017 "The Path"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

"The Path"

April 19, 2017

... But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  - Philippians 3:13b-14, ESV

In the Middle Ages, if you wanted to get closer to the Lord, had a small fortune, and a few years during which you weren't doing anything, you made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Average people who couldn't afford such an investment of time and money walked a different path: the Camino de Santiago.

Although the trek is known by many names, every path ends up at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in the Spanish city of Galicia. Even today, the traditional, final resting place of the apostle, James the Greater, is a popular destination for cyclists, hikers, and present-day pilgrims.

Resurrection Sunday, two years ago, Denise Thiem of Arizona, was making that walk. She had quit her job at PetSmart's headquarters and set aside 90 days to make her solo hike.

It was an adventure Thiem never finished, and there is a reason why.

The reason is not that Thiem's feet couldn't take the strain; nor was it because she was not physically up to the walk. She was. It was not the water; it was not the weather; it was not that she ran out of time.

No, the reason Thiem never finished her journey was because she was misled by a fake trail marker -- a marker which had been set up by Miguel Munoz. Anybody who followed that marker was directed away from the saintly path and toward the small farm of Munoz.

Thiem followed Munoz's marker.

Munoz ambushed the 41-year-old woman, robbed her, beat her, murdered her, and buried her.

Eventually, Thiem was missed. The police discovered Munoz's deception and the shallow grave in which he had tried to cover his crime. He was tried and two weeks ago; a jury found him guilty of murder. As of this writing, the judge has not yet pronounced the punishment.

A tragic story? Absolutely. It is made even more so when one realizes that story is repeated numerous times every day.

No, I don't mean there are multitudes of individuals being mugged and murdered somewhere on a path in Spain. I do mean there are a great many who make a good start toward heaven but, somewhere along the way, someone misleads them. Rather than remaining faithful to the route the Lord has set down in His Word, they are seduced by shaky, second-rate human wisdom.

And they never get to their destination.

Far better to follow Paul's example and press on to the goal God has given. Following the Savior, trusting in His blood-bought forgiveness, and relying upon the Holy Spirit and the Word, we shall unerringly reach the goal God has graciously prepared.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, keep me safe on the path that leads to heaven. Let me trust You and reject the false pathways laid out by those who would deceive us. This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen

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

CPTLN Devocional de 19 de Abril de 2017

Alimento Diario

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Mejor de lo esperado

19 de Abril 2017

Hoy, en la ciudad de David, les ha nacido un Salvador, que es Cristo el Señor. Esto les servirá de señal: Hallarán al niño envuelto en pañales y acostado en un pesebre. Lucas 2:11-12, RVC

James Marshall estaba construyendo un aserradero en California cuando descubrió oro.

De acuerdo a la cadena de noticias CNN, en un mercado de pulgas una persona (que quiere permanecer anónima) compró un cuadro de una flor. Aparentemente, los $10 que gastó resultaron ser una muy buena inversión.

¿Cuán buena? Al parecer, al igual que James Marshall, esta persona "encontró oro".

Resulta ser que, cuando sacó la foto del marco, encontró un manuscrito de la canción patriótica "América". Dicha canción, escrita en 1831 por Samuel Francis Smith, fue designada para ayudar a las escuelas a inspirar e instruir a los niños. Cantada con la melodía familiar de "Dios Salve a la Reina" (del Reino Unido), fue ejecutada por primera vez el 4 de julio de ese mismo año en la Primer Iglesia Bautista en Newton, Massachussets.

Y ese manuscrito, ¿será que es una falsificación? Varios expertos dicen que no. Si están en lo cierto, ese trozo de papel podría valer decenas de miles de dólares.

Me hubiera gustado que esta historia hubiera sucedido en la época de navidad, ya que hay muchos paralelos entre ella y la visita de los pastores al Salvador.

En primer lugar, algo que ha sido pasado por alto puede ser de mucho valor. Por ejemplo, la llegada del Salvador al mundo fue prácticamente inadvertida y su tan esperada venida pasó casi desapercibida. Pero lo que Jesús logró con su vida, sufrimiento, muerte y resurrección, hace que para las almas pecadoras sea más precioso que el oro.

