LHM Daily Devotion - April 20, 2017 "Excuses"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

"Excuses"

April 20, 2017

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  - 1 John 1:8-9

You've seen it; I've seen it: people who are driving their cars and trucks while they are texting.

We noted these drivers because there was something "off" in the way they handled their vehicles. Maybe they were driving too slow or too fast; maybe they were weaving from side to side; maybe they kept sitting at the stop light after the red light had turned green. There was always something which gave us a warning.

That was the way it was for the anonymous female caller who phoned two Texas counties to report a driver who continued to text even as his white pickup swerved from one side of the road to the other. The police dispatched cars to intercept the dangerous pickup, but it was too late. Even as the squad cars were on their way, they received another call that said the pickup had been in an accident. It was an accident which took the lives of 13 church people: 13 seniors aged 61 to 87.

Now, if we could ask the 20-year-old truck driver  why  he had done such a thing, he would probably, and most sincerely, say,he had never intended for such a tragic accident to happen;

• he didn't think what he had been doing was that bad;
• he had only taken his eyes off the road for a minute, and
• although he knew other people should never text and drive, he thought he could.

You know, I  imagine  if I could visit with Adam and Eve after the fall into sin, they probably would have come up with a similar list. I  know , over the years, many others have come up with a similar list after sin had brought tragedy into their lives and the lives of those around them.

I know I have used that fine-sounding list myself; maybe you have too.

Here's the problem: God isn't interested in our lists of excuses. He doesn't want to hear our justifications and explanations of why we have done wrong. The Lord wants two things from us. First, He wants us to come clean and confess our wrongdoing. Then, after He sees a repentant heart, He is able to offer forgiveness, which takes us to the second thing the Lord wants.

He wants us to rejoice in the forgiveness His Son won for us and all of humanity on the cross and at the empty tomb. Scripture is plain: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Please note what God is saying: He will forgive us when we  confess  our sins; not  make excuses  for them. It is my prayer this will be as comforting for the young man who was responsible for those 13 deaths as it is for me.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, without excuse or rationalization, I confess what I have done wrong. Now may I rejoice in the forgiveness Jesus has won for me. In His Name I pray. Amen

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

CPTLN Devocional de 20 de Abril de 2017

Alimento Diario

Regalos buenos de verdad

20 de Abril 2017

Toda buena dádiva y todo don perfecto descienden de lo alto, del Padre de las luces, en quien no hay cambio ni sombra de variación.
Santiago 1:17, RVC

Santiago nos dice que Dios es quien nos da todo lo que es bueno y perfecto.

Lamentablemente, muchos esperan más de lo que esas palabras dicen. Tal es el caso de un matrimonio que depositó en su cuenta en el banco $1,772.50 pero, por error, el banco le acreditó $177,250.00.

El esposo dijo que no le quedaban dudas que ese error era "un regalo de Dios" y, naturalmente, todo regalo que Dios nos da es para ser apreciado y usado. Es por eso que, en vez de decirle al banco lo que había sucedido, sacaron el dinero, renunciaron a sus trabajos y se fueron a la Florida.

Fue allí que, al tratar de comprar una casa, las autoridades los descubrieron y pronto irán a juicio por robo y conspiración.

No sé cuán grandes pueden llegar a ser los regalos de Dios. Al leer la Biblia me sorprende ver la generosidad del Señor. Pero aún así, no creo que necesite manipular las cuentas bancarias para que sus hijos puedan robarles a los ricos para darles a los pobres.

Pero de una cosa sí estoy seguro: por la gracia de Dios y a través del sacrificio del Salvador, todos mis pecados han sido perdonados y se me ha prometido que nunca voy a estar solo en esta vida y que me espera una vida eterna en el cielo.

