Daily Devotion April 24, 2017 "Overwhelming Love Breeds a Living Hope for Life"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

By Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour

" Overwhelming Love Breeds a Living Hope for Life"

April 24, 2017

1 John 3:16 - This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

In yesterday's sermon we talked about a living hope that comes from knowing the Savior who died and rose again for you. I don't think you can fully appreciate how that knowledge changes your life, until you realize just how loved you are in Jesus.

I got a glimpse of that when I read about the aftermath of a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park. The rangers made their way up the side of a mountain to assess the inferno's damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick.

When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing the toxic smoke would rise. She could have flown to safety but refused to abandon her babies. Then the blaze arrived and the heat scorched her small body. Through this, the mother remained steadfast; she had been willing to die so those under the cover of her wings would live.

All I could think about when I read about this little bird and her saved babies was Psalm 91:4, where the Bible reminds us: "God will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge." The wings of God were the gift of His Son, the power of His cross, and the glory of His resurrection.

All of us are caught up in the conflagration of sin, death, and the power of the devil. Our death is imminent if we are left to our own power to try to escape these destructive powers. It is for this reason that God so loved each of us that He sent His own Son to gather us under His protective wings. On Calvary that conflagration of all evil and all our sins struck our Savior. He died with us gathered under His wings so that we might live. The apostle Paul says it this way in 2 Corinthians 5:21: "For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."

The dead body of Christ was not a pillar of ash that was knocked aside and forgotten -- as it was with the mother bird's body, leaving no hope for the future. Rather, on the third day, He arose from the dead giving us the living hope and assurance that He will live with us, and we will live with Him now and into eternity.

The apostle John is reminding us that there is no greater definition of love than one who is willing to lay down his or her life for someone else. How grateful we are for soldiers on the battlefield who have given their lives so we might live in freedom. How thankful we can be for those who have sacrificed their lives -- in any way -- that someone else might live. These acts of love continue to remind us that the greatest act of love is found in Jesus Christ.

Thanks be to God who gives us victory in our Lord Jesus Christ.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, overwhelm us with Your love so that we can love others the way You love us. Amen

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

CPTLN Devocional de 24 de Abril de 2017

Alimento Diario

Conocido pero desconocido

24 de Abril 2017

Señor, tú me has examinado y me conoces. Salmo 139:1

Quienes vivimos en una zona urbana, a diario nos cruzamos con decenas de personas.

La mayoría de las veces no conocemos a quienes se cruzan en nuestro camino, por lo que nos sentimos anónimos. Lo que en otras palabras es decir que, aunque estemos rodeados de gente, estamos solos.

El mejor ejemplo que se me ocurre de lo que significa estar solo, es el de una joven que fue asesinada en un camino cerca de Kansas City en el año 1934. Era pelirroja, tenía pecas en la cara, ojos azules, y una cicatriz en un tobillo. Ciento cincuenta personas la reconocieron e identificaron.

Lo interesante del caso es que esas 150 personas la identificaron como 26 mujeres diferentes: como esposa, como hermana, como hija, como una amiga. Increíblemente, todas esas 26 mujeres fueron encontradas con vida. Después de siete meses de investigaciones, la joven pelirroja fue sepultada y nunca se supo quién era.

Lo que me lleva a preguntarle: "¿Hay alguien que le conoce a usted de verdad?"

Seguramente hay algunas personas que piensan que le conocen, pero ¿es cierto? Quizás conozcan UNA parte de su vida, pero no CADA parte, incluyendo cada estado de ánimo y cada pensamiento.

La próxima pregunta es: "¿quisiera que lo supieran?" La mayoría tenemos cosas de las cuales no nos enorgullecemos.

Si a usted le pasa lo mismo que a mí, no se desespere ni se ponga nervioso porque con mucha alegría le quiero decir que el Dios Trino, que le conoce totalmente, le ama. Le ama total y completamente. Le ama tanto como para enviar a su único Hijo al mundo a vivir, morir y resucitar por usted.