Eso es lo que Pablo estaba tratando de comunicar cuando escribió: "En él (Jesucristo) tenemos la redención por medio de su sangre, el perdón de los pecados según las riquezas de su gracia, la cual desbordó sobre nosotros en toda sabiduría y entendimiento..." (Efesios 1:7-8).

Las riquezas de su gracia. Por gracia somos salvos. Por gracia somos adoptados en la familia de la fe de Dios. Por gracia recibimos vida eterna. Todo por gracia.

Gracia que es mejor que el oro o cualquier manuscrito antiguo.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, gracias por los dones que nos das y que muchas veces no vemos o no reconocemos. Perdónanos por nuestra falta de visión y ayúdanos a comprender cada vez más quién es Jesús y lo que él ha hecho por nosotros. En su nombre. Amén

© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones.

Our Daily Bread - Sweet Scent

Read: 2 Corinthians 2:14–16 | Bible in a Year: 2 Samuel 6–8; Luke 15:1–10

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Thanks be to God, who . . . uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. 2 Corinthians 2:14

Author Rita Snowden tells a delightful story about visiting a small village in Dover, England. Sitting outside a café one afternoon enjoying a cup of tea, she became aware of a beautiful scent. Rita asked a waiter where it was coming from, and was told it was the people she could see passing by. Most of the villagers were employed at a nearby perfume factory. As they walked home, they carried the fragrance that permeated their clothes out into the street.

What a beautiful image of the Christian life! As the apostle Paul says, we are the aroma of Christ, spreading His fragrance everywhere (2 Cor. 2:15). Paul uses the image of a king returning from battle, his soldiers and captives in tow, wafting the smell of celebratory incense in the air, declaring the king’s greatness (v. 14).

We spread the aroma of Christ in two ways. First, through our words: telling others about the One who is beautiful. Second, through our lives: doing deeds of Christlike sacrifice (Eph. 5:1–2). While not everyone will appreciate the divine fragrance we share, it will bring life to many.

Rita Snowden caught a scent and was driven to seek its source. As we follow Jesus we too become permeated with His fragrance, and we carry His aroma into the streets through our words and deeds.

Lord Jesus, make us carriers and communicators of Your beauty to the people in our homes, offices, and neighborhoods.

We are the aroma of Christ to others.

By Sheridan Voysey

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Hương Thơm Ngọt Ngào

Đọc: Thi Thiên 148:1-6 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: 2 Sa-mu-ên 6-8; Lu-ca 15:1-10

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Tạ ơn Đức Chúa Trời, là Đấng... làm cho hương thơm về sự hiểu biết Ngài lan tỏa khắp nơi. 2 Cô-rinh-tô 2:14

Tác giả Rita Snowden kể một câu chuyện thú vị về chuyến thăm một ngôi làng ở Dover, Anh quốc. Một chiều nọ khi đang ngồi ngoài quán cà phê để thưởng thức một tách trà, cô ngửi thấy một mùi hương rất dễ chịu. Rita hỏi người phục vụ là mùi hương đó tỏa ra từ đâu, và được trả lời là từ những người dân đi ngang qua đó. Hầu hết người dân ở đây đều làm việc tại xưởng sản xuất nước hoa gần đó. Khi đi làm về, họ mang theo mùi hương quyện trong áo quần lan tỏa khắp đường phố.

Thật là một hình ảnh đẹp cho cuộc đời Cơ Đốc nhân! Như sứ đồ Phao-lô nói, chúng ta là hương thơm của Đấng Christ, lan tỏa hương thơm ấy khắp mọi nơi (2 Cô-rinh-tô 2:15). Phao-lô sử dụng hình ảnh vị vua trở về từ chiến trường, kéo theo quân lính và phu tù, thoảng mùi hương chiến thắng trong không gian, công bố sự vĩ đại của vị vua đó (c.14).