Nada de eso se puede conseguir en un banco.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, aun cuando nada merezco, a través de tu Hijo me has bendecido con innumerables regalos para esta vida y para la venidera. Enséñame a vivir en agradecimiento y con alegría por todo lo que has hecho por mí. 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 - Letting Go

Read: Genesis 12:1–9 | Bible in a Year: 2 Samuel 9–11; Luke 15:11–32

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The Lord had said to Abram, “Go . . . to the land I will show you.” Genesis 12:1

For our wedding anniversary, my husband borrowed a tandem bike so we could enjoy a romantic adventure together. As we began to pedal on our way, I quickly realized that as the rider on the back my vision of the road ahead was eclipsed by my husband’s broad shoulders. Also, my handlebars were fixed; they didn’t affect the steering of our bike. Only the front handlebars determined our direction; mine served merely as support for my upper body. I had the choice to either be frustrated by my lack of control or to embrace the journey and trust Mike would guide us safely on our route.

When God asked Abram to leave his homeland and family, He didn’t offer much information concerning the destination. No geographic coordinates. No description of the new land or its natural resources. Not even an indication of how long it would take to get there. God simply gave the instruction to “go” to the land He would show him. Abram’s obedience to God’s instruction, despite lacking the details most humans crave, is credited to him as faith (Heb. 11:8).

If we find ourselves grappling with uncertainty or a lack of control in our lives, let’s seek to adopt Abram’s example of following and trusting God. The Lord will steer us well.

Help me, Lord, to trust You with the uncertainty in my life.

What do you need to trust God with today? Share your prayer request at Facebook.com/ourdailybread.

God can be trusted to guide us.

By Kirsten Holmberg

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Buông Bỏ

Đọc: Sáng Thế Ký 12:1-9 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: 2 Sa-mu-ên 9-11; Lu-ca 15:11-32

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Đức Giê-hô-va phán với Áp-ram: “Hãy ra khỏi… để đi đến vùng đất Ta sẽ chỉ cho con.” Sáng Thế Ký 12:1

Để kỷ niệm ngày cưới, chồng tôi mượn một chiếc xe đạp đôi để chúng tôi có một chuyến phiêu lưu lãng mạn cùng nhau. Khi bắt đầu đạp xe trên đường, vì ngồi phía sau, tôi nhanh chóng nhận ra rằng tầm nhìn của mình bị đôi vai rộng của chồng che khuất. Tay lái của tôi cũng cứng ngắc, không có tác dụng điều khiển chiếc xe. Chỉ mỗi tay lái phía trước mới quyết định hướng đi của chúng tôi, tay lái của tôi chỉ có chức năng giữ cho thân trên của tôi vững hơn. Tôi có thể chọn chán nản vì không được điều khiển xe hoặc vẫn vui vẻ với chuyến đi và tin tưởng chồng tôi sẽ lái an toàn.

Khi Chúa kêu gọi Áp-ram rời quê hương và bà con, Ngài không cho ông biết nhiều về nơi ông sẽ đến. Không tọa độ địa lý. Không có mô tả về miền đất mới hay tài nguyên thiên nhiên nơi đó. Cũng không biết mất bao lâu để tới đó. Chúa chỉ bảo ông “đi” đến xứ mà Ngài sẽ chỉ cho. Dù không biết những thông tin mà mọi người đều muốn biết, Áp-ram đã vâng theo sự chỉ dẫn của Chúa, và điều đó được kể là đức tin (Hê-bơ-rơ 11:8).

Nếu chúng ta đang vật lộn với những bấp bênh hoặc không thể kiểm soát cuộc sống mình, hãy học theo gương Áp-ram, bước theo Chúa và tin cậy Ngài. Chúa sẽ dẫn dắt chúng ta đến nơi an toàn.

Lạy Chúa, xin giúp con tin cậy Ngài trong những bấp bênh của cuộc sống.

Chúng ta có thể tin tưởng để Chúa hướng dẫn chúng ta.

bởi Kirsten Holmberg

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Déjate guiar

Leer: Génesis 12:1-9 | La Biblia en un año: 2 Samuel 9–11; Lucas 15:11-32

… el Señor había dicho a Abram: Vete […] a la tierra que te mostraré (v. 1).

