LHM Daily Devotion - July 13, 2017 "Consistency"

Over the years, it has been my privilege to run into the occasional...

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

"Tempting Fate"

July 13, 2017

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will He keep His anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.

~ Psalm 103:8-12 (ESV)

Over the years, it has been my privilege to run into the occasional family whose children seem to have turned out better than all right. No, not all those children were brilliant or athletic or leaders, but they were special. They were young men and women of integrity. They didn't go along with the crowd unless they thought the crowd was going in the right direction.

I have made it a habit to ask the parents of these children two questions: What did you do right? and What did you do that other parents don't.

Most of the time -- not all of the time, but most of the time -- the parents said Jesus was part of their family. Jesus wasn't a name that was heard just on Sundays. On the contrary, Jesus was part of the day-to-day workings of the family. The other thing all of these parents said was this: "We were consistent. We said what we meant; we meant what we said."

Those parents didn't make threats or promises they weren't ready to keep. When they said, "We're going to the movies." They went to the movies. When it came time for discipline, they didn't exaggerate a promised punishment. These parents didn't say, "If you don't behave, I'm going to give you a time out that will last until you're old enough to vote."

I have to confess there are times I wish the Lord acted the way those parents did.

People might take the Lord more seriously if He punished certain sins with certain consequences. Think about it. Suppose every time someone went ten miles over the speed limit, God would give them a flat tire. I'd wager they would watch their speedometer more closely. Suppose, every time you spoke evil about somebody your taxes went up. There's no doubt in my mind that you would be careful about what you said about others.

Well, God doesn't always work that way.

He doesn't always punish us immediately or directly or completely. Because that is so, much of humanity disregard Him, disdain Him, feel free to disobey Him. Just as bad, no, even worse, is the fact that since God's punishment isn't always obvious and instant, many folks wrongly and dangerously conclude that God -- if there really is a God -- isn't serious about what He says.

God is serious. He was serious when He promised punishment for our sins. He was serious when He sent His Son as the sacrifice to save us. He remains serious when He reminds us He is coming again, and we need to be ready. We need to be ready because, as the Psalmist says,"He will not always chide; He will not keep His anger forever."

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may we see Your consistency, Your constancy. May we remember that salvation comes through Jesus Christ, and punishment awaits those who disregard Your Word, Your promises, Your Son. In His Name we pray. Amen.

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

CPTLN Devocional de 13 de Julio de 2017

Alimento Diario

Imperfecciones

13 de Julio 2017

Vengan ahora, y pongamos las cosas en claro. Si sus pecados son como la grana, se pondrán blancos como la nieve. Si son rojos como el carmesí, se pondrán blancos como la lana.

~ Isaías 1:18 (RVC)

Los seres humanos hacen cualquier cosa con tal de cubrir sus pecados y sus fallas. No hace mucho una señora, Directora de Educación para Adultos en una universidad estatal, compartió la triste historia de un hombre que se presentó en la escuela para aprender a leer.

Lo que le sorprendió no fue que el hombre no supiera leer, sino que su esposa no lo sabía. En sus once años de matrimonio, él había logrado ocultárselo. ¿Cómo lo logró? Fácil... cada noche, después de la cena, el hombre se sentaba en el sofá de la sala, sostenía el periódico y durante una hora pretendía leer.

Ese hombre bien podría ser la representación de la humanidad, ya que la mayoría de nosotros, al igual que él, tratamos de esconder nuestras fallas mostrando lo bueno y disimulando lo malo.

Lamentablemente, cuando se trata del pecado, disimular es todo lo que podemos hacer. Disimular, enmascarar, camuflar o cubrir nuestros pecados...

Únicamente el Señor es quien tiene el poder de borrar nuestros pecados. Sólo a través de la sustitución del Salvador enviado del cielo, nuestros pecados color escarlata quedan blancos como la nieve.

Por lo tanto, si hay algún pecado que le molesta y que no logra sacarse de encima, pruebe dárselo al Señor. Porque gracias a la vida, muerte, resurrección y presencia de Jesús, el perdón ha sido dado a millones... y también puede ser dado a uno más - usted.

