Daily Devotion July 10, 2017 "Living the Rescued Life"

In the sermon yesterday, I talked about repentance and faith...

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

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

"Living the Rescued Life"

July 10, 2017

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

~ Romans 7:24-25a (ESV)

In the sermon yesterday, I talked about repentance and faith -- living life in the knowledge that it is all God's gift for you in the person and work of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. As I thought about what that might look like for you and me, how would it feel? The word "rescue" came to mind. Can you imagine a life where you are totally lost, totally abandoned, without hope, and then you are rescued? That's the picture the Bible paints of our need for God, our separated predicament, and the cross-earned invitation to receive His rescue by grace alone, through faith in Jesus -- rescued to live a rescued life for others.

Rescued! That's what happened to Genelle Guzman-McMillan. Do you know who she is? She was the last one rescued from the towers on 9/11.

Guzman-McMillan had just moved from her town in Trinidad to New York in 1998. She got a good steady job at one of the World Trade Towers and was excited as she began her first day there on January 19, 2001. She made many friends through work, including her boyfriend, Roger, and spent each weekend partying. She said, "I came to America, looking for fame, glamour, and money." She thought she had it all.

On the morning of 9/11, 2001, that would change dramatically, and she would later say that it changed her life, too. She went to her job on the 64th floor. She and her coworkers heard a loud crash and the building moved. She and a coworker started down the stairs and made it to the 13th floor. That is when the whole building collapsed around them. Steel and concrete pinned her where she was; she was injured, but she was alive. She lay there unable to move.

At first she was relieved to be alive. But as hours went by, she panicked that she was in for a long, slow death. "The wreckage felt like my tomb," she says.

Twenty-seven hours after the building collapsed, she was able to push her hand through a few inches of rubble above her head and felt somehow someone's warm hand close around hers. Then she heard a male voice say to her: "I've got you, Genelle. My name is Paul," he told her. "You're going to be okay. They're going to get you out, real soon."

She heard other voices, sirens, and a light. "They're here," Paul said. "I'm going to go and let them do their jobs and get you out."

Guzman-McMillan was the last survivor pulled from the World Trade Center. There were three things she promised God she would do as soon as she got out of the hospital: she would get baptized, marry her boyfriend Roger, and she would find Paul, the one who first held her hand.

On November 7, after six weeks in the hospital, four surgeries, and hours of physical therapy and rehabilitation, she kept two promises she made while trapped under the rubble. She and Roger got married at City Hall, and she was baptized.

But Paul? She never found him. Who was he? No one knew. No one had ever heard of him. She called her pastor and asked him about it. Finally, they discussed another Paul, the one in the Bible who, too, was totally in the dark, like Genelle, and fought against God until he saw the light of Jesus Christ.

Guzman-McMillan, like Paul, was never the same again. And that my friends is a glimpse of the life that Jesus offers you and me. Sinners need rescue in every way possible, and only the Son of God -- the Christmas Lord, the Easter Lord -- can make that possible for you. Trust Him. He comes through the rubble of your life and mine to rescue us, now and forever.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, let the joy of being rescued in Jesus Christ fill our hearts today and give us an eternal perspective to the lives we get to live in Christ for others. Amen.

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

CPTLN Devocional de 10 de Julio de 2017

Alimento Diario

Lo primero es lo primero

10 de Julio 2017

¿Acaso la doncella se olvida de sus galas? ¿Acaso la novia se olvida de su vestido de bodas.

~ Jeremías 2:32a (RVC)

Según el profeta Jeremías, las jóvenes no se olvidan de sus joyas y las novias no olvidan sus vestidos de novia.

Sin embargo, unos miles de años después en Bridgeport, Connecticut, hubo una excepción a estas reglas: a Georgina Clemons se le olvidó su vestido de novia.

Georgina no es la clase de mujer olvidadiza que tiene la cabeza en cualquier lado. Al contrario, siempre está bien atenta a todo. Pero cuando vio que una casa se estaba quemando, entró corriendo a advertir a quienes estaban adentro lo que estaba sucediendo, sin darse cuenta que todavía llevaba puesto su vestido de novia.

Georgina no sólo se olvidó de su vestido de novia, sino también de su seguridad personal y puso a la familia de Eitelberg en primer lugar. Los Eitelbergs están vivos porque Georgina pensó que sus vidas eran más importantes que su vestido de novia.