Para nuestro aniversario de bodas, mi esposo alquiló una bicicleta tándem para que disfrutáramos de una romántica aventura juntos. Al empezar a pedalear, pronto me di cuenta de que, como yo iba atrás, los amplios hombros de mi esposo eclipsaban mi visión del camino. Además, mi manubrio era fijo y no afectaba la dirección de la bicicleta. El manubrio frontal era el que determinaba nuestra dirección; el mío servía solo para apoyarme. Tenía la opción de sentirme frustrada por mi falta de control o disfrutar del paseo y confiar en que Mike nos guiaría a salvo por el camino.

Cuando Dios le pidió a Abram que dejara su tierra y su familia, no le dio demasiada información respecto al destino. Nada de coordenadas geográficas. Ninguna descripción de la nueva tierra o de sus recursos naturales. Ni siquiera una indicación del tiempo que llevaría llegar allí. Dios simplemente le dijo que fuera a la tierra que le mostraría. La obediencia de Abram a la instrucción divina, a pesar de la falta de detalles que la mayoría de los humanos anhela, se le atribuye como fe (Hebreos 11:8).

Si nos enfrentamos a la incertidumbre o la falta de control en nuestra vida, imitemos el ejemplo de Abram de confiar en Dios y seguirlo. Él nos guiará bien.

Señor, ayúdame a confiar en ti en los momentos inciertos de mi vida.

Podemos confiar en la guía de Dios.

Por Keila Ochoa

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Loslassen

Lesen: 1.Mose 12,1-9 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 2.Samuel 9–11; Lukas 15,11-32

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Und der Herr sprach zu Abraham: Geh . . . in ein Land, das ich dir zeigen will. 1.Mose 12,1

Mein Mann hatte für unseren Hochzeitstag ein Tandem für eine romantische Unternehmung zu zweit ausgeliehen. Als wir lospedalten, merkte ich schnell, dass der Blick nach vorn auf die Straße für mich als Fahrerin auf dem hinteren Sitz durch die breiten Schultern meines Mannes doch sehr eingeschränkt war. Außerdem war meine Lenkstange starr, sie hatte keinen Einfluss. Nur der vordere Lenker bestimmte, wo es hinging; meiner diente nur als Stütze für meinen Oberkörper. Ich hatte die Wahl, ob ich deshalb frustriert sein oder mich einfach an der Fahrt freuen und darauf vertrauen wollte, dass Mike uns sicher ans Ziel bringen würde.

Als Gott Abraham aufforderte, seine Heimat und Familie zu verlassen, gab er ihm nicht viele Informationen über sein Ziel. Keine geografischen Angaben. Keine Beschreibung des neuen Landes oder seiner Beschaffenheit. Nicht einmal einen Hinweis darauf, wie lange die Reise dauern würde. Gott befahl einfach, in das Land „zu gehen“, das er ihm zeigen würde. Abrahams Gehorsam gegenüber Gottes Anweisung ohne die näheren Angaben, die der Mensch sich normalerweise wünscht, wurde ihm als Glauben angerechnet (Hebr. 11,8).

Wenn Ungewissheiten oder mangelnde Einflussmöglichkeiten in unserem Leben uns zu schaffen machen, wollen wir uns ein Beispiel an Abraham nehmen, der Gott vertraute und folgte. Der Herr wird uns sicher führen.

Hilf mir, Herr, dir in aller Ungewissheit zu vertrauen.

Gott ist ein guter Führer. Ihm können wir vertrauen.

Von Kirsten Holmberg

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Lâcher prise

Lisez : Genèse 12.1‑9 | La Bible en un an : 2 SAMUEL 9 – 11 et LUC 15.11‑32

L'Éternel dit à Abram : Va-t-en [...] dans le pays que je te montrerai. V.1

À l’occasion de notre anniversaire de mariage, mon mari a emprunté un tandem en vue d’une aventure romantique. Dès que nous nous sommes mis en route, je me suis rendu compte que mon mari me cachait la vue de ses larges épaules. De plus, mon guidon était fixe, ce qui m’empêchait de diriger le tandem. Seul le guidon de devant déterminait notre direction ; le mien ne servait qu’à soutenir la partie supérieure de mon corps. Or, devant mon manque de contrôle, j’avais le choix entre céder à la contrariété et jouir de notre randonnée en comptant sur Mike pour bien nous conduire.

