Daily Devotion May 22, 2017 "Help Is on the Way!"

To all those who put their faith in Jesus, help is always on the way.

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

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

"Help Is on the Way!"

May 22, 2017

John 14:15-17 - Jesus said to him, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you."

To all those who put their faith in Jesus, help is always on the way. In fact, help is always with you: the very Holy Spirit of God, Jesus' Gift to you for your comfort, for your encouragement, for you strength and fortitude in times of trouble. The Holy Spirit's job is to bring the things of Christ to you, to make them yours, to be the Giver of His life in your life. In fact, if you trust in Jesus today, if you believe in Him, that too is the power of the Spirit in your life.

And another thing, the Holy Spirit doesn't want you to make a fuss about Him. If you want to make a fuss about something, make a fuss about Jesus. If you want to know more about the Spirit's comfort and power, get to know Jesus by the power of His Spirit through God's Word and Sacraments. The Spirit's job is to take the things of Jesus and make them known to you.

It kind of reminds me of the attitude of Tenzing Norgay. Do you know who that was? He was one of the first two men to reach the summit of Mount Everest. You might know the name of Edmund Hillary, the New Zealander who made the climb, too. But Norgay not only made the climb, he saved Hillary's life on that climb as well.

It was 1953, Edmund Hillary, a New Zealand beekeeper/explorer, and his Sherpa guide from Nepal, Tenzing Norgay, reached the summit together, attaining instant international fame.

On the way down from the 29,000-foot peak, Hillary slipped and started to fall. As he was cascading to certain death, I'm sure he hoped that help would be on the way. But help was already there! Tenzing Norgay immediately dug in his ice axe and braced the rope linking them together, saving Hillary's life.

At the bottom the international press made a huge fuss over the Sherpa guide's heroic action. Through it all Tenzing Norgay remained calm, very professional, very uncarried away by it all. To all the shouted questions he had one answer: "Mountain climbers always help each other."

No fuss, but here's an even bolder truth today -- greater than a sidekick like Tenzing Norgay -- is the Holy Spirit for those who trust in Jesus. The Holy Spirit is not just help on the way; He is help for all who trust in the Way, the Truth, and the Life: Jesus Christ. He comforts, helps, empowers, and strengthens Christ's people in faith towards God, and fervent love towards neighbor. Come Holy Spirit, bring me that confidence in Jesus!

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for sending me the comfort that comes by the power of the Holy Spirit through the blessing of Your Word. Amen

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

CPTLN Devocional de 22 de Mayo de 2017

Alimento Diario

Un buen fundamento

22 de Mayo 2017

Si lo que alguno sobreedificó permanece, ése recibirá su recompensa. Si lo que alguno sobreedificó se quema, ése sufrirá una pérdida, si bien él mismo se salvará, aunque como quien escapa del fuego. 1 Corintios 3:14-15

Ya han pasado varios años desde que estuve en Yankton, Dakota del Sur, pero aún me siento orgulloso de las 500 familias que forman la Iglesia St. John y doy gracias por sus pastores. Si se están preguntando por qué, aquí está la razón: un años, justo antes de Semana Santa, en las instalaciones de St. John hubo un incendio que causó daños de más de dos millones de dólares.

Una vez terminadas las correspondientes investigaciones, se llegó a la conclusión que el incendio había sido intencional. ¡Qué tragedia!

Pero no es la tragedia lo que me motiva a escribir. La razón por la cual doy gracias por toda esa gente es porque su fe está edificada sobre Jesucristo, el salvador.

Inmediatamente después del fuego, los líderes de la iglesia comenzaron a rescatar lo rescatable y a quitar los escombros. El preescolar fue trasladado a otro lugar y también se encontró otro sitio donde celebrar los servicios de adoración.

Pero lo que más me gustó fue lo que dijo el Pastor Gunderson: "Juntos vamos a superar todo esto". Y tiene razón. Conociendo el poder del Espíritu Santo, el pastor pudo decir en su mensaje que la gracia de Dios va a hacer que la congregación supere esa prueba de su fe". Y luego agregó: "Nuestro objetivo es seguir levantando en alto la cruz".

¿Recuerdan que dije que ese incendio había sido una tragedia? En realidad, ese incendio se ha convertido en una oportunidad para dar testimonio de que el Señor es invencible.

Ese es el mismo testimonio que los mártires han dado a través de los siglos; es el mismo mensaje que los cristianos continúan proclamando cada vez que confían su futuro en las manos del Salvador crucificado y resucitado. Es el testimonio que permite que los cristianos digan: "El Señor es quien me ayuda; no temeré lo que pueda hacerme el hombre" (Hebreos 13:6b).

ORACIÓN: Querido Señor, da fuerza a quienes son perseguidos por causa de tu nombre. Enseña a cada cristiano a construir su vida y su fe sobre la cruz de Cristo y su tumba vacía. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén

© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. ¡Utilice estas devociones en sus boletines! Usado con permiso. Todos los derechos reservados por la Int'l LLL.

Our Daily Bread - Blink and Think of God

Read: Deuteronomy 32:1–12

Bible in a Year: 1 Chronicles 16–18; John 7:28–53

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He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye. Deuteronomy 32:10

“God is like an eyelid,” my friend Ryley said, and I blinked in surprise. What could she mean by that?

“Tell me more,” I replied. Together, we had been studying surprising pictures of God in the Bible, things like God as a laboring mother (Isa. 42:14) or as a beekeeper (7:18), but this one was new to me. Ryley pointed me to Deuteronomy 32, where Moses praises the way God takes care of His people. Verse 10 says that God shields and protects His people, guarding them “as the apple of his eye.”

But the word we translate apple, Ryley told me, literally means pupil. And what encircles and guards the pupil? The eyelid, of course! God is like the eyelid, which instinctively protects the tender eye. The eyelid guards the eye from danger, and by blinking helps remove dirt or dust. It keeps sweat out of the eye. It lubricates the eyeball, keeping it healthy. It closes, allowing rest.

As I considered the picture of God as an eyelid, I couldn’t help but thank God for the many metaphors He’s given us to help us understand His love for us. When we close our eyes at night and open them in the morning, we can think of God, and praise Him for His tender protection and care for us.

Thank You, God, for using surprising metaphors to help us understand You better. Thanks for guarding us just as the eyelid guards the eye.

When you blink, remember to thank God for His protection.

By Amy Peterson

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Ministérios Pão Diário - Urso medroso

Leia: Mateus 6:25-34

A Bíblia em um ano: 1 Crônicas 16–18, João 7:28-53

…não andeis ansiosos… v.25

Um gato marrom e branco, de uns seis quilos, levou a sério sua tarefa de cuidar do quintal de seus donos. Muitas vezes ele assustava pequenos animais intrusos, mas os donos ficaram surpresos quando certo dia o encontraram sentado debaixo de uma árvore grande, olhando para cima, para um enorme urso preto.

O gato ronronou para o urso quando este entrou no quintal, vindo de uma floresta vizinha. O urso assustado subiu rapidamente na árvore. Como pode um urso preto enorme ter medo de um gatinho? Que absurdo!

Mais absurdos ainda são os nossos pensamentos de preocupação e medo, se considerarmos que temos um Deus poderoso e bom que cuida de nós. Jesus disse aos Seus discípulos: “…não andeis ansiosos…” (Mateus 6:25,31,34). Ele disse que não precisamos ter medo ou nos preocuparmos, porque o nosso Pai celestial conhece as nossas necessidades e temos grande valor para Ele (vv.26,32). O Senhor está totalmente pronto e é capaz de suprir as nossas necessidades.

Quando algo nos preocupa, qual é a nossa perspectiva? Não é o que vemos, mas como o vemos, que revela a nossa atitude. Se olharmos para a vida pelas lentes de nosso Deus, poderoso e bom, confiaremos nele em vez de nos preocuparmos e termos medo. Quando nossa perspectiva está correta, podemos enxergar Deus e Sua fiel provisão.

A preocupação é um fardo que Deus não quer que carreguemos.

por Anne Cetas

© 2017 Ministérios Pão Diário

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Chớp Mắt Và Nghĩ Về Chúa

Đọc: Phục truyền luật lệ ký 32:1–12

Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: 1 Sử ký 16–18; Giăng 7:28–53

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Ngài bao phủ họ, chăm sóc họ; gìn giữ họ như con ngươi của mắt Ngài. Phục truyền luật lệ ký 32:10

Người bạn tên Ryley của tôi từng nói rằng: “Đức Chúa Trời giống như cái mí mắt vậy,” và tôi rất ngạc nhiên về điều đó. Cô ấy có ý gì khi nói như vậy?

Tôi nói: “Bạn có thể nói rõ hơn được không.” Thế là chúng tôi cùng nhau khám phá những hình ảnh đáng kinh ngạc về Đức Chúa Trời trong Kinh Thánh, những hình ảnh mô tả Đức Chúa Trời như người mẹ đang sanh con (Ês. 42:14), như người nuôi ong (7:18), nhưng hình ảnh “mí mắt” thì hoàn toàn mới mẻ đối với tôi. Ryley chỉ cho tôi phần Kinh Thánh trong Phục truyền luật lệ ký chương 32, nơi Môi-se ca ngợi cách Đức Chúa Trời gìn giữ dân sự của Ngài. Trong câu 10 chép rằng Ngài bao phủ họ, chăm sóc họ, gìn giữ họ “như con ngươi của mắt Ngài.”

Tuy nhiên, từ được dịch là con ngươi ở đây, theo Ryley cho tôi biết thì có nghĩa là tròng đen của mắt. Thế thì con mắt của chúng ta được bảo vệ bởi gì? Tất nhiên, đó là mí mắt! Đức Chúa Trời cũng giống như mí mắt là lá chắn tự nhiên bảo vệ cho đôi mắt của chúng ta. Mí mắt giữ cho mắt tránh khỏi những nguy hiểm, và qua việc chớp mắt, nó còn giúp loại bỏ bụi bẩn. Nó cũng giúp cho mắt luôn được giữ ẩm. Nó bôi trơn và giúp cho mắt khỏe mạnh. Khi đóng lại, nó giúp cho mắt được nghỉ ngơi.

Khi tôi suy nghĩ về hình ảnh Đức Chúa Trời giống như mí mắt, tôi không thể làm gì khác hơn là cảm tạ Chúa về nhiều hình ảnh ẩn dụ mà Ngài dùng để giúp chúng ta hiểu được tình yêu của Ngài dành cho chúng ta. Khi nhắm mắt lại vào ban đêm và mở mắt ra khi trời sáng, chúng ta có thể nhớ đến Chúa và tạ ơn Ngài vì sự chăm sóc và gìn giữ tuyệt vời của Ngài đối với chúng ta.

Lạy Chúa, cảm ơn Ngài đã dùng những ẩn dụ tuyệt vời để giúp chúng con hiểu về Ngài hơn. Cảm ơn Ngài đã gìn giữ chúng con giống như mí mắt bảo vệ mắt của chúng con.

Khi bạn chớp mắt, hãy nhớ cảm tạ Chúa vì sự bảo vệ của Ngài.

bởi Amy Peterson

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Pestañea y piensa en Dios

Leer: Deut. 32:1-12

La Biblia en un año: 1 Crónicas 16–18; Juan 7:28-53

… Lo guardó como a la niña de su ojo (v. 10).

«Dios es como un párpado», dijo mi amiga Ryley, y yo pestañeé sorprendida. ¿Qué querría decir?

«Cuéntame más», respondí. Juntas, habíamos estado estudiando imágenes sorprendentes de Dios en la Biblia; cosas como Dios como una madre en trabajo de parto (Isaías 42:14) o un apicultor (7:18), pero esta metáfora era nueva para mí. Ryley me señaló Deuteronomio 32, donde Moisés alaba cómo Dios cuida a su pueblo. El versículo 10 dice que el Señor protege a su pueblo y lo guarda «como a la niña de su ojo».

Según Ryley, la palabra traducida niña significa literalmente «pupila». ¿Y qué rodea y protege la pupila? ¡El párpado, por supuesto! Dios es como el párpado, que, instintivamente, protege el ojo frágil. El párpado guarda el ojo del peligro y, al pestañear, ayuda a quitar el polvo, además de evitar que se meta sudor. También lubrica el globo ocular y lo mantiene saludable; y se cierra para permitir el descanso.

Al considerar la imagen de Dios como párpado, no pude evitar darle gracias por las muchas metáforas que nos ha dado para ayudarnos a entender su amor por nosotros. Cuando cerramos los ojos por la noche y los abrimos a la mañana, podemos pensar en Dios y alabarlo por su tierna protección y cuidado.

Señor, gracias por protegernos tal como el párpado guarda el ojo.

Cuando pestañees, recuerda dar gracias a Dios por su protección.

Por ap

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Der blinzelnde Gott

Lesen: 5.Mose 32,1-12

Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 1.Chronik 16–18; Johannes 7,28-53

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Er umfing ihn und hatte Acht auf ihn. Er behütete ihn wie seinen Augapfel. 5.Mose 32,10

„Gott ist wie ein Augenlid“, sagte meine Bekannte und ich zwinkerte überrascht. Wie meinte sie das?

„Das musst du mir erklären“, erwiderte ich. Zusammen hatten wir uns ein paar überraschende Bilder von Gott in der Bibel angeschaut, etwa Gott als Gebärende (Jes. 42,14) oder als Fliegenfänger (7,18). Aber dieses war neu für mich. Sie ließ mich 5.Mose 32 aufschlagen, wo Mose Gott dafür preist, wie er sein Volk umsorgt. In Vers 10 heißt es, dass Gott seine Kinder behütet und schützt „wie seinen Augapfel“.

Aber das Wort, das wir mit Augapfel wiedergeben, so erklärte sie mir, bedeutet wörtlich Pupille. Und was umgibt und schützt die Pupille? Genau, das Augenlid! Gott ist wie ein Augenlid, das den empfindlichen Augapfel instinktiv schützt. Das Lid schützt das Auge vor Gefahr, und durch sein Blinzeln entfernt es Staub und Schmutz. Es hält den Schweiß vom Auge fern. Es befeuchtet den Augapfel und hält ihn damit gesund. Es schließt sich und schenkt Ruhe.

Als ich mir das Bild von Gott als Augenlid vor Augen malte, konnte ich nicht anders, als ihm danken für die vielen Bilder, mit denen er uns hilft, seine Liebe zu begreifen. Wenn wir am Abend unsere Augen schließen und am Morgen wieder aufmachen, können wir an ihn denken und ihn loben für seinen Schutz und seine Fürsorge.

Danke, Herr, für die interessanten Bilder, die uns helfen, dich besser zu begreifen. Danke, dass du uns behütest wie ein Augenlid das Auge.

Wenn du blinzelst, vergiss nicht, Gott für seine Bewahrung zu danken.

Von Amy

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - D’un clignement de yeux

Lisez : Deutéronome 32.1‑12

La Bible en un an : 1 CHRONIQUES 16 – 18 et JEAN 7.28‑53

[Il] l’a entouré, il en a pris soin, il l’a gardé comme la prunelle de son œil. V. 10

Dieu est comme une paupière », m’a lancé mon ami Ryley, me faisant cligner des yeux de surprise. Que pouvait‑il bien vouloir dire par là ?

« Dis‑m’en plus », lui ai‑je répliqué. Ensemble, nous avions étudié d’étonnantes images de Dieu dans la Bible, le présentant comme une femme en train d’accoucher (ÉS 42.14) ou un apiculteur (7.18), mais celle‑là m’était nouvelle. Ryley m’a alors conduite dans Deutéronome 32, où Moïse loue Dieu pour sa façon de prendre soin de son peuple. Le verset 10 dit que Dieu entoure les siens et en prend soin, les gardant « comme la prunelle de son oeil ».

Or, qu’est‑ce qui entoure et protège la prunelle de l’oeil ? La paupière, bien entendu ! Dieu est donc comme la paupière, qui protège instinctivement l’oeil fragile. La paupière garde l’oeil du danger, et le clignement contribue à en éliminer les poussières. La paupière empêche la transpiration de couler dans l’oeil. Elle lubrifie le globe oculaire et le garde en bon état. Elle se referme, permettant ainsi le sommeil.

En comparant Dieu à une paupière, je n’ai pu m’empêcher de remercier Dieu pour les nombreuses métaphores qu’il nous donne afin de nous aider à comprendre l’amour qu’il nous porte. En fermant les yeux le soir et en les ouvrant le matin, nous pouvons penser à Dieu et le louer pour la protection et les soins qu’il nous procure avec tendresse.

En clignant des yeux, remerciez Dieu de sa protection.

par Amy Peterson

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Віко

Читати: Повторення Закону 32:1-12

Біблія за рік: 1 Хронік 16−18 ; Івана 7:28-53

 

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Його оточив, уважав Він за ним, зберігав Він його, як зіницю оту свого ока. — Повторення Закону 32:10

 

“Бог схожий на віко”, − сказала моя подруга Райлі, а я лише заблимала очима. Що вона має на увазі?

“Розкажи про це докладніше”, – попросила я. Ми вивчали разом цікаві біблійні метафори. Наприклад, Бог порівнює Себе з породіллею (Іс. 42:14) або пасічником (Іс. 7:18). Але те, що сказала Райлі – що Бог схожий на віко – було для мене чимось новим і незрозумілим. Вона, однак, вказала мені на Книгу Повторення Закону 32:10, де Мойсей славить Бога за те, що Господь вів Свій народ і захищав його “як зіницю оту свого ока”.

“Що оточує і зберігає наші зіниці? – запитала мене Райлі. – Звісно, віка!” Тому Бога можна порівняти з віками, що автоматично захищають наші ніжні очні яблука. Віка постійно пильнують наші очі. Бережуть їх від різних небезпек. Коли ми моргаємо, це очищає їх від бруду і пилу. А ще віка зволожують очні яблука, зберігають їх здоровими. Нарешті, коли вони закриваються, це дозволяє нам спати, відпочивати.

Коли я розважала над цією метафорою, то не змогла втриматись від слів подяки Господу за велику кількість тих порівнянь, що допомагають нам розуміти Його любов до нас. Отже, закриваючи очі вночі або відкриваючи їх вранці, давайте згадувати Бога та хвалити Його за щиру турботу й ніжне піклування.

Дякуємо Тобі, Боже, за ті дивовижні метафори, через які Ти допомагаєш нам краще розуміти Тебе. Дякуємо за те, що оберігаєш нас немов ту зіницю ока.

Закриваючи очі, не забувайте дякувати Богу за Його захист.

Автор Емі Петерсон

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Веко

Читать сейчас: Второзаконие 32:1-12

Библия за год: 1 Паралипоменон 16-18; Иоанна 7:28-53

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Он... ограждал его, смотрел за ним, хранил его как зеницу ока Своего. — Второзаконие 32:10

«Бог похож на веко», – сказала моя подруга Райли. Я удивленно заморгала: «Что она имеет в виду?»

«Пожалуйста, поподробнее», – попросила я. Вместе мы изучали неожиданные сравнения, которые употребляются в Библии в отношении Бога. Например, Бог сравнивает Себя с рождающей матерью (Ис. 42:14) или пчеловодом (Ис. 7:18). Но это сравнение было совсем неожиданным. Райли показала мне главу 32 книги Второзаконие, где Моисей славит Бога за Его заботу об израильском народе. В стихе 10 говорится, что Бог хранил Израиль «как зеницу ока Своего».

«Зеница ока» – это зрачок. А чем защищается зрачок от агрессивного воздействия окружающего мира? Веком, разумеется! Мы моргаем им, не задумываясь, инстинктивно, если что-то угрожает глазу. Кроме того, веко удаляет с роговицы попавшие на нее пыль и соринки. Наконец, оно увлажняет глаз и закрывается на время сна, чтобы нам было спокойнее.

Размышляя об этом сравнении, мне захотелось поблагодарить Бога за многие образы, которые Он дал в Библии, чтобы мы поняли, как Он нас любит. Закрывая глаза вечером и открывая утром, мы можем думать о Боге и славить Его за заботу и защиту.

Благодарим Тебя, Боже, за удивительные сравнения, благодаря которым мы можем лучше понять Тебя. Благодарим за то, что бережешь нас, словно зеницу ока.

Закрывая глаза, не забудьте поблагодарить Бога за Его заботу.

автор: Эми Петерсон

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for SUNDAY, May 21, 2017 - 6th Sunday of Easter (Rogate Sunday)

Opening Sentence

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1

INTROIT: Vocem iucunditatis

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 Ecclesiasticus 43:1-32

The pride of the higher realms is the clear vault of the sky, as glorious to behold as the sight of the heavens. The sun, when it appears, proclaims as it rises what a marvelous instrument it is, the work of the Most High. At noon it parches the land, and who can withstand its burning heat? A man tending a furnace works in burning heat, but three times as hot is the sun scorching the mountains; it breathes out fiery vapors, and its bright rays blind the eyes. Great is the Lord who made it; at his orders it hurries on its course. It is the moon that marks the changing seasons, governing the times, their everlasting sign. From the moon comes the sign for festal days, a light that wanes when it completes its course. The new moon, as its name suggests, renews itself; how marvelous it is in this change, a beacon to the hosts on high, shining in the vault of the heavens! The glory of the stars is the beauty of heaven, a glittering array in the heights of the Lord. On the orders of the Holy One they stand in their appointed places; they never relax in their watches. Look at the rainbow, and praise him who made it; it is exceedingly beautiful in its brightness. It encircles the sky with its glorious arc; the hands of the Most High have stretched it out. By his command he sends the driving snow and speeds the lightnings of his judgment. Therefore the storehouses are opened, and the clouds fly out like birds. In his majesty he gives the clouds their strength, and the hailstones are broken in pieces. when he appears, the mountains shake. At his will the south wind blows; The voice of his thunder rebukes the earth; so do the storm from the north and the whirlwind. He scatters the snow like birds flying down, and its descent is like locusts alighting. The eye is dazzled by the beauty of its whiteness, and the mind is amazed as it falls. He pours frost over the earth like salt, and icicles form like pointed thorns. The cold north wind blows, and ice freezes on the water; it settles on every pool of water, and the water puts it on like a breastplate. He consumes the mountains and burns up the wilderness, and withers the tender grass like fire. A mist quickly heals all things; the falling dew gives refreshment from the heat. By his plan he stilled the deep and planted islands in it. Those who sail the sea tell of its dangers, and we marvel at what we hear. In it are strange and marvelous creatures, all kinds of living things, and huge sea-monsters. Because of him each of his messengers succeeds, and by his word all things hold together. We could say more but could never say enough; let the final word be: "He is the all." Where can we find the strength to praise him? For he is greater than all his works. Awesome is the Lord and very great, and marvelous is his power. Glorify the Lord and exalt him as much as you can, for he surpasses even that. When you exalt him, summon all your strength, and do not grow weary, for you cannot praise him enough. Who has seen him and can describe him? Or who can extol him as he is? Many things greater than these lie hidden, for I have seen but few of his works.

Psalm 66:7-18
7   Bless our God, you peoples; make the voice of his praise to be heard;
8   Who holds our souls in life, and will not allow our feet to slip.
9   For you, O God, have proved us; you have tried us just as silver is tried.
10   You brought us into the snare; you laid heavy burdens upon our backs.
11   You let enemies ride over our heads; we went through fire and water; but you brought us out into a place of refreshment.
12   I will enter your house with burnt-offerings and will pay you my vows, which I promised with my lips and spoke with my mouth when I was in trouble.
13   I will offer you sacrifices of fat beasts with the smoke of rams; I will give you oxen and goats.
14   Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he has done for me.
15   I called out to him with my mouth, and his praise was on my tongue.
16   If I had found evil in my heart, the Lord would not have heard me;
17   But in truth God has heard me; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.
18   Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer, nor withheld his love from me.

The Epistle Lesson

The First Reading is taken from Acts 17:22-31

Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, "Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, 'To an unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him-- though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For 'In him we live and move and have our being' as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we too are his offspring.' Since we are God's offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."

The Second Reading is taken from 1 Peter 3:13-22

Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you-- not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.

The Holy Gospel Reading

The Holy Gospel is written in John 14:15-21

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. "I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them."

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

The Apostle's Creed

• I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 
• I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 
• I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen

Prayer of the Day

O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; 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

Alleluia! Christ has risen.
Christ has risen indeed. Alleluia!

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

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

“You in me – I in you” - The Sermon for SUNDAY, May 21, 2017 - 6th Sunday of Easter (Rogate Sunday)

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. "I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them." (John 14:15-21)

“You in me – I in you”
Written by Roger Haugen

“You in me – I in you”, repeat with me. (several times)

This is Jesus message of good news for us today. “You in me – I in you.” No matter what the future holds, we will not be alone. “You in me – I in you”. We are the body of Christ, we are not alone. “You in me – I in you”. We have purpose and meaning to life because we are loved by God. “You in me – I in you”. We have purpose and meaning to life because God loves us and the natural outcome is that we would love God and love one another. “If you love me you will keep my commandments.” “You in me – I in you”.

I spent Tuesday at the Seminary Study Conference listening to academics talking about Islam. One told of how Islam became such a political force in the Middle East. He told of the dictatorships in the 1950’s who had promised economic growth and jobs for the young people if they were to move to the cities. People moved to the cities and the jobs did not happen. They were angry and felt betrayed. The 1967 War was also an important factor because the entire Arab world was humiliated. That part of the world was faced with millions of people without work, feeling betrayed, looking for meaning to life and wanting to find a way to make a difference in their world. Islam filled the gap, providing purpose and expectations, leadership, a place of community, purpose beyond their meager lives. Here was a structure around to build their lives, a cause to die for.

In many ways this is also a picture of our society today. We have masses of young people congregating in our cities without much hope of satisfying work, seeing little meaning to their lives yet yearning to belong to something beyond themselves, somewhere to put their passion and energy. We were horrified when we discovered a young man from middle class America fighting with the Taliban in Afghanistan. Wanting somehow to make a difference. Young people wanting to be noticed, so they dye their hair green and pierce their bodies. People everywhere are looking for community.

We are told that this is the most spiritual time the world has ever seen. People are looking everywhere for a spiritual connection, to be connected to some power greater than themselves. Our bookstores are full with the latest best seller that promise to connect you to something beyond yourself. People are willing to buy books that expect the most bizarre of discipline in the hope of finding spiritual meaning, a connection beyond their paltry existence. We can buy crystals that will help to channel energy, we read if we drink our own urine daily we will achieve a greater consciousness. Millionaires are being creative by such claims. People are hungry.

People everywhere are looking for ways to be connected in community in a world that is so isolating. People looking for something meaningful to be a part of, the desire to make a difference in their world. People looking for something worth dying for. Where are they to look, where are they to find the meaning, the hope they crave?

Into such a world comes today’s text. “You in me – I in you.” This is what the world is looking for, this is what the world so desperately seeks. An unbelievable intimate connection with God. Jesus who we believe to be “the Way, the Truth and the Life” comes to us and promises us that we will not be alone, that we will know God, that we will find purpose in sharing the love that we have experienced. A mission worth dying for. “You in me – I in you”.

The tragedy is that the Christian Church as we know it is not even on the radar screen. We sing in our liturgy, “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words to eternal life. Alleluia!” Where does the message get lost? We are sent out into the world to proclaim that in Jesus Christ, we are to find life in all abundance -- love, hope and a future. Why is the message not getting to those who need it the most? Are we having trouble believing it ourselves? Do we need to rediscover, “You in me – I in you”.

When we know that we are loved we will look upon others with grace and acceptance. When we know community, we will want others to know the same community. When we experience God who loves us as we are, the grace that is showered upon us, we will want to share the same with those desperate for the same acceptance.

When we pray “thy kingdom come” with “You in me – I in you” running through our minds, we can pray, “help me spread your joy and kindness and shine your light in the lives of my family, friends and everyone I meet today.” A friend of mine says that his goal is to make one person happy each day, that is a faith being lived out.

The sinner in each of us wants us to dwell on the negative, to get caught up in our own little world with little concern for others. The sinner in us sees the gospel as something to be kept inside these walls without any need to take the message of hope to the world in which we live. It is the sin within the church that has kept the gospel the well-kept secret that it has become. We get so caught up in our way of doing things that we forget that our task is to share God’s love with everyone in need of love.

I sometimes need to remember that all people are a gift from God, created for a purpose. I need to remember “You in me – I in you”. To think, “You in me – I in you”, in the presence of someone with green hair and piercings, changes how I relate to that person. Here is a person created by God who wants to be noticed and loved. Sin makes the love of God seem common-place and something that we earn, and therefore not to be shared. It is taken for granted rather than treasured.

Mike Slaughter says it this way, “Can you imagine a people who live in an environment of grace and unconditional love? A safe-space environment like that would encourage us to be honest enough to work on our stuff. It would give us the freedom to tell the truth of who we really are inside.” This is what the church is to be. Imagine if we could come here without the forced smile that keeps our pain locked inside because we do not dare to let it out. Imagine if the people around us were to see our church as such a safe place. That is who we are called to be. That is whom we are created and empowered to be because of the love of God in Christ Jesus. “You in me – I in you”.

We have the gift of being a part of the Kingdom of God happening around and among us. We are given basically one command: to go as we have been sent, just as Jesus came as he was sent, and to make the Father known. It can be frightening and seem an insurmountable task. Jesus assures us of his love and his presence. We will not be left orphaned. He has sent us the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us, to help name the sin that creeps in and hinders us from being the people we are created to be, hinders our ability to clearly point others to the love of God. To help us recognize the negativity that hinders us from seeing the love of God lived out in our lives.

“You in me – I in you”. Let that be your mantra. Let it run through your mind this next week. Let it run through your thoughts as you deal with that particular difficult person this week, and see how it changes your perception, and your relationship. You may be the person he or she needs to have the love of God opened to them. Remember that many of the people you will meet are looking for a purpose in life, that they desperately seek others with whom to share their life. Remember that we all, deep down, want something worthy of dying for. Remember that Jesus cared enough about us that he would die for us. Remember that the love of God is God’s gift to us, and can power our lives and give us meaning in life worth dying for.

It will change your life, and just maybe will allow God to change someone else’s life as well. “You in me – I in you”.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The New Revised Standard Version Bible may be quoted and/or reprinted up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without express written permission of the publisher, provided the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible or account for fifty percent (50%) of the total work in which they are quoted. Sermon shared by Roger Haugen on May 6, 2002.

Prayer of the Day for SUNDAY, May 21, 2017 - 6th Sunday of Easter (Rogate Sunday)

O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; 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, May 21, 2017 - 6th Sunday of Easter (Rogate Sunday)

1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV) [A Church Divided Over Leaders] I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 1

Listen to 1 Corinthians 1

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Exploring the Parables with Cap'n Kenny - The Parable of the Rivers of Living Water

John 7:37-39
37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

THINK ABOUT IT
The Dead Sea Scrolls directly connect God’s Spirit with water: God “will cleanse him [the righteous] of all wicked deeds . . . like purifying waters He will shed upon him the spirit of truth.” In rabbinic literature, water is a symbol for wisdom, an aspect of God’s Spirit. Rabbi Akiva said, “The disciple who is beginning can give only water it has received; the more advanced disciple is a spring giving living water.” Believers who drink from Jesus’ well will have the Spirit of God flowing out from them. The Greek is somewhat ambiguous as to whether Jesus is the source of this water or if the believer is the source (having drunk from the well). The Gospel of Thomas reads, “Jesus said to them: ‘I am not your teacher. Because you have drunk, you have become intoxicated from the bubbling spring that I have tended.’” In this view, Jesus was saying believers have the same access to the Spirit—to God as the source of all life—as he does.

TALK ABOUT IT
Who in your life has been a source of wisdom?

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny


Seeking God?
Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ.

New International Version (NIV) 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 - Otra oportunidad

Cuando estén orando, si tienen algo contra alguien, perdónenlo, para que también su Padre que está en el cielo les perdone a ustedes sus pecados.
Marcos 11:25 (NVI)

Si Dios es un Dios de oportunidades, ¿por qué a nosotros a veces nos cuesta tanto darnos otra oportunidad y dársela a alguien que nos ha fallado?

Si lo vemos en el campo de las relaciones sentimentales, en el matrimonio, siempre vamos a tener dificultades. Sin embargo, ¿quién dijo que iba hacer fácil vivir con otra persona que tiene otras costumbres y otra manera de hacer las cosas?

Sé que muchas veces esos problemas en las relaciones se van agravando hasta llegar a la línea peligrosa de la falta de respeto. Entonces, como es natural, lo primero que aparece por allí en nuestra mente es el pensamiento de la separación o, lo que es peor, el divorcio.

En el ámbito de las relaciones de amigos, aparecen los errores que comenten otras personas con nosotros en el trabajo o muchas situaciones que se presentan en la vida.

Por lo tanto, debemos considerar siempre la posibilidad de brindar una oportunidad. Nada en la vida es perfecto y mucho menos en el ser humano. Recuerda que el único perfecto es DIOS.

Conozco de muchas personas que, aunque han reconocido que tienen problemas, han tomado la decisión de dejar atrás todo orgullo, perdonar y darse una nueva oportunidad.

Cuando amas y cuando ves que esa persona a la que quieres dejar hoy tiene cualidades y virtudes, puedes ampliar tu mirada y no enfocarte solo en la parte negativa. De ese modo, puedes colocar en una balanza tu relación y darte una oportunidad.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón

Standing Strong Through the Storm - TAKING AWAY THE CROSS

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Matthew 16:23 (NIV)

A western co-worker was visiting the Chinese city of Dandong which borders North Korea. He shares his challenging experience at a local house church meeting:

It was the first time I had ever been called “Satan!” But no one could fault the careful exegesis as this fiery Korean preacher bellowed to the 200-member house church.

“The third temptation of Jesus,” he declared, “was when the devil offered him the kingdom without the cross. The devil was basically saying, ‘Don’t go off and make all those sacrifices, touch all those lepers, spend nights in agony praying, and end up being tortured by soldiers and dying a horrible death. Just take it all now…from my hand!’” He went on, “The church often has the same temptation. The devil offers us power without suffering. And…I’ve got to say this even though our western friend is here…this is a temptation one part of the church tempts another part of the church with. We have to call that part of the church ‘Satan,’ just as Jesus had to call Peter ‘Satan’ when he made the same suggestion later in his ministry.”

Good rip-roaring stuff, and thoroughly biblical. But I was intrigued as to why this pastor had singled out the western church as the tempter. He was happy to explain over a meal.

“I hosted five pastors from North America last year. All Koreans. They came with reading material. Good stuff as far as it went, and they were supplying a sort of formula for church growth. But could one of them even bring himself to mention suffering? No! And when I heard those Korean pastors preach, it was also absent.”

He leaned forward and whispered, “When these pastors preach to the persecuted church, and mention everything but suffering, they are taking away the cross from the Christian life. That’s why I have to say that they are bringing a satanic suggestion. Anyone who says you can follow Christ but not carry your cross is no better than the old deceiver himself. Jesus said so. He said it to Satan, and he said it to Peter. And I’m going to say it to anyone else who dares to think they can be a witness for Christ from anywhere else but on a cross.”

RESPONSE: Today I will focus on the things of God realizing they will always require me to carry my cross.

PRAYER: Lord, I will no longer try and eliminate the way of the cross from my Christian living. May I never again attempt to substitute power for suffering.