Jeremías probablemente se asombraría al oír de una novia que no se olvidó de sus prioridades. Jesús es algo parecido.

Lo primero que aprendimos en escuela dominical fue que Jesús, el Salvador, siempre puso primero a los demás. Él abandonó su lugar en el cielo y bajó a la tierra para ser uno de nosotros. El verdadero Hombre y verdadero Dios dejó la adoración de los ángeles y la perfección del paraíso para tomar nuestro lugar bajo la ley, para poder resistir la tentación y para poder conquistar a la muerte y salvarnos.

Para Jesús, nosotros somos la más alta de las prioridades.

Después que Georgina salvó a esa familia, le preguntaron: '¿Estás bien? ¿Te hiciste daño?' A lo que ella contestó: 'parece que se dañaron mis zapatos', pero enseguida agregó: 'pero los zapatos no tienen ninguna importancia; lo importante es que todos están a salvo'.

Un hombre afortunado está casado con una chica que sabe que lo primero es lo primero...

Y nosotros hemos sido bendecidos con un Salvador cuyas palmas llevan las cicatrices de unos clavos. Es el precio que él estuvo dispuesto a pagar para asegurar que todos nosotros pudiéramos ser salvos por la eternidad. Un Salvador que sabe que lo primero es lo primero.

ORACIÓN: Señor Jesús, te doy gracias porque salvar a la humanidad fue tu mayor prioridad. Te pido que me ayudes para que pueda seguirte con lealtad resuelta. Aún más, te pido que, con la ayuda del Espíritu Santo, pueda mantener mis prioridades en orden. En tu santísimo 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 - Getting Away with It

Read: Genesis 4:1–12

Bible in a Year: Job 41–42; Acts 16:22–40

Download MP3

Subscribe to iTunes

By faith Abel still speaks. Hebrews 11:4

In June 2004, at a Vancouver art gallery, Canadian cross-country skier Beckie Scott received an Olympic gold medal. That’s interesting, because the Winter Olympics had been held in 2002—in Utah. Scott had won bronze behind two athletes who were disqualified months later when it was learned they had used banned substances.

It’s good that Scott eventually received her gold, but gone forever is the moment when she should have stood on the podium to hear her country’s national anthem. That injustice couldn’t be remedied.

Injustice of any kind disturbs us, and surely there are far greater wrongs than being denied a hard-won medal. The story of Cain and Abel shows an ultimate act of injustice (Gen. 4:8). And at first glance, it might look like Cain got away with murdering his brother. After all, he lived a long, full life, eventually building a city (v. 17).

But God Himself confronted Cain. “Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground,” He said (v. 10). The New Testament later recorded Cain as an example to avoid (1 John 3:12; Jude 1:11). But of Abel we read, “By faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead” (Heb. 11:4).

God cares deeply about justice, about righting wrongs, and about defending the powerless. In the end, no one gets away with any act of injustice. Nor does God leave unrewarded our work done in faith for Him.

Father, as Your Son taught us to pray, we ask that Your kingdom will come, Your will be done to change this broken world. Thank You for redeeming us.

Sin will not ultimately be judged by the way we see it, but by the way God sees it.

By Tim Gustafson

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Ministérios Pão Diário - Milagre ou mágica?

Leia: João 10:22-42

A Bíblia em um ano: Jó 41–42, Atos 16:22-40

Será que Jesus realmente caminhou sobre as águas ou simplesmente fez uso de alguns bancos de areia próximos dali? Ele verdadeiramente multiplicou pães e peixes para alimentar 5 mil pessoas ou somente hipnotizou a multidão e fez as pessoas pensarem que Ele havia multiplicado? Foi milagre ou mágica?

Quando um ilusionista cristão explorou essas perguntas num programa de TV, ele colocou de lado as suas crenças pessoais para examinar os milagres bíblicos de mente aberta. O produtor daquele programa então disse: “Mesmo se um ateu tivesse sido escolhido como apresentador, as conclusões não seriam outras.” Em cada um dos casos, o ilusionista concluiu que Jesus não podia ter feito as pessoas apenas acreditarem que tinham testemunhado um milagre.

No entanto, muitos que na verdade viram os milagres de Jesus se recusaram a crer que Ele era o Messias. Estavam prontos a executá-lo, porque Cristo reivindicava ser Deus (João 10:30-31). Jesus lhes disse: “…mas, se faço, e não me credes, crede nas obras; para que possais saber e compreender que o Pai está em mim, e eu estou no Pai” (vv.37,38).