Si me pregunta: "¿Por qué? ¿Por qué haría Dios algo así?", la única respuesta que le puedo dar es: por su gran amor.

Increíble, ¿no es cierto?

ORACIÓN: Querido Dios, gracias por amarme total y completamente a pesar de conocer cada parte de mi ser. Gracias por enviar a tu Hijo al mundo a sacrificarse por mí para que pueda tener vida eterna junto a ti. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén
De una devoción escrita originalmente para "By the Way"

© 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 - The Small Things

Read: Psalm 116:1–9 | Bible in a Year: 2 Samuel 19–20; Luke 18:1–23

Download MP3

Subscribe to iTunes

Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17

My friend Gloria called with excitement in her voice. She had not been able to leave her home except for doctors’ appointments. So I understood why she was so happy to tell me, “My son just attached new speakers to my computer, so now I can go to my church!” Now she could hear the live broadcast of her church’s worship service. She raved about God’s goodness and the “best gift my son could have given me!”

Gloria teaches me about having a thankful heart. Despite her many limitations, she’s thankful for the smallest of things—sunsets, helpful family and neighbors, quiet moments with God, the ability to remain in her own apartment. She’s had a lifetime of seeing God provide for her, and she talks about Him to anyone who visits or calls.

We don’t know what difficulties the author of Psalm 116 was encountering. Some Bible commentaries say it was probably sickness because he said, “the cords of death entangled me” (v. 3). But he gave thanks to the Lord for being gracious and full of compassion when he was “brought low” (vv. 5–6).

When we’re low, it can be hard to look up. Yet if we do, we see that God is the giver of all good gifts in our life—great and small—and we learn to give Him thanks.

What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me? . . . I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving (Ps. 116:12, 17 esv).

Praise to God comes naturally when you count your blessings.

By Anne Cetas

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Những Điều Nhỏ Nhặt

Đọc: Thi Thiên 116:1-9 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: 2 Sa-mu-ên 19-20; Lu-ca 18:1-23

Download MP3

Mọi ơn lành tốt đẹp và tặng phẩm toàn hảo đều đến từ thiên thượng. Gia-cơ 1:17

Chị Gloria bạn tôi gọi cho tôi với giọng vô cùng hào hứng. Đã lâu chị không thể ra khỏi nhà trừ khi có hẹn với bác sĩ. Nên tôi hiểu tại sao chị vui như thế khi nói với tôi: “Con trai mình vừa mới gắn cái loa vào máy vi tính cho mình, vì thế giờ mình có thể đi nhà thờ được rồi!” Giờ chị có thể nghe phát trực tiếp buổi thờ phượng của Hội thánh chị. Chị say sưa nói về sự tốt lành của Chúa và “món quà tuyệt nhất mà con trai đã tặng.”

Chị Gloria dạy cho tôi bài học về lòng biết ơn. Dù gặp nhiều hạn chế, chị vẫn biết ơn Chúa về những điều nhỏ nhất—ánh hoàng hôn, được gia đình và hàng xóm giúp đỡ, những giờ phút yên lặng với Chúa, được ở trong căn hộ của mình. Chị nhìn biết sự chu cấp của Chúa trên cả cuộc đời mình và chị nói về Ngài với bất cứ ai đến thăm hay gọi điện.

Chúng ta không biết tác giả Thi Thiên 116 đang đối diện với những khó khăn nào. Một số sách giải kinh nói rằng có lẽ ông đang bị bệnh vì ông nói: “Dây sự chết vương vấn tôi” (c.3). Nhưng ông tạ ơn Chúa vì Ngài đã làm ơn và đầy lòng thương xót khi ông “bị khốn khổ” (c.5-6).

Khi chúng ta khốn khổ, thật khó để nhìn lên Chúa. Nhưng nếu nhìn lên Ngài, chúng ta sẽ thấy rằng Chúa là Đấng ban mọi tặng phẩm tốt lành trong đời sống chúng ta—dù lớn hay nhỏ—và chúng ta sẽ học cách tạ ơn Ngài.