Theo Phao-lô, chúng ta rải mùi hương của Đấng Christ ra bằng hai cách. Thứ nhất, chúng ta rải qua lời nói của mình: nói cho người khác biết về một Đấng vô cùng tuyệt vời. Thứ hai, qua đời sống chúng ta: sống hy sinh như Đấng Christ đã sống (Ê-phê-sô 5:1-2). Dù không phải ai cũng trân trọng hương thơm thiên thượng mà chúng ta chia sẻ, nhưng hương thơm ấy sẽ đem lại sự sống cho nhiều người.

Rita Snowden đã ngửi thấy mùi hương và được thúc giục để tìm xem mùi hương ấy tỏa ra từ đâu. Khi chúng ta theo Chúa Jêsus, chúng ta cũng thấm nhuần mùi hương của Ngài, và chúng ta mang hương thơm ấy vào mọi nẻo đường qua lời nói và việc làm của mình.

Lạy Chúa Jêsus, xin khiến con trở nên người mang vẻ đẹp của Ngài và truyền vẻ đẹp ấy đến những người trong gia đình, nơi công sở, và xóm giềng của chúng con.

Chúng ta là hương thơm của Đấng Christ lan tỏa đến tha nhân.

bởi Sheridan Voysey

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Grato olor

Leer: 2 Corintios 2:14-16 | La Biblia en un año: 2 Samuel 6–8; Lucas 15:1-10

Mas a Dios gracias, el cual […] por medio de nosotros manifiesta […] el olor de su conocimiento.… (v. 14).

La escritora Rita Snowden cuenta que, una tarde, sentada afuera de un café en Dover, Inglaterra, mientras disfrutaba una taza de té, sintió un aroma delicioso. Rita le preguntó al mesero de dónde venía, y este respondió que era la gente que pasaba. La mayoría de los pueblerinos trabajaban en una fábrica cercana de perfume. Cuando regresaban a su casa, llevaban a la calle la fragancia que les impregnaba la ropa.

¡Qué hermosa imagen de la vida cristiana! Como dice el apóstol Pablo, somos el grato olor de Cristo, y llevamos su fragancia a todas partes (2 Corintios 2:15). Pablo usa la imagen de un rey que regresa de la batalla emanando el aroma celebrador del incienso por el aire, para declarar su grandeza (v. 14).

Según Pablo, esparcimos el aroma de Cristo de dos maneras. Primero, a través de nuestras palabras; cuando hablamos sobre nuestro hermoso Señor. Segundo, con nuestra vida; al hacer obras de sacrificio como el de Cristo (Efesios 5:1-2). Aunque no todos aprecien la fragancia divina que emanamos, será como una esencia de vida para muchos.

Snowden captó un aroma y quiso conocer su fuente. Cuando seguimos a Jesús, nosotros también quedamos impregnados de su fragancia, y llevamos su aroma a las calles a través de nuestras palabras y obras.

Señor, que podamos llevar y comunicar tu belleza a los demás.

Somos el aroma de Cristo para los demás.

Por Sheridan Voysey

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Süßer Duft

Lesen: 2.Korinther 2,14-16 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 2.Samuel 6–8; Lukas 15,1-10

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Gott aber sei gedankt, der . . . offenbart den Wohlgeruch seiner Erkenntnis durch uns an allen Orten. 2.Korinther 2,14

Die Autorin Rita Snowden erzählte einmal von ihrem Besuch in einem kleinen Dorf bei Dover in England. Als sie vor einem Café saß und ihren Nachmittagstee trank, fiel ihr ein angenehmer Duft auf. Sie fragte die Bedienung, wo er herkam, und erfuhr, dass er von den vorbeigehenden Passanten rührte. Die meisten Dorfbewohner arbeiteten in der nahen Parfümfabrik. Wenn sie heimgingen, hing der Duft noch in ihren Kleidern und sie trugen ihn hinaus auf die Straße.