En demandant à Abram de quitter famille et patrie, Dieu ne l’a guère renseigné sur sa destination : aucunes coordonnées géographiques ; aucune description du nouveau pays ni de ses ressources naturelles ; pas même la moindre indication quant à la durée du trajet pour s’y rendre. Dieu lui a donné pour toute directive d’aller dans le pays qu’il lui montrerait. C’est par la foi qu’Abram lui a obéi sans même connaître les détails que la plupart des êtres humains auraient éprouvé le besoin de connaître pour agir de la sorte (HÉ 11.8).

Si nous luttons contre l’incertitude ou que notre situation échappe à notre volonté, cherchons à adopter l’exemple d’Abram, qui a suivi Dieu et lui a fait confiance. Le Seigneur nous conduira bien.

Nous avons raison de confier à Dieu la direction de notre vie.

par Kirsten Holmberg

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Цілковита довіра

Читати: Буття 12:1-9 | Біблія за рік: 2 Самуїлова 9−11 ; Луки 15:11-32

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І промовив Господь до Аврама: Вийди зо своєї землі… до Краю, який Я тобі покажу. — Буття 12:1

На річницю нашого весілля мій чоловік позичив двомісний велосипед, щоб ми могли разом насолодитись романтичною подорожжю. Але як тільки ми почали крутити педалі, я зрозуміла, що через те, що я сиджу позаду широких плеч свого чоловіка, я майже не бачу дорогу попереду. А ще мій руль був закріплений нерухомо, і я не могла керувати велосипедом. Лише передній руль функціонував – мій же лише служив опорою для мене, щоб не втратити рівноваги. Отже, я мала вибір або сердитись через дуже обмежене контролювання велосипеда і обмежений кругозір, або довіритись Майку, розраховуючи на його гарні навички водія.

Коли Бог наказав Аврааму залишити свою родину й батьківщину, Він майже не дав йому інформації про місце призначення. Жодного описання нової землі, її природних ресурсів. Навіть невідома була довжина маршруту. Бог просто дав повеління: “вийди… до Краю, який Я тобі покажу”. Авраам виявив послух Богу, незважаючи на відсутність найбільш важливої інформації (такої бажаної для людей), і це було зараховано йому як прояв великої віри (Євр. 11:8).

Якщо ми опинились у ситуації невпевненості і втрати контролю над своїм життям, давайте наслідувати приклад Авраама в нашому слідуванні за Богом. Давайте довіряти Господу, і він чудово скерує наш шлях.

Допоможи мені, Господи, довіряти Тобі за часів непевності й невідомості.

Бог вартий того, щоб довірити Йому маршрут свого життя.

Автор Кірстен Холмберг

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Доверие

Читать сейчас: Бытие 12:1-9 | Библия за год: 2 Царств 9-11; Луки 15:11-32

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И сказал Господь Авраму: «Пойди... в землю, которую Я укажу тебе». — Бытие 12:1

На годовщину свадьбы муж взял напрокат велосипед-тандем, чтобы устроить совместное романтическое путешествие. Когда мы тронулись, я со своего заднего места обнаружила, что вид спереди для меня закрыт широкими плечами мужа, а руль прочно зафиксирован, и управлять я не могу. Только передний руль определял направление, мой служил лишь опорой для рук. Выбор для меня оказался прост: либо горевать от возникших ограничений, либо довериться Майку и радоваться, что ответственность за направление и безопасность лежит не на мне.