Tôi sẽ lấy gì báo đáp Đức Giê-hô-va về các ơn lành mà Ngài đã làm cho tôi?... Con sẽ dâng lên Chúa tế lễ tạ ơn (Thi Thiên 116 :12, 17).

Bạn sẽ tuôn tràn lời ca ngợi Chúa khi đếm các ơn phước Ngài ban.

bởi Anne Cetas

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Las pequeñas cosas

Leer: Salmo 116:1-9 | La Biblia en un año: 2 Samuel 19–20; Lucas 18:1-23

Toda buena dádiva y todo don perfecto desciende de lo alto… (Santiago 1:17).

Mi amiga Gloria nos llamó entusiasmada. No podía salir de su casa, excepto para ir al médico. Así que entendí su alegría cuando me dijo: «Mi hijo acaba de conectar parlantes a mi computadora. ¡Ya puedo ir a la iglesia!». Ahora, podía escuchar la transmisión en vivo de la reunión. No paraba de hablar de la bondad de Dios y del «mejor regalo que mi hijo podría haberme dado».

Gloria me enseña a tener un corazón agradecido. A pesar de sus limitaciones, da gracias por las pequeñas cosas: los atardeceres, los familiares y vecinos serviciales, los momentos a solas con Dios, la posibilidad de vivir en su casa. Dios siempre le proveyó lo que necesitaba, y ella les habla del Señor a todos los que la visitan o la llaman.

No sabemos qué dificultades tenía el autor del Salmo 116. Algunos dicen que probablemente fuera una enfermedad, ya que afirma: «Me rodearon ligaduras de muerte» (v. 3). Sin embargo, el salmista dio gracias al Señor por ser misericordioso y compasivo cuando estaba «postrado» (vv. 5-6).

Cuando estamos postrados, puede ser difícil levantar la mirada. Sin embargo, si lo hacemos, vemos que Dios es el que nos da todo lo bueno que tenemos, y aprendemos a darle gracias.

¿Qué pagaré al Señor por todos sus beneficios para conmigo? […] Te ofreceré sacrificio de alabanza… Salmo 116:12, 17

La alabanza a Dios surge naturalmente cuando miras todo lo que tienes.

Por Anne Cetas

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Die kleinen Dinge

Lesen: Psalm 116,1-9 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 2.Samuel 19–20; Lukas 18,1-23

MP3 herunterladen

Alle gute Gabe und alle vollkommene Gabe kommt von oben herab. Jakobus 1,17

Ganz begeistert erklang die Stimme meiner Freundin Gloria am Telefon. Sie konnte das Haus nur noch zu Arztbesuchen verlassen. Deshalb freute ich mich mit ihr, als sie erzählte: „Mein Sohn hat gerade neue Lautsprecher an meinem Computer angebracht. Jetzt kann ich wieder in den Gottesdienst!“ Denn nun konnte sie die Live-Übertragung des Gottesdienstes aus ihrer Gemeinde miterleben. Sie schwärmte von Gottes Güte und dem „tollsten Geschenk, das mein Sohn mir machen konnte!“

Von Gloria kann ich lernen, was es heißt, ein dankbares Herz zu haben. Trotz vieler Einschränkungen ist sie dankbar für Kleinigkeiten—Sonnenuntergänge, die Hilfe von Angehörigen und Nachbarn, stille Momente mit Gott, dass sie in ihrer Wohnung bleiben kann. Ihr Leben lang hat sie erlebt, wie Gott für sie sorgt, und davon erzählt sie jedem, der sie besucht oder anruft.

Wir wissen nicht, welche Probleme der Verfasser von Psalm 116 hatte. Manche Bibelausleger sagen, er sei vermutlich krank gewesen, weil er sagt: „Stricke des Todes hatten mich umfangen“ (V.3). Aber er dankte dem Herrn für seine Gnade und Barmherzigkeit, als er „schwach“ war (V.5-6).