Was für ein Bild für das Leben des Christen! Wie der Apostel Paulus sagt, sind wir ein Wohlgeruch Christi und verbreiten seinen Duft überall (2.Kor. 2,15). Paulus gebraucht das Bild von einem König, der vom Kampf heimkehrt, Soldaten und Gefangene im Schlepptau. Mit Weihrauch wird der Sieg gefeiert und der König bejubelt (V.14).

Paulus sagt, wir verbreiten den Wohlgeruch Christi auf zweierlei Weise. Einmal durch unsere Worte, indem wir anderen von unserem großen Gott erzählen. Dann aber auch durch unser Leben, indem wir zum Opfer bereit sind wie Jesus (Eph. 5,1-2). Auch wenn der göttliche Duft, den wir verbreiten, nicht jedem gefallen wird, wird er doch vielen Leben bringen.

Rita Snowden bemerkte einen Duft und wollte wissen, woher er kam. Wenn wir Jesus folgen, wird sein Duft auch uns einhüllen und wir können ihn durch unsere Worte und Taten in die Straßen tragen.

Herr Jesus, mach uns zu Trägern und Vermittlern deiner Schönheit für die Menschen bei uns zuhause, im Büro und der Nachbarschaft.

Wir sind für andere ein Wohlgeruch Christi.

Von Sheridan Voyse

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - D’une bonne odeur

Lisez : 2 Corinthiens 2.14‑16 | La Bible en un an : 2 SAMUEL 6 – 8 et LUC 15.1‑10

Grâces soient rendues à Dieu, qui [...] répand par nous en tout lieu l'odeur de la connaissance ! V.14

L’auteur Rita Snowden raconte la merveilleuse histoire de la visite qu’elle a faite d’un petit village des environs de Douvres, en Angleterre. Assise à la terrasse d’un café en train de savourer une tasse de thé un après‑midi, elle a soudain humé une bonne odeur. Rita a alors demandé au garçon d’où elle venait, et celui‑ci lui a répondu qu’elle venait des gens qui passaient par là. La plupart des villageois travaillaient dans une parfumerie du coin. En rentrant à la maison, ils emportaient dans la rue la fragrance qui avait imprégné leurs vêtements.

Quelle superbe image de la vie chrétienne ! Comme le dit l’apôtre Paul, nous sommes la bonne odeur de Christ, qui se répand partout (2 CO 2.15). Paul emploie l’image d’un roi qui rentre d’une bataille, suivi de ses soldats et de ses prisonniers, exhalant le parfum de la victoire et déclarant la grandeur du roi (V. 14).

Selon Paul, nous répandons la bonne odeur de Christ de deux façons. Premièrement, par nos paroles : en parlant de celui qui est la beauté personnifiée. Deuxièmement, par notre vie : en agissant à l’exemple du sacrifice de Christ (ÉP 5.1,2). Bien que tous n’aimeront pas le parfum que nous exhalons, reste qu’il apportera la vie à un grand nombre de gens.

Rita Snowden a humé une senteur qui l’a poussée à en chercher la source. En suivant Jésus, nous en prenons aussi la fragrance, que nous emportons dans la rue par nos paroles et nos actions.

Nous répandons l’arôme de Christ autour de nous.

par Sheridan Voysey

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Пахощі

Читати: 2 Коринтян 2:14-16 | Біблія за рік: 2 Самуїлова 6−8 ; Луки 15:1-10

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А Богові подяка, що… запашність знання про Себе через нас виявляє на всякому місці! — 2 Коринтян 2:14

Авторка Ріта Сноуден розповідає чудову історію про те, як колись відвідала одне маленьке містечко в Дуврі (Англія). Якось після обіду вона сиділа біля кав’ярні, насолоджуючись чашкою чаю. Аж раптом відчула чудовий аромат. Вона запитала офіціанта, звідки йдуть ті пахощі, і той пояснив їй – що від людей, які проходять повз. Більшість жителів містечка працювали на парфумерній фабриці неподалік. І коли вони повертались додому, то розносили вулицями запахи, що просякли їхній одяг.

