I just finished watching this documentary about a star football player...
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
"Look Back So You Can Move Ahead with Confidence"
June 19, 2017
Moses went up to God. The LORD called to him out of the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: 'You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you shall be My treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.'"
I just finished watching this documentary about a star football player who came from a very tough community in America, who kept saying the key to being able to deal with success and failure is "Don't ever forget where you come from." He meant in spite of all the circumstances, troubles, and fleeting glories of life, don't ever forget the love of family, the realness of community, and the truth that when all is said and done how you treat one another is the indicator of what kind of person you are. There's much truth in that. Don't ever forget where you come from. His words got me thinking. In fact, it reminded me of the joy I used to have when I went to my grandparents' house and starting looking through the photo albums, or the joy of Friday nights at their place looking at slides of relatives and events that were precious to us all. Those pictures, those memories, brought back to me the reality of the faith my family had in Jesus Christ, the love my family showed to one another, and the real challenges my family had in life like everybody else. Of course, there were the joyful times of victory we all shared, too. The point: don't ever forget where you come from, especially when you are remembering what matters: the love, the sacrifice, the honor, and the perseverance that so many did so that you could be the person you are today. That's a glimpse of what Moses is trying to not only say to the people of Israel in our text, but to all of us who believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the One who sent His son Jesus to be our Messiah, our Savior. Moses is telling the people of God to look back, and to not just see the love of their family, or the joy of their culture, or the persevering spirit of their leaders. As wonderful as that might be, it's nothing compared to looking back on the loving actions of God who redeemed, restored, and still resources His believers with eternal life and salvation, joy and peace. When you look back to God's actions for you, it actually empowers you to live hopefully today and tomorrow -- no matter what any future circumstances might bring. So the next time you get a smile looking back at the picture that brings back a wonderful memory of love, or sacrifice -- things that blessed your life then and today -- look deeper. Look to the Bible where the picture is painted for you of God who rescues His people from bondage, who leads them into freedom, and who promises to bring them life and salvation in His Name. You can see that most clearly in the event of the cross and resurrection of Jesus -- a picture Moses never got to see but must have known was coming, for sure. Why? Because He never forgot where he came from. He was a believer in the God who always keeps His promises, and that good news made all the difference in how one can live, now and forever. Look back, so you can boldly move forward because you have a Savior who has already secured the future for you by His grace. THE PRAYER:Dear Lord Jesus, there are times when the future seems so daunting. Give me the faith to look back and see what You have done so that I can move forward in that gracious love to face whatever comes before me, because You are trustworthy in all things. In Your holy Name we pray. Amen
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
El Señor observa desde los cielos; desde allí vigila a toda la humanidad. Desde el lugar de su residencia contempla a todos los habitantes de la tierra.
¡Qué mejor que una historia acerca de padres por el día del Padre que celebramos ayer! Un bombero de la ciudad de Saint Louis me contó una historia. Ya la había oído antes, pero eso no quiere decir que el bombero no me dijera la verdad. Me contó que en una ocasión había ido a asistir en un incendio que estaba destruyendo una casa que tenia dos pisos. Todo el mundo había salido de la casa, cuando el niño menor recordó que había olvidado algo. Sin que nadie le viera, logró regresar a su dormitorio en el segundo piso. Pero cuando quiso salir nuevamente, ya no pudo. Cuando el padre vio a su hijo en la ventana del dormitorio, gritó: "¡Salta, hijo! Yo te atraparé". El niño llorando gritó: "Papito, no te puedo ver". "Lo sé", respondió el papá "pero yo sí puedo verte". ¿Recuerda lo importante que era tener cerca a nuestros padres cuando éramos pequeños? A veces una sonrisa o un abrazo era todo lo que necesitábamos para estar bien. Aun cuando ya soy mayor, para mí todavía sigue siendo así. Es cierto que mi padre terrenal ha terminado su carrera y ya no está conmigo, pero sé que mi Padre celestial aún vela por mí. Aunque ya no soy un niño, hay ocasiones en las que me siento muy pequeño e indefenso. Allí es cuando su sonrisa y su mano divina en mi hombro me ayudan a estar bien. ¡Por fe en el Salvador crucificado y resucitado, sé que no estoy solo! A pesar de que no puedo ver a mi Padre celestial, me basta con saber que Él me ve a mí y está pronto para atraparme. ORACIÓN:Querido Padre, te agradezco y te alabo porque nunca estoy solo. Aun en los tiempos más oscuros sé que Tú estás a mi lado. Gracias por verme a través de tus ojos de amor. Haz que pueda vivir una vida de gratitud hacia ti. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén
De una devoción escrita originalmente para "By the Way"
May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in obedience to him. 1 Kings 8:58
A few months ago I received an email inviting me to join a community of “driven people.” I decided to look up the word driven, and I learned that a driven person is someone highly motivated to succeed and who will work hard to achieve his goals.
Is it good to be a driven person? There is a test that never
fails: “Do it all for the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). Many times we do
things for self-glory. After the flood in Noah’s day, a group of people
decided to build a tower in order to “make a name” for themselves (Gen.
11:4). They wanted to be famous and avoid being scattered all over the
world. Because they were not doing it for God's glory, though, they were
erroneously driven.
In contrast, when King Solomon dedicated
the ark of the covenant and the newly constructed temple, he said, “I
have built the temple for the Name of the Lord” (1 Kings 8:20). Then he prayed, “May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in obedience to him and keep the commands” (v. 58).
When our greatest desire is to bring glory to God and walk in
obedience, we become driven people who seek to love and serve Jesus in
the power of the Spirit. Let our prayer echo Solomon’s. May our “hearts
be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands” (v. 61).
Father, give me the desire to obey You and do everything for Your glory.
Tomai sobre vós o meu jugo e aprendei de mim… Mateus 11:29
Durante a Segunda Guerra Mundial, um companheiro meu me disse:
“Você parece estar contente, mas se eu tivesse que viver como você vive,
em breve morreria.” Ele estava querendo dizer que minha vida tinha
tanta moralidade que devia ser um tédio. Mas eu jamais havia pensado
dessa maneira. Na verdade, muitas vezes me sentira culpado por causa de
tantas falhas.
Cresci num lar cristão onde me ensinaram que eu era um pecador e
tinha necessidade da salvação. Mas também aprendi que Deus — na pessoa
de Jesus Cristo — pagou o preço pelos meus pecados.
Então, por meio do ministério do Espírito Santo, reconheci a verdade
desse ensinamento. E quando ainda era criança, confiei em Jesus e
entreguei-lhe a minha vida. Desde aquele dia, procurei viver e obedecer
ao mandamento de amar a Deus e ao meu próximo (Mateus 22:37-40). Minha
obediência a Deus foi uma resposta natural de alguém que realmente creu
em Seu Filho. Na carta de 2 João, a palavra mandamento é usada quatro vezes para
lembrar-nos de que devemos andar no caminho da verdade e amar uns aos
outros (vv.4-6). Os cristãos que o fazem encontrarão alegria e
liberdade, e não tédio e escravidão, como pensam erroneamente algumas
pessoas. Gosto muito das palavras de Jesus no evangelho de Mateus 11:30: “Porque o meu jugo é suave, e o meu fardo é leve.”
Cầu xin Ngài giục lòng chúng ta hướng về Ngài, để chúng ta đi trong tất cả đường lối Ngài. I Các vua 8:58
Vài tháng trước, tôi nhận được một email mời tham gia một cộng đồng “những người được thúc đẩy”. Tôi quyết định tra từ được thúc đẩy và biết một người được thúc đẩy là người có động cơ rõ rệt để thành công và sẽ làm việc chăm chỉ để đạt các mục tiêu của mình.
Là người được thúc đẩy có tốt không? Một cách thử nghiệm luôn đúng
là: “Hãy làm tất cả vì vinh quang của Đức Chúa Trời” (I Cô. 10:31).
Nhiều lần chúng ta làm vì vinh hiển của bản thân. Sau cơn nước lụt thời
Nô-ê, một nhóm người quyết định xây một cái tháp để “được nổi danh”
(Sáng. 11:4). Họ muốn nổi tiếng và tránh bị tản lạc khắp thế giới. Họ đã
không làm điều đó vì vinh quang của Chúa, nên họ đã bị thúc đẩy sai.
Ngược lại, khi vua Sa-lô-môn dâng hòm giao ước và đền thờ mới xây,
ông nói: “Trẫm đã xây cất đền thờ nầy cho danh Giê-hô-va” (I Vua. 8:20).
Sau đó ông cầu nguyện: “Cầu xin Ngài giục lòng chúng chúng ta hướng về
Ngài, để chúng chúng ta đi trong tất cả đường lối Ngài, tuân giữ những
điều răn” (c. 58).
Khi ao ước lớn nhất của chúng ta là đem lại vinh hiển cho Chúa và
bước đi trong sự vâng phục Ngài thì chúng ta trở thành người được thúc
đẩy để yêu mến và hầu việc Chúa Jêsus trong quyền năng của Thánh Linh.
Hãy đồng thanh với lời cầu nguyện của Sa-lô-môn. Nguyện chúng ta “hết
lòng trung thành với Giê-hô-va là Đức Chúa Trời chúng ta, bước đi trong
luật pháp, và tuân giữ điều răn của Ngài” (c. 61).
Lạy Cha, xin giúp con khao khát vâng lời Ngài và làm mọi điều vì vinh quang của Ngài.
Incline nuestro corazón hacia él, para que andemos en todos sus caminos… (v. 58).
Hace unos meses, recibí un email donde me invitaban a unirme a una
comunidad de «personas motivadas». Busqué la palabra «motivado», y
descubrí que se refiere a alguien determinado a triunfar.
¿Es bueno ser una persona motivada? Hay una prueba que nunca falla:
«hacedlo todo para la gloria de Dios» (1 Corintios 10:31). Muchas veces,
obramos para alcanzar gloria personal. Después del diluvio de la época
de Noé, unas personas decidieron construir una torre para hacerse
famosas y evitar ser esparcidas por el mundo (Génesis 11:4). Su
motivación era incorrecta, porque no estaban obrando para glorificar a
Dios.
En cambio, cuando el rey Salomón dedicó el arca del pacto y el templo
recién edificado, declaró: «he edificado la casa al nombre del Señor»
(1 Reyes 8:20). Después, oró: «Incline nuestro corazón hacia él, para
que andemos en todos sus caminos, y guardemos sus mandamientos» (v. 58).
Cuando nuestro mayor deseo es glorificar a Dios y caminar en
obediencia, nos transformamos en personas motivadas que buscan amar y
servir a Jesús en el poder del Espíritu. Que nuestra oración haga eco de
la de Salomón. Que sea «perfecto [nuestro] corazón para con el Señor
nuestro Dios, andando en sus estatutos y guardando sus mandamientos» (v.
61).
Padre, dame el deseo de obedecerte y de hacer todo para tu gloria.
Er neige unser Herz zu ihm, dass wir wandeln in allen seinen Wegen. 1.Könige 8,58
Vor ein paar Monaten erhielt ich eine E-Mail, die mich einlud,
einem Netzwerk für „getriebene Menschen“ beizutreten. Ich wollte wissen,
was mit „getrieben“ genau gemeint war, und erfuhr, dass ein getriebener
ein hoch motivierter Mensch ist, der nach Erfolg strebt und hart
arbeitet, um seine Ziele zu erreichen.
Ist es gut, ein Getriebener zu sein? Das lässt sich leicht testen,
wenn man sich fragt: „Tue ich das zur Ehre Gottes?“ (1.Kor. 10,31).
Vieles tun wir zu unserer eigenen Ehre. Nach der Sintflut beschloss eine
Gruppe von Menschen, einen Turm zu bauen, „damit wir uns einen Namen
machen“ (1.Mose 11,4). Sie wollten berühmt und nicht in alle Länder
zerstreut werden. Aber sie bauten nicht zur Ehre Gottes, sondern wurden
von falschen Motiven getrieben.
Das war bei König Salomo anders. Als er den neu gebauten Tempel
einweihte, sagte er: „Ich . . . habe gebaut ein Haus dem Namen des
Herrn“ (1.Kön. 8,20). Dann betete er: „Er neige unser Herz zu ihm, dass
wir wandeln in allen seinen Wegen und halten seine Gebote“ (V.58).
Wenn es unser größter Wunsch ist, Gott Ehre zu machen und ihm zu
gehorchen, dann werden wir getriebene Menschen, die Jesus in der Kraft
des Geistes lieben und dienen wollen. Mit Salomo wollen wir beten, dass
unser „Herz sei ungeteilt bei dem Herrn, unserm Gott, dass [wir wandeln]
in seinen Satzungen und [halten] seine Gebote“ (V.61).
Vater, schenk mir den Wunsch, dir zu gehorchen und alles zu deiner Ehre zu tun.
La Bible en un an : NÉHÉMIE 12 – 13 et ACTES 4.23‑37
[Mais] qu'il incline nos coeurs vers lui, afin que nous marchions dans toutes ses voies. V.58
Il y a quelques mois, j’ai reçu un
courriel m’invitant à me joindre à une communauté de « gens déterminés
». J’ai alors décidé de vérifier la signification du mot « déterminé ».
J’ai ainsi appris que la personne déterminée est très motivée à réussir
et résolue à travailler dur pour atteindre ses objectifs.
Est‑ce bien d’être déterminé ? Voici un test infaillible pour le découvrir : « [Faites]
tout pour la gloire de Dieu » (1 CO 10.31). Nous faisons souvent les
choses dans le but de nous glorifier nous‑mêmes. Après le déluge, à
l’époque de Noé, un groupe de personnes a décidé de bâtir une tour pour
se faire un nom (GE 11.4). Ces gens aspiraient à la célébrité et
désiraient éviter d’être dispersés dans le monde entier. Comme ils
n’agissaient pas pour la gloire de Dieu, leur détermination les a
induits en erreur.
Par contraste, quand Salomon a dédié l’arche de l’alliance et le Temple, il a dit : « [J’ai] bâti la maison au nom de l’Éternel » (1 R 8.20). Puis il a prié ainsi : « [Qu’il] incline nos coeurs vers lui, afin que nous marchions dans toutes ses voies, et que nous observions ses commandements » (V. 58).
Si notre plus grand désir consiste à
glorifier Dieu et à marcher dans l’obéissance, nous en venons à chercher
à aimer et à servir Jésus selon la puissance de l’Esprit. Puisse notre
prière faire écho à celle de Salomon. « Que [notre] coeur soit tout à l’Éternel […] pour suivre ses lois et pour observer ses commandements » (V. 61).
Щоб прихиляти наше серце до Себе, щоб ми ходили всіма Його дорогами. — 1 Царів 8:58
Кілька місяців тому я отримав листа з запрошенням приєднатися до
товариства “цілеспрямованих людей”. Я подивився у довідниках значення
слова “цілеспрямований” і з’ясував, що це ті, хто максимально мотивовані
і готові важко працювати для досягнення своїх цілей. Чи це добре бути
такою мотивованою людиною? Є просте тестове питання: “Чи робиться це все
для Божої слави?” (1 Кор. 10:31).
Занадто часто ми робимо різні речі для власної слави. Після потопу в
дні Ноя велика кількість людей вирішила побудувати башту, щоб “вчинити
для себе ймення” (Бут. 11:4). Вони бажали досягти слави для себе й не бажали розпорошуватись по всій землі. Їхнє цілеспрямування було грішним.
На відміну від них, цар Соломон, коли звершував посвячення
збудованого храму, сказав: “Я збудував оцей храм для Ймення Господа” (1 Цар. 8:20). А потім у молитві просив, щоб Бог “прихилив наше серце до Себе, щоб ми ходили всіма Його дорогами” (1 Цар. 8:58).
Прагнучи приносити славу Богу і ходити в послусі перед Ним, ми стаємо
людьми, що максимально мотивовані любити Ісуса і служити Йому в силі
Святого Духа. Подібно Соломону, давайте будемо молитись, щоб серце наше
було “з Господом, Богом нашим, щоб ходити постановами його та щоб
перестерігати заповіді Його” (1 Цар. 8:61).
Отче, дай мені бажання виявляти Тобі послух і все робити для Твоєї слави.
Які звички корисні для духовного зростання? Читайте брошуру Луїса Палау “В центрі Бог”.
Да будет с нами Господь... склоняя к Себе сердце наше, чтобы мы ходили по всем путям Его... — 3 Царств 8:57-58
Несколько месяцев назад я получила письмо, в котором меня
приглашали присоединиться к обществу «целеустремленных людей». Я
поинтересовалась, что значит слово «целеустремленный». Оно описывает
человека, глубоко заинтересованного в достижении цели и ради этого
готового на тяжелый труд и решительные действия.
Хорошо ли быть целеустремленным человеком? Да, если цель соответствует главному мотиву: «Все делайте во славу Божию» (1 Кор. 10:31).
К сожалению, мы многое делаем для своей славы. После всемирного потопа
люди решили построить башню, чтобы «сделать себе имя» (Быт. 11:4).
Они хотели прославиться в грядущих веках и создать единый центр
человечества. Но закончили плохо, потому что делали это не для Божьей
славы, хотя и были очень целеустремленными.
В противоположность этому царь Соломон, освящая построенный храм, сказал: «Я… построил храм имени Господа, Бога Израилева» (3 Цар. 8:20).
А затем помолился: «Да будет с нами Господь… склоняя к Себе сердце
наше, чтобы мы ходили по всем путям Его и соблюдали заповеди Его и
уставы Его» (3 Цар. 8:57-58).
Если наше главное желание – умножить Божью славу и жить в послушании
Ему, то мы станем целеустремленными людьми, любящими Иисуса Христа и
служащими Ему в силе Святого Духа. Пусть наша молитва повторит
вознесенную Соломоном. И пусть наше сердце будет «вполне предано
Господу, Богу нашему, чтобы ходить по уставам Его и соблюдать заповеди
Его» (3 Цар. 8:61).
Отче, дай мне желание повиноваться Тебе и все делать для Твоей славы.
Какие привычки полезны для духовного роста? Читайте брошюру Луиса Палау «Бог в центре».
Opening Sentence Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Phillipians 1:2 Prayer for Forgiveness
Almighty and most merciful Father, I have erred and strayed from your ways like a lost sheep. I have followed too much the devices and desires of my own heart. I have offended against your holy laws. I have left undone those things which I ought to have done; and I have done those things which I ought not to have done; and there is no good in me. O Lord, have mercy upon me, a miserable sinner. Spare all those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent; according to your promises declared to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. And Grant that I and all who confess his holy name may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life; to his glory and not our own, Amen
Morning Prayer
O God, who makes us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ; Give me this day such blessings through my worship of you, that the days to come may be spent in your service; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Today's Readings The First Reading is taken from Exodus 19:2-8
They had journeyed from Rephidim, entered the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness; Israel camped there in front of the mountain. Then Moses went up to God; the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites." So Moses came, summoned the elders of the people, and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him. The people all answered as one: "Everything that the LORD has spoken we will do." Moses reported the words of the people to the LORD.
Psalm 100Jubilate Deo 1 Be joyful in the LORD, all you lands; serve the LORD with gladness and come before his presence with a song. 2 Know this: The LORD himself is God; he himself has made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. 3 Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise; give thanks to him and call upon his Name. 4 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his faithfulness endures from age to age.
The Second Reading is taken from Romans 5:1-8
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person-- though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.
The Holy Gospel is written in Matthew 9:35-10:23
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. "See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
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
Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Prayer of Praise
O Father, majestic is you name! From the rising of the sun to its setting your name is to be praised, Merciful God, gracious Lord. Hear us in the name of Your Son, For He has promised that where two or three of us are gathered in Your name He would be with us and our prayer would be heard. Hear us in the name of Your Son, For He is the revelation of Your wisdom, the outpouring of your glory, The incarnation of your mercy toward us and the whole human race. To You be the glory, All praise and honor, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, One God, now and evermore. 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
FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING Lyrics O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise, the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of his grace!
My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim, to spread through all the earth abroad the honors of thy name.
Jesus! the name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease; 'tis music in the sinner's ears, 'tis life, and health, and peace.
He breaks the power of canceled sin, he sets the prisoner free; his blood can make the foulest clean; his blood availed for me.
He speaks, and listening to his voice, new life the dead receive; the mournful, broken hearts rejoice, the humble poor believe.
Hear him, ye deaf; his praise, ye dumb, your loosened tongues employ; ye blind, behold your savior come, and leap, ye lame, for joy.
In Christ, your head, you then shall know, shall feel your sins forgiven; anticipate your heaven below, and own that love is heaven.
Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia! Thanks be to God! Alleluia!
God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and Spirit of God amidst us, direct our way unto you. Make us to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you; to the end we may establish our hearts unblameable in holiness before you, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. 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.
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. "See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
~ Matthew 9:35-10:23 (ESV)
“EVERY MEMBER CALLED” by Edwin Catungal Ellinwood Malate Church (Presbyterian) Manila, Tennessee
An English philosopher Edmund Burke once said ‘Evil triumphs because good men do nothing’. In our text today, we see how Jesus expressed his profound empathy for the lost, the broken hearted, disenfranchised people of the world as he went around towns and villages and his heart filled with pity for them and likened them to a sheep without a shepherd. That is why He said the harvest is large but the workers are few to gather it. There is a computer internet game called “Farmville” where you can plant seed and earn points to buy new seeds by harvesting what you have planted. But when you failed to harvest, you crops get withered. You see, full grown crops if not harvested will end up wasted. Harvest doesn’t last forever. There is a window of time to harvest crops. If we don’t get there in time, it rots. When harvest time comes, you have to be ready to go the fields. In our Scripture text, what Jesus meant when he said “there are great number of people ready to be harvested for the Kingdom” is that all around us… there are broken, bleeding, hurting people, ripped apart and left to die, they are ready to be reached-out if only someone will go to the fields. Today, what this Scripture text means is that out there at the doorstep of our church, are people who are like lost sheep that needs a shepherd who will lead them towards the flock and into the sheepfold. If they are not taken into the sheepfold, their lives can get ruined, broken and lost. Out there at the doorstep of our church are crops ready to be harvested, and if they are not gathered and put inside the barn they can get withered, rotten, wasted. Lost sheep and wasted harvest signify people outside our church who are ready to be won over into our faith community, but were not so because no one picks up the shepherd’s staff or the harvester’s sickle so to speak. Here in our church, to challenge and inspire our members to pick up the shepherd’s staff and the harvester’s sickle, I would like us to put an acronym to our church this way: “EVERY MEMBER CALLED.” Maybe, many of you have already experienced/have already felt, the joy, the privilege, the honor of becoming an answer to the prayer of someone. What our Scripture text is telling you today is that you are an answered prayer. Somebody is praying out there. You are the answer to that somebody’s prayer. When Jesus our Lord saw the multitude of people who are like lost sheep without a shepherd, He said to his disciples, "The harvest is large, but there are few workers to gather it in. Pray to the owner of the harvest that he will send out workers to gather in his harvest…" The Lord Jesus instructed his disciples to pray to the Lord of the harvest to raise up laborers for the harvest. Do you think Jesus’ disciples followed what Jesus have asked of them? To pray for the Lord of the Harvest to send out workers? I would like to believe so!!! I believe Jesus’ disciples have prayed! And you are the answer to the disciples’ prayer!!! (Amen!) You are The answered prayer!!! (Amen!) God is a God of mission. And God is calling all believers to be involved in His Kingdom building. You are the answer to that calling because Every Member Called, Even as in this world, all believers are called by God to proclaim the Good News, set freedom, help the deprived, and announce the dawning of the year of the Lord’s favor to all mankind. God’s calling requires that we emerge from our religious cocoons and immerse ourselves in the lives of hurting people, to plunge, chest-deep, into morass of human need. Our calling is centered on meeting human need and the unflinching proclamation of the Kingdom of God. Jesus enjoins us to preach the nearness of the Kingdom and address the sufferings of the “lost sheep.” A story has been told that Jesus went back to heaven after his resurrection and was greeted by the angels. They rejoice and praise Him for His victory over sin and Satan. And then they asked, “Now what, Lord? Who will bring the message of your grace to the world?” Jesus proceeded to tell them about a small group of common men and women – tax collectors, doctors, businessmen, fishermen, farmers, widows, some poor and homeless. He said, “I’ve appointed these people to spread the gospel to others who would spread it still to others.” The angels began to talk about this among themselves. Then one, with a worried look, turned to Jesus, and said, “Lord, what if they fail? What’s your backup plan?” Jesus simply smiled and said, “I have no other plan.” Jesus is banking on you, and, please forgive the use of the word, he bet his blood and life for you. Because he trusts you, that you will heed his call and enlist yourself into the roster of shepherds and harvesters for Christ, to be mentored by the Holy Spirit and commissioned by God the Father. As I Meditate on our text, I have come to reflect that Christ does the Calling, The Holy Spirit does the Coaching (of course thru church workers and leaders), and God the Father does the Commissioning. CALLED: I would like to correct the notion of many about the word VOLUNTEER. You see, I believe that in church ministry, church mission, or church service, there is no such thing as volunteerism. In God’s paradigm, There is no such thing as “volunteerism,” but there is such a thing as “calling.” The apostles didn't volunteer, they were called. They were like the prophet Jeremiah, to whom the Lord said, "Before I formed thee ... I ordained thee" (Jer. 1:5). The disciples were sovereignly called by God. They were under orders. In the same token here and even in the wider household of God, Every Member Called. We just have to listen attentively to, and heed the call of God. In this context, I am not asking you to volunteer. I am asking you to heed the Master’s call. To those of you who are doing service in the church, in whatever form and manner, however great or small your task is, please oh please, put into your mind and heart and soul that you are there not because you’ve volunteered, as if you do the task you are doing by your own decision, by your own volition, by your own liking or not liking. Your are there because you are sovereignly ordained by God to that calling. It’s God who planned and purposely put you there, because he trust you, he likes you, he loves you, he blesses you to be a blessing to others. Sisters and Brothers in the Lord, You are called by the Master to proclaim the Message and do the Mission. We are called by the Master to proclaim the Message and do the Mission. COACHED: You might be saying, Okay pastor, so much for that, we are called, fine, Now, we want to heed God’s call, what are we to do?... Here is what you will do. Be Enlisted, be Mentored, and be Commissioned. You need to come forward, have yourself listed amongst those who heed the call, and make yourself ready and available for coaching or mentoring. The disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ were three years in the making. They were coached by the Lord for three years. In our Scripture text in Matthew 10:1-8, they were given instructions as to where to go and where not to go, what to do and what not to do, what to expect and what not to expect. In our time today, the Holy Spirit is the one coaching us, giving us instructions, inspiring us, empowering us and guiding us in as we heed the Master’s call to proclaim the Message and do the Mission. Often, there are people who ask me, "How do I know if I am called to the ministry?" This question is a no brainer as far as our sermon title is concerned, “Every Member Called.” No need to question, no need to ask, but only to heed, to respond to the call. In doing so, the Holy Spirit will work in us: Opening our eyes to see how God sees our world; Opening our hearts to feel how God feels for the people; Opening our minds to understand how God called us to minister to people of the world. COMMISSION: The disciples received a direct commission from the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord told them to follow Him. That was clear enough. They didn't ask for the Lord to show them signs (cf. Judg. 6:37-40). What they had was a direct command. In our case and time, God is more indirect. It all starts in seeing the world through the eyes of Jesus Christ. We could be looking at the crowd and see nothing. Crowds pass us by. Crowds make us tired, nervous, irritable. It’s easy for us to tune people out, and take care of our own business. To see the crowds of the world requires something inside. It means redefining our view of humanity. All of us gravitate toward PLU—People Like Us, whether it be at the church, social club, the grocery store, the malls, schools. By nature we tend to hang around people who look like us, talk like us, act like us and think like us. Our kids marry their kids. We raise our children to fit into the social order. And that’s not wrong. But if we are ever going to see the crowds as Jesus did, we must open our eyes and break the mold. Jesus saw something the disciples didn’t see. Even so we may live our whole lives bombarded by the call of God, Sunday in a Sunday out… and see nothing … and feel nothing. The world is full of people who are not like us. The first step is see them! Then we are to feel what we see around us. When we talk about feeling something deeply, we talk about the heart. It means that we are emotionally moved by what we see around us. For the last few months we have been bombarded by news relating to corruption in high places, murder amongst fraternity brotherhood, a boy child molesting a girl child, broken families and marriages, poverty, flooding, conflict among nations, exploitation, environmental degradation and so many other heart breaking social maladies. Church… do you see it, do you feel it, do you care? Then heed God’s call. Note that until you see, you will not feel. Until you feel, you will not care. And until you care, you will not heed God’s call. In our church it is my prayer that Every Member Cares. Let us pray…
The world is full of people who are wounded, bruised, mangled, cast down, bleeding, slowly dying. As long as you close your eyes, you’ll never see what Jesus saw. So we must pray, “Lord, open our eyes that we may see the world through your eyes, that we may feel the plight of the people through your heart, that we may respond in live love as much as you have loved the world.”
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 Rev. Malcolm Rogers on Apr 23, 2016. Contributed by Edwin Catungal on Jul 7, 2014.
Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Matthew 10:37-38(ESV)Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Read all of Matthew 10 Listen to Matthew 10
En
el devocional anterior dije que la manera de ser mi padre, aun siendo
famoso, siempre se caracterizó por la humildad y la sencillez. Eso lo
aprendí de él y mi oración constante a Dios es que no permita jamás que
los humos se me suban a la cabeza, sino que la gente siempre tenga un
buen concepto de mí. Nuestra vida debe ser un buen ejemplo para
nuestros hijos. En muchos casos, actúan de acuerdo con el ejemplo que
ven. Si desde pequeños les inculcas que no deben ser elitistas, ni
clasistas, y que aunque tengan muchas comodidades deben ser sencillos y
buenos con las personas que los rodean, así se comportarán. En lo
personal, nunca acostumbré a mis princesas que se vistieran solo con
ropa de marca. Les enseñé que a veces mami tenía para darles esos
gustos, pero que otras veces solo podía comprarles algo lindo y
sencillo. También les enseñé que poco a poco podrían darse gustos cuando
empezaran a trabajar y, ¿sabes?, es lo mejor que pude hacer. Cuando
acostumbras a tus hijos a un estándar de vida muy alto y las cosas
cambian por problemas financieros, por una calamidad o una enfermedad,
se van a echar a morir. Mi princesa Naty es el más dulce ejemplo.
Hoy en día, trabaja y se da gustos. Se compró su auto Mini Cooper, pero
también aprendió a vivir con sencillez. Te animo a que no dañes a
tus hijos. Cuando se puede, se les da. Si en tu caso siempre tienes una
buena situación económica, enséñalos a ser humildes y sencillos. No hay
nada peor que les llamen «creídos y petulantes».
For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with
his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives
worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
The
Apostle Paul is very specific here in defining a fatherly role and
gives three special characteristics of a Christian father. We fathers
tend to apply them in reverse order but Paul states them as: A. Encouraging Like
children, we are often tempted to give up. When that happens, the real
need is for someone to come along side who can identify with and
encourage them to keep going. A Christian father is one who is always
there to give an encouraging word when needed. And the need is often! B.Comforting This
reference is to the kind of comfort that helps a child or another
person carry a burden of grief or pain. Just by coming alongside in this
concerned way, the burden is made lighter and the pain is lessened. We
were not created to be alone, especially in grief. The Christian father
and disciple maker is also always there for times of comfort giving. C.Exhorting This
is the direction and assertiveness characteristic that should be
evident in the father/disciple maker relationship. There are times when
the father moves from the side to stand squarely in front and confront
them with something that they need to face. The dangers in not
exercising this responsibility are very great and should compel us to be
diligent toward both our children and our brothers and sisters in
Christ. J.J. Andrews is an elderly Lutheran pastor friend in
Rangoon, Burma—now Myanmar—with a great father’s heart for ministry.
Several years ago his daughter died of viral hepatitis. Two months later
his wife passed away from a broken heart. Six months after that one of
his sons suddenly died. He was crushed. He said, "I felt like Job, only
no one visited me." A young Filipino staff member of Open Doors
heard about this situation. He made a special trip just to visit Brother
J.J. and encourage him. J.J. said, “Thank you for coming in my darkest
hour.” Some months later, I was visiting Brother J.J. in Rangoon.
He had his young grand-children laughing and playing around his home. He
smiled as he shared unforgettable lessons with me. The words I remember
verbatim were, “God rewarded me for my perseverance and healed my
broken heart!” The ministry of encouragement is straight from the heart
of Father God. RESPONSE: Today I will commit to being an encourager, comforter and exhorter. PRAYER: Thank You Lord for Christian fathers who have modelled Your heart with their children.