Wenn wir schwach sind, fällt es uns oft schwer, aufzusehen. Doch wenn wir es tun, sehen wir, dass Gott es ist, von dem alle gute Gabe in unserem Leben kommt—ob groß oder klein—und wir lernen, ihm zu danken.

Wie soll ich dem Herrn vergelten alle seine Wohltat? . . . Dir will ich Dank opfern und des Herrn Namen anrufen (Ps. 116,12.17).

Der Dank an Gott kommt ganz automatisch, wenn wir einmal anfangen zu sehen, was er uns schenkt.

Von Anne Cetas

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Les petites choses

Lisez : Psaume 116.1‑9 | La Bible en un an : 2 SAMUEL 19 – 20 et LUC 18.1‑23

Toute grâce excellente et tout don parfait descendent d'en haut. Jacques 1.17

Mon amie Gloria m’a téléphoné avec la voix très enjouée. Elle n’avait plus été en mesure de sortir de la maison, sauf pour aller à ses rendez‑vous chez le médecin. Je comprenais donc qu’elle soit aussi heureuse de m’annoncer : « Mon fils vient de brancher de nouveaux haut‑parleurs à mon ordinateur, si bien que je peux maintenant aller à mon église ! » C’est qu’elle pouvait ainsi entendre la diffusion en direct du culte d’adoration de son assemblée. Elle ne cessait de s’extasier devant la bonté de Dieu et du fait que « [son] fils n’aurait pas pu lui offrir de meilleur cadeau ! »

Gloria m’enseigne la gratitude. Malgré ses capacités physiques limitées, elle est reconnaissante pour la moindre des choses : les couchers de soleil, ses proches et ses voisins serviables, les moments d’intimité avec Dieu, la possibilité de vivre chez elle. Toute sa vie, elle a vu Dieu pourvoir à ses besoins, et elle parle de lui à quiconque lui rend visite ou lui téléphone.

On ignore quelles difficultés l’auteur du Psaume 116 affrontait. Selon certains commentaires bibliques, il était probablement malade, puisqu’il a dit que les liens de la mort l’avaient environné (V. 3). Reste qu’il a loué le Seigneur, qui avait usé de grâce et de miséricorde envers lui lorsqu’il était au plus mal (V. 5,6).

Dans le creux de la vague, il se peut que nous ayons du mal à lever les yeux. Si nous le faisons, nous voyons toutefois que toute bonne chose vient de Dieu et nous lui en sommes reconnaissants.

Comptons nos bénédictions, et la louange nous viendra naturellement.

par Anne Cetas

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Вдячна навіть дрібницям

Читати: Псалом 114:1-9 | Біблія за рік: 2 Самуїлова 19−20 ; Луки 18:1-23

Завантажити MP3

Усяке добре давання та дар досконалий походить згори від Отця світил. — Якова 1:17

Подруга Глорія подзвонила мені, і я почула, що в її голосі бринить радість. Їй не можна було виходити з дому, окрім тих випадків, коли потрібно було піти до лікаря, тому я зрозуміла її радість, почувши: “Мій син тільки що підключив до мого комп’ютера нові колонки. Я тепер знову можу «піти до церкви»!” Вона могла чути пряму трансляцію богослужінь з її церкви, тому дуже раділа Божій доброті і найкращому дарункові, що їй зробив син!

Глорія завжди дає мені уроки вдячного серця. Незважаючи на великі обмеження через хворобу, вона рада сходу сонця, допомозі родини й сусідів, тихим моментам спілкування з Богом, можливості знаходитись дома, а не в лікарні. Все своє життя вона бачила, як Бог являє їй Свої милості. І вона свідчить про Нього кожному, хто відвідує її або дзвонить.

Невідомо, в яких важких обставинах опинився автор Псалма 115. Деякі біблійні коментарі, посилаючись на слова “болі смерти мене оточили” (Пс. 115:3), припускають, що то була серйозна хвороба. Але він дякує Господу за Його ласку і велике співчуття, коли він був “сильно пригнічений” (Пс. 115:10).