Яка чудова ілюстрація християнського життя! Апостол Павло писав, що “Христова запашність” розповсюджується усюди (2 Кор. 2:15). Апостол описує тріумфальний хід царя, що повертається з переможного походу. Йдуть воїни… низка бранців. А в повітрі відчувається аромат фіміаму, що його кадять на честь царя-переможця (2 Кор. 2:14).

Павло вказує, що нести Христову запашність можна двома шляхами. Перший спосіб – наші слова, коли ми розповідаємо іншим про Ісуса. Другий спосіб – наше життя, коли наші діла відображають Христа і стають, таким чином, “даром і жертвою” Богу (Еф. 5:1-2). Хоча далеко не кожному сподобається аромат, що ми несемо, але багатьом він принесе життя.

Якщо слідуємо за Ісусом, Його “аромат” просякає нас, і ми несемо цю “запашність” іншим через свої слова й діла.

Господи Ісусе, зроби нас носіями та провідниками Твоєї краси для людей в наших домах, офісах та вулицях.

Ми – запашність Христова для інших людей.

Автор Шерідан Войсі

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Благоухание

Читать сейчас: 2 Коринфянам 2:14-16 | Библия за год: 2 Царств 6-8; Луки 15:1-10

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Благодарение Богу, Который... благоухание познания о Себе распространяет нами во всяком месте. — 2 Коринфянам 2:14

Писательница Рита Сноуден рассказывает очаровательную историю о посещении небольшой деревушки в Англии. Сидя после обеда возле кафе с чашкой чая, она вдруг почувствовала в воздухе изумительный аромат. Рита поинтересовалась у официанта, что это такое. Тот ответил, что пахнут люди, проходящие мимо кафе. Большинство жителей деревушки работали на парфюмерной фабрике, расположенной неподалеку. Когда они шли с работы, запах, пропитавший их одежду, разносился в воздухе.

Какая прекрасная иллюстрация христианской жизни! Как говорит апостол Павел, мы – благоухание Христово, распространяющее во всяком месте познание о Нем (2 Кор. 2:14-15). Павел обращается к церемонии возвращения царя после победы над врагами. Его воины, а также захваченные пленники чувствовали в воздухе запах благовоний, возвещавших величие царства.

Согласно Павлу мы распространяем благоухание Христово двумя способами. Во-первых, мы распространяем его словесно, рассказывая людям о Спасителе. А во-вторых, мы это делаем своей жизнью, совершая дела, отражающие Христову жертвенность (Еф. 5:1-2). Хотя не все оценят божественный аромат, многим он принесет жизнь.

Рита Сноуден уловила запах и захотела найти его источник. Следуя за Христом, мы также пропитаемся Его благоуханием и понесем его в мир своими словами и делами.

Господь Иисус, сделай нас носителями Твоей красоты там, где мы живем, работаем или оказываемся случайно.

Мы – Христово благоухание для людей.

автор: Шеридан Войси

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for TUESDAY, April 18, 2017 - Easter Tuesday

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

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

The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from  Isaiah 30:18-21

Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. Truly, O people in Zion, inhabitants of Jerusalem, you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when he hears it, he will answer you. Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself any more, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

Psalms

Psalm 33:18-22
18   Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon those who fear him, on those who wait upon his love,
19   To pluck their lives from death, and to feed them in time of famine.
20   Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
21   Indeed, our heart rejoices in him, for in his holy Name we put our trust.
22   Let your loving-kindness, O LORD, be upon us, as we have put our trust in you.

The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from Acts 2:36-41

Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him." And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.

The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in John 20:11-18

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord" and she told them that he had said these things to her.

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, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that we, who have been raised with him, may abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever. Amen

A Prayer 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

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

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia!
Thanks be to God! Alleluia, 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.

Daily Prayer - Tuesday, April 18, 2017 - Easter Tuesday

O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that we, who have been raised with him, may abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever. Amen

Verse of the Day - April 18, 2017 - Easter Tuesday

Romans 10:9-10 (NIV) If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Read all of Romans 10

Listen to Romans 10

Listen to Romans 10Holy 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 - "Jesus and the Skeptic"

Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing."