Когда Бог велел Авраму оставить свой дом и родство, Он не сказал ничего существенного о месте назначения. Ни географических координат. Ни описания новой земли и ее природных богатств. Ни даже указаний, как долго продлится путешествие. Бог просто сказал патриарху идти туда, куда Он укажет. Послушание Аврама Богу вопреки недостатку подробностей, которые так хотят знать люди, стало подвигом веры (Евр. 11:8).

Если мы тоже столкнемся с неопределенностью или лишимся возможности управлять своей жизнью, последуем примеру Аврама в следовании и доверии Богу. Господь проведет и нас.

Помоги мне, Господь, доверять Тебе все неопределенности жизни.

Божьему руководству можно доверять.

автор: Кирстен Холмберг

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for WEDNESDAY, April 19, 2017 - Easter Wednesday

Miércoles Santo (Holy Wednesday) in Cádiz, Spain

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  Micah 7:7-15

But as for me, I will look to the LORD, I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me. I must bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he takes my side and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light; I shall see his vindication. Then my enemy will see, and shame will cover her who said to me, "Where is the LORD your God?" My eyes will see her downfall; now she will be trodden down like the mire of the streets. A day for the building of your walls! In that day the boundary shall be far extended. In that day they will come to you from Assyria to Egypt, and from Egypt to the River, from sea to sea and from mountain to mountain. But the earth will be desolate because of its inhabitants, for the fruit of their doings. Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock that belongs to you, which lives alone in a forest in the midst of a garden land; let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in the days of old. As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, show us marvelous things.

Psalms

Psalm 105:1-8
1   Give thanks to the LORD and call upon his Name; make known his deeds among the peoples.
2   Sing to him, sing praises to him, and speak of all his marvelous works.
3   Glory in his holy Name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
4   Search for the LORD and his strength; continually seek his face.
5   Remember the marvels he has done, his wonders and the judgments of his mouth,
6   O offspring of Abraham his servant, O children of Jacob his chosen.
7   He is the LORD our God; his judgments prevail in all the world.
8   He has always been mindful of his covenant, the promise he made for a thousand generations:

The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from Acts 3:1-10

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o'clock in the afternoon. And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, "Look at us." And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, "I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk." And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in Luke 24:13-35

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?" They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?" He asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him." Then he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?" That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

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, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

A Prayer for Grace

O Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; 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. 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.

Prayer of the Day for WEDNESDAY, April 19, 2017 - Easter Wednesday

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Verse of the Day - April 19, 2017 - Easter Wednesday

1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (NIV) But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 15

Listen to 1 Corinthians 15

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 - "A Second Chance"

And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!"

—Matthew 28:9 (NKJV)

The Resurrection of Jesus reminds us that God provides second chances. When Jesus was crucified it came as a shock to His followers. They just did not seem to understand that He would be crucified and rise again on the third day. When the Crucifixion actually took place, it shattered their faith. But after His Resurrection we see the risen Lord seeking out these discouraged, disheartened disciples to revive them, to reignite them.

How easily Jesus could have written them all off and said, “You didn't stand by Me in My greatest hour of need; now I am not going to stand by you in yours.” But no—the Lord sought to restore them.

When Mary Magdalene went to the tomb of Jesus early in the morning, the angel told her that the Lord had risen. As she and the other Mary “went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, ‘Rejoice!’ ” (Matthew 28:9). She found the living Lord to restore her hope and purpose in life.

Thomas missed the meeting when Jesus had appeared to the other disciples, but He reappeared when Thomas was back with the group. How gracious of Jesus to condescend to the skepticism of one single man. It almost appears that He came to that meeting simply to restore Thomas.

Remember the two discouraged disciples on the Emmaus Road? As He spoke to them, their deadened hearts began to reignite. “And they said to one another, ‘Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?’ ” (Luke 24:32). Jesus went out of His way to restore their hope.

Maybe you have doubts or fears today. The same Jesus who restored Mary, the disciples on the Emmaus Road, and the skeptical Thomas, will restore your faith. You too can find that Jesus gives second chances.

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny

Seeking God?