Важко дивитись вгору, коли ми пригнічені. Але коли все-таки здіймаємо очі, то бачимо, що Бог є Джерелом всіх тих благих речей, що є в нашому житті, і вчимося віддавати Йому подяку.

“Чим я відплачу Господеві за всі добродійства Його на мені? Я жертву подяки Тобі принесу, і Господнім Ім’ям буду кликати!” — (Псалом 115:12, 17)

Хваління Бога – природна реакція, коли згадуємо Його благословення.

Автор Енн Сітас

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Мелочи

Читать сейчас: Псалом 114:1-9 | Библия за год: 2 Царств 19-20; Луки 18:1-23

Скачать MP3

Всякое даяние доброе и всякий дар совершенный нисходит свыше. — Иакова 1:17

Когда моя подруга Глория позвонила, я сразу уловила радостное возбуждение в ее голосе. Вскоре выяснилась и причина. Из-за болезни она не могла выходить из дома и посещать церковь, но решение было найдено. «Сын подключил к компьютеру новые колонки, и теперь я смогу быть в церкви!» Поместная община транслировала богослужения в прямом эфире. Она благодарила Бога за Его доброту и «лучший подарок от сына».

Глория является примером благодарного сердца. Несмотря на многие трудности, она остается благодарной даже за обыденные вещи – за солнце, семью и соседей, за моменты уединения с Богом и за жилье. Она во всем видит Божью руку и рассказывает о своих радостях другим.

Мы не знаем, с какими трудностями столкнулся автор Псалма 114. Некоторые толкователи считают, что это было заболевание, так как он пишет: «Объяли меня болезни смертные» (Пс. 114:3). Однако далее он возносит благодарность Богу, что Тот все же избавил его и сохранил.

В тяжелые времена нам бывает трудно подняться. Тем не менее если мы встанем, то увидим великую Божью благость и все Его дары – большие и малые – и воздадим хвалу только Ему.

«Что воздам Господу за все благодеяния Его ко мне?.. Принесу жертву хвалы и имя Господне призову». — Псалом 115:3, 8

Хвала Богу рождается сама собой, когда мы считаем благословения.

автор: Анн Ситас

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Sunday Readings for SUNDAY, April 23, 2017 - 2nd Sunday of Easter - Sunday of Divine Mercy - Quasimodo Geniti

Opening Sentence

On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

INTROIT

Quasi modo géniti infántes

 

Morning Prayer

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

The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Isaiah 43:8-13

Bring forth the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears! Let all the nations gather together, and let the peoples assemble. Who among them declared this, and foretold to us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to justify them, and let them hear and say, "It is true." You are my witnesses, says the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior. I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses, says the LORD. I am God, and also henceforth I am He; there is no one who can deliver from my hand; I work and who can hinder it?


Psalm 16 Conserva me, Domine
1   Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you; I have said to the LORD, "You are my Lord, my good above all other."
2   All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, upon those who are noble among the people.
3   But those who run after other gods shall have their troubles multiplied.
4   Their libations of blood I will not offer, nor take the names of their gods upon my lips.
5   O LORD, you are my portion and my cup; it is you who uphold my lot.
6   My boundaries enclose a pleasant land; indeed, I have a goodly heritage.
7   I will bless the LORD who gives me counsel; my heart teaches me, night after night.
8   I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand I shall not fall.
9   My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; my body also shall rest in hope.
10   For you will not abandon me to the grave, nor let your holy one see the Pit.
11   You will show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

The Epistle Lesson

The First Reading is taken from Acts 2:14, 2:22-32

But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.

The Second Reading is taken from 1 Peter 1:3-9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith-- being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire-- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The Holy Gospel Reading

The Holy Gospel is written in John 20:19-31

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

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

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and 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

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.

The Sermon for SUNDAY, April 23, 2017 - 2nd Sunday of Easter - Sunday of Divine Mercy - Quasimodo Geniti

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:19-31)

"Easter - Fact Or Fiction?