—John 20:27 (NKJV)

After Jesus rose from the dead, the Bible tell us that “He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen” (Mark 16:14).

These disciples, hearing of the risen Lord appearing to Mary, did not believe. The most vocal of the bunch was Thomas. He said, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25).

Eight days later, when the disciples (including Thomas) were meeting behind locked doors, Jesus showed up. And He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” (verse 27). To Thomas’ credit, he declared, “My Lord and my God!” (verse 28). That day, Thomas the skeptic became Thomas the believer.

God can take a skeptical person and turn him or her into a believer. How do I know? Because He did it for me. There was no person more skeptical than I was. After all that I had seen and been exposed to, I was very skeptical when I first heard the promises and claims of Christ.

The skeptic thinks, “Show me, and I will believe.” But I say, “Believe, and He will show you.” The one who is willing to take that step of faith and believe will be amazed at what God will do.

God can change skeptics—if they will come to Him.

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny

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

Un Dia a la Vez - Libre para amar

El amor es sufrido, es benigno [...] no tiene envidia [...] no hace nada indebido, [...] Todo lo sufre, todo lo cree, todo lo espera, todo lo soporta.
1 Corintios 13:4-7, RV-60


En el amor hay libertad y hay gozo. Así que ahora quiero ver el otro lado de la moneda de las familias que tienen algún ser querido en cierto vicio. Debe ser muy doloroso y preocupante ver al ser que amas llegar pasado en alcohol y, en su gran mayoría, agresivos hasta abusando de sus esposas e hijos.

En este momento deseo decirte que este libro no llegó a tus manos por casualidad. Ahora que estás como se dice en tu sano juicio debes saber que no solo te destruyes a ti mismo, sino que también destruyes a la familia que te entregó el Señor, de la cual te pedirá cuentas en el día del juicio. No es que te hable para atemorizarte. Te digo la verdad… una verdad que duele y que te debe preocupar.

¿Qué le vas a decir a Dios? ¿Le vas a decir que lastimas a tu esposa? ¿Que la hieres cuando estás tomado o drogado? ¿Que el ejemplo que por años recibieron tus hijos fue verte así y que cuando no te veían de esa manera era porque no estabas en casa?

Piensa, por favor, en las consecuencias de tus actos. Además, recuerda que todo lo que sembramos en esta vida eso mismo cosechamos.

Mi recomendación es que te dejes ayudar. Llámame, búscame y con mucho gusto te daré los recursos que necesitas para seguir adelante. Sin embargo, no seas egoísta y mira por primera vez a tu cónyuge e hijos con amor.

Hoy es día de arrepentimiento.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - THE ARMOR OF GOD

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 

Ephesians 6:13, NIV

In the valley stood a ten-foot-tall giant, bellowing out threats against God’s people and mocking their God. “Send one man out to fight me,” he roared. “If I win, you will serve us. If he wins, we will be your slaves.”

If the physical presence of Goliath wasn’t daunting enough, the stakes for Israel were. It would be an all-or-nothing fight for the future of the people. On top of that, he mocked God. The fight would be a showdown between the giant’s pagan gods and the God of Israel.

Courageous David decided to face the monster. King Saul, looking at David’s physical disadvantage, insisted the young man take his armor. But David knew the spiritual battle was more crucial than the physical battle. Faith in God, not superior weaponry, would be his salvation. David stepped out in the name of God, and the giant fell.

Most of us are so focused on our physical circumstances that we fail to see the basic spiritual challenges before us. We spend our energies trying to make ends meet. We exhaust ourselves by constant activity. We are so distracted and frightened by what we see that we miss our chance to slay the giant. Instead, we find his foot on our neck.

Christian attempts to live victoriously in Christ when in a hostile environment could become frightening if we did not believe that God provides for us in every trial. The sovereign God of eternity knew every kind of attack the enemy would use before time began. And He has provided His spiritual armor—His Word, prayer and the Holy Spirit—so that we might be victorious when these attacks come against us. God has equipped you as a servant of Jesus Christ with these spiritual weapons, the resources you need to defeat the enemy and gain great victories for His kingdom.