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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 - Oración por ayuda familiar

Tú eres mi socorro y mi libertador; ¡no te tardes, Dios mío!
Salmo 40:17, NVI

Señor, hoy vengo delante de ti porque sé que muchas personas están conmovidas.

Reconocen que se encuentran en vicios. Reconocen que han tratado de avanzar por sus propias fuerzas y no han podido. También hay muchas mujeres que me han pedido oración por sus hogares a punto de destrucción. Dios mío, son mujeres que quisieran dejar sus casas porque ya no resisten más abusos. Incluso, han pensado regresar a sus países con tal de no seguir sufriendo, y ver a sus hijos tristes y sin esperanza.

Te pedimos, Jesús, tu intervención milagrosa. Toca en este momento a las personas que necesitan ser libres de esas ataduras hoy mismo. Además, dales, mi Señor, la libertad que desean.

A las familias que sufren con un ser querido esta tortura de aguantar abusos, golpes e insultos, Señor, dales hoy mucha valentía y sabiduría para dar los pasos de acuerdo con tu voluntad. Glorifícate, Señor.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón

Standing Strong Through the Storm - THE BELT OF TRUTH

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…

Ephesians 6:14a, NIV

The Roman soldier’s wide leather belt held the various garments and pieces of armor securely in place. Loose armor was not only uncomfortable, but also unsafe. The belt also held the scabbards for swords and daggers. It was foundational to keeping everything balanced and in place.

Truth secures everything in our spiritual life. We can’t know what is truly right or wrong apart from truth. In this spiritual warfare we wage, we “put on” Christ, Who Himself is the “truth” (John 14:6). This is our positional application of the belt. Putting on Christ Himself who is the truth enables us to talk, walk and “fight” proclaiming Christ, the truth.

On another application level, buckling the belt of truth around your waist is more than just seeking truth to find out facts. The servant-soldier of Christ who puts on the armor of God must be willing to overcome his own prejudices to find out the truth. He must struggle against his pride, which clings to his preconceived ideas and makes him unwilling to re-examine them and change his opinions.

Second, to wear the belt of truth means binding one’s whole nature together with inner integrity. The belt of truth refers to the knowledge of one’s own inherent wickedness, weaknesses and propensity to sin (Matthew 15:19; 7:4). King David said, “Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.”(Psalm 51:6). This is why a servant of Christ must review the basics of having a humble spirit, mourning to God, seeking His meekness and hungering for righteousness.

Truth directly opposes Satan, the father of lies. His first challenge to Eve was to even question God’s truthfulness. When we know and walk in God’s truth, it sets us free (John 8:32).

Wuillie Marcelino Ruiz, an attorney and an evangelical Christian, was wrongly accused of and sentenced to twenty years at the maximum-security Castro prison in Lima, Peru for the crime of “terrorist collaboration” by a special faceless court. Growing up in a close-knit family, his mother’s death during the first year of his imprisonment was a cruel blow for him.

During a visit by an Open Doors team, Wuillie said, “Not everything inside the prison is sadness. Many of our fellow inmates are receiving Jesus Christ as the deliverer of their souls... God is touching the hearts of the authorities in Peru; here in the prison we are not treated so harshly anymore. As the scriptures tell us, we are not confined because the truth makes us free.”

Jesus is the Truth. Truth is on your side. Truth will win over the enemy’s lies. Fill your heart with truth and stand by it. Put on the belt of truth!

RESPONSE: Today I put on the belt of truth so I can stand strong against Satan’s lies.

PRAYER: Lord, help me fill my heart with truth today for it will set me free. May innocent Christian prisoners know that freedom also.

Girlfriends in God - Angels and Prayer

by Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV).

Friend to Friend

From the smallest concern to the biggest problem in our lives, God cares. If it is big enough to concern you, it is big enough to concern Him.

Author, speaker Holocaust survivor Corrie Ten Boom told of a remarkable experience at the horrific Nazi Ravensbruck prison camp.

Together we entered the terrifying building. At a table were women who took away all our possessions. Everyone had to undress completely and then go to a room where her hair was checked.

I asked a woman who was busy checking the new arrivals if I might use the bathroom. She pointed to a door, and I discovered that the convenience was nothing more than a hole in the shower room floor. Betsie stayed close beside me all the time. Suddenly I had an inspiration. “Quick, take off your woolen underwear,” I whispered to her. I rolled it up with mine and laid the bundle in a corner with my Bible. The spot was alive with cockroaches, but I didn’t worry about that. I felt wonderfully relieved and happy. “The Lord is busy answering our prayers, Betsie,” I whispered. “We shall not have to make the sacrifice of all our clothes.”

We hurried back to the row of women waiting to be undressed. A little later, after we had our showers and put on our shirts and shabby dresses, I hid the roll of underwear and my Bible under my dress. It bulged out obviously through my dress; but I prayed, “Lord, cause now Your angels to surround me; and let them not be transparent today, for the guards must not see me.” I felt perfect peace.

Calmly I passed the guards. Everyone was checked, from the front, the sides, and the back. Not a bulge escaped the eye of the guard. The woman just in front of me had hidden a woolen vest under her dress; it was taken from her. They let me pass, for they did not see me. Betsie, right behind me, was searched.

But outside awaited another danger. On each side of the door were women who looked everyone over for a second time. They felt over the body of each one who passed. I knew they would not see me, for the angels were still surrounding me. I was not even surprised when they passed me by; but within me rose the victorious cry, “O Lord, if You answer such prayer, I can face even Ravensbruck unafraid.”

God answers prayer. Sometimes He uses His angels to do so, but I believe the most important thing about prayer is that we pray!

Jesus longs for times of heart conversation with His children, dream sessions where we pour out all that we are and hope to be to the One who can make those dreams a reality.

Every problem, every concern is important to God. If it is important to me, it is important to Him. God is always waiting, ready to turn His heart toward the voice of His child as surely as a mother hears her baby’s cry above all others.

To think that God wants to talk with me, to hear my voice and listen to my deepest heart longings is an amazing thought. But it is a true thought. Prayer is simply conversation with God, but it is in those intimate conversations that battles are won and strength is gained.

In Biblical times, the high priest was the communication link between God and man. However, today, Jesus is our high priest, our communication link with God.

God sent His son Jesus Christ, the greatest communicator ever to walk the earth, so that He could make a way to reach us. The birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ make it possible for us to have an intimate relationship with Him, to communicate with God, right where we are.

I just know that our Father loves it – absolutely loves it – when we, His children, stop in the middle of our busy lives for no other reason than the fact that we love Him and just need to talk with Him. When I pray, I picture His head turning toward me, to the sound of my voice. He smiles, knowing that “Mary wants to talk with Me.” Yes, He is concerned with every ordinary detail of every ordinary day, but I suspect His greatest pleasure is found in the fact that we just need to talk to the One we love.

Let’s Pray

Father, I don’t know how to thank You for loving me. I praise You for the privilege and gift of prayer. I want to learn how to turn to You quickly and easily as I go through every moment of each day. I have to admit that I don’t understand how You can love me like You do, but I cherish that love and the freedom it offers to approach the throne of grace, confident that You will hear my voice. Thank You, Lord.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

I want to encourage you to keep a journal of your journey with God. Carry it with you in your purse, briefcase or diaper bag. Write out your prayers to Him and then record the answers when they come. From time to time, look back over your journal entries and celebrate what God has done in your life.

More from the Girlfriends

You and I were created to live life at its best and to experience true success. To live that kind of life requires an unshakable faith that will see us through every storm and every trial we will ever face. An unshakable faith is the foundation for the abundant life Jesus came to provide for each one of us. In this powerful MP3 download, 4 Steps to an Unshakable Faith, Mary shares the four steps we can take to experience an unshakable faith.

Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website and connect with Mary through email or on Facebook. 

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

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

info@girlfriendsingod.com

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