Os milagres de Jesus o identificaram como Filho de Deus, o Salvador que veio para dar a Sua vida pelos pecados do mundo. Suas obras e ressurreição não foram truques mágicos, mas milagres de amor e graça.

Creia em Deus e você crerá em milagres; creia em Seu Filho e você experimentará um milagre!

por David C. McCasland

© 2017 Ministérios Pão Diário

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Hãy Tránh Xa!

Đọc: Sáng thế ký 4:1-12

Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Gióp 41-42; Công vụ 16:22-40

Download MP3

Bởi đức tin, A-bên... mặc dù chết rồi, ông vẫn còn nói. Hê-bơ-rơ 11:4.

Tháng 6 năm 2004, tại một phòng trưng bày nghệ thuật ở Vancouver, Beckie Scott, một vận động viên trượt tuyết đường trường người Canada đã nhận được huy chương vàng Olympic. Điều này thật thú vị vì trong cuộc thi Olympic Mùa Đông năm 2002 được tổ chức ở Utah, Scott đã giành huy chương đồng, xếp sau hai vận động viên. Tuy nhiên, vài tháng sau đó, hai vận động viên này bị phát hiện dùng các chất cấm trong lúc thi đấu nên bị loại.

Thật vui vì cuối cùng Scott nhận được huy chương vàng, nhưng cô mãi mất đi thời khắc đứng trên bục để nghe bài quốc ca của nước mình. Sự bất công đó là điều không thể cứu vãn được.

Sự bất công nào cũng gây phiền hà cho chúng ta. Hẳn nhiên trên đời này còn có những sai lầm tai hại hơn nhiều so với việc bị tước mất một huy chương sau bao nỗ lực. Câu chuyện của Ca-in và A-bên cho thấy một hành động cực kỳ bất công (Sáng. 4:8). Thoạt nhìn, có vẻ Ca-in đã thoát tội giết em mình. Ông được sống lâu, sống đến hết đời, cuối cùng xây được một cái thành (c.17).

Nhưng chính Đức Chúa Trời đã đối đầu với Ca-in. Ngài phán: “Tiếng của máu em con từ dưới đất đã kêu thấu đến Ta” (c.10). Tân Ước về sau ghi lại Ca-in là một gương xấu cần tránh (I Giăng 3:12; Giu. 1:11). Nhưng chúng ta lại đọc về A-bên rằng: “Bởi đức tin, A-bên… mặc dù chết rồi, ông vẫn còn nói” (Hê. 11:4).

Đức Chúa Trời vô cùng quan tâm đến công lý, đến việc sửa sai và bênh vực người yếu thế. Xét cho cùng, không ai tránh được chuyện bất công trên đời. Tuy nhiên, Đức Chúa Trời không bao giờ quên ban thưởng cho chúng ta về những công việc mà chúng ta đã thực hiện trong đức tin vì cớ Ngài.

Lạy Cha, như Con Ngài đã dạy chúng con cầu nguyện, chúng con cầu xin nước Cha được đến, ý Cha được nên để biến đổi thế gian đổ vỡ này. Cảm ơn Ngài đã cứu chuộc chúng con.

Tội lỗi không bị đoán phạt theo cách nhìn của chúng ta, mà theo cách nhìn của Chúa.

bởi Tim Gustafson

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Salirse con la suya

Leer: Génesis 4:1-12

La Biblia en un año: Job 41–42; Hechos 16:22-40

Download MP3

Por la fe Abel […], aún habla… (Hebreos 11:4).

En junio de 2004, en Vancouver, la esquiadora canadiense Beckie Scott recibió una medalla olímpica de oro. Es interesante, porque las Olimpíadas de invierno se realizaron en 2002 en Estados Unidos. Scott había ganado el bronce detrás de dos atletas que fueron descalificadas meses después, cuando se descubrió que habían usado estupefacientes.

Es bueno que Scott terminó recibiendo su oro, pero se le fue para siempre el momento de estar sobre el podio para escuchar su himno nacional. Esa injusticia no se pudo remediar.