ORACIÓN: Amado Señor, te doy gracias porque, en la persona de tu Hijo, has otorgado perdón a la larga fila de pecadores que te han buscado. Ayúdame a encontrar júbilo en el regalo de misericordia expresado en la sangre derramada en la cruz, que ha cambiado mi vida ahora y para la eternidad. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén.

De una devoción escrita originalmente para "By the Way"

© 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 - Intimate Details

Read: Psalm 139:1–18

Bible in a Year: Psalms 7–9; Acts 18

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You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. Psalm 139:2

The universe is astonishingly grand. Right now the moon is spinning around us at nearly 2,300 miles an hour. Our Earth is spinning around the sun at 66,000 miles an hour. Our sun is one of 200 billion other stars and trillions more planets in our galaxy, and that galaxy is just one of 100 billion others hurtling through space. Astounding!

In comparison to this vast cosmos, our little Earth is no bigger than a pebble, and our individual lives no greater than a grain of sand. Yet according to Scripture, the God of the galaxies attends to each microscopic one of us in intimate detail. He saw us before we existed (Ps. 139:13–16); He watches us as we go about our days and listens for our every thought (vv. 1–6).

It can be hard to believe this sometimes. This tiny “pebble” has big problems like war and famine, and we can question God’s care in times of personal suffering. But when King David wrote Psalm 139 he was in the midst of crisis himself (vv. 19–20). And when Jesus said God counts each hair on our heads (Matt. 10:30), He was living in an age of crucifixion. Biblical talk of God’s caring attention isn’t a naïve wish. It is real-world truth.

The One who keeps the galaxies spinning knows us intimately. That can help us get through the worst of times.

Father God, Your eye is on me as much as it is on the stars in the sky. Thank You for Your love, Your care, Your attention.

The God of the cosmos cares for us intimately.

By Sheridan Voysey

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Ministérios Pão Diário - O hábito da preocupação

Leia: Mateus 6:25-34

A Bíblia em um ano: Salmos 7–9, Atos 18

É difícil viver sem certo grau de ansiedade e preocupação, não é mesmo? Preocupamo-nos com tudo: casamento, filhos, contas, emprego, dinheiro, peso, saúde, se vamos casar ou não e até com as rugas que aparecem no rosto e no pescoço.

A preocupação, li em algum lugar, é um ato de meditação. Quando nos preocupamos, colocamos a nossa atenção e energia nos problemas e não no Senhor. Mantemos nossa mente e “conversa interior” nas dificuldades, e elas se tornam maiores do que na verdade são. Maiores do que as promessas do Senhor e até maiores do que o próprio Mestre.

Como quebrar este hábito de meditar negativamente? Uma pequena dica é: confronte cada problema com as promessas bíblicas e com o caráter do nosso bom e generoso Deus. A Bíblia nos diz que Abraão conseguiu manter uma atitude positiva, mesmo diante de grandes obstáculos: “E, sem enfraquecer na fé, embora levasse em conta o seu próprio corpo amortecido, sendo já de cem anos, e a idade avançada de Sara, não duvidou, por incredulidade, da promessa de Deus; mas, pela fé, se fortaleceu, dando glória a Deus” (Romanos 4:19,20).

E o Senhor Jesus disse que por mais ansioso que alguém esteja, não poderá acrescentar um simples segundo ao curso de sua vida. Medite nas Escrituras e memorize-as para quebrar e vencer este mau hábito que nos afasta de descansar no Senhor.

…não vos inquieteis com o dia de amanhã… —Mateus 6:34

por Administrador do site

© 2017 Ministérios Pão Diário

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Từng Chi Tiết

Đọc: Thi thiên 139:1-18

Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Thi thiên 7-9; Công vụ 18

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Chúa biết khi con ngồi, lúc con đứng dậy; từ xa Chúa biết rõ tư tưởng con. Thi thiên 139:2

Vũ trụ thật rộng lớn biết bao. Ngay lúc này mặt trăng đang quay quanh trái đất gần 2.300 dặm/giờ. Trái Đất đang quay quanh mặt trời 66.000 dặm/giờ. Mặt trời là một trong 200 tỷ ngôi sao cùng hàng nghìn tỷ hành tinh khác trong thiên hà, và thiên hà đó chỉ là một trong 100 tỷ cái khác vút qua không gian. Thật đáng kinh ngạc!