The Cure For Doubt"

“The Easter story is nothing but a myth,” Tom’s high school teacher announced to his class a few days before Easter break. “Jesus not only didn’t rise from the grave,” he continued, “but there’s no God in heaven who would allow his son to be crucified in the first place.”

“Sir, I believe in God,” Tom protested. “And I believe in the resurrection.”

“Tom, you can believe what you wish to, of course,” the teacher said, “However, the real world excludes the possibility of miracles like the resurrection. The resurrection is a scientific impossibility. No one who believes in miracles can also respect science.”

Then the teacher proposed an experiment. Reaching into his refrigerator, he produced a raw egg and held it up. “I’m going to drop this egg on the floor,” he said. “Gravity will pull it toward the floor that the egg will most certainly break apart.” Looking at Tom with a challenge, he said, “Now tom, I want you to pray a prayer right now and ask your God to keep this egg from breaking when it hits the floor. If he can do that, then you’ll have proven your point, and I’ll have to admit that there is a God.”

After pondering the challenge for a moment, Tom slowly stood up to pray: “Dear Heavenly Father,” Tom prayed, “I pray that when my teacher drops the egg, it will break into a hundred pieces. And also, Lord, I pray that when the egg does break, my teacher will have a heart attack and die. Amen.”

After a unison gasp, the class sat in silent expectation. For a moment the teacher did nothing. At last he looked at Tom and then the egg. Without a word he carefully put the egg back into the refrigerator. “Class dismissed,” the teacher said, and then he sat down to clear his desk.

The teacher apparently did believe in God’s existence more than he thought. Many people, like that teacher, deny that God exists, yet run from him, question him, and attack him whenever they get the chance. That teacher wasn’t willing to bet his life that God didn’t exist.

Many people doubt the existence of God. Many people doubt the resurrection. On that first Easter, many years ago, one of the disciples refused to believe in the resurrection. He had doubts. Today we are going to take a look at that man, and see how his doubts are our doubts. We’re also going to see how Jesus healed this man of the disease of doubt, and how he heals us today.

On Easter night, the disciples were together in a house, hiding behind locked doors. A number of them had seen Jesus alive, and now they were scared. What were the Jewish leaders going to do? Would they be arrested now? Would they be accused of stealing the body? Would anyone believe them if they told people that Jesus had risen from the dead? They were hiding from the Pharisees and Sadduccees – hoping to avoid confrontation.

Suddenly, Jesus was standing in the middle of them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Jesus always says just the right thing at the right time, doesn’t he. He tells them that they can feel peace in their hearts. He was there, and they had nothing to worry about. He showed them his hands and side to prove to them that he wasn’t a ghost, but that he was the same Jesus they had known, the same Jesus they had seen crucified just three days earlier.

The Apostle Thomas wasn’t there. When he returned, the disciples told him that Jesus had appeared to them. But Thomas didn’t believe: “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” You can’t get much more skeptical than that, can you. I will not believe, unless I see visible proof.

Why does Thomas refuse to believe? Because Thomas was a practical person, and he lived in a practical world. He was shattered on Good Friday when Jesus died. But he wasn’t about to succumb to fantasy. Dead was dead, and that was it. No one in their right minds would doubt it when the Romans said a prisoner was dead. They were experts at killing! It’s not that Thomas didn’t want to believe that Jesus was still alive. But Thomas knew how the world worked. Dead was dead, and that was it.

That’s how our world sees Jesus’ resurrection today. Nice idea, but it didn’t really happen. Many people are set on proving that the resurrection of Jesus was a spiritual resurrection. Jesus arose only in the sense that his spirit goes marching on, sort of life the way the spirit of Abraham Lincoln continues to influence America.

