LHM Daily Devotion - June 8, 2017 "Tasty"

Both my grandmothers were good German cooks.

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

"Tasty"

June 8, 2017

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

~ Genesis 3:6 (ESV)

Both my grandmothers were good German cooks. And, yes, I know there are connoisseurs who would say that good German food is a contradiction in terms. 

That being said, to the best of my knowledge, neither of them ever used a hot pepper in any of their culinary creations. Black pepper was usually as wild as they ever got. As far as cooking with chili peppers, that was a temptation they found easy to resist.

For those of you who don't know, the heat of a chili pepper is measured in Scoville units.

A bell pepper has 0 heat and, therefore, it registers 0 on the Scoville scale. A banana pepper will come in around 500 Scoville units, and a really hot jalapeño registers 10,000. Now that gives you some perspective when I say the hottest chili pepper in the world used to be the Carolina Reaper, which registered 2.2 million Scoville units.

Having watched people eat a Carolina Reaper, I can offer this single piece of advice: don't.

But the reign of the Carolina Reaper is over. Its crown has been captured by a new chili called the "Dragon's Breath." That pretty, little, bright red chili sets the record by chalking up 2.48 million Scoville units.

• In practical terms, that chili is hotter than the pepper spray used by the U.S. Army.
• The grower says touching the pepper numbs your skin.
• More than one newspaper has said that anyone who eats the pepper raw and whole could die from anaphylactic shock.

So the question arises: why would anybody grow, mess around with, or eat such a barn burner?

The best answer to that question can be found in Genesis 3 where we see Adam and Eve eating the fruit from a tree, which had been forbidden to them. Why did they do it? The answer is threefold:

1. The fruit was good for food.
2. The food was pleasant to the eye.
3. Because they thought they could get away with it.

Adam and Eve didn't get away with it, and neither will the folks who eat the Dragon's Breath chili. The truth is the Lord has laid out His Commandments, and every time we try to circumvent or rewrite them we get into trouble.

Which leads this devotion to say give thanks to the Lord who has had mercy on you. Through His Son the terrible punishment that resulted from our eating the forbidden fruit has been erased. Because of Him you have been forgiven and saved from the fires of hell, which are hotter than a Dragon's Breath chili.

But, even so, still don't eat the forbidden fruit.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, forgive ears that don't hear You and eyes that still long for the forbidden fruits of sin. Grant that our hearts and minds, saved by Jesus, may learn to trust You and You alone. In Jesus' Name. Amen

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

CPTLN Devocional de 08 de Junio de 2017

Alimento Diario

Peligro de contagio

08 de Junio 2017

Hijo mío, si los pecadores quisieran engañarte, no te dejes llevar por ellos.

~ Proverbios 1:10 (RVC)

Por todos lados en las oficinas de Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones encontramos carteles que nos dicen que cuando tosemos, debemos cubrirnos la boca. Se supone que debemos toser en nuestro brazo, lo que aparentemente es más higiénico.

Pero no creo que toser en el brazo evite el problema del "contagio". Resulta que tres universidades descubrieron que, cuando una pareja se divorcia, aumenta el promedio de divorcios entre quienes les rodean.

Según los estudios realizados por estas universidades, parece que el divorcio puede ser contagioso. Los psicólogos lo llaman "divorcio grupal". Esto quiere decir que, si algún conocido suyo se divorcia, las posibilidades de que usted también se divorcie se incrementan en un 75%.

La razón es que usted se entera tanto de lo bueno como de lo malo del divorcio. Pero, según esos estudios, la gente casi siempre escucha las cosas buenas, los llamados 'beneficios', e ignora las cosas malas, la parte 'deprimente' del divorcio.

Lo mismo sucedió con Adán y Eva. Ellos escucharon sólo la parte 'buena' de la tentación de Satanás. Sansón sólo vio la parte 'buena' cuando Dalila buscó guardarle el secreto. Los hijos de Israel sólo vieron lo 'divertido' cuando adoraron a otros dioses.

De hecho, el diablo, el mundo y nuestra carne, nos tientan con cosas que suenan increíblemente buenas, pero no lo son. Sólo más tarde descubrimos que hemos sido engañados... y que Dios estuvo diciéndonos lo correcto todo el tiempo. Eso es lo que dice el autor de Proverbios: "Hijo mío, si los pecadores quisieran engañarte, no te dejes llevar por ellos".

Y otro proverbio que no está en la Biblia es: 'Hijos míos, si Dios dice algo, créanle. Él es Dios y ustedes no lo son. Él sabe lo que dice'.

¿Qué es lo que Dios dice? Que lo amemos de todo corazón y amemos a nuestro prójimo tanto como quisiéramos que nos amen a nosotros. Esa clase de amor en acción no la encontrará en su vecindario o comunidad. Para encontrar tal amor sacrificado tiene que volverse a Jesucristo, cuya vida, muerte y resurrección estuvieron dedicadas a su salvación.

ORACIÓN: Señor Jesús, perdóname las veces que mis oídos han escuchado las tentaciones en lugar de confiar en ti. Envía tu Espíritu Santo para que mi mente entorpecida pueda finalmente comprender que tú y tu Palabra, son verdad. Pido esto 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 - Rings and Grace

Read: Hebrews 8:6–13

Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 30–31; John 18:1–18

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[I] will remember their sins no more. Hebrews 8:12

When I look at my hands, I am reminded that I lost my wedding and engagement rings. I was multitasking as I packed for a trip, and I still have no idea where they ended up.

I dreaded telling my husband about my careless mistake—worried how the news would affect him. But he responded with more compassion and care for me than concern over the rings. However, there are times when I still want to do something to earn his grace! He, on the contrary, doesn’t hold this episode against me.

So many times we remember our sins and feel we must do something to earn God’s forgiveness. But God has said it is by grace, not by works, that we are saved (Eph. 2:8–9). Speaking of a new covenant, God promised Israel, “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Jer. 31:34). We have a God who forgives and no longer calls to mind the wrongs we have done.

We may still feel sad about our past, but we need to trust His promise and believe His grace and forgiveness is real through faith in Jesus Christ. This news should lead us to thankfulness and the assurance faith brings. When God forgives, He forgets.

Dear Lord, thank You for Your grace and Your offer of salvation and forgiveness through Christ. Thank You for this free gift that is not based on anything I can do.

Grace and forgiveness are unearned gifts.

By Keila Ochoa

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Ministérios Pão Diário - Sempre agradecidos

Leia: 1 Cr.16:8-13, 23–36

A Bíblia em um ano: 2 Crônicas 30–31, João 18:1-18

Rendei graças ao Senhor, porque ele é bom; porque a sua misericórdia dura para sempre. v.34.

O bonito hino: “Nós aramos os campos” muitas vezes é cantado durante as comemorações do Dia de Ação de Graças, em novembro. Para mim, ele evoca imagens de famílias que compartilham uma ceia tradicional durante a época da colheita.

Mas fiquei surpreso quando ouvi esse hino sendo cantado durante o mês de junho, totalmente fora do contexto tradicional. Aquilo me lembrou de que, para o Seu povo, dar graças a Deus por Sua bondade e provisão significa uma celebração contínua.

Numa ocasião especial de celebração nacional, o rei Davi escreveu um cântico para guiar seu povo no louvor a Deus: “Rendei graças ao Senhor, invocai o seu nome, fazei conhecidos, entre os povos, os seus feitos. Cantai-lhe, cantai-lhe salmos; narrai todas as suas maravilhas. Gloriai-vos no seu santo nome; alegre-se o coração dos que buscam o Senhor” (1 Crônicas 16:8,10). Mas o cântico permaneceu como uma parte do livro de cânticos de Israel, num louvor contínuo: “Buscai o Senhor e o seu poder; buscai perpetuamente a sua presença” (Salmo 105:4-15).

Temos tanto para agradecer-lhe todos os dias. Deus supre continuamente todas as nossas necessidades. Por isso, celebremos com ações de graça todos os dias do ano.

Para os cristãos, o Dia de Ação de Graças não é só mais um dia — é estilo de vida.

por David C. McCasland

© 2017 Ministérios Pão Diário

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Chiếc Nhẫn Và Ân Huệ

Đọc: Hê-bơ-rơ 8:6-13

Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: II Sử ký 30-31; Giăng 18:1-18

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Chúng ta sẽ... không còn ghi nhớ tội lỗi họ nữa. Hê-bơ-rơ 8:12

Khi nhìn bàn tay, tôi nhớ rằng mình đã làm mất nhẫn cưới và nhẫn đính hôn. Tôi đã làm nhiều việc cùng lúc khi chuẩn bị hành lý cho chuyến đi và tôi vẫn không biết chúng đã rơi đâu mất.

Tôi lo sợ khi kể cho chồng nghe về sự bất cẩn của mình—không biết anh nghĩ gì khi nghe điều này. Nhưng anh lại rất cảm thông và quan tâm đến tôi hơn là những chiếc nhẫn. Tuy nhiên, nhiều lúc tôi vẫn muốn làm gì đó để xứng đáng với ân huệ của anh! Còn anh không hề lấy chuyện đó ra để cằn nhằn tôi.

Rất nhiều lần chúng ta nhớ đến tội lỗi của mình và cảm thấy phải làm gì đó để được Chúa tha thứ. Nhưng Chúa đã phán rằng bởi ân điển mà chúng ta được cứu, chứ không phải bởi việc làm (Êph. 2:8-9). Nói về giao ước mới, Chúa đã hứa với dân Y-sơ-ra-ên: “Chúng ta sẽ tha thứ gian ác chúng và không nhớ đến tội lỗi chúng nữa” (Giê. 31:34). Chúng ta có một Đức Chúa Trời tha thứ và không còn nhớ những sai lầm chúng ta đã phạm.

Có thể chúng ta vẫn thấy buồn về quá khứ của mình, nhưng chúng ta cần tin cậy nơi lời hứa của Ngài và tin chắc rằng khi chúng ta đặt niềm tin nơi Chúa Jêsus, thì sẽ nhận được ân điển cùng sự tha thứ của Ngài. Điều này phải dẫn chúng ta đến sự biết ơn và khiến chúng ta có được sự đảm bảo của đức tin. Khi Chúa tha thứ, Ngài sẽ quên hết tội lỗi của chúng ta.

Lạy Chúa, cảm ơn Ngài vì ân điển cùng sự cứu rỗi và tha thứ của Ngài qua Đấng Christ. Cảm ơn Ngài vì món quà miễn phí này không dựa trên bất cứ điều gì con có thể làm.

Ân điển và sự tha thứ là những món quà không thể tự kiếm được.

bởi Keila Ochoa

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Anillos y gracia

Leer: Hebreos 8:6-13

La Biblia en un año: 2 Crónicas 30–31; Juan 18:1-18

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… nunca más me acordaré de sus pecados y de sus iniquidades (v. 12).

Cuando me miro las manos, recuerdo que perdí mis anillos de compromiso y de boda. Estaba haciendo varias cosas mientras empacaba para un viaje, y todavía no tengo idea de dónde terminaron.

Me aterraba contarle mi error a mi esposo, porque me preocupaba cómo lo afectaría la noticia. Sin embargo, respondió con más compasión e interés por mí que preocupación por los anillos. No obstante, ¡a veces todavía quiero hacer algo para ganarme su favor! Él, por el contrario, no me lo echa en cara.

Muchas veces, recordamos nuestros pecados y sentimos que tenemos que hacer algo para ganarnos el perdón de Dios. Pero el Señor dijo que es por gracia, y no obras, que somos salvos (Efesios 2:8-9). Al hablar de un nuevo pacto, Dios le prometió a Israel: «Perdonaré sus maldades y nunca más me acordaré de sus pecados» (Jeremías 31:34). Tenemos un Dios que perdona y no recuerda más el mal que hicimos.

Tal vez nos dé tristeza nuestro pasado, pero tenemos que confiar en su promesa y creer que su gracia y su perdón son reales a través de la fe en Jesucristo. Esta noticia debe llevarnos a la gratitud y la seguridad que trae la fe. Cuando Dios perdona, olvida.

Querido Señor, gracias por tu misericordia y por ofrecer salvación y perdón a través de Cristo. Gracias por este regalo que no depende de nada que yo haga.

La gracia y el perdón son dones inmerecidos.

Por Keila Ochoa

 © 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Der verlorene Ring

Lesen: Hebräer 8,6-13

Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 2.Chronik 30–31; Johannes 18,1-18

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Ihrer Sünde will ich nicht mehr gedenken. Hebräer 8,12

Wenn ich meine Hände anschaue, werde ich jedes Mal daran erinnert, dass ich meinen Verlobungsdiamanten und den Ehering verloren habe. Ich war am Packen für eine Reise und versuchte gleichzeitig, noch ein paar andere Dinge zu erledigen und habe immer noch keine Ahnung, was mit den Ringen passiert ist.

Ich schämte mich, meinem Mann von meinem Missgeschick zu erzählen, weil ich nicht wusste, wie er reagieren würde. Aber er war mehr um mich besorgt als um die Ringe. Trotzdem gibt es immer noch Momente, in denen ich meine, ich müsste mir sein Wohlwollen verdienen, obwohl er mir die Sache nie vorgehalten hat.

Wie oft erinnern wir uns an unsere Sünden und meinen, wir müssten etwas tun, um Gottes Vergebung zu verdienen. Aber Gott hat gesagt, dass wir aus Gnade gerettet sind, nicht aus Werken (Eph. 2,8-9). Als er Israel einen neuen Bund ankündigte, versprach er: „Ich will ihnen ihre Missetat vergeben und ihrer Sünde nimmermehr gedenken“ (Jer. 31,34). Wir haben einen Gott, der vergibt und die Fehler, die wir begangen haben, nicht wieder hervorkramt.

Wir mögen manches aus der Vergangenheit immer noch bedauern, aber wir können seiner Verheißung vertrauen und glauben, dass seine Gnade und Vergebung durch Jesus Christus gelten. Das sollte uns dankbar machen und unseren Glauben stärken. Wenn Gott vergibt, dann vergisst er auch.

Lieber Herr, hab Dank für die Gnade und dein Angebot der Erlösung und Vergebung in Christus. Danke für dieses Geschenk, für das ich gar nichts tun muss.

Gnade und Vergebung sind ein unverdientes Geschenk 

Von Keila Ochoa

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Bagues et grâce

Lisez : Hébreux 8.6‑13

La Bible en un an : 2 CHRONIQUES 30 – 31 et JEAN 18.1‑18

[Je] ne me souviendrai plus de leur péchés. V.12

La vue de mes mains me rappelle que j’ai perdu mes alliances. Je les ai égarées un jour que je m’affairais à mille et un préparatifs de voyage, et j’ignore encore où je les ai mises.

Je redoutais de l’annoncer à mon mari, car je craignais que ma négligence le blesse. Il a néanmoins réagi avec plus de compassion et de peine pour moi que de regrets pour les alliances. Il m’arrive néanmoins parfois de chercher à mériter sa grâce par un geste ou un autre ! Lui, par contre, ne retient pas cet épisode contre moi.

Il nous arrive si souvent de nous remémorer nos péchés et de ressentir le besoin de faire quelque chose pour mériter le pardon de Dieu. Pourtant, Dieu a dit que c’est par grâce, et non par les oeuvres, que nous sommes sauvés (ÉP 2.8,9). En évoquant une nouvelle alliance, Dieu a promis ceci aux Israélites : « [Je] pardonnerai leur iniquité, et je ne me souviendrai plus de leur péché (JÉ 31.34). Nous avons un Dieu qui nous pardonne nos fautes sans jamais revenir sur elles.

Il se peut que nous repensions au passé avec chagrin, mais nous devons croire aux promesses de Dieu, à sa grâce et à son pardon par la foi en Jésus‑Christ. Or, cette réalité devrait nous amener à user de gratitude envers lui et à saisir l’assurance que la foi nous procure. Ce que Dieu pardonne, il l’oublie également.

La grâce et le pardon sont des dons immérités.

par Keila Ochoa

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Обручка й благодать

Читати: Євреїв 8:6-13

Біблія за рік: 2 Хронік 30–31 ; Івана 18:1-18

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“Їхніх гріхів не згадаю Я більш!” — Євреїв 8:12

Дивлячись на свою руку, я часто згадую, що загубила весільну обручку. Під час однієї поїздки я пакувала свої речі і десь її поклала, що й досі не знаю, де саме.

Я з деяким острахом розповіла своєму чоловіку про таку прикру необачність. Хвилювалась, як він сприйме цю неприємну новину. Але він більше виявив співчуття й піклування про мене, ніж переймався втратою подарованої ним обручки. Однак я інколи хочу якимось чином відшкодувати це, якось заробити його ласку. Але він ніколи не згадував про мою необачність.

Занадто часто ми згадуємо свої гріхи з відчуттям, що маємо якось заробити Боже прощення. Але Бог чітко вказав, що саме Його благодаттю, а не своїми ділами ми спасенні (Еф. 2:8-9). Говорячи про новий заповіт, Бог пообіцяв колись Ізраїлю: “Їхню провину прощу, і не буду вже згадувати їм гріха!” (Єр. 31:34). Ми маємо Бога, Який пробачає і більше не згадує наші гріхи й провини.

Інколи ми можемо почуватись винними через те, що зробили в минулому, але потребуємо вірити в обітниці Божого прощення, довіряти благодаті Бога через віру в Ісуса Христа. Ця добра новина має спонукати нас до вдячності й сповняти впевненістю у прощенні, яку нам дарує віра. Бог забуває про наші гріхи, коли пробачає.

Дорогий Господи, дякую за Твою благодать, за спасіння й прощення, що Ти пропонуєш у Христі Ісусі. Дякую за цей дар, що ніяк не залежить від моїх вчинків.

Благодать та прощення – то дари, які неможливо заробити.

Автор Кейла Очоа

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Кольцо и милость

Читать сейчас: Евреям 8:6-13

Библия за год: 2 Паралипоменон 30-31; Иоанна 18:1-18

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«Я буду милостив к неправдам их и грехов их и беззаконий их не вспомню более». — Евреям 8:12

Глядя на свою руку, я вспоминаю, что потеряла обручальное кольцо. Пакуя чемоданы для путешествия, я куда-то его сунула и до сих пор не имею ни малейшего представления, где искать.

Как было сказать мужу о такой бестолковой потере? Я трепетала от страха, представляя, как он расстроится. Но он проявил больше заботы обо мне и моих переживаниях, чем о потерянном кольце. Тем не менее иногда я по-прежнему стараюсь чем-то заслужить его доброту. Он со своей стороны никогда не вспоминает об этом происшествии.

Мы так часто вспоминаем свои грехи и чувствуем, что должны что-то сделать, чтобы заслужить Божье прощение. Но Он сказал, что мы спасены благодатью, а не делами (Еф. 2:8-9). Говоря о новом завете, Бог пообещал Израилю: «Я прощу беззакония их и грехов их уже не вспомню более» (Иер. 31:34). Мы обратились к Богу, Который прощает и больше не вспоминает наших прежних согрешений.

Прошлое все еще может печалить, но нам следует поверить Его обетованию и тому, что благодать и прощение даются даром через веру в Иисуса Христа. Этот факт должен пробуждать в нас благодарность и уверенность. Прощая, Бог навсегда забывает наши грехи.

Дорогой Господь, благодарю Тебя за милость, спасение и прощение во Христе. Благодарю, что этот дар не зависит от моих дел.

Милость и прощение – незаслуженные дары.

автор: Кейла Очоа

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for WEDNESDAY, June 7, 2017 - Summer Ember Wednesday

Opening Sentence

Send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me, and bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. Psalm 43:3

Morning Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen

The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Deuteronomy 13:1-11

If prophets or those who divine by dreams appear among you and promise you omens or portents, and the omens or the portents declared by them take place, and they say, "Let us follow other gods" (whom you have not known) "and let us serve them," you must not heed the words of those prophets or those who divine by dreams; for the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you indeed love the LORD your God with all your heart and soul. The LORD your God you shall follow, him alone you shall fear, his commandments you shall keep, his voice you shall obey, him you shall serve, and to him you shall hold fast. But those prophets or those who divine by dreams shall be put to death for having spoken treason against the LORD your God-- who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery-- to turn you from the way in which the LORD your God commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. If anyone secretly entices you-- even if it is your brother, your father's son or your mother's son, or your own son or daughter, or the wife you embrace, or your most intimate friend-- saying, "Let us go worship other gods," whom neither you nor your ancestors have known, any of the gods of the peoples that are around you, whether near you or far away from you, from one end of the earth to the other, you must not yield to or heed any such persons. Show them no pity or compassion and do not shield them. But you shall surely kill them; your own hand shall be first against them to execute them, and afterwards the hand of all the people. Stone them to death for trying to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Then all Israel shall hear and be afraid, and never again do any such wickedness.

The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from 2 Corinthians 7:2-16

Make room in your hearts for us; we have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. I often boast about you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with consolation; I am overjoyed in all our affliction. For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted in every way-- disputes without and fears within. But God, who consoles the downcast, consoled us by the arrival of Titus, and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was consoled about you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it (though I did regret it, for I see that I grieved you with that letter, though only briefly). Now I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance; for you felt a godly grief, so that you were not harmed in any way by us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves guiltless in the matter. So although I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong, nor on account of the one who was wronged, but in order that your zeal for us might be made known to you before God. In this we find comfort. In addition to our own consolation, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his mind has been set at rest by all of you. For if I have been somewhat boastful about you to him, I was not disgraced; but just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting to Titus has proved true as well. And his heart goes out all the more to you, as he remembers the obedience of all of you, and how you welcomed him with fear and trembling. I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.

The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in Luke 17:20-37

Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, "The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There it is!' For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you." Then he said to the disciples, "The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. They will say to you, 'Look there!' or 'Look here!' Do not go, do not set off in pursuit. For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must endure much suffering and be rejected by this generation. Just as it was in the days of Noah, so too it will be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking, and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed all of them. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day that Lot left Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed all of them -- it will be like that on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, anyone on the housetop who has belongings in the house must not come down to take them away; and likewise anyone in the field must not turn back. Remember Lot's wife. Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it. I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken and the other left." Then they asked him, "Where, Lord?" He said to them, "Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather."

Morning Psalms

Psalm 119:49-56 Zayin Memor esto verbi tui
49   Remember your word to your servant, because you have given me hope.
50   This is my comfort in my trouble, that your promise gives me life.
51   The proud have derided me cruelly, but I have not turned from your law.
52   When I remember your judgments of old, O LORD, I take great comfort.
53   I am filled with a burning rage, because of the wicked who forsake your law.
54   Your statutes have been like songs to me wherever I have lived as a stranger.
55   I remember your Name in the night, O LORD, and dwell upon your law.
56   This is how it has been with me, because I have kept your commandments.

Psalm 119:57-64 Heth Portio mea, Domine
57   You only are my portion, O LORD; I have promised to keep your words.
58   I entreat you with all my heart, be merciful to me according to your promise.
59   I have considered my ways and turned my feet toward your decrees.
60   I hasten and do not tarry to keep your commandments.
61   Though the cords of the wicked entangle me, I do not forget your law.
62   At midnight I will rise to give you thanks, because of your righteous judgments.
63   I am a companion of all who fear you and of those who keep your commandments.
64   The earth, O LORD, is full of your love; instruct me in your statutes.

Psalm 119:65-72 Teth Bonitatem fecisti
65   O LORD, you have dealt graciously with your servant, according to your word.
66   Teach me discernment and knowledge, for I have believed in your commandments.
67   Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.
68   You are good and you bring forth good; instruct me in your statutes.
69   The proud have smeared me with lies, but I will keep your commandments with my whole heart.
70   Their heart is gross and fat, but my delight is in your law.
71   It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.
72   The law of your mouth is dearer to me than thousands in gold and silver.

Evening Psalms

Psalm 49 Audite haec, omnes
1   Hear this, all you peoples; hearken, all you who dwell in the world, you of high degree and low, rich and poor together.
2   My mouth shall speak of wisdom, and my heart shall meditate on understanding.
3   I will incline my ear to a proverb and set forth my riddle upon the harp.
4   Why should I be afraid in evil days, when the wickedness of those at my heels surrounds me,
5   The wickedness of those who put their trust in their goods, and boast of their great riches?
6   We can never ransom ourselves, or deliver to God the price of our life;
7   For the ransom of our life is so great, that we should never have enough to pay it,
8   In order to live for ever and ever, and never see the grave.
9   For we see that the wise die also; like the dull and stupid they perish and leave their wealth to those who come after them.
10   Their graves shall be their homes for ever, their dwelling places from generation to generation, though they call the lands after their own names.
11   Even though honored, they cannot live for ever; they are like the beasts that perish.
12   Such is the way of those who foolishly trust in themselves, and the end of those who delight in their own words.
13   Like a flock of sheep they are destined to die; Death is their shepherd; they go down straightway to the grave.
14   Their form shall waste away, and the land of the dead shall be their home.
15   But God will ransom my life; he will snatch me from the grasp of death.
16   Do not be envious when some become rich, or when the grandeur of their house increases;
17   For they will carry nothing away at their death, nor will their grandeur follow them.
18   Though they thought highly of themselves while they lived, and were praised for their success,
19   They shall join the company of their forebears, who will never see the light again.
20   Those who are honored, but have no understanding, are like the beasts that perish.

Psalm 53 Dixit insipiens
1   The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." All are corrupt and commit abominable acts; there is none who does any good.
2   God looks down from heaven upon us all, to see if there is any who is wise, if there is one who seeks after God.
3   Every one has proved faithless; all alike have turned bad; there is none who does good; no, not one.
4   Have they no knowledge, those evildoers who eat up my people like bread and do not call upon God?
5   See how greatly they tremble, such trembling as never was; for God has scattered the bones of the enemy; they are put to shame, because God has rejected them.
6   Oh, that Israel's deliverance would come out of Zion! when God restores the fortunes of his people Jacob will rejoice and Israel be glad.

The Nicene Creed

• We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

• We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

• We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen

Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, in your divine providence you have appointed various orders in your Church: Give your grace, we humbly pray, to all who are [now] called to any office and ministry for your people; and so fill them with the truth of your doctrine and clothe them with holiness of life, that they may faithfully serve before you, to the glory of your great Name and for the benefit of your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

A Prayer for Grace

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

A Prayer for Mission

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen

He Came Down to My Level

Refrain:
He came down to my level
When I couldn't get up to His
With a strong arm He lifted me up
To show me what livin' is
He'll come down to your level if you'll open up the door
He wants to make your life worth livin'
That's what he came down for.

If you're lookin' for contentment
In the things that you can see
You're gonna have some disappointment
So won't you listen to me please
'Cause I know about a Savior
He came down to be a man
And when He left He sent His Spirit
He made me everything to me.

Sometimes I make decisions
That later I regret
But the Lord keep assuring me
He's not finished with me yet
I don't worry about tomorrow
I don't worry about yesterday
I don't worry about this crazy world
'Cause I Found a better way.

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

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen

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

Prayer of the Day for WEDNESDAY, June 7, 2017 - Summer Ember Wednesday

Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, in your divine providence you have appointed various orders in your Church: Give your grace, we humbly pray, to all who are [now] called to any office and ministry for your people; and so fill them with the truth of your doctrine and clothe them with holiness of life, that they may faithfully serve before you, to the glory of your great Name and for the benefit of your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, June 7, 2017 - Summer Ember Wednesday

Psalm 90:2,4 (NIV) Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.

Read all of Psalm 90

Listen to Psalm 90

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

Morning Devotions with Cap'n Kenny - The Sabbath

And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”

~ Mark 2:27

First off, a quick clarification. The “Sabbath” is, technically, a Jewish holy day that begins at sundown on Friday and ends at sundown on Saturday. Because of Christ's emphasis on the spirit of the law, Christians may set aside any reasonable 24-hour period and observe the Sabbath commandment at that time; most choose Sunday, to honor the resurrection. To us, Sunday is the Sabbath.

Jesus not only freed us from literal compliance with the Jewish Sabbath laws; but also, He made it clear that we do it for our benefit. Of course, all of His teachings were for our benefit, but the Sabbath is for our immediate benefit as well as the longer term. We need a day of rest each week. It is not supposed to be a restrictive day of self-denial, but a setting down of our burdens.

If the Puritans got anything really really wrong, it was their observance of the Sabbath. They would sit on hard wooden benches for many hours, listening to dire sermons, and then do anything as long as they didn't have fun. A famous anecdote from the 1700s concerns a man in Connecticut, who was fined because somebody heard him whistling on Sunday.

It is a holy day and should be treated as such. We should make special remembrance of Our Lord on Sunday. But we must also rest; and not only that, we must not suffer other people to work, if it can be avoided. “On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates.” (Exodus 20:8-11)

God says: Even a dog shouldn't have to work on Sunday!

Modern secular society has declared that Sunday is just another day. Every store and restaurant is open, with people hard at work selling, stocking goods, cooking food, massaging necks, etc. But here is an idea for you to consider: Christians should not patronize them. Do your yardwork on Saturday, sure; but do your shopping on Saturday, as well, not only for your own sake, but also for the sake of the people that the heartless mercantile world calls into work. Do you think it makes God happy that we don't work on Sunday, if that means we just make someone else do the work?

The world is going to disregard Christian values, often and widely, but that doesn't mean we have to participate.

Lord, lead me to show my love for you by how I spend my Sundays, and to do what I can to make it a day of rest. Amen

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny


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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Un Dia a la Vez - Activos, no pasivos

¿Por qué voy a inquietarme? ¿Por qué me voy a angustiar? En Dios pondré mi esperanza [...] ¡Él es mi Salvador y mi Dios!

~ Salmo 42:5 (NVI)

La pasividad no es una amiga para ninguno de nosotros. ¿Sabías que la pereza y la falta de motivación logran carcomerte por dentro? Los que vivimos en Estados Unidos sabemos que aunque aquí se trabaja fuerte, se vive el fenómeno de la tristeza y la soledad. No todos tienen sus familiares acá y se pueden sentir algunas de estas cosas que, llevadas al extremo, son nocivas.

En esos casos, no vas a tener tiempo para pensar mucho, más aun si se está en circunstancias que afectan tu vida como un divorcio, una separación, una pérdida de un ser querido o un trabajo. En estas situaciones, casi al instante dejamos de luchar para salir adelante. Entonces surge el sentimiento humano que es más a dejarse morir, sentirse derrotado, abandonado, y esto no ayuda para nada en la crisis. Claro está, todos los que hemos experimentado algún tipo de pérdida sabemos que se vivirá un luto y eso es normal. Lo que no debemos permitir es quedarnos estancados en esa etapa.

La actividad y la ocupación nos ayudarán a sentirnos útiles e importantes de nuevo. Si lo analizamos, Dios nos dice siempre en sus promesas que nos esforcemos y seamos valientes. También nos dice que en el mundo tendremos aflicción, pero que estemos tranquilos porque Él ha vencido al mundo. Además, nos afirma que no viviremos prueba más pesada de la que no podamos soportar. Por lo tanto, al leer el Manual de Instrucciones encontramos que Dios no nos abandonará.

¡Ponte en acción y sigue adelante!

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón

Standing Strong Through the Storm - MEMORIZING GOD’S WORD

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

When China’s best-known pastor, Wang Ming-dao, was finally released from prison, he stated, “In these past twenty years, I have not had a copy of the Bible. Happily between the ages of twenty-one to twenty-four, I spent my time at home doing the housework and studying the scriptures. I memorized many passages. These passages in my heart came out one by one and strengthened me. Had it not been for those words of God, then not only I, but many others, would also have been defeated.”

Pastor Lamb in southern China was in prison for many years at that same time. “I understood then why I had memorized so much of God’s Word while in Bible school,” he says. “I kept my sanity only by repeating Bible verses over and over.”

The best way the church can prepare for trials and persecution is by seriously studying and learning the Word of God. Christians need an overview of the whole Bible. Understanding God’s outline for mankind in the Bible aids in memorization as well.

What is the right attitude to bring to Bible study? Some read and study the Bible with the intent to get something from it to teach to others. But first, we should approach the Bible with the desire to see the goodness and loving-kindness of God and understand how “wide and long and high and deep” is His love for us (Ephesians 3:17-19). Let His love show you His supply for your own need and then you are better able to meet the needs of others.

Second, approach the Bible with humility. Study the Bible to discover what God has said. Bible study is meant not merely to inform but to transform.

In restricted countries where Bibles are in short supply, pastors are often in a quandary as to which of the many spiritually needy he should share these precious books with. Progress in Bible memorization is one method they can use for determining who will receive the available Bibles. One house church group in Vietnam decided to give them to the believers who were most determined to use them. The criterion used was memory work. So Bibles were shared only with those who recited flawlessly Psalm 119—all 176 verses!

Open Doors is committed to provide God’s Word to those for whom it is not available. “It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes....” (Romans 1:16)

RESPONSE: Today I will memorize a new verse from God’s Word, the Bible.

PRAYER: Pray for the Christians in restricted countries where there is a shortage of God’s Word.

Girlfriends in God - June 07, 2017

When You’re Struggling with Bad Thoughts and Habits

Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV).

Friend to Friend

A stronghold is one of those churchy Christianese words that is hard to wrap our minds around. It’s not a word we use everyday. So what exactly is a stronghold? Let’s take a look.

A stronghold is a thought pattern that forms a fortress around the mind, holding it prisoner to faulty thinking. It is formed brick-by-brick by repetitive faulty thinking or all at once by a onetime traumatic event such as a rape, molestation, or abuse.

In the Old Testament, a stronghold was a fortified dwelling used for protection from an enemy. David hid in wilderness strongholds when he was hiding from King Saul, who was trying to kill him (1 Samuel 22:4; 23:14). These were usually caves high on a mountainside or some other structure that was hard to attack. In the Old Testament, God is called our stronghold: “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble” (Psalm 9:9).

The New Testament writers took this same imagery of a fortress to describe the spiritual tower of bondage, not protection, that we put ourselves in by developing thought patterns and ideas that hold us captive. Beth Moore calls a stronghold, “Anything that we hold onto that ends up holding onto us.” It is anything that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. A stronghold does not protect us, it protects the enemy who is manipulating our thoughts and suggesting our actions.

A stronghold might be a thought such as:
I’m no good.
I’m damaged goods.
Nobody loves me.
Nobody cares about me.
I can’t do anything right.

A stronghold might be an addiction such as:
Shopping.
Alcohol.
Sexual promiscuity.
Over-eating.
Feeling sorry for yourself.

The enemy locks you up in hopes you’ll never reach for the key that is certainly within your reach. But you can.

The only way to expose the enemy and defeat him is to tear down the stronghold, the fortress where he is hiding.

An ungodly habit becomes his habitation, his stronghold in our lives.

Once you recognize a lie in your life—perhaps something that has even taken hold of your imagination and stirred ungodly feelings such as jealousy, worry, fear, or anger—you reject the lie and replace it with truth.

Each time you reject the devil’s lie, you knock one more brick from his fortress, and pretty soon, he’s exposed for the liar and deceiver he is.

I do not want to give the impression that this is an easy process. Some of us are so comfortable with our strongholds we don’t even realize they are there. That was the case with me.

I had been walking around saved but enslaved for so many years. I dragged the ball and chain of inferiority, insecurity, and inadequacy around with me everywhere I went, and I grew so used to my limp, I didn’t even notice it.

I was comfortable with my weakness and served Satan a cup of tea every day I sat hidden away behind the wall he had helped me build. But praise God, Jesus opened my eyes to the truth and called me out of the fortress that had become my prison cell.

Destroying strongholds is not easy, but it is simple. Paul used words such as struggle, resist, tear down, and fight. The good news is that we’re not a one-woman demolition crew. The Holy Spirit gives us the power, Jesus gives us the light, and God is overseeing the entire project. We simply agree to participate through obedience.

When we talk about strongholds, we’re not talking about random thoughts or occasional sins. A stronghold is a thought pattern or habitual sin. It is a fortress built with the bricks of thoughts and held together by the mortar of emotions. Strongholds become our perception of reality.

In my own life, replacing self-defeating lies with God’s truth helped me chip away at the stronghold of inadequacy that led to a negative cycle of discouragement, despair, and defeat. Rejecting the devil’s lies will tear down those strongholds, and after a time, even the ruins are removed.

When we realize the enemy’s true identity, recognize his lies, and replace the lies with God’s truth, we’ll be free.

Let’s Pray

Heavenly Father, show me any strongholds that I have in my life. Show me any areas where I am not totally free from the enemy’s influence. Thank you, Jesus, for coming to set me free. Now help me live free in every area of my life.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen

Now It’s Your Turn

A stronghold in the New Testament imagery is much like a prison.

What is one main difference between a stronghold and a prison?

Go back to today’s truth and break it down. This is one way I study Scripture. Write down your thoughts on each phrase. Then tell me if this was helpful.

• For though we live in the world
• We do not wage war as the world does
• The weapons
• We fight with
• Are not the weapons of the world
• On the contrary
• They have divine power
• To demolish strongholds
• We demolish arguments
• And every pretension
• That sets itself up
• Against the knowledge of God,
• And we take captive every thought
• To make it
• Obedient to Christ.

More from the Girlfriends

You’ve heard the lies before. Maybe even whispered one or two to yourself from time to time. Maybe repeated them so often you’ve started to believe them. “Nobody loves me. I’m worthless. I would be happier married to someone else. I’m just not good enough.” The list goes on. It’s time to recognize the enemy’s lies and replace those lies with the Bible’s liberating truth. It’s time to renew your mind and think God’s thoughts rather than be held in bondage by the enemy’s deceptions. It’s time to be set free to see yourself as God sees you: His holy, chosen, cleansed, forgiven and dearly loved child. Now that’s a truth worth repeating. To learn more, check out my book I’m Not Good Enough...and Other Lies Women Tell Themselves. It’s a game changer!

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

P.O. Box 725, Matthews, NC 28106

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