So với vũ trụ bao la này, Trái Đất nhỏ bé của chúng ta chẳng khác nào một viên sỏi và mỗi người chẳng khác nào một hạt cát. Tuy nhiên, Kinh Thánh cho biết rằng Chúa của hoàn vũ chăm sóc mỗi cá nhân nhỏ bé đến từng chi tiết. Ngài đã biết chúng ta từ trước khi chúng ta tồn tại (Thi 139:13-16); Ngài nhìn xem chúng ta sống động mỗi ngày và lắng nghe từng tư tưởng của chúng ta (c.1-6).

Đôi khi thật khó để tin điều này. “Viên sỏi” nhỏ xíu này lại gặp những nan đề lớn như chiến tranh và đói kém, và chúng ta nghi ngờ sự chăm sóc của Chúa trong những lúc phải chịu khổ một mình. Nhưng khi vua Đa-vít viết Thi Thiên 139, ông đang gặp khủng hoảng (c.19-20). Và khi Chúa Jêsus phán rằng Đức Chúa Trời đếm từng sợi tóc trên đầu của chúng ta (Mat. 10:30), Ngài đang sống trong thời đại mà người ta hành hình bằng việc đóng đinh trên thập tự giá. Lời Kinh Thánh nói về sự quan tâm chăm sóc của Đức Chúa Trời không phải là một ước ao ngây ngô. Đó là chân lý có thật trong thế giới này.

Đấng giữ cho các thiên hà vận hành là Đấng biết tường tận về chúng ta. Chính điều này có thể giúp chúng ta vượt qua những lúc tồi tệ nhất.

Lạy Chúa, mắt Ngài luôn đoái xem con như Ngài cũng chăm xem các ngôi sao trên trời. Cảm ơn Ngài luôn yêu thương, chăm sóc và đoái đến con.

Chúa của vũ trụ quan tâm chăm sóc chúng ta đến từng chi tiết.

bởi Sheridan Voysey

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Detalles íntimos

Leer: Salmo 139:1-18

La Biblia en un año: Salmos 7–9; Hechos 18

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Tú has conocido mi sentarme y mi levantarme; has entendido desde lejos mis pensamientos (v. 2).

El universo es increíblemente grandioso. La luna gira a nuestro alrededor a casi 3.700 kilómetros (2.300 millas) por hora. La Tierra gira alrededor del sol a 106.000 kilómetros (66.000 millas) por hora. El sol es una de 200.000 millones de estrellas y billones de planetas en nuestra galaxia, la cual es apenas una de entre 100.000 millones en el espacio. ¡Asombroso!

En comparación, nuestra pequeña Tierra es apenas una piedrita; y nuestra vida, un grano de arena. Sin embargo, según la Escritura, el Dios de las galaxias está pendiente de cada uno de nosotros, por más microscópicos que seamos. Nos vio antes de que existiéramos (Salmo 139:13-16); nos observa y escucha lo que pensamos (vv. 1-6).

A veces, esto puede ser difícil de creer. Esta «piedrita» tiene grandes problemas, como la guerra y el hambre, y podemos dudar del cuidado de Dios cuando sufrimos. Pero, cuando el rey David escribió el Salmo 139, estaba en medio de una crisis (vv. 19-20). Y cuando Jesús dijo que Dios cuenta nuestros cabellos (Mateo 10:30), vivía en una época de crucifixiones. Las palabras de la Biblia sobre el cuidado amoroso de Dios son verdades prácticas, no deseos ingenuos.

Aquel que mantiene las galaxias girando nos conoce íntimamente. Eso puede ayudarnos a superar los peores momentos.

Padre, gracias por tu amor, tu cuidado y tu atención.

El Dios del cosmos se interesa íntimamente por nosotros.

Por Sheridan Voysey

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Jedes Detail

Lesen: Psalm 139,1-18

Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: Psalm 7–9; Apostelgeschichte 18

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Ich sitze oder stehe auf, so weißt du es; du verstehst meine Gedanken von ferne. Psalm 139,2

Das All ist unglaublich groß. Genau jetzt dreht sich der Mond mit einer Geschwindigkeit von etwa 3700 Kilometern pro Stunde um die Erde. Die Erde kreist mit mehr als 100,000 Kilometern pro Stunde um die Sonne. Unsere Sonne ist einer von 200 Milliarden anderen Sternen und Billionen von anderen Kometen in unserem Sonnensystem und das ist nur eines von 100 Milliarden, die sich im All bewegen. Gewaltig!