But William Lane Craig, perhaps the worlds’ foremost authority on the resurrection, dismisses such a theory. Dr. Craig is an English scholar with two earned doctoral degrees. Currently, he teaches at the University of Louvain near Brussels. Dr. Craig points out that it would have been a contradiction in terms for an early Jew to say that someone was raised from the dead, but his body was left in the tomb. That’s not how people talked back then. Furthermore, Dr. Craig points out that numerous disciples were executed because they would not deny the resurrection. No sane person would die for something that didn’t happen. Of all the events that took place in the first century, no historical event has better or more widespread documentation than the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

And yet, we Christian today live in a sea of doubt. And when you’re swimming in doubt, it’s hard not to get wet, to have that doubt seep into your way of thinking. Have you ever doubted? Have you ever wondered about this whole business of Jesus and the cross and the resurrection? Have you ever asked yourself if your faith is really only a superstition? Have you ever wondered, “Am I a Christian only because my parents were? Often we’re afraid to face our doubts because we’re afraid of what we might find. We’re afraid of what others might think. People might find out how weak our faith really is, so we keep our doubts to ourselves. And yet, our doubts don’t go away – they’re always there, and like a cancer, our doubt slowly eats away at our faith, until we believe in Jesus less and less, and we become more and more skeptical, like Thomas, in our story for today.

What can you do to get rid of doubt? Nothing, really. There is no cure on this earth that will take away your doubts. If they find Noah’s ark up in the mountain, if they find the burial shroud of Christ, if all of your friends and family have the most amazing arguments in the world – none of those things can cure you of your doubt. Only one thing can.

That one thing happened to Thomas one week later. On the Sunday after Easter, the disciples were together, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked again. Suddenly, Jesus was standing in the middle of them. “Peace be with you,” Jesus says again. And then he focuses on Thomas. He invites Thomas to do what he said he wanted to do – to touch the wounds he had sustained on the cross. “Stop doubting and believe,” Jesus told Thomas.

This is what cured Thomas of his doubt. Thomas responded by saying, “My Lord and my God!” Thomas had become a man of faith, a man who believed in Jesus, even though everything he knew about the world would tell him otherwise.

The only solution, the only way, that you can get rid of the doubt in your heart is to have moments with Jesus Christ, like Thomas had that Sunday after Easter. “Now wait a second,” you might say. “Jesus appeared to Thomas. How am I supposed to have a moment like that?” When does Jesus come to you, and speak to you, like he spoke to Thomas? When does Jesus chase away your doubts? When does he transform you into someone who strongly believes in him, like Thomas did after it was all over?

Today, Jesus comes to you in an invisible way, through his Word. Every time you hear the Word of God, Jesus steps into your life and says, “Peace be with you.” Every time you receive the Lord’s Supper, Jesus is right there, through his body and blood, and he chases away your doubts, and fills you with faith and hope and trust in him. Through the Word, through the Sacraments, that’s how Jesus appears to you and speaks to you, just as he spoke to Thomas.

I was reading an article from a student publication put out by the WELS, called “Lightsource.” It’s written by college students about their experiences in college. The article on the front page is entitled “Faith vs. Reason” and it’s about a student who was really wrestling with doubts about her faith in God. The classes she took had caused her to question the existence of God. She was losing her faith, swimming in a sea of doubt. Trying to rely on her reason to find proof that God exists, that Jesus rose from the dead.

But it doesn’t work that way. You don’t get rid of your doubts that way. And then, she turned to the only thing that could cure her of her doubt: “Finally, I turned to the Word of God, to find a foothold,” she said. “I needed the Holy Spirit to change me and fan into flame once more the faith in my heart.” God is who changed her, and he did that through his Word.

That’s how Jesus changes you today. In verse 29, Jesus says to Thomas: “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet have believed.” Jesus is talking about you. You have not seen him with your own eyes like Thomas. But you have believed. You have believed by having Jesus come to you in an invisible way, through his Word. The Apostle John tells us that Jesus did other miraculous signs that are not recorded in the Bible. “But these are written” (these stories, these accounts of Jesus and his disciples) “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

Stay close to the Word of God. Take the Lord’s Supper regularly. Let Jesus speak to your heart, just as he spoke to Thomas. Let Jesus take away your doubts. Let Jesus change you into a Christian who strongly believes that Jesus is the Christ, even though you have never seen him. May God grant you the same heart he granted to Thomas, a heart that says “My Lord and my God.” 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. Today's sermon shared by Don Schultz on Mar 28, 2002.

Prayer of the Day for SUNDAY, April 23, 2017 - 2nd Sunday of Easter - Sunday of Divine Mercy - Quasimodo Geniti

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Verse of the Day for SUNDAY, April 23, 2017 - 2nd Sunday of Easter

Romans 14:11 (NIV) It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’”

Read all of Romans 14

Listen to Romans 14

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 - No te envicies con tu trabajo

No te jactes del día de mañana, porque no sabes lo que el día traerá. No te jactes de ti mismo; que sean otros los que te alaben.
Proverbios 27:1-2, NVI

Todos los extremos son malos. En el día de hoy, Dios quiere que unamos el pensamiento de ayer acerca de los llamados a trabajar, sobre todo en su obra, con tu llamado en particular como maestro, arquitecto, enfermera, trabajador de la construcción, cocinera, vendedor y hasta ama de casa. Y si no mencioné tu trabajo, añádelo, por favor. No podemos vivir solo para el trabajo y producir dinero. Esa no es la voluntad de Dios.

Dios deseas bendecirnos con nuestros trabajos y que podamos tener el dinero suficiente a fin de pagar nuestras cuentas y todo lo demás. Sin embargo, no nos dio el trabajo para que no hagamos otra cosa que trabajar, trabajar y, si sobra algo, trabajar. Esto desagrada a nuestro Dios.

¿Has pensado en las horas que has dejado de estar en casa porque tal parece que tienes mucho trabajo? ¿Has considerado las muchas veces que no te puedes despedir de tus hijos porque sales tan temprano que aún duermen y llegas tan tarde que también duermen?

Reflexiona en que hoy es el día de cambiar. No podemos seguir haciendo las cosas a nuestra manera. Piensa en esto: Tú dejas de disfrutar con los tuyos por estar trabajando, pero el día que te enfermes por exceso de estrés, nadie va devolverte la salud. Además, recuerda algo que yo siempre tengo muy presente: «Todos» somos reemplazables.

Después de mi enfermedad entendí esto y, aunque me encanta lo que hago, ahora saco tiempo mi familia y para mí, y comprendo que soy reemplazable.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón

Standing Strong Through the Storm - THE HELMET OF SALVATION

Take the helmet of salvation…

 Ephesians 6:17a, NIV

In describing the Christian’s helmet, Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:8, “…and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” The best armor you can give a soldier is the kind that cannot be destroyed by the enemy. Paul, knowing the eternal nature of God’s salvation, exhorts the servant-soldier to put on—that is, believe in—the hope of life beyond this world. Soldiers without fear of death? What a mighty force!

God also provides the helmet to protect our minds. When the enemy tries to infiltrate our thinking with doubts about our salvation, the helmet becomes our protection.

You are God’s own child. He Himself redeemed you from slavery. He does not want the enemy to overcome you. You are secure in your relationship with God. The power within you is greater than the power in your enemy. Give no place to doubt. Take your stand for God in confidence wearing you helmet of salvation.

Teshome comes from northern Ethiopia and grew up in the traditional Orthodox Church. In Sunday school he was taught that the evangelical Christians eat the meat of dogs and cats when they celebrate Holy Communion. Their Sunday school teachers made a mistake by asking them to read the gospels and so Teshome discovered the truth about Jesus Christ. He went to evangelical Christians to hear more about Jesus. He found that his Sunday school teachers, priests and bishops were teaching him lies. He accepted Christ. After this he was chased away by his family, community and congregation.

Brother Teshome and new friends went to live with Christians who received them in their homes. It was during their stay with these Christians that they heard about a well-established evangelical church. They contacted its leadership and joined after getting a positive reply. Presently they have sixty members in their region. Brother Teshome’s vision is to go back to his people and witness to them.

RESPONSE: Today I put on the helmet of salvation so Satan will not have a stronghold on my thoughts.

PRAYER: Lord, I rejoice in my salvation and ask You to help me keep my mind focused on You.