Paul instructed Christian converts to put on the impenetrable armor of God—coverings God provides—so that we can stand victorious in every situation we face as we move forward confidently in the work God has called us to do. He also understood it to be a protective covering for the mind and spirit, ensuring that injuries to the body will not embitter or destroy the soul. 

RESPONSE: Today I will take advantage of all the spiritual armor God provides for me to stand strong.

PRAYER: Help me Lord to not try and fight spiritual battles in my own strength but with the resources You freely provide.

Girlfriends in God - When You Feel Like God is Hiding

by Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13, NIV)

Friend to Friend

“Preston! We give up! Come out from where you are hiding!” My kids were playing hide and seek several years ago while my husband and I were upstairs packing for a trip.

Hunter and Kennedy had looked everywhere they could think of for their sly older brother, but couldn’t find him. After a while they gave up.

As I packed, I checked some choice spots in my walk-in closet to see if I could catch a glimpse of the victorious hider.

Nothing.

Several minutes later, as I was loading toiletries into my travel case, the cabinet door beneath my husband’s sink slowly opened. My contortionist son quietly and carefully crawled out from underneath the bathroom sink. He glanced my way, and with a twinkle in his eye said, “Hey mom.”

“Honey!” I replied. “Your brother and sister asked you to show yourself 10 minutes ago. Why did you stay in there so long?”

“I didn’t want them to know where my favorite hiding spot was!” He said in a hushed tone.

I have to admit, I was impressed with his hiding strategy. Seemed pretty savvy for a 10 year-old. He didn’t want to be found and didn’t want to give up his best hiding spot.

Sometimes it can seem like God doesn’t want to be found.

We can feel as if He’s unreachable, hiding on the other side of the cosmos watching Netflix with a DO NOT DISTURB sign on His door. In Psalm 10, the psalmist expressed His frustration to God. “Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1) In the ashes of despair Job asked God a similar question. “Why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy?” (Job 13:24)

Even thought the psalmist and Job felt this way, it’s important for us to understand this Biblical truth: God never hides. To the contrary, the Bible tells us that He wants to be found. That He is always with us and always sees us. That we are fearfully and wonderfully made by the hands of One who knows everything about us and cherishes us.

God created us to know and to find Him.

And let’s be honest girls, deep inside we all want to be known and loved.

In Psalm 139, David painted an amazing picture of God’s stubborn presence in our lives:

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139: 7-10)

Have you ever felt hidden from God?

Be assured today: you are not.

He sees you and you’re not alone. No matter where you are. No matter what you’ve been through. No matter what you’re going through.

God’s not hiding and He’s not playing childish games. He loves you. He wants to be found by you. He said to the prophet Jeremiah, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) The same is true for us. Each time we search for the Lord, we can find Him … and in finding Him we find peace.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, It is comforting to know that you are constantly with me. That You know exactly where I am and what I’m facing. Please hold me fast with Your right hand and guide each moment of my day.
In Jesus’ Name I pray,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read Romans 8:35-39. Nothing can separate us from God’s presence and His love, but sin can hinder our intimacy. Ask God to search your heart and reveal and remove any sin.

What is your hiding strategy? Do you sometimes run from God’s presence? Why? Grapple with this one. Ask the LORD for insight and write about it on the wall of my blog.

More from the Girlfriends

FREE EBOOK: Gwen Smith is a speaker, worship leader, songwriter, and author of the new book, I Want I ALL, which includes a Bible Study Guide right in the back of the book; no extra purchase required. I WANT IT ALL is easy to read yet contains compelling and challenging content. You'll connect with the stories, probably dust off a few heart dreams, think bigger thoughts of God, laugh and smile a lot, search your soul, and even cry a little ... because each page lovingly directs you to the personal grace and truth of JESUS.

(CLICK HERE to get a FREE Downloadable “7 Day I WANT IT ALL” Devotional Ebook.)

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God P.O. Box 725 Matthews, NC 28106

info@girlfriendsingod.com

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