Verglichen damit ist unsere kleine Erde nicht größer als ein Kieselstein und unser Leben nicht mehr als ein Sandkorn. Und doch kennt der Gott des Universums jedes mikroskopisch kleine Wesen von uns bis ins Detail. Er sah uns schon, ehe wir existierten (Ps. 139,13-16). Er wacht über uns in unserem Alltag und hört auf unsere Gedanken (V.1-6).

Das ist manchmal kaum zu glauben. Unser kleine Kugel hat große Probleme, wie etwa Kriege und Hungersnöte, und wenn es uns schlecht geht, fragen wir uns manchmal, ob es Gott nicht kümmert. Aber als David Psalm 139 schrieb, hatte er selbst Probleme (V.19-20). Und als Jesus sagte, Gott würde jedes Haar auf unserem Haupt zählen (Matth. 10,30), stand er kurz vor seiner Kreuzigung. Wenn die Bibel sagt, dass Gott uns sieht, ist das kein naives Wunschdenken, sondern gelebte Wahrheit.

Der Gott, der macht, dass die Sonne sich dreht, kennt uns genau. Das kann uns auch durch die schwersten Zeiten hindurchtragen.

Himmlischer Vater, dein Auge wacht über mir genauso wie über die Sterne am Himmel. Danke, dass du mich siehst, mich liebst und für mich sorgst.

Der Gott des Universums sorgt auch für uns.

Von Sheridan Voysey

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Des détails intimes

Lisez : Psaume 139.1‑18

La Bible en un an : PSAUMES 7 – 9 et ACTES 18

Tu sais quand je m’assieds et quand je me lève, tu pénètres de loin ma pensée. V. 2

L’univers est d’une immensité étonnante. En ce moment, la Lune tourne autour de nous à environ 3700 km/h. Notre Terre tourne autour du Soleil à 106 000 km/h. Notre Soleil compte parmi les 200 milliards d’autres astres et les trillions d’autres planètes de notre galaxie. Et celle‑ci n’est qu’une parmi 100 milliards d’autres qui filent à vive allure dans l’espace. C’est stupéfiant !

Par comparaison avec ce vaste cosmos, notre petite Terre a la taille d’un galet et la vie de chacun de nous a celle d’un grain de sable. Pourtant, selon la Bible, le Dieu des galaxies veille sur la vie microscopique de chaque être humain jusque dans ses détails les plus intimes. Il nous voyait déjà avant même notre existence (PS 139.13‑16) ; il veille sur nous tout au long de la journée et de la nuit en tendant l’oreille à chacune de nos pensées (V. 1‑6).

Cela nous est parfois difficile à croire. Le minuscule « galet » qu’est notre vie doit affronter d’énormes problèmes comme la guerre et la famine, et nous pouvons nous interroger au sujet des soins de Dieu. Pourtant, lorsque le roi David a écrit le Psaume 139, il vivait lui‑même une crise (V. 19,20). Et lorsque Jésus a dit que Dieu comptait chacun des cheveux de notre tête (MT 10.30), il était au seuil de la Crucifixion. Ce que dit la Bible au sujet des tendres soins de Dieu ne constitue pas un voeu pieux, mais la pure vérité.

Celui qui veille à la rotation des galaxies nous connaît intimement. Or, cette réalité peut nous aider à traverser nos pires épreuves.

Le Dieu du cosmos veille intimement sur nous.

par Sheridan Voysey

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Він знає все

Читати: Псалом 138:1-8

Біблія за рік: Псалми 7−9 ; Дії 18

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Ти знаєш сидіння моє та вставання моє, думку мою розумієш здалека. — Псалом 138:2

Всесвіт неймовірно великий. Місяць обертається навколо земної кулі зі швидкістю 3 700 км за годину. Наша Земля рухається навколо сонця зі швидкістю 106 000 км за годину. Сонце – одна з двохсот мільярдів зірок. А наша галактика – одна зі 100 мільярдів інших галактик, що розташовані у космічному просторі.

