Daily Devotion May 29, 2017 "Forgive and Forget"

It was the Rose Bowl Game on New Year's Day in 1929.

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

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

"Forgive and Forget"

May 29, 2017

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

It was the Rose Bowl Game on New Year's Day in 1929. Georgia Tech was playing the University of California at Berkeley. A California defender, named Roy Riegels, recovered a Georgia Tech fumble, and then he turned and ran for 65 yards in the wrong direction. One of Riegels' own teammates tackled him just before he reached the wrong goal line. On the next play, Georgia Tech scored and went on to win.

From that day on, Riegels was saddled with the nickname "Wrong-way Riegels." For years afterward, whenever he was introduced, people would exclaim, "I know who you are! You are the guy who ran the wrong way in the Rose Bowl!"

Our failures may not be as conspicuous, but we have all gone the wrong way, and we all have memories that haunt us. Recollections of our sins and failures have a way of rising up and taunting us in those quiet moments or when we can't sleep at three o'clock in the morning.

I am sure that Riegels thought many times, if only I had another chance. If only I could have that play to do over, I would do it entirely different. It was the excitement of the moment, the pressure to be noticed and to be the star, rather than keeping my head on the game and focusing on the right way to run. Sound familiar? How often aren't we tempted by the excitement of the moment or thinking only of our self rather than what is right. It is so easy to find ourselves running the wrong way. Then later we look back and say, "If I only had another chance, I would never do that again. If only I could forget."

The exciting message for us today is we can forget it! We can have another chance. John reminds us in our Scripture today, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

As Jesus was breathing His last breath on the cross, He spoke the words, "Father forgive them" (see Luke 23:34). He wasn't speaking only for those who were crucifying Him. He spoke those words for all sinners: for you and me. Every sin, every failure, every time we're running the wrong way, Jesus waits for us to confess our sins. He is there to forgive. The apostle Paul reminds us that "there is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:22b-24).

Just as Riegels' teammates stopped him from going the wrong way, all the way, so Jesus stops us when we go the wrong way. He picks us up, turns us around, wipes us clean with His forgiveness, and puts us back in the game. Our mistakes and failures are gone and forgotten. Jesus has paid the price by His death on the cross. Each day we are given another chance. We can begin again free of past mistakes. The amazing thing is unlike Riegels' team we will win the game in Him. As we reach the final goal line, we can shout, "Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" (1 Corinthians 15:57).

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, by faith, my life is in Your victorious hands. For that I give You thanks and praise today and forever. Amen

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

CPTLN Devocional de 29 de Mayo de 2017

Alimento Diario

La guerra para terminar todas las guerras

29 de Mayo 2017

Y ellos convertirán sus espadas en rejas de arado, y sus lanzas en hoces. Ninguna nación levantará la espada contra otra nación, ni se entrenarán más para hacer la guerra. Isaías 2:4b

Al morir Jack Ross a los 110 años de edad, murió no sólo la persona más anciana de Australia, sino también el último sobreviviente que había servido en la Primera Guerra Mundial.

Se dice que fueron 417,000 hombres y mujeres quienes sirvieron en la "Guerra para terminar todas las guerras". La mayoría de ellos eran hombres y mujeres jóvenes, pero ahora todos han fallecido.

Hay algunas cosas que no cambian. ¿Qué tipo de cosas? Por ejemplo...

• "La guerra para terminar todas las guerras" no terminó los conflictos entre los países. A pesar de las mejores intenciones de la humanidad y de nuestras mejores resoluciones para cambiar, y a pesar de ser mejores y de crear un mundo más seguro, el pecado y Satanás se siguen asegurando que haya guerras y rumores de guerras. No todas las espadas han sido transformadas en arados. Todavía no.

• La realidad de la muerte aún sigue siendo cierta para todos nosotros. Puede venir rápidamente en las trincheras o en los hospitales del campo de batalla de una Guerra Mundial, o puede venir calladamente, acechándonos lentamente. Viene en millones de diferentes maneras, pero viene.

Todo esto podría ser depresivo y desconcertante si no fuera por el Salvador, quien tampoco ha cambiado. A través de sus 33 años de vida, Jesús se dedicó a asegurar que el pecado y la muerte no tuvieran la última palabra. Y porque dio su vida en la cruz y se levantó de entre los muertos, podemos confiar en sus palabras: "porque yo vivo, ustedes también vivirán." (Juan 14:19b)

Gracias a que el Salvador ha ganado la batalla final por nosotros, podemos estar seguros que llegará el momento en que las espadas serán convertidas en arados y ninguna nación se levantará en armas contra otra nación.

Gracias a Jesús, llegará el momento en que los jóvenes no irán más a la guerra y quienes no regresaron de ella, finalmente regresarán.

ORACIÓN: Querido Salvador, porque tú vives también viviremos. Te damos gracias porque por tu sacrificio recibiremos la eternidad en el cielo. En tu nombre. 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 - Let Honor Meet Honor

Read: Matthew 6:1–6

Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 7–9; John 11:1–29

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Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1

I’ve always been impressed by the solemn, magnificent simplicity of the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. The carefully choreographed event is a moving tribute to soldiers whose names—and sacrifice—are “known but to God.” Equally moving are the private moments of steady pacing when the crowds are gone: back and forth, hour after hour, day by day, in even the worst weather.

In September 2003, Hurricane Isabel was bearing down on Washington, DC, and the guards were told they could seek shelter during the worst of the storm. Surprising almost no one, the guards refused! They unselfishly stood their post to honor their fallen comrades even in the face of a hurricane.

Underlying Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 6:1–6, I believe, is His desire for us to live with an unrelenting, selfless devotion to Him. The Bible calls us to good deeds and holy living, but these are to be acts of worship and obedience (vv. 4–6), not orchestrated acts for self-glorification (v. 2). The apostle Paul endorses this whole-life faithfulness when he pleads with us to make our bodies “a living sacrifice” (Rom. 12:1).

May our private and public moments speak of our devotion and wholehearted commitment to You, Lord.

Grant me the strength this day, O Lord, to persevere, to return honor to Your name where I am serving. My desire is to give myself in selfless devotion because of Your love for me.

The more we serve Christ, the less we will serve self.

By Randy Kilgore

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Ministérios Pão Diário - Joia rara

Leia: Provérbios 2:1-21

A Bíblia em um ano: 2 Crônicas 7–9, João 11:1-29

Feliz o homem que acha sabedoria […] e adquire conhecimento… Provérbios 3:13

Quando Betty Goldstein entrou no hospital, seu esposo Ronaldo guardou o anel de diamantes dela, de 3,5 quilates, num guardanapo. Mas num momento de descuido, o Sr. Goldstein jogou o guardanapo no lixo.

Quando ele percebeu seu erro, correu para fora, mas só conseguiu ver o caminhão do lixo se distanciando pela estrada. Telefonou rapi- damente para o departamento de coleta e obteve a permissão para acompanhar o caminhão até uma estação de reciclagem. Os trabalhadores começaram a separar o lixo, e em meio a centenas de pacote, recuperaram o anel uma hora mais tarde.

O escritor do livro de Provérbios nos incentiva a buscar com diligência por algo muito mais precioso — a sabedoria. No capítulo 2, um pai encoraja o filho a fazer o que for necessário para conseguir discernimento e sabedoria. Esta busca árdua por sabedoria é, na verdade, a busca pelo próprio Deus (2:3-5).

Na realidade, a felicidade interior surge quando o homem encontra essa sabedoria (3:13). Ele encoraja o seu filho a procurar diligentemente por esta joia preciosa, porque a sabedoria geralmente não é encontrada por um observador casual. A sabedoria é descoberta e desfrutada somente por aqueles que são diligentes, devotos e determinados a buscá-la.

Esforcemo-nos, totalmente, para buscar esta rara joia — sabedoria.

De tudo que você buscar, busque a sabedoria. —Salomão

por Marvin Williams

© 2017 Ministérios Pão Diário

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Hãy Dâng Vinh Hiển Cho Ngài

Đọc: Ma-thi-ơ 6:1–6

Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: 2 Sử ký 7–9; Giăng 11:1–29

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Hãy thận trọng, khi làm việc từ thiện đừng nhằm phô trương trước mặt mọi người. Nếu không, các con chẳng được phần thưởng gì từ Cha các con ở trên trời. Ma-thi-ơ 6:1

Tôi luôn ấn tượng sự trang nghiêm và giản dị tuyệt vời của Nghi Lễ Đổi Ca Gác ở Nghĩa Trang Những Người Lính Vô Danh tại Nghĩa trang Quốc gia Arlington. Chương trình được chuẩn bị kỹ càng và phần xúc động nhất chính là lời tri ân gửi đến những người lính mà tên tuổi và công lao của họ “chỉ có Chúa biết”. Một khía cạnh không kém phần xúc động nữa chính là những giờ phút người lính canh ở riêng một mình cứ đều đặn bước đi khi mà đám đông đã giải tán: họ cứ bước tới bước lui, hết giờ này đến giờ khác, hết ngày này qua ngày nọ, ngay cả lúc thời tiết xấu nhất.

Vào tháng 9 năm 2003, cơn bão Isabel đã tràn vào thành phố Washington, DC và những lính canh được dặn rằng họ có thể tìm chỗ ẩn nấp trong lúc cơn bão đổ bộ vào. Thật đáng kinh ngạc là gần như không ai làm điều đó, những người lính canh đã từ chối không làm như vậy! Họ chấp nhận hy sinh đứng túc trực để vinh danh những chiến sĩ đã ngã xuống dù phải đối diện với cơn bão.

Tôi tin rằng đằng sau sự dạy dỗ của Chúa Jêsus trong Ma-thi-ơ 6:1–6 đó là Ngài mong muốn chúng ta sống một đời sống tận hiến tất cả cho Ngài. Kinh Thánh kêu gọi chúng ta làm những việc lành và sống thánh khiết, những việc làm đó là hành động thể hiện sự thờ phượng và vâng phục (c.4–6), chớ không phải để chúng ta được ca ngợi (c.2). Sứ đồ Phao-lô xác quyết về việc trung tín tận hiến cả cuộc đời này khi ông khuyên chúng ta hãy dâng thân thể mình “làm sinh tế sống” (Rô. 12:1).

Mong ước rằng những giờ phút ở chốn riêng tư hay nơi đông người, chúng ta đều nói lên lòng tận hiến và cam kết trọn vẹn với Chúa.

Lạy Chúa, xin ban cho con năng lực để cứ bền lòng và dâng vinh hiển cho danh Ngài ở mọi nơi con phục vụ. Con mong ước tận hiến cuộc đời mình cho Ngài vì tình yêu Ngài đã đối cùng con.

Càng phục vụ Đấng Christ, chúng ta sẽ càng ít phục vụ bản thân.

bởi Randy Kilgore

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Honor en todo momento

Leer: Mateo 6:1-6

La Biblia en un año: 2 Crónicas 7–9; Juan 11:1-29

Guardaos de hacer vuestra justicia delante de los hombres, para ser vistos de ellos… (v. 1).

Siempre me llamó la atención el cambio de la guardia en la Tumba al Soldado Desconocido en el Cementerio Nacional de Arlington. La ceremonia con una esmerada coreografía es un tributo a los soldados cuyos nombres y sacrificio «solo Dios conoce». Igualmente conmovedor es ver a los que caminan por allí cuando las multitudes ya no están: van y vienen, día tras día, incluso con mal clima.

En septiembre de 2003, el huracán Isabel avanzaba amenazante sobre Washington y se les dijo a los guardias que podían refugiarse durante la peor parte de la tormenta. Como era de esperar, ¡los guardias se negaron! Con nobleza y altruismo, permanecieron en sus puestos para honrar a sus camaradas caídos.

En la enseñanza de Jesús de Mateo 6:1-6, creo que hay un deseo subyacente de que vivamos con una devoción incesante y abnegada a Él. La Biblia nos llama a hacer buenas obras y a vivir en santidad, pero estos deben ser actos de adoración y obediencia (vv. 4-6), no momentos orquestados para enaltecerse a uno mismo (v. 2). El apóstol Pablo apoya esta fidelidad absoluta al instarnos a transformar nuestro cuerpo en un «sacrificio vivo» (Romanos 12:1).

Que nuestros momentos en privado y en público revelen nuestra devoción y compromiso sincero a ti, Señor.

Señor, quiero perseverar y honrarte donde me toque servir.

Cuanto más servimos a Cristo, menos buscamos nuestros propios intereses.

Por Randy Kilgore

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Ehre, wem Ehre gebührt

Lesen: Matthäus 6,1-6

Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 2.Chronik 7–9; Johannes 11,1-29

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Habt Acht auf eure Frömmigkeit, dass ihr die nicht übt vor den Leuten, um von ihnen gesehen zu werden; ihr habt sonst keinen Lohn bei eurem Vater im Himmel. Matthäus 6,1

Die feierliche und doch sehr schlichte Wachablösung am Grab des Unbekannten Soldaten auf dem amerikanischen Nationalfriedhof von Arlington hat mich schon immer sehr beeindruckt. Der präzise Ablauf der Zeremonie zum Gedenken an die Soldaten, deren Namen—und Opfer—„nur Gott kennt“, ist bewegend. Genauso bewegend ist es, die Wachen zu beobachten, wenn die Zuschauermenge sich wieder aufgelöst hat: hin und zurück, Stunde für Stunde, Tag für Tag, auch im schlimmsten Wetter.

Im September 2003 zog Hurrikan Isabel über Washington und den Wachsoldaten wurde erlaubt, Schutz zu suchen. Doch kaum überraschend, nahm keiner das Angebot an! Selbstlos blieben sie auf ihren Posten, um ihren gefallenen Kameraden noch im Angesicht des Sturms Ehre zu erweisen.

Hinter Jesu Worten in Matthäus 6,1-6 verbirgt sich meiner Meinung nach sein Wunsch, dass wir in unablässiger, selbstloser Hingabe an ihn leben. Die Bibel ruft uns auf zu guten Werken und einem geheiligten Leben, aber beides soll aus Anbetung und Gehorsam geschehen (V.4-6) und nicht, um uns selbst herauszustellen (V.2). Der Apostel Paulus unterstreicht diese lebenslange Treue, wenn er uns mahnt, unseren Leib als ein „Opfer, das lebendig“ ist, hinzugeben (Röm. 12,1).

Möge alles, was wir tun, ob vor den Augen der Öffentlichkeit oder dann, wenn keiner zusieht, ein Zeugnis unserer Hingabe sein.

Schenk mir heute die Kraft, Herr, dranzubleiben, deinen Namen zu ehren, wo du mich hingestellt hast. Ich will mich dir ohne Vorbehalt hingeben, weil du mich liebst.

Je mehr wir Jesus dienen, desto weniger dienen wir uns selbst.

Von Randy Kilgore

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - L’honneur rencontre l’honneur

Lisez : Matthieu 6.1‑6

La Bible en un an : 2 CHRONIQUES 7 – 9 et JEAN 11.1‑29

Gardez vous de pratiquer votre justice devant les hommes, pour en être vus ; autrement, vous n’aurez point de récompense auprès de votre Père qui est dans les cieux. V. 1

La simplicité empreinte de solennité et de magnificence avec laquelle la relève de la garde se déroule devant la tombe du soldat inconnu au cimentière national d’Arlington m’a toujours impressionné. L’événement soigneusement orchestré constitue un hommage émouvant aux soldats dont le nom – et le sacrifice – n’est « connu que de Dieu ». Tout aussi émouvants sont les instants de marche militaire en privé lorsque la foule est partie : le va-et-vient incessant, heure après heure, jour après jour, malgré les pires intempéries.

En septembre 2003, lorsque l’ouragan Isabel s’est abattu sur Washington, D.C., on a autorisé les gardiens à se mettre à l’abri durant le plus fort de la tempête. À la surprise de presque personne, ils s’y sont toutefois refusés ! Ils sont restés avec altruisme à leur porte afin d’honorer leurs défunts compagnons de combat en dépit de l’ouragan qui se déchaînait sur la capitale.

Selon moi, les enseignements de Jésus rapportés dans Matthieu 6.1‑6 nous révèlent son désir de nous voir lui consacrer notre vie de manière constante et sacrificielle. La Bible nous appelle aux bonnes oeuvres et à une vie de sainteté, mais toujours dans un esprit d’adoration et d’obéissance (V. 4,5), et non d’autoglorification (V. 2). L’apôtre Paul adopte cette fidélité de toute une vie en nous exhortant à faire de notre coeur « un sacrifice vivant » (RO 12.1).

Plus on sert Christ, moins on se servira soi‑même.

par Randy Kilgore

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Пошана й самовідданість

Читати: Матвія 6:1-6

Біблія за рік: 2 Хронік 7−9 ; Івана 11:1-29

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Стережіться виставляти свою милостиню перед людьми, щоб бачили вас; а як ні, то не матимете нагороди від Отця вашого, що на небі. — Матвія 6:1

Мене завжди вражає урочиста простота зміни варти біля монумента невідомим воїнам на Арлінгтонському цвинтарі. Це постановочне дійство призначене для вшанування всіх тих воїнів, імена яких відомі лише Богу. Варта синхронно рухається твердим розміреним кроком, навіть коли немає відвідувачів. Це дуже особливий момент. Він відбувається щогодини, щодня, навіть у найжахливішу погоду.

У вересні 2003 року, коли до Вашингтона наближався ураган “Ізабелла” , вартовим сказали, що в найнебезпечніший момент їм дозволено сховатись де-небудь. Але вартові відмовились ховатись, і це майже нікого не здивувало! Вони самовіддано стояли на посту, вшановуючи пам’ять своїх полеглих товаришів.

Я щиро вважаю, що в основі вчення Ісуса Христа, що записане в Євангелії від Матвія 6:1-6, лежить бажання Бога, щоб ми жили для Бога з самовідданим посвяченням. Біблія закликає робити добрі вчинки й жити свято, але це має бути акт поклоніння й послуху, а не акторська гра з метою самозвеличення (Мт. 6:2). Апостол Павло теж вказує на важливість такої цілковитої посвяти Богу, коли вмовляє нас віддавати наші тіла “на жертву живу” (Рим. 12:1).

Нехай же наше приватне й публічне життя відображає щире посвячення й непохитну відданість Тобі, Господи.

Господи, даруй сьогодні Твою силу, щоб міг встояти й прославити Твоє Ім’я в усьому, що роблю. Бажаю віддати себе цілком на служіння у відповідь на Твою любов до мене.

Чим більше служимо Христу, тим менше служимо самим собі.

Автор Ренді Кілгор

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Честь и слава

Читать сейчас: Матфея 6:1-6

Библия за год: 2 Паралипоменон 7-9; Иоанна 11:1-29

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Смотрите, не творите милостыни вашей пред людьми с тем, чтобы они видели вас: иначе не будет вам награды от Отца вашего Небесного. — Матфея 6:1

Меня всегда впечатляет торжественная простота смены караула возле памятника неизвестным солдатам на Арлингтонском национальном кладбище. Тщательно отработанный церемониал – это дань чести тем, чьи имена и чья жертва «ведомы Богу». Синхронные движения исполняются с точностью до долей секунды, даже когда посетителей нет. Снова и снова, час за часом, день за днем, даже в самую плохую погоду.

В сентябре 2003 года к Вашингтону приблизился ураган «Изабелла». Караулу сообщили, что можно переждать бурю в укрытии, однако солдаты, к удивлению начальства, отказались. Они самоотверженно стояли на своем посту, отдавая честь павшим товарищам, несмотря на стихию.

Размышляя об учении Иисуса Христа в Нагорной проповеди, я вижу в его основе жертвенное и самоотверженное посвящение. Библия призывает нас к добрым делам и святой жизни, но все это должно быть следствием служения и послушания (Мф. 6:4-6), а не отрепетированным представлением во имя человеческой славы (Мф. 6:2). Апостол Павел подтверждает собственное посвящение Богу, призывая нас представить свои тела «в жертву живую» (Рим. 12:1).

Пусть наша личная и общественная жизнь говорит о полном посвящении Тебе, Господь.

Даруй мне сил, Господи, быть верным, воздавая честь имени Твоему. Мое желание – служить Тебе в самоотверженном посвящении, потому что Ты прежде возлюбил меня.

Чем больше мы служим Христу, тем меньше служим себе.

автор: Рэнди Килгор

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for SUNDAY, May 28, 2017 - 7th Sunday of Easter (Exaudi Sunday)

Christ in stained glass, by Kevin Davidson

Opening Sentence

Christ has entered, not into a sanctuary made with hands, a copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Hebrews 9:24

Introitus: Exaudi Domine... tibi dixit

Morning Prayer

O God, you make me glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son my Lord: Give me the peace to worship you with my whole heart and mind, forgetting the cares of the world, and dwelling with you for a short moment with my entire being. And give me this day such blessing through my worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in living knowledge of your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Ezekiel 3:16-27

At the end of seven days, the word of the LORD came to me: Mortal, I have made you a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, "You shall surely die," and you give them no warning, or speak to warn the wicked from their wicked way, in order to save their life, those wicked persons shall die for their iniquity; but their blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked, and they do not turn from their wickedness, or from their wicked way, they shall die for their iniquity; but you will have saved your life. Again, if the righteous turn from their righteousness and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before them, they shall die; because you have not warned them, they shall die for their sin, and their righteous deeds that they have done shall not be remembered; but their blood I will require at your hand. If, however, you warn the righteous not to sin, and they do not sin, they shall surely live, because they took warning; and you will have saved your life. Then the hand of the LORD was upon me there; and he said to me, Rise up, go out into the valley, and there I will speak with you. So I rose up and went out into the valley; and the glory of the LORD stood there, like the glory that I had seen by the river Chebar; and I fell on my face. The spirit entered into me, and set me on my feet; and he spoke with me and said to me: Go, shut yourself inside your house. As for you, mortal, cords shall be placed on you, and you shall be bound with them, so that you cannot go out among the people; and I will make your tongue cling to the roof of your mouth, so that you shall be speechless and unable to reprove them; for they are a rebellious house. But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, "Thus says the Lord GOD" let those who will hear, hear; and let those who refuse to hear, refuse; for they are a rebellious house.

Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36
1   Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered; let those who hate him flee before him.
2   Let them vanish like smoke when the wind drives it away; as the wax melts at the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3   But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; let them also be merry and joyful.
4   Sing to God, sing praises to his Name; exalt him who rides upon the heavens; YAHWEH is his Name, rejoice before him!
5   Father of orphans, defender of widows, God in his holy habitation!
6   God gives the solitary a home and brings forth prisoners into freedom; but the rebels shall live in dry places.
7   O God, when you went forth before your people, when you marched through the wilderness,
8   The earth shook, and the skies poured down rain, at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9   You sent a gracious rain, O God, upon your inheritance; you refreshed the land when it was weary.
10   Your people found their home in it; in your goodness, O God, you have made provision for the poor.
33   Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord.
34   He rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; he sends forth his voice, his mighty voice.
35   Ascribe power to God; his majesty is over Israel; his strength is in the skies.
36   How wonderful is God in his holy places! the God of Israel giving strength and power to his people! Blessed be God!

The Epistle Lesson

The First Reading is taken from Acts 1:6-14

So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

The Second Reading is taken from 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

The Holy Gospel Reading

The Holy Gospel is written in John 17:1-11
After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. "I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.

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, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen

Prayer For Eternal Life

O  Merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Resurrection and the Life; whoever lives and believes in Him, will not die eternally, but have everlasting life. You have taught us, by the holy Apostle Paul, not to be sorry, as men without hope, for those who sleep in him.

I humbly beseech you, O Father, to raise me and all who confess your holy name, from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness; that, when we depart this life, we may rest in Him; and that, at the general Resurrection in the last day, we may be found acceptable in your sight. I pray that you will give us that blessing, which your well-beloved Son will then pronounce to all who love and fear you, saying, Come, you blessed children of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. Grant this, I beseech you, O merciful Father, through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer. 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

GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT REDEEMER

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.

“Last Requests” - The Sermon for SUNDAY, May 28, 2017 - 7th Sunday of Easter (Exaudi Sunday)

After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. "I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. (John 17:1-11)

"Last Requests"
by Lyndon Marcotte
Poland Baptist Church
Alexandria, Louisiana

This is a prayer of last requests. While not a death bed prayer, it might as well be. Jesus is praying in the Garden of Gethsemane knowing that He will soon be arrested and be put be death.

He’s in the middle of an eleventh hour crash course on everything you need to know before everything goes berserk between Good Friday and Easter. It’s crunch time, and in this moment Jesus offers up a prayer for his followers, mindful of what they will have to endure (and with an eye toward all of us who will come long after them).

It’s a very hard text to dissect into pieces and force into a sermon. We should hear it and feel the heart of the one who prayed these words. It’s deeply personal. You can hear the anguish in the prayer of Jesus knowing everything that awaits Him. You can hear of His deep love for His Father, for His disciples, and for those who were yet to come to know Him.

Last words carry a special weight to them that lingers in the air when we hear them. This prayer reveals the heart of Jesus and the burdens that weighed on Him most in His final hours. There are three themes that run all the way through the prayer that we must pay attention to. May we listen carefully for God’s good word to us.

God May Be Glorified

First and foremost, Jesus prays that God will be glorified in His life and through what will soon took place. Even as He prays for God to glorify Him, He asks only so that He may in turn glorify His Father. God the Father and God the Son are mirror reflections of each other.

Specifically, Jesus prays that God may glorify Him the way He was before the world began. As much as He is divine, Jesus is every bit human. This was going to be almost too much to bear unless His Father sustained Him through it. Because of His love for His Father and His love for us He endured the cross that He would have to bear. He prayed that God would be glorified even in His death.

Jesus’ signs and miracles reveal God's glory by displaying divine power, the crucifixion reveals God's glory by conveying divine love. The crucifixion completes Jesus' work of glorifying God on earth, for by laying down his life he gives himself so completely that the world may know of Jesus' love for God and God's love for the world.

Everything that God gives to us, our talents, our time, and our treasures should be used to bring glory to God. Even Jesus looked at His power, His time on Earth, and His disciples as gifts from God, (vs.6-10). He was faithful with all that God had given Him up until the end. He prays for all of us that we may also be faithful and that God would protect us (vs.11,15) so that others would come to know Christ through our message (vs.20).

Jesus glorified God on earth by finishing the work God gave him to do (v.4) and by revealing God's power. We can glorify God by finishing the work He has given us to do, to use our lives as instruments of His grace, to share His love with others. As we love others the way Christ loved us, we make the invisible God visible in the flesh through our lives.

We May Have Eternal Life

Christ does not pray that they might be rich and great in the world, but that they might be kept from sin, strengthened for their duty, and brought safe to heaven.

It’s interesting to realize all the things that Jesus didn’t pray for in this moment. No, He didn’t pray for us to all be rich, powerful, and have everything we want, but He did pray for us to have the one thing we needed above all else… He prayed that we would know God, specifically to know God the way He knows God.

Jesus prayed that we may have eternal life, (v.3). He prayed that God would bring us to be with Him where He is going, (v.24). He wanted us to have that assurance of reunion with God and His Son, but He also said something else about what eternal life really is, (v.3).

He said that eternal life is knowing you, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent, (vs.3). According to John's gospel, eternal life comes from a relationship with the eternal God.

Eternal life is now. This is part of eternity right now. The kind of life that God wants for us doesn’t start when we die. It begins now as we follow Christ and come to know the eternal God. Jesus didn’t pray for God to take us out of this world but that He would protect us and use us for His glory in this world, (v.15).

We can experience the full measure of God’s love and His grace here and now in this life. We don’t wait till we die to know God.

We May Be One

The blessing Jesus prays for is: That we may be one as Jesus and God are one. That’s a very important distinction in the kind of unity that Jesus wants for us. He doesn’t just want us to get along and not kill each other. He actually wants us to love one another selflessly the way He loves His Father and the Father loves Him.

We don’t have to get to Martin Luther, or even to the East/West schism of 1054, to know that Christian unity hasn’t lived up to Jesus’ prayer for us. Peter bailed on Jesus and his friends just a chapter later. Paul and Barnabas parted ways halfway through the Book of Acts. And us? If you checked the blogosphere right now, you’d find thousands of examples of Christians arguing over the fine print of our faith. We aren’t one as Jesus and the Father are one. We spend most of our time competing with one another, finding scapegoat enemies on whom to blame the world’s problems, and yelling. We’re running a repetitive grinder of anxiety in our collective stomachs.

If Jesus is praying on our behalf for us to attain a higher, more lofty sense of togetherness, we sure haven’t listened. So what does that say about us?

What does that say about Jesus’ prayer? For all those who were taught that their heartfelt prayers would be heard and answered, it is quite problematic to see the Son of God’s unanswered prayer staring us in the face. What does it mean when even Jesus’ prayer isn’t answered?

We believe that there is nothing that God cannot do, but why hasn’t Jesus’ prayer been answered? We know that God doesn’t force us to do anything. He leads us, prompts us, convicts us, challenges us, but if we don’t listen, if we don’t follow Him, a part of God’s good plan for us remains unfulfilled. I believe that "God gets what God wants." He will accomplish His purposes, but the frightening thing is that we may miss out on what He is doing. We may miss the blessing that could have been ours when we fight and argue rather than love and serve. Worse yet than missing out is that we may be a stumbling block for others. Rather than being a conduit for God’s love to be shown to a hurting world, we may actually drive people away from God and His Son by the way we claim to represent Him.

Jesus isn’t just asking God for something. He’s asking us for something. He’s praying to us, pleading with us also… “be one with each other, as We are one.” Unity and love in the body of Christ is far more important than being right. It seems for the last century the major thrust of Christendom is about who’s right and has the answers. We’ve lost something when we fail to love one another and love others who may be difficult to love. Can we really call ourselves Christians just because we believe certain things and go to special places, if we don’t truly love people. As the old hymn reminds us, “They will know we are Christians by our love.”

I read somewhere that “people may not always remember what you say, but they will always remember how it made them feel.” I pray that we make people feel loved, wanted, believed in, and hoped for. May we bring out the best in one another rather than the worst in each other.

As we come to the close of Jesus’ prayer, we must turn our focus to our own prayers. How shall we pray? What if we spent less time praying about being right and more time praying about being one? What if we spent more time praying for the grace to love those who may be difficult to love? What if we spent more time praying for opportunities to show God’s love to others, whether or not we have the chance to explain it.

May God be glorified in us. May we experience eternal life in a love relationship with an eternal God. May we be one as they are one. May Christ’s prayer be answered in our own. Amen

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

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 Lyndon Marcotte on Jun 16, 2011.

Prayer of the Day for SUNDAY, May 28, 2017 - 7th Sunday of Easter (Exaudi Sunday)

O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen

Verse of the Day for SUNDAY, May 28, 2017 - 7th Sunday of Easter (Exaudi Sunday)

Romans 12:15 (NIV) Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Read all of Romans 12

Listen to Romans 12

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 "I Am the Light of the World"

JOHN 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

THINK ABOUT IT
“I am the light of the world.” This line is probably still connected to the Festival of Tabernacles (Hebrew sukkot) (see John 7:37). Isaiah also used light as a symbol for the salvation of the Gentiles (see Isaiah 49:6).

TALK ABOUT IT
In what ways has Jesus been the light in your life?

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 - Semana de celebración: La fidelidad

El gran amor del Señor nunca se acaba, y su compasiónjamás se agota. Cada mañana se renuevan sus bondades; ¡muy grande es su fidelidad!

~ Lamentaciones 3:22-23 (NVI)

Solo podría basar mis enseñanzas bajo este título de hoy: «La fidelidad de Dios para con mi vida».

Dios ha sido más que fiel. Ha tenido paciencia conmigo y me ha demostrado que aunque le he fallado miles de veces, Él siempre tiene amor hacia mí. Aunque me ha disciplinado, y en ocasiones he sentido su fuerte reprensión, hoy entiendo que lo hizo por amor a mí.

Ten presente que esta semana celebramos muchas cosas. Así que, como ejercicio, estamos recordando los miles de momentos en los que Dios nunca nos ha fallado:

Recuerda cuando quizá te quedaras sin trabajo y pasaron meses, pero que jamás te faltó nada.

Recuerda cuando tal vez no tuvieras tus documentos legales para vivir en Estados Unidos, manejabas sin licencia o trabajabas con un documento prestado. O a lo mejor estuviste ilegal por años sin tener problemas y, aun así, tuviste casa, auto y alimentos para tu familia. Esa, mi amigo, es la «fidelidad de Dios».

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón

Standing Strong Through the Storm - DEFEATING THE ENEMY’S ATTACKS

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

~ 1 John 4:4 (NIV)

Ung Sophal established eight house churches in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and the surrounding provinces. He and his wife lost their third and youngest child during the Pol Pot genocide. After many close calls, he was separated from his wife and children and sent to work in the fields. During these very difficult times, he still was able to lead sixty-five people to Jesus and even water baptize them. God miraculously spared his life on numerous occasions.

When the Vietnamese invaded Cambodia in 1979, Ung Sophal was able to return to Phnom Penh. It was now a ghost town. With a handful of other Christians, he started a house church, which grew from five members to six hundred in eight months.

That Christmas he invited some Christians to his home for a fellowship - including some Christian westerners working for aid organizations. Two weeks later he was arrested for this “illegal” activity and accused of holding a political meeting with CIA participation.

He was interrogated for days and beaten severely. When the interrogation proved profitless, he was left in prison for five months chained hand and foot. He lost seventy-five pounds and was very sick but he heard the Lord instruct him to fast and be silent for three days.

The authorities became alarmed at the end of his fast and took him to the hospital thinking he was dying. There he constantly heard the sounds of other people being tortured with electricity and being beaten and kicked. “Even without the beatings it was very hard,” he said, “I had a taste of hell, but God protected me.”

Ung Sophal was successfully treated by a Cuban doctor who was also a Christian (God has his people everywhere). One night when the electricity went out because of a tropical storm, the doctor helped Ung escape. Later he fled with his wife and children to Thailand and spent ten years ministering to other Cambodian exiles - the last five years as a widower.

In 1990, as restrictions against Christianity began to be eased in Cambodia, Ung made his first visit back to his homeland to encourage and teach the church. Word of his return spread quickly and three hundred people came to see him. He is eager for the task ahead. “I want to build my people,” he said. “God has a great work yet to do in Cambodia.”

RESPONSE: Today I will stand strong in Jesus’ strength no matter what Satan throws at me or against me.

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for encouraging testimonies of faithful people like Ung Sophal. Continue to grow Your Church in Cambodia, I pray.