La injusticia siempre nos molesta, y hay agravios peores que otros. La historia de Caín y Abel muestra un acto extremo de injusticia (Génesis 4:8). A primera vista, parece que Caín se salió con la suya al asesinar a su hermano. Vivió una larga vida y hasta construyó una ciudad (v. 17).

No obstante, Dios mismo lo confrontó: «La voz de la sangre de tu hermano clama a mí desde la tierra» (v. 10). Más tarde, el Nuevo Testamento registra a Caín como un ejemplo a evitar (1 Juan 3:12; Judas 1:11). Pero, de Abel, leemos: «por la fe Abel, […] muerto, aún habla» (Hebreos 11:4).

Al final, nadie se sale con la suya en ningún acto de injusticia. Dios tampoco deja sin recompensa nuestra obra hecha por fe para Él.

Padre, te pedimos que venga tu reino y se haga tu voluntad para cambiar a este mundo.

El pecado no será juzgado por cómo lo vemos, sino según lo ve Dios.

Por Tim Gustafson

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Davongekommen?

Lesen: 1.Mose 4,1-12

Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: Hiob 41–42; Apostelgeschichte 16,22-40

MP3 herunterladen

Durch den Glauben redet [Abel] noch. Hebräer 11,4

Im Juni 2004 erhielt die kanadische Langläuferin Beckie Scott in Vancouver eine olympische Goldmedaille. Das ist deshalb erwähnenswert, weil die Winterspiele im Jahr 2002 stattfanden—in Amerika. Scott hatte hinter zwei anderen nur Bronze gewonnen. Doch diese beiden wurden Monate später disqualifiziert, nachdem herausgekommen war, dass sie gedopt waren.

Es ist gut, dass Scott noch Gold bekam, aber der feierliche Moment auf dem Podest ließ sich nicht mehr nachholen.

Ungerechtigkeit ärgert uns, und es gibt sicher Schlimmeres, als die hart erkämpfte Medaille nicht zu bekommen. Die Geschichte von Kain und Abel berichtet von einer großen Ungerechtigkeit (1.Mose 4,8). Zunächst sieht es so aus, als würde Kain mit dem Mord an seinem Bruder davonkommen. Schließlich lebte er noch lange Zeit und baute sogar eine Stadt (V.17).

Aber Gott selbst stellte Kain zur Rede. „Die Stimme des Blutes deines Bruders schreit zu mir von der Erde“, sagte er (V.10). Das Neue Testament führt Kain später als schlechtes Beispiel an (1.Joh. 3,12; Jud. 1,11). Von Abel hingegen lesen wir: „Durch den Glauben redet er noch, obwohl er gestorben ist“ (Hebr. 11,4).

Unrecht ist Gott nicht egal. Er ist ein Anwalt der Rechtlosen. Am Ende wird keine Ungerechtigkeit ungesühnt bleiben. Aber er wird auch das nicht unbelohnt lassen, was wir im Glauben für ihn tun.

Vater, so wie dein Sohn uns gelehrt hat, wollen wir darum beten, dass dein Reich kommt und dein Wille auch in dieser kaputten Welt getan wird. Danke, dass du uns erlöst hast.

Sünde wird nicht so gerichtet, wie wir sie sehen, sondern wie Gott sie sieht.

Von Tim Gustafson

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - S’en tirer impunément

Lisez : Genèse 4.1‑12

La Bible en un an : JOB 41 – 42 et ACTES 16.22‑40

[C’est] par elle [la foi d’Abel] qu’il parle encore, quoique mort. Hébreux 11.4

En juin 2004, dans une galerie d’art de Vancouver, la fondeuse canadienne Beckie Scott a reçu une médaille d’or olympique. Un fait intéressant, car les Jeux olympiques s’étaient tenus en 2002 en Utah. Scott y avait alors remporté le bronze, arrivant derrière deux athlètes que l’on avait disqualifiées quelques mois plus tard après avoir découvert qu’elles s’étaient dopées.

Il est bien que Scott ait fini par recevoir l’or, mais reste qu’on l’a privée à jamais de monter sur la plus haute marche du podium et d’entendre l’hymne national de son pays. Il est maintenant impossible de rectifier cette injustice.

Toute injustice nous dérange, et il y a sans conteste bien pire que de se voir refuser une médaille durement gagnée. L’histoire de Caïn et Abel illustre un geste d’une injustice extrême (GE 4.8). Et à première vue, il semblerait que Caïn ait tué impunément son frère. Après tout, il a vécu une longue vie bien remplie par la suite, allant jusqu’à bâtir une ville (V. 17).

Dieu a toutefois affronté Caïn : « La voix du sang de ton frère crie de la terre jusqu’à moi » (V. 10). Puis le Nouveau Testament nous dissuade d’imiter Caïn (1 JN 3.12 ; JUD 1.11) et fait l’éloge d’Abel : « [C’est] par elle [la foi d’Abel] qu’il parle encore, quoique mort » (HÉ 11.4).

Dieu est très attaché à la justice, à la rectification des torts et à la défense des plus démunis. En définitive, personne ne peut commettre une injustice sans en payer le prix. Et Dieu ne laisse aucune de nos oeuvres de foi en lui sans récompense.

Dieu seul détermine comment tout péché sera jugé en définitive.

par Tim Gustafson

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Дамо звіт Богу

Читати: Буття 4:1-12

Біблія за рік: Йова 41−42 ; Дії 16:22-40

Завантажити MP3

Вірою Авель… і вмерши, він ще промовляє. — Євреїв 11:4

У червні 2004 року в галереї мистецтв, що у Ванкувері, канадська лижниця Беккі Скотт отримала золоту Олімпійську медаль. Цікавий випадок, тому що зимові ігри були ще у 2002 році, і не в Канаді, а в американському штаті Юта. Беккі тоді отримала бронзову медаль. А через кілька місяців дві призерки, які зайняли перше й друге місце, були дискваліфіковані за вживання допінгу.

Беккі Скотт отримала золоту медаль, але назавжди був утрачений момент, коли вона могла стояти на подіумі, радіючи нагороді під звуки національного гімну.

Але є приклади набагато прикріші, ніж запізніле отримання медалі. Історія Каїна та Авеля є прикладом жахливого злочину (Бут. 4:8). І на перший погляд здається, що Каїн вийшов сухим із води, після того, як убив свого брата. Зрештою, він прожив тривале життя. Побудував місто (Бут. 4:17).

Але Сам Бог звинуватив Каїна, кажучи: “Голос крови брата твого взиває до Мене з землі” (Бут. 4:10). Пізніше автори Нового Заповіту згадують Каїна в якості поганого прикладу (1 Ів. 3:12; Юд. 1:11). Про Авеля ж ми читаємо: “Вірою Авель… і вмерши, він ще промовляє” (Євр. 11:4).

Врешті-решт, ніхто не вийде сухим із води, але отримає заслужене покарання за всі свої несправедливі вчинки. Так само ніхто не залишиться без нагороди за всі добрі діла, що зроблені з вірою в Бога.

Отче, ми просимо, як навчав Твій Син: Нехай прийде Царство Твоє, нехай буде воля Твоя. Дякуємо за Твоє спасіння.

Зрештою будь-яке зло буде покаране за Божим сценарієм, а не за нашим.

Автор Тім Густавсон

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Просто не отделаться

Читать сейчас: Бытие 4:1-12

Библия за год: Иов 41–42; Деяния 16:22-40

Скачать MP3

Верой Авель... и по смерти говорит еще. — Евреям 11:4

В июне 2004 г. в художественной галерее Ванкувера канадская лыжница Бекки Скотт получила золотую Олимпийскую медаль. Необычный случай, потому что Зимние Олимпийские игры проходили в 2002 г. и не в Канаде, а в американском штате Юта. Там Скотт получила бронзу, придя третьей. Но через несколько месяцев победителей дисквалифицировали за употребление запрещенных препаратов.

Хорошо, что Скотт в конце концов получила заслуженную награду. Но, к сожалению, торжественная минута, когда она должна была стоять на подиуме, слушая гимн своей страны, безвозвратно ушла. Эту несправедливость уже не исправить.

Любая несправедливость угнетает нас, и, конечно, в мире творятся намного большие беззакония, чем употребление допинга. Рассказ о Каине и Авеле показывает крайнюю несправедливость (Быт. 4:8). На первый взгляд может показаться, что Каину сошло с рук убийство брата. Ведь он прожил долгую жизнь и даже построил город (Быт. 4:17).

Но Каину противостал Сам Бог. «Голос крови брата твоего вопиет ко Мне от земли», – сказал Он (Быт. 4:10). Впоследствии в Новом Завете Каин был представлен в качестве отрицательного примера (1 Ин. 3:12; Иуд. 1:11). Зато об Авеле сказано: «Верой Авель… и по смерти говорит еще» (Евр. 11:4).