У порівнянні з величезним космосом, наша Земля не більша за маленький камінець. А життя кожної окремої людини – просто піщинка. Однак, як свідчить Святе Письмо, Той, Хто створив всі незчисленні галактики, знає найдрібніші подробиці життя кожного з нас. Господь бачив нас ще до нашого народження (Пс. 138:13-16). Він споглядає наше ходіння в житті; Йому відома кожна наша думка (Пс. 138:1-6).

В це іноді важко повірити. Люди мають великі проблеми: війни, голод тощо. І у хвилини страждань інколи ладні сумніватись у Божій турботі. Але коли цар Давид писав Псалом 138, то сам перебував у критичному становищі (Пс. 138:19-20). А в ті часи, коли людей розпинали на хрестах, Ісус навчав, що Бог знає кількість волосин на нашій голові. Отже, біблійні слова про Боже турботливе відношення до нас – то не наївна мрія, а істина реального життя.

Той, Хто тримає у купі всі галактики Всесвіту, знає нас особисто. Віра в це – велика допомога в найгірші часи нашого життя.

Отче, Твій погляд пильнує моє життя, як кожну зірку Всесвіту. Дякую за Твою любов, увагу й турботу.

Бог Всесвіту піклується про кожного з нас особисто.

Автор Шерідан Войсі

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Личная забота

Читать сейчас: Псалом 138:1-18

Библия за год: Псалтирь 7–9; Деяния 18

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Ты знаешь, когда я сажусь и когда встаю; Ты разумеешь помышления мои издали. — Псалом 138:2

Вселенная невероятно огромна. Прямо сейчас Луна вращается вокруг нас со скоростью около 3 700 км/ч. Наша Земля летит по орбите вокруг Солнца со скоростью 108 000 км/ч. Солнце – одна из 200 миллиардов звезд и многих сотен миллиардов планет в галактике Млечный Путь. А она, в свою очередь, – только одна из 100 миллиардов других, разбросанных по космосу. Уму непостижимо!

По сравнению с этим бескрайним космосом наша земля – крохотная песчинка, а мы сами – и вовсе ничто. И все же, согласно Библии, Бог вселенной уделяет каждому микроскопическому человеческому существу большое внимание. Он видел нас еще до рождения (Пс. 138:13-16). Он наблюдает за нами каждый день и знает все наши мысли (Пс. 138:1-6).

В это иногда трудно поверить. На этой «песчинке» много проблем, таких как война или голод, и мы иногда сомневаемся в Божьей заботе, особенно когда страдаем. Но Давид при написании Псалма 138 сам находился в глубоком кризисе (Пс. 138:19-20). А в то время, когда Иисус говорил, что Бог счел все волосы на наших головах, людей распинали на крестах. Библейская истина о Божьем заботливом внимании – не просто наивная мечта. Это вселенская истина.

Тот, Кто удерживает галактики на их местах, хорошо знает каждого из Своих детей. Пусть это поможет нам в трудные времена.

Отец и Бог, Твои глаза обращены ко мне, как и к небесным звездам. Благодарю Тебя за удивительную любовь, заботу и внимание.

Бог вселенной нежно заботится о нас.

автор: Шеридан Войси

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for WEDNESDAY, July 12, 2017

Peter’s Vision - Acts 10:9-16

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

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, in whom I live and move and have my being; I, thy needy creature, render thee my humble praises, for thy preservation of me from the beginning of my life to this day, and especially for having delivered me from the dangers of the past night. For these thy mercies, I bless and magnify thy glorious Name; humbly beseeching thee to accept this my morning sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; for his sake who lay down in the grave, and rose again for us, thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Confession and Forgiveness

Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from Your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against Your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is nothing good in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent; according to Your promises declared unto men in Christ Jesus our Lord. Grant that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life; to the glory of His name. Amen.

Today's Readings

The First Reading is taken from 1 Samuel 16:1-13

The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons." Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me." And the LORD said, "Take a heifer with you, and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.' Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you." Samuel did what the LORD commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, "Do you come peaceably?" He said, "Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice." And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed is now before the LORD." But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one." Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one." Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen any of these." Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all your sons here?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here." He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; for this is the one." Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.

The Second Reading is taken from Acts 10:1-16

In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. One afternoon at about three o'clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius." He stared at him in terror and said, "What is it, Lord?" He answered, "Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside." When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa. About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. Then he heard a voice saying, "Get up, Peter; kill and eat." But Peter said, "By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean." The voice said to him again, a second time, "What God has made clean, you must not call profane." This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven.

The Holy Gospel is written in Luke 24:12-35

But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened. Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?" They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?" He asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him." Then he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?" That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Morning Psalms

Psalm 119: Aleph Beati immaculati
1   Happy are they whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD!
2   Happy are they who observe his decrees and seek him with all their hearts!
3   Who never do any wrong, but always walk in his ways.
4   You laid down your commandments, that we should fully keep them.
5   Oh, that my ways were made so direct that I might keep your statutes!
6   Then I should not be put to shame, when I regard all your commandments.
7   I will thank you with an unfeigned heart, when I have learned your righteous judgments.
8   I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me.

Psalm 119: Beth In quo corrigit?
9   How shall a young man cleanse his way? By keeping to your words.
10   With my whole heart I seek you; let me not stray from your commandments.
11   I treasure your promise in my heart, that I may not sin against you.
12   Blessed are you, O LORD; instruct me in your statutes.
13   With my lips will I recite all the judgments of your mouth.
14   I have taken greater delight in the way of your decrees than in all manner of riches.
15   I will meditate on your commandments and give attention to your ways.
16   My delight is in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

Psalm 119: Gimel Retribue servo tuo
17   Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.
18   Open my eyes, that I may see the wonders of your law.
19   I am a stranger here on earth; do not hide your commandments from me.
20   My soul is consumed at all times with longing for your judgments.
21   You have rebuked the insolent; cursed are they who stray from your commandments!
22   Turn from me shame and rebuke, for I have kept your decrees.
23   Even though rulers sit and plot against me, I will meditate on your statutes.
24   For your decrees are my delight, and they are my counselors.

Evening Psalms

Psalm 12 Salvum me fac
1   Help me, LORD, for there is no godly one left; the faithful have vanished from among us.
2   Everyone speaks falsely with his neighbor; with a smooth tongue they speak from a double heart.
3   Oh, that the LORD would cut off all smooth tongues, and close the lips that utter proud boasts!
4   Those who say, "With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own; who is lord over us?"
5   Because the needy are oppressed, and the poor cry out in misery, I will rise up, says the LORD, and give them the help they long for.
6   The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined from ore and purified seven times in the fire.
7   O LORD, watch over us and save us from this generation for ever.
8   The wicked prowl on every side, and that which is worthless is highly prized by everyone.

Psalm 13 Usquequo, Domine?
1   How long, O LORD? will you forget me for ever? how long will you hide your face from me?
2   How long shall I have perplexity in my mind, and grief in my heart, day after day? how long shall my enemy triumph over me?
3   Look upon me and answer me, O LORD my God; give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death;
4   Lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him, " and my foes rejoice that I have fallen.
5   But I put my trust in your mercy; my heart is joyful because of your saving help.
6   I will sing to the LORD, for he has dealt with me richly; I will praise the Name of the Lord Most High.

Psalm 14 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   The LORD 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, all those evildoers who eat up my people like bread and do not call upon the LORD?
5   See how they tremble with fear, because God is in the company of the righteous.
6   Their aim is to confound the plans of the afflicted, but the LORD is their refuge.
7   Oh, that Israel's deliverance would come out of Zion! when the LORD 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

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.

Prayer of Thanks for God's Creation

O Lord God of Israel and God of the nations, you are the only God in heaven above or the earth below. I walk before you with all my heart. I bless your name in the morning when I rise and in the evening when I sleep, and all the day when your creation fills my eye. Bless me to remember you this day. When I see and hear the thousand miracles of your creation, let me see them anew, recalling that you have made them, and no other; that I may live in your presence among the common miracles I take for granted. Through Christ I pray, 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.

Hooker Family-He is There

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

Closing Prayer

Let me not forget you as I go forth into the world this day, blessed Lord; may my every word be a prayer, and my every act be testimony to your love and truth, and may I know your presence every second of this day. 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, July 12, 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 WEDNESDAY, July 12, 2017

Matthew 4:4 (NIV) Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Read all of Matthew 4

Listen to Matthew 4

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 Rewards of Charity

If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong;

And you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

~ Isaiah 58:10-11 (ESV)

This sunny sketch of prosperity is not the baleful Isaiah, of rigid rules and human judgmentalism, that we are used to seeing from him. But it must be said, that neither are these promises unconditional.Though salvation is of grace, the happiness of the Christian — just as with the Jew in Isaiah’s prophecy ’ does depend upon his obedience.

These people, these happy people, like desert plants receiving a rainfall, possess continual guidance. “The Lord will guide you continually.” People sometimes seem to act like guidance from God is a burden imposed on them; but it is a wonderful gift. How better can we find our way to perfect happiness, than to have an all-knowing, loving God to give us directions?

You would think that a person who does charity work to relieve the suffering of the hungry and afflicted, would already be guided. And such people are, if they pursue charity in the name of Christ. So, this verse promises greater guidance to those who actively work for the Lord.

There is nothing in the world that feels better, than to feel God smile inside you at something you have done. It does refresh something inside of you, like a watered garden. “He restoreth my soul.” So, here is yet another argument for giving of our time, effort, and/or substance to help those in misery.

Lord, help me to do your will in easing the suffering of my fellow humans. 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 - Semana de pacto con Dios: Las manos

Te bendeciré mientras viva, y alzando mis manos te invocaré.

~ Salmo 63:4 (NVI)

Sin duda, Dios creó las manos a la perfección. Sus funciones son específicas como tomar y sostener objetos. Junto con los dedos, son utensilios para comer. Con las manos también se expresan saludos, aunque no todos los hacemos como es debido. A veces hacemos señales que no son las más decentes. ¡Huy! Ja, ja, ja.

Para las personas que no pueden hablar, las manos son un tremendo instrumento para hablar con señales. Sirve como instrumento de medida y herramienta de trabajo. Piensa por un momento todo lo que hacemos con nuestras manos para trabajar, jugar y hacer deportes. En fin, podríamos seguir trayendo a nuestra mente infinidad de cosas.

Sin embargo, las manos mal usadas entristecen a Dios. Con ellas muchas personas roban y toman un arma para herir a otros o matar.

Con las manos se maltratan miles y miles de niños, de hombres y mujeres.

Sé que muchas personas que hoy leen este libro tienen sus manitos enfermas o les falta partes de las manos por accidentes o por nacimiento. Aun así, no se quejan y hacen lo que pueden para salir adelante.

Señor, hoy me comprometo a guardar mis manos y honrarte a ti.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón

Standing Strong Through the Storm - “Blessed are….”

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.

~ Matthew 5:1-2 (NIV)

For the next nine days we’ll look at Jesus’ greatest training program—the Beatitudes. It is important to remember that each of the eight Beatitudes has a two-fold nature: a “knowing” and a “doing” response. We must not only know them, we must also respond to what we learn from them.

Eight times in the Beatitudes it says, “Blessed are….” To understand the Beatitudes, we need to know the meaning of those words. Blessed are refers to Jesus’ evaluation of the kind of person He names in each Beatitude. Jesus was referring to His esteem for that kind of person. His meaning is, “I esteem highly any person who….” He was urging us to have that kind of attitude. His deeper meaning is, “All you who hear Me, choose to become like these kinds of people.”

One noted author calls the Beatitudes, “God’s radical reconstruction of the heart!” We must never consider that Jesus was promising happy conditions, as though He meant, “The one who is poor in spirit will feel good and always be joyful.”

The first four Beatitudes focus internally—that is, they speak to the heart of the one who wants to obey God. They can be viewed as four stepping stones to becoming an obedient servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. They are: humility, mourning, meekness and hunger for righteousness.

The second four Beatitudes focus on the external behavior of the servant who follows Jesus. They are: mercy, purity, peacemaking and persecution.

This teaching has particular relevance for Christians who live under Islam. Restricted, deprived, regarded as second class citizens, