LHM Daily Devotion - May 13, 2017 "Ian's Story...Our Story "

Have you ever had a person dare you to do something? If so, do you...

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

"Ian's Story...Our Story"

May 13, 2017

1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

"I dare you!"

Have you ever had a person dare you to do something? If so, do you remember the levels and intensities of the dares?

First, a person was dared to do something. If the dare wasn't accepted, next came the "double dare." To decline to act on a double dare was a rare thing, something you might not see for years at a time. After the double dare there was the "triple dare." The triple dare was something you simply couldn't ignore. You had to respond or run the risk of forever being branded a coward, an individual without pride, purpose, or principles.

If I remember correctly, the last dare which could be used was the "triple-dog dare."

Personally, I have never seen a triple-dog dare, but in 1990 that was the potency of the challenge put before Ian Manuel. He had no choice but to respond and prove himself. This is how the 13-year-old Manuel found himself confronting the 28-year-old mother, Debbie Baigrie.

The robbery didn't go well. Manuel shot Baigrie in the mouth. The shot didn't kill the Tampa, Florida, mother, but it came close. She lived, but the next years were spent undergoing dozens of dental procedures trying to restore her mouth and face.

And Manuel?

He was captured, tried, and sentenced to life in prison, without the possibility of a parole.

The two might have lived out their entire lives that way, but they didn't. Manuel thought about what he had done. Guilt moved him to repentance and contrition. And so that's how, immediately before Christmas in 1991, he tried to make a collect phone call to Baigrie. Out of curiosity she accepted the charges. She listened as he offered his heartfelt apology.

Baigrie forgave Manuel. More than that, the two started writing and she encouraged him to get his high-school diploma equivalency and improve himself. Baigrie even began a crusade to have Manuel released. It was a dream which became a reality last November. When Manuel, now 40 years old, walked out of prison, Baigrie was there to greet him. Since then he has become like a son to her and she has become a substitute for his deceased mother.

It is a wonderful story -- a story which those who have been rescued and redeemed by the Savior understand. We understand because Manuel's story is much like ours -- except ours is worse.

Not once, but multiple times we sinned against the Lord in our thoughts, words, and actions.

For our misdeeds the Law condemned us to spend eternity in hell. Nobody could have said the verdict was unfair. It wasn't unfair. On the contrary, it was just. But then, without any logical reason the gracious Lord reached out to us. He sent His Holy Spirit to us.

God's Spirit brought us to faith, brought us to the Redeemer. In Jesus, we were given a spirit of repentance and blessed with forgiveness, a reunion, and our adoption into the family of faith. God's action is one of grace that changes everything, including our eternity.

And that, my friends, is something I triple-dog dare you to forget.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, today I confess my many misdeeds and transgressions. Allow me to express my gratitude for the forgiveness I have been given through the work of my crucified-and-ever-living Savior. 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).

Our Daily Bread - Camping Psalms

Read: Psalm 8:1–9

Bible in a Year: 2 Kings 17–18; John 3:19–36

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Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:1

When my husband and I go for nature walks, we bring our cameras and take close-ups of the plants at our feet, which are like microcosms of the world. What amazing variety and beauty we see, even in the fungi that spring up overnight and dot the woods with splashes of bright orange, red, and yellow!

The snapshots of life that surround us inspire me to lift my eyes to the Maker who created not only mushrooms but also the stars in the heavens. He designed a world of infinite scope and variety. And He made you and me and placed us in the very middle of this beauty to enjoy and to rule over it (Gen. 1:27–28; Ps. 8:6–8).

My thoughts turn to one of our family’s “camping psalms”—psalms we read as we sit around the fire. “Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. . . . When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Ps. 8:1–4).

How amazing that the great God who created the world in all its splendor cares for you and me!

O Lord, our majestic Maker, our hearts turn toward praise when we see snapshots of Your beautiful world. Thank You for creating us! Help us to rule Your world with wisdom. 

Our Daily Bread welcomes writer Alyson Kieda! Meet Alyson and all our authors at odb.org/all-authors.

A God wise enough to create me and the world I live in is wise enough to watch out for me.  Philip Yancey

By Alyson Kieda

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Thi Thiên Cắm Trại

Đọc: Thi thiên 8:1–9

Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: 2 Các vua 17–18; Giăng 3:19–36

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Lạy ĐỨC GIÊ-HÔ-VA là Chúa của chúng con, Danh Chúa vang lừng trên khắp đất biết bao! Thi thiên 8:1

Những lúc đi dạo ngoài trời, vợ chồng chúng tôi thường mang theo máy chụp hình để chụp cận cảnh từng nhành cỏ mọc sát mặt đất. Đó là một thế giới thu nhỏ tuyệt đẹp, đầy sắc màu thật đáng kinh ngạc. Ngay cả một cây nấm nhỏ mới nhú cũng toả ra nét đẹp sắc sảo với những mảng màu cam, đỏ và vàng sáng!

Những bức ảnh về cuộc sống thiên nhiên xung quanh khiến tôi ngước mắt nhìn lên Đấng Tạo Hóa. Ngài tạo nên những cây nấm bé nhỏ. Ngài tạo nên những vì sao trên các tầng trời. Ngài tạo dựng nên thế giới này với không gian vô tận và đa dạng. Ngài tạo dựng bạn và tôi và đặt chúng ta ở trong nơi đẹp đẽ này để vui hưởng và quản trị chúng (Sáng. 1:27–28; Thi. 8:6–8).

Điều này khiến tôi suy nghĩ đến một trong những Thi Thiên mà gia đình tôi thường gọi là “Thi Thiên cắm trại” — Đây là những bài Thi Thiên chúng tôi thường đọc khi ngồi xung quanh đống lửa trại. “Lạy ĐỨC GIÊ-HÔ-VA là Chúa của chúng con, danh Chúa vang lừng trên khắp đất biết bao! Uy nghiêm Ngài vượt quá các tầng trời… Khi con nhìn xem các tầng trời là công việc của ngón tay Chúa, mặt trăng và các ngôi sao mà Chúa đã tạo dựng, Loài người là gì mà Chúa nhớ đến? Con loài người là chi mà Chúa thăm viếng nó?” (Thi. 8:1–4).

Thật tuyệt vời làm sao khi Đức Chúa Trời vĩ đại, Đấng tạo nên thế giới vô cùng tuyệt vời, lại quan tâm chăm sóc đến bạn và tôi!

Lạy Chúa, là Đấng Tạo Hóa vĩ đại của chúng con, tấm lòng chúng con cất lên lời ngợi khen Ngài khi chiêm ngưỡng thế giới tuyệt đẹp mà Ngài đã tạo dựng. Cảm tạ Chúa đã dựng nên chúng con! Xin giúp chúng con quản trị thế giới Ngài ban cách khôn ngoan.

Đấng đã tạo dựng nên tôi và thế giới mà tôi đang sống một cách khôn ngoan cũng là Đấng gìn giữ tôi cách khôn ngoan. Philip Yancey

bởi Alyson Kieda

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Salmos de campamento

Leer: Salmo 8:1-9

La Biblia en un año: 2 Reyes 17–18; Juan 3:19-36

¡Oh Señor nuestro, cuán glorioso es tu nombre en toda la tierra!… (v. 1).

Cuando mi esposo y yo vamos a caminar al aire libre, llevamos la cámara y sacamos primeros planos de las plantas a nuestros pies, que son como microcosmos. Qué maravillosa variedad y belleza vemos, ¡incluso en los hongos que salpican los bosques con pinceladas de naranja, rojo y amarillo!

Las fotos de la vida que nos rodea me inspiran a levantar los ojos al Creador que no solo hizo los hongos, sino también las estrellas y los cielos. Diseñó un mundo de infinito alcance y variedad. Además, nos creó a ti y a mí y nos puso en medio de esta belleza, para disfrutarla y gobernarla (Génesis 1:27-28; Salmo 8:6-8).

Mis pensamientos se vuelcan a uno de los «salmos de campamento» de mi familia: salmos que leemos sentados alrededor de una fogata: «¡Oh Señor nuestro, cuán glorioso es tu nombre en toda la tierra! Has puesto tu gloria sobre los cielos […]. Cuando veo tus cielos, obra de tus dedos, la luna y las estrellas que tú formaste, digo: ¿Qué es el hombre, para que tengas de él memoria, y el hijo del hombre, para que lo visites?» (Salmo 8:1-4).

¡Qué maravilla que el Dios que creó el mundo en todo su esplendor se preocupe por ti y por mí!

Majestuoso Creador, nuestro corazón te alaba cuando vemos instantáneas de tu hermoso mundo.

Al entender lo sabio que es Dios, confiamos en que puede cuidarnos.

Por Alyson Kieda

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Urlaubs-Psalmen

Lesen: Psalm 8,2-10

Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 2.Könige 17–18; Johannes 3,19-36

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Herr, unser Herrscher, wie herrlich ist dein Name in allen Landen. Psalm 8,2

Wenn ich mit meinem Mann wandern gehe, nehmen wir unsere Kameras mit und machen Nahaufnahmen von den Pflanzen zu unseren Füßen, die einen ganzen Mikrokosmos bieten. Was für eine Vielfalt und Schönheit sehen wir da, selbst in den Pilzen, die über Nacht aus dem Boden schießen und den Waldboden mit gelben, orangen und roten Tupfern übersäen!

Die Schnappschüsse von dem Leben, das uns umgibt, lassen mich die Augen aufheben zu dem Schöpfer, der nicht nur Pilze, sondern auch die Sterne am Himmel erschaffen hat. Er hat eine Welt von unendlicher Größe und Vielfalt entworfen. Und er hat dich und mich gemacht und uns mitten in diese Schönheit hineingesetzt, damit wir uns an ihr freuen und über sie herrschen (1.Mose 1,27-28; Ps. 8,7-9).

Meine Gedanken wandern zu einem der „Urlaubs-Psalmen“ unserer Familie—Psalmen, die wir laut lesen, wenn wir am Feuer sitzen: „Herr, unser Herrscher, wie herrlich ist dein Name in allen Landen, der du zeigst deine Hoheit am Himmel! . . . Wenn ich sehe die Himmel, deiner Finger Werk, den Mond und die Sterne, die du bereitet hast; was ist der Mensch, dass du seiner gedenkst, und des Menschen Kind, dass du dich seiner annimmst?“ (Ps. 8,2-5).

Wie gewaltig, dass der große Gott, der die ganze Welt in ihrer Schönheit schuf, für dich und mich sorgt!

O Herr, du herrlicher Schöpfer, unser Herz beginnt zu loben, wenn wir die Schnappschüsse deiner schönen Welt sehen. Danke, dass du uns erschaffen hast. Hilf uns, deine Welt mit Weisheit zu regieren.

Ein Gott, der weise genug ist, um mich und die Welt, in der ich lebe, zu erschaffen, ist auch weise genug, um auf mich aufzupassen.

Philip Yancey

Von Alyson Kieda

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Psaumes de camping

Lisez : Psaume 8.1‑10

La Bible en un an : 2 ROIS 17 – 18 et JEAN 3.19‑36

Éternel, notre Seigneur ! Que ton nom est magnifique sur toute la terre ! V. 2

Lorsque mon mari et moi allons marcher dans la nature, nous emportons nos appareils photo pour photographier de près les plantes à nos pieds, qui sont comme des microcosmes du monde. Quel trésor de variété et de beauté s’offre à notre vue, même dans la mousse qui fait son apparition du jour au lendemain et qui vient parsemer le sol de touches d’orange, de rouge et de jaune vifs !

Les instantanés de vie qui nous entourent me poussent à lever les yeux vers le Créateur, qui a fait non seulement les champignons, mais aussi les astres célestes. Il a conçu un monde d’une portée et d’une variété infinies. Et il nous a créés, vous et moi, et nous a placés au coeur même de toute cette beauté afin que nous en jouissions et que nous régnions sur elle (GE 1.27,28 ; PS 8.6‑8).

Ces pensées me ramènent à l’un des « psaumes de camping » préférés de ma famille, à savoir des psaumes que nous lisons ensemble assis autour d’un feu de camp. « Éternel, notre Seigneur ! Que ton nom est magnifique sur toute la terre ! Ta majesté s’élève au‑dessus des cieux. […] Quand je contemple les cieux, ouvrage de tes mains, la lune et les étoiles que tu as créées : Qu’est‑ce que l’homme, pour que tu te souviennes de lui ? Et le fils de l’homme, pour que tu prennes garde à lui ? » (PS 8.1‑4.)

Quel bonheur que de savoir que le grand Dieu qui a créé le monde dans toute sa splendeur se préoccupe de vous et moi !

Un Dieu capable de tout créer peut veiller sur moi. P. YANCEY

par Alyson Kieda

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Улюблені Псалми

Читати: Псалом 8:1-10

Біблія за рік: 2 Царів 17−18 ; Івана 3:19-36

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Господи, Владико наш, яке то величне на цілій землі Твоє Ймення! — Псалом 8:2

Коли ми з чоловіком виходимо на прогулянки, то беремо фотоапарати, щоб робити з максимальною наближеністю фотографії рослин, що ростуть навколо нас. Перед нами наче відкривається мікрокосмос цього світу. Яка різноманітність краси! Навіть звичайні лишайники та гриби, що з’являються протягом однієї ночі, у збільшених розмірах милують око яскравими оранжевими, червоними та жовтими кольорами.

Ці фотографії, що зображають життя навколо нас, надихають мене здіймати очі до Того, Хто створив не лише гриби, але й зірки на небі. Творець дав існування безмежним просторам, безмежному різноманіттю. А ще Він створив тебе й мене і помістив нас посеред цієї всієї невимовної краси, щоб ми насолоджувались і розпоряджались нею (Бут. 1:27-28; Пс. 8:7-9).

В такі моменти я згадую один із улюблених Псалмів, що ми сім’єю постійно читаємо в лісі біля вогнища. “Господи, Владико наш, яке то величне на цілій землі Твоє Ймення, Слава Твоя понад небесами!.. Коли бачу Твої небеса − діло пальців Твоїх, місяця й зорі, що Ти встановив, то що є людина, що Ти пам’ятаєш про неї, і син людський, про якого Ти згадуєш?” (Пс. 8:2-5).

Який дивовижний світ створив великий Бог – світ в усій пишності для тебе й мене!

О, Господи, наш великий Творець, в наших серцях народжується хвала, коли бачимо навколо велич Твого прекрасного, дивовижного світу. Дякуємо за те, що створив нас! Допоможи мудро розпоряджатись цим світом.

“Бог, мудрості Якого було достатньо, щоб створити цей світ, має вдосталь мудрості пильнувати нас у цьому світі”. — Філіп Янсі

Автор Алісон Кієда

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Походные псалмы

Читать сейчас: Псалом 8

Библия за год: 4 Царств 17-18; Иоанна 3:19-36

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Господи, Боже наш! Как величественно имя Твое по всей земле! — Псалом 8:2

Выезжая с мужем на природу, мы берем с собой фотоаппараты и снимаем с близкого ракурса все, что растет под ногами. Это настоящий микрокосмос! Изумительное многообразие и красота. Даже грибы и лишайники при большом увеличении надолго увлекают яркими красками: оранжевой, красной и желтой.

Фотографии окружающей природы побуждают меня возводить глаза к Создателю, Который сотворил не только грибы, но и звезды в небесах. Он создал удивительный и разнообразный мир и поместил в центре всей этой красоты нас с вами, чтобы радоваться Его творению и управлять им (Быт. 1:27-28; Пс. 8:7-9).

Мои мысли обращаются к одному из наших «походных псалмов» – тех, которые мы читаем, сидя вокруг костра. «Господи, Боже наш! Как величественно имя Твое по всей земле! Слава Твоя простирается превыше небес! Когда взираю я на небеса Твои – дело Твоих перстов, на луну и звезды, которые Ты поставил, то что есть человек, что Ты помнишь его, и сын человеческий, что Ты посещаешь его?» (Пс. 8:2-5).

Как удивительно, что великий Бог, создавший мир во всем его великолепии, заботится о нас!

О, Господь, великий Создатель, наши сердца возносятся в хвале, когда мы видим картины Твоего прекрасного творения. Благодарим, что создал нас! Помоги нам разумно управлять Твоим миром.

«Бог, мудро устроивший мир, мудро хранит меня». — Филип Янси

автор: Алисон Киеда

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for FRIDAY, May 12, 2017 - 27th Day of Easter

Opening Sentence

Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

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 Wisdom 6:12-23

Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her, and is found by those who seek her. She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her. One who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty, for she will be found sitting at the gate. To fix one's thought on her is perfect understanding, and one who is vigilant on her account will soon be free from care, because she goes about seeking those worthy of her, and she graciously appears to them in their paths, and meets them in every thought. The beginning of wisdom is the most sincere desire for instruction, and concern for instruction is love of her, and love of her is the keeping of her laws, and giving heed to her laws is assurance of immortality, and immortality brings one near to God; so the desire for wisdom leads to a kingdom. Therefore if you delight in thrones and scepters, O monarchs over the peoples, honor wisdom, so that you may reign forever. I will tell you what wisdom is and how she came to be, and I will hide no secrets from you, but I will trace her course from the beginning of creation, and make knowledge of her clear, and I will not pass by the truth; nor will I travel in the company of sickly envy, for envy does not associate with wisdom.

The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from Colossians 3:1-11

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. But now you must get rid of all such things-- anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!

The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in Luke 7:1-17

After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us." And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and the slave does it." When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health. Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother's only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, "Do not weep." Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, rise!" The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen among us!" and "God has looked favorably on his people!" This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.

Morning Psalms

Psalm 40 Expectans, expectavi
1   I waited patiently upon the LORD; he stooped to me and heard my cry.
2   He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay; he set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure.
3   He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many shall see, and stand in awe, and put their trust in the LORD.
4   Happy are they who trust in the LORD! they do not resort to evil spirits or turn to false gods.
5   Great things are they that you have done, O LORD my God! how great your wonders and your plans for us! there is none who can be compared with you.
6   Oh, that I could make them known and tell them! but they are more than I can count.
7   In sacrifice and offering you take no pleasure (you have given me ears to hear you);
8   Burnt-offering and sin-offering you have not required, and so I said, "Behold, I come.
9   In the roll of the book it is written concerning me: 'I love to do your will, O my God; your law is deep in my heart.'"
10   I proclaimed righteousness in the great congregation; behold, I did not restrain my lips; and that, O LORD, you know.
11   Your righteousness have I not hidden in my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your deliverance; I have not concealed your love and faithfulness from the great congregation.
12   You are the LORD; do not withhold your compassion from me; let your love and your faithfulness keep me safe for ever,
13   For innumerable troubles have crowded upon me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more in number than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails me.
14   Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; O LORD, make haste to help me.
15   Let them be ashamed and altogether dismayed who seek after my life to destroy it; let them draw back and be disgraced who take pleasure in my misfortune.
16   Let those who say "Aha!" and gloat over me be confounded, because they are ashamed.
17   Let all who seek you rejoice in you and be glad; let those who love your salvation continually say, "Great is the LORD!"
18   Though I am poor and afflicted, the Lord will have regard for me.
19   You are my helper and my deliverer; do not tarry, O my God.

Psalm 54 Deus, in nomine
1   Save me, O God, by your Name; in your might, defend my cause.
2   Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
3   For the arrogant have risen up against me, and the ruthless have sought my life, those who have no regard for God.
4   Behold, God is my helper; it is the Lord who sustains my life.
5   Render evil to those who spy on me; in your faithfulness, destroy them.
6   I will offer you a freewill sacrifice and praise your Name, O LORD, for it is good.
7   For you have rescued me from every trouble, and my eye has seen the ruin of my foes.

Evening Psalms

Psalm 51 Miserere mei, Deus
1   Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; in your great compassion blot out my offenses.
2   Wash me through and through from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin.
3   For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
4   Against you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.
5   And so you are justified when you speak and upright in your judgment.
6   Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth, a sinner from my mother's womb.
7   For behold, you look for truth deep within me, and will make me understand wisdom secretly.
8   Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; wash me, and I shall be clean indeed.
9   Make me hear of joy and gladness, that the body you have broken may rejoice.
10   Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities.
11   Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
12   Cast me not away from your presence and take not your holy Spirit from me.
13   Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.
14   I shall teach your ways to the wicked, and sinners shall return to you.
15   Deliver me from death, O God, and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness, O God of my salvation.
16   Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
17   Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice, but you take no delight in burnt-offerings.
18   The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
19   Be favorable and gracious to Zion, and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
20   Then you will be pleased with the appointed sacrifices, with burnt-offerings and oblations; then shall they offer young bullocks upon your altar.

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 Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people; Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

A Prayer for Fridays

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; 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!
Thanks be to God! 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 FRIDAY, May 12, 2017 - 27th Day of Easter

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people; Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Verse of the Day for FRIDAY, May 12, 2017 - 27th Day of Easter

Proverbs 31:10 (NIV) [Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character] A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

Read all of Proverbs 31

Listen to Proverbs 31

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 - The Authority of the Scriptures

"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

—Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV)

When I think of Billy Graham’s preaching over the years, one thing comes to mind: he always quoted the Bible. How many times have we heard Billy Graham say, “And the Bible says . . .”? I’ve always loved that about him. He knows the authority of the Scriptures.

In the same way, Peter’s message on the Day of Pentecost was great because it was scriptural. He quoted Joel 2:28–32 from memory, and he also quoted Psalm 16 and Psalm 110. Obviously Peter had committed great portions of Scripture to memory. Any Christian worth his or her salt should be able to stand up at a moment’s notice and clearly articulate the gospel message without notes.

Why? Because someday you may find yourself in a situation where you’ll need to break it down fast, where you’ll be able to say, “Here’s how you can get right with God and put your faith in Jesus Christ.”

We need to know the Scriptures. I can’t emphasize enough how important the Bible is when you are sharing your faith. As Isaiah 55 tells us, “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, . . . so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (verses 10–11).

We need to use the Scriptures as we share the gospel. As artists know how to use their pens and brushes (and nowadays, their computer programs), as cooks know how to use their knives and utensils, as soldiers know how to use their weapons, we need to know how to use the Word of God.

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny

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relationship with Jesus Christ.
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 - Vivamos el hoy

Oh Señor [...] por todas las generaciones proclamará mi boca tu fidelidad. Declararé que tu amor permanece firme para siempre.
Salmo 89:1-2 (NVI)

Doy gracias a mi Dios porque muchas personas comienzan su día con este humilde devocional y lo digo así porque no soy pastora ni mucho menos. Aun así, Dios me ha dado el don y el gran privilegio de inyectar entusiasmo y alegría a la gente debido a todo lo que se pierde cuando se tienen tantas cosas en la mente y la vida es muy agitada.

Agradezco a cada uno de los oyentes que me ha dicho que mis oraciones y mis palabras de aliento han sido y siguen siendo de bendición para sus vidas y su diario vivir. ¡GRACIAS!

En realidad, esa debe ser nuestra actitud. Muchas veces he llegado durante estos diez años a la radio con diversas preocupaciones, enfermedades, problemas económicos y situaciones que vivimos todos los seres humanos. A pesar de eso, Dios ha sido tan grande que, en medio de esas circunstancias, todo se olvida al llegar al micrófono. Es como si pasara a otro plano. De mi boca solo sale agradecimiento a Dios y unas inmensos deseos de decirte: «Dios te ama, Dios te cuida, Dios está interesado en tu problema, Dios quiere hacerte feliz».

No obstante, dependerá mucho de nuestra actitud. Nosotros somos lo que hablamos o lo que confesamos. Si te levantas amargado y desde que abres tus ojitos y tu boca lo primero que pronuncias son palabras negativas, sales de tu casa en ese tono, lo llevas en mente y se lo dices a tu familia y a tus compañeros, eso es lo que vas a ser.

Por favor, rompe esa manera de actuar y hazte el propósito desde hoy mismo hablar cosas lindas y confesar lo que deseas ser.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón

Standing Strong Through the Storm - PRAYER: TURNING PERIODS INTO COMMAS

Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city.

Acts 14:19-20a (NIV)

Today we hear from Open Doors’ author and co-worker, Anneke Companjen. These are the concluding paragraphs of her first book, Hidden Sorrow, Lasting Joy:

My husband, Johan, likes to speak on Acts 14 when he challenges Christians around the world to care for the Suffering Church.

In that chapter we read how the authorities won the crowd over and stoned Paul. They dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead.

“Period!” Johan tells his audience. “The devil wanted to put a period here. Paul was finished as far as the enemy was concerned. But God had other plans. The story continues, ‘But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city’ (Acts 14:20). Something happened that turned the devils period into God’s comma. What made the difference? The disciples’ prayer.”

God loves to change the devils periods into commas, and he’s still doing it today.

It is my heart’s desire that he will use you and me to make a difference in the lives of Christians who are persecuted for their faith around the world. We can reach out to them, each in our own church and community and in our own way, through awareness, through action, and most of all, through prayer.[1]

RESPONSE: Today I will not underestimate the power of prayer for persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. I will pray asking God to turn the devil’s periods into His commas.

PRAYER: Pray for persecuted Christians today whether they are experiencing pain or pressure, guilt or relief, sorrow or joy, faith or denial, isolation or fellowship, prison or freedom, hope or despair, forgiveness or bitterness.

1. Anneke Companjen, Hidden Sorrow, Lasting Joy (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001), pp. 216-217.

Men of the Bible - Jonathan

His name means: "Yahweh Has Given"

His work: The firstborn son of King Saul, Jonathan was a capable warrior and military strategist.
His character: Jonathan demonstrated remarkable capabilities for friendship, selflessness, and loyalty.
His sorrow: Although the rightful heir to the throne of Israel, Jonathan never became king. He also had to deal with the mental and emotional pathology of his father, King Saul.
Key Scriptures: 1 Samuel 14; 19; 20

A Look at the Man

By his own foolishness, Saul put his children in impossible situations.

His youngest daughter, Michal, was married to David, a man Saul openly hated. And his son, Jonathan, was David's closest friend.

Because of her father's unrestrained jealousy, Michal was forced to lower David from an open window to protect him from Saul. And Saul's irrational rage against David forced Jonathan to take sides against his father, the king of Israel.

As their friendship unfolded, we can assume that David confided in Jonathan about his anointing to be the next king of Israel. He would have told Jonathan about the prophet Samuel's visit to his father's home in search of Saul's replacement. Imagine the two-pronged disappointment that would have devastated a smaller man than Jonathan. First, he would have been greatly displeased with the news of the Lord's message to Samuel about his father. "I have rejected Saul as king over Israel." Second, it would mean that he, the oldest son of the king, was not going to be the successor to the throne.

There is no record of Jonathan being devastated with this news. Because he trusted God, he knew that Samuel never would have anointed David as the heir to his father's throne if he hadn't been divinely appointed.

The account of Jonathan is the story of loyalty at many levels. First, he was loyal to his father. At no point did Jonathan complain to David that his father was a deranged madman. In the midst of terrible conflict, Jonathan was steadfast in his respect for his father, even dying with him in battle.

Second, Jonathan was loyal to David. He had legitimate reasons to envy the successor to his father's throne, but he loved him instead. Like David, he was a capable leader and victorious warrior. But he refused to set himself against David, even though his father did everything he could to push him in that direction.

Finally, Jonathan was loyal to the living God. Even though he could have complained that his father's actions spoiled his own future, he trusted God's sovereignty. Whether through verbal confrontations with his father or delivering bad news to his friend, Jonathan was a man of impeccable integrity.

Some people imagine David's friend Jonathan as a milquetoast wimp looking to find esteem through his friendship with a man much greater than he. Nothing could be further from the truth. Jonathan was a strong man, a mighty soldier, and a successful leader. And it is from this position of influence that Jonathan introduces us to the greater power of loyalty.

Reflect On: 1 Samuel 20:11–17

Praise God: For blessing our loved ones through us.
Offer Thanks: For God’s faithfulness from generation to generation.
Confess: Any failure to believe that God intends to use you to extend his blessings to the next generation.
Ask God: To make you the kind of person whose righteousness blesses others.

Girlfriends in God - The Beatitudes of a Great Mom

by Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

Train children how to live right, and when they are old, they will not change (Proverbs 22:6, NCV).

Friend to Friend

We live in a world that often denies the importance of being a mom. I am certainly not an expert. When our daughter was born, the bottom line of my heart was simply to be a successful mom. Our daughter’s teenage years were rough! I remember telling her once, “You are going down this road of destruction over my dead body!” She almost did!

But God chose me to be her mom, so I was determined to be the best mom I could be. The good news is that God wants the same thing. Being a parent is a holy calling from God, and God never calls us to do a job without providing the power and the plan to do that job successfully. Here are some beatitudes of a great mom.

Be a mom who loves God.

We love, because God first loved us (1 John 4:19, NCV).

The truth is that we are incapable of loving our children until we first love God. Motherhood at its best demands a thriving partnership with God. We cannot give unconditional love until we have experienced the unconditional love of God. We can do everything else right as a parent, but if we don’t begin with loving God - we will fail.

Be a mom who prays continually.

Never stop praying (I Thessalonians 5:17, ICB).

It is never too late to start praying, and it is always too early to stop.

• Pray for God’s plan – not yours – when praying for your children.
• Pray that you will see your child like God sees your child.
• Pray specifically for your child:

Proverbs 3:5 “Lord, I pray that Jered would trust in You with all his heart and will lean not unto his understanding.”

1 Peter 5:7 “Lord, I pray that Danna would cast all her care upon You, because You care for her.”

Prayer is an eternal gift we can give to our children, teaching them the importance of prayer and teaching them how to pray. We prayed with our kids at bedtime from the day they were born. When our son was four, he began to pray that his grandfather and his uncle would stop smoking. Since both had smoked for many years and neither was trying to quit, I didn’t expect much. But our son did. Within the next year, both men suddenly quit smoking. I was amazed, but Jered acted like it was no big deal. He simply said, “Mom, you told me God answers prayer.” I am convinced that if we pray for our children and with our children, it will change their lives and ours.

Be a mom who gives time.

Train children how to live right, and when they are old, they will not change (Proverbs 22:6, NCV).

It takes time to know and train your children. Every child comes with a set of characteristics already established by God. Our job is to identify those characteristics and then steer the child toward them. The original root word for “train” is the term for “the palate, the roof of the mouth, the gums.” In the days of Solomon, a midwife would deliver the baby, dip her finger into the juice of crushed dates, reach into the mouth of the baby, and massage the gums and palate to create a sense of taste and thirst. She would then give the child to the mother so the baby could nurse. Our job as mothers is to develop a thirst in our children for the things of God. And that takes time.

There are seasons of life to which we must yield in order to be the mother God wants us to be, but time spent with children is never wasted. Every minute invested in your child is an eternal investment. Give your children the best of your time – not the leftovers of your time.

Being a mom is the hardest job on earth. It brings out the best and the worst in us. I know it requires great sacrifice and limitless energy, but to invest your time and best efforts into a child, to watch that child grow and develop, is to be part of the creative majesty of life itself.

Today, our daughter is a beautiful young woman, a great wife, an amazing mom of two remarkable boys, and one of my best friends. Sometimes we look at each other and just laugh. She often says, “Mom, can you believe it?” Yes, I can. She is a walking trophy of grace.

No matter where you are on your journey as a mom, embrace the children God gave you, knowing God chose you and will empower you to be the mom they deserve.

Let’s Pray

Lord, thank You for giving me children. Help me be the mom they deserve. I commit to constantly pray for my children and invest the best part of my time and life in them. Forgive me for allowing lesser things to take the place of my role as a mother and guide me to be a mom that really matters.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Now It’s Your Turn

Which one of these beatitudes do you need to work on in your life? Make that commitment today and record it in your journal. Now make a plan and get started!

More from the Girlfriends

It only makes sense that the One who created family has the only blueprint for its solidarity and success. Family is God’s idea and He alone has plan for making it succeed. Mary’s powerful video message, How to Love Your Family, explores four steps we can take to build a successful family.

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

www.girlfriendsingod.com