Бог глубоко заинтересован в соблюдении справедливости, исправлении промахов и защите беспомощных. На Божьем суде никто, творивший зло, не отделается просто так. С другой стороны, Бог не оставит без награды труд, совершенный во имя Его.

Отче, как учил молиться Твой Сын, мы просим, чтобы пришло Твое Царство и Твоя воля исполнилась в этом грешном мире. Благодарим Тебя за спасение.

Грех будет осужден не по нашему мнению, а по Божьей праведности.

автор: Тим Густафсон

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for SUNDAY, July 9, 2017 - 5th Sunday after Pentecost

Opening Sentence

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Phillipians 1:2

Sunday Morning Prayer

Open my eyes, gracious Lord, as I turn to your word. I long to know you, to understand life, and to be changed. Examine me, Lord, by the floodlight of your truth. Amen

Confession and Forgiveness

Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, and what has become for us a consuming fire of judgment. Set us free from a past that we cannot change; open to us a future in which we can be changed; and grant us grace to grow more and more in your likeness and image, through Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Amen

Today's Readings

The First Reading is taken from Zechariah 9:9-12

Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war-horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.

Psalm 145:8-15
8   The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and of great kindness.
9   The LORD is loving to everyone and his compassion is over all his works.
10   All your works praise you, O LORD, and your faithful servants bless you.
11   They make known the glory of your kingdom and speak of your power;
12   That the peoples may know of your power and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13   Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; your dominion endures throughout all ages.
14   The LORD is faithful in all his words and merciful in all his deeds.
15   The LORD upholds all those who fall; he lifts up those who are bowed down.

The Second Reading is taken from Romans 7:15-25

I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh I am a slave to the law of sin.

The Holy Gospel is written in Matthew 11:16-19, 11:25-30

"But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.' For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon' the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds." At that time Jesus said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Click HERE to read today's Holy Gospel Lesson message

The Apostle's Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen

Prayer of the Day

O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

A Prayer of Thanks

Almighty God, I thank you for the life and teachings of your only Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He lived and walked as one of us, a mortal man who bled and felt pain, who felt anger and love, who would become tired and hungry. The world has seen no other love like this, for you willingly bore the pain of mortality, that we might be saved.

The beating, torture, and painful death that Christ suffered at our hands was a terrible thing; yet you considered his victory in overcoming that death worth the cost, so powerful was your love. I praise you for Christ's resurrection and victory, and for his promise to all people, that he will intercede for us at our death, and bring us to eternal life. Today I remember and celebrate His resurrection, giving all glory to Father, Son and Holy Spirit for this miracle and the redemption of our own lives. Through Christ I pray, 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

When I Survey The Wonderous Cross

Lyrics

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Lyrics by Isaac Watts, 1707
Tune “Hamburg” by Lowell Mason, 1824

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia!
Thanks be to God! Alleluia!

Oh Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your apostles, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you”; I pray that I and your whole church, the body of all faithful people, will know your peace, and live in harmony and unity, one with another, in accordance with your wishes. This I pray to you, who lives and reigns forever. 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.

"Finding God's Strength" - The Surmon for SUNDAY, July 9, 2017 - 5th Sunday after Pentecost

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

~ Matthew 5:5, 11:28-30

"Finding God's Strength"
by Pastor David Henderson
Eagle's Landing Baptist Church
Port Richey, Florida

The setting for the message this morning is found in one of the highlights of the ministry of Jesus. His ministry had its share of highs and lows but this was definitely one of his finer moments. In the background, Jesus had just gone through Galilee…the Bible says He has been teaching and preaching in the synagogues, He has been healing every disease and sickness among the people. News has begun to spread all over Syria. So more people came to Him to be healed. People suffering severe pain, those who were demon possessed, those having seizures and the paralyzed and he healed them.

At that point Matthew says that large crowds came from all over that area and followed him. As they arrived and Jesus saw the crowds he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples were there and He began to teach and in v. 5 He said this….blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.

Like many of the teachings of Jesus, the words He spoke did not really go along with the popular views of the day. Listen again to what he said…blessed are the meek…they will inherit the earth. This is certainly not the teaching that is found in the business world today. Rather young people are taught that in order to succeed you must:

• Focus on yourself first

• If you need to run over someone to get to the top, go ahead

• Succeed at all costs

These are popular teachings right now in the 21st century but believe it or not it was very similar in the 1st century. Many people in that day associated power with religion and so when Jesus came along and became very popular among the people, the religious leaders felt threatened. They were accustomed to being able to force the people to do whatever they wanted them to do---they constantly took advantage of the people in an attempt to only make life better for one person-themselves.

And in the middle of all of that Jesus brings this teaching…Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. The main problem with this word meekness is that too many people associate it with weakness. Meekness is not weakness. Meekness is actually best defined as power under control.

• Moses was a powerful leader. He took the Israelites through the wilderness all the way to the promised land. He stood up to Pharaoh and the Bible says that he was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.

• Jesus himself told us that He was meek and humble in his heart.

Now in this series called Life’s Healing Choices we have looked at 2 choices so far that we must make…. (1) Realize we are not God. Admit that we are powerless. (2) Earnestly believe that God exists. And believe that He has the power and the desire to help us. (3) choose to Commit our lives to His care. This the choice of commitment.

Commitment is a difficult choice for many people. Men, for one reason or another often get labelled with being unable to commit to something. I think the problem with commitment is this…we make a commitment to something and when we do we don’t know the future holds for us and then we feel like we are no longer in control.

In Matthew 1 Jesus spoke these words, Come to me all of you who are weary and overburdened and I will give you rest. For I am meek and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Now let’s face it. That’s a pretty amazing deal. In this passage Jesus tells us that we must do 3 things. 1. Come to Jesus. Whenever you face any difficulty in life, whatever you do first says volumes about your spiritual life. The apostle Paul prayed constantly. And even when his prayer was not answered the way he wanted it, he prayed again and again. Job, faced one tragedy after another but he continued to go to the Lord for his strength. Even as things grew worse Job kept his walk with the Lord. Even his friends turned against him and his wife as well.

Let me ask you, what is the first thing you do when you receive difficult news? And who is the first person you go to? Whatever difficulty you and I face, our first step should be in the direction of Jesus.

2. Put on His yoke. A yoke is a wooden beam normally used between a pair of oxen to enable them to work together to pull a heavy load.

The most common form of a yoke was one that rested on the neck with a connecting bar of some kind. The cattle were then connected to a plow or wagon they would carry. The things that is most obvious about it and that we notice immediately is that it is made for two. To share the load. So it must be fitted properly on both animals so that one of them does not bear too much weight. You can perhaps imagine that if it did not fit properly or if he tried to place it on one animal only that it would hurt the animal and the animal could even be choked.

The word yoke is a fairly common word used in the Bible about 60 times.

• Paul tells us that in a marriage 2 people should not be unequally yoked.

• OT talks about the yoke of our sin and the great burden it can cause us

• NT yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1

The warning here is that once you know Christ; once you are walking in grace, don’t return to the law. Paul said as you therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him. You started in grace; continue in grace.

And so there is a certain picture here when we consider this yoke that Jesus is saying that his yoke is easier to carry. This word yoke in the OT was a symbol for the law of God. In this passage Jesus is using it in the same way. Now this is important. The contrast here is not between having a yoke or not having a yoke; the contrast is between having a heavy yoke of a light yoke. All of us have one. The teaching of the scribes which carried many commandments and laws actually had 613 commandments for them to keep up with. Jesus offered a much lighter load. A yoke of grace for two people…you and Him.

3. Learn of Him. So we see here that Jesus does not force this yoke on us. We take it. It’s a choice. All of us have a burden to carry; the question is whether we will carry one that is within our limits or one that is heavier than we were designed for.

I know that for some of you reading today that the load has been too heavy. You feel strained. You might even say that it feels like more than you can bear. Jesus issued one challenge after another to his disciples and of course to us as well.

• He said put this yoke on and so we think of the burden

• He said to the rich man---sell all you have and give it away

• He said to follow Him and hate your mother and father

• If your right hand offends you cut it off

One more….if you are going to be my follower, pick up your cross first. The cross is a beautiful thing to us today but only because of the man who died on it. It was a symbol of death and the disciples knew that in following Jesus it could cost them their life.

It was also a symbol of the burden we all carry at times. We hear people say this is my cross to bear. And so many times for so many people the Christian life has become a burden---something it was never meant to be. To some it is nothing more than a list of rules to follow---a list of do’s and don’ts it was never intended to be. All because our focus is in the wrong place.

The story has been told of a man who constantly complained about the size of the cross he had to carry and was convinced his life was more difficult than anyone else’s. No one had gone through what he had experienced!

He thought if only I could talk to God about it. So as the story goes, an angel appeared to him and took the man to the room in heaven where crosses were assigned. The angel told him to look around and he could pick whatever cross he wanted to bear. The man smiled and went into the room. There he saw crosses of all kinds. Some were huge.

As he walked through the room, he finally noticed two crosses; one was about 3 feet tall and the other about 4 feet tall. So he cried out I’ll take that one, pointing at the smaller one. The angel said are you sure that’s the one you want? The man replied, “look you don’t know what I’ve been through. I just can’t carry that large cross anymore. The angel said, well the only reason I asked is because that small one’s the one you brought with you when you came in.

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 David Henderson on Dec 29, 2014.

Prayer of the Day for SUNDAY, July 9, 2017

O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Verse of the Day for SUNDAY, July 9, 2017

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV) Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Read all of Ephesians 3

Listen to Ephesians 3

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

Un Dia a la Vez - Semana de pacto con Dios: El corazón

Por sobre todas las cosas cuida tu corazón, porque de él mana la vida.

~ Proverbios 4:23 (NVI)

El corazón es el órgano más importante del cuerpo. Diría que es el motor para que tú y yo estemos vivos. Bombea sangre todo el día y trabaja de manera incansable. Aunque tiene sus funciones bien establecidas, a veces falla.

Antiguamente decía, al igual que muchos: «Hagamos lo que diga el corazón». Esto era como dejarse llevar por lo que dictara el corazón y vivir lo que nos ofreciera el mundo. Entonces, cuando empecé a conocer más de cerca al Señor y a leer su Palabra, descubrí que era todo lo contrario: No debo tomar decisiones porque lo dicte mi corazón y que no hay nada más engañoso que nuestro propio corazón. Dios quiere que busquemos sabiduría, pero no en sí del corazón, donde se mueven todas las emociones.

En varias ocasiones, el Manual de Instrucciones habla de no dejarse corromper, de no contaminarse, porque del corazón salen los malos pensamientos, los adulterios, las fornicaciones, los homicidios, solo por mencionar algunas cosas.

Por eso hoy es otra oportunidad para decirle a Dios que queremos cuidar nuestro corazón y deseamos hacer su voluntad.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón

Standing Strong Through the Storm - SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO SUFFER

At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.

~ 2 Timothy 4:16 (NIV)

The Apostle Paul knew exactly what it was like to be alone, to be deserted by all who called themselves “brothers” and “sisters.” A former colleague who has done considerable travel among the persecuted says, “It is hard to believe that Christians are the largest persecuted group in the world today. But it is even more difficult to believe that this is so seldom mentioned in our gatherings and church services. More Christians know the names of their favorite actors than their fellow believers who are in prison.”

He continues, “With every trip something in my heart breaks as I hear the echoes of suffering:

• I remember the echoes of an Egyptian mother as she shared how her young boy was stuck in a haystack because she refused to deny Jesus.
• I remember the sounds of weeping as fellow students in Indonesia shared how Sariman, their co-student, was hacked to death.
• I remember the cries of anguish as we walked from church to church that was burned to the ground on the island of Lombok.
• I remember the tears of Rebecca in Iran as she showed the picture of her father who was stabbed to death for sharing the gospel.
• I remember the voice of Pastor Daniel in Vietnam as he shared how he was chained to the ground for six months.
• I remember the fear of Grace from Sudan as she shared how her church was attacked and her friend was shot through the head.
• Oh, I remember the cries of Caleb in Eritrea as he shared with tears how two dear friends were executed in front of him because of their faith.
• And I remember the tears of Joy in the southern Philippines as she shared how her fiancé was shot to death in their church in Mindanao.
• But, most all, I remember the deafening sounds of silence every time I return home.

RESPONSE: How can I be silent today? How can I not speak on behalf of those who suffer? How can I desert those that belong to the same body that I belong to and who desperately need the encouragement of my intervention on their behalf?

PRAYER: Lord, broaden my awareness of the needs of my suffering brothers and sisters. May I not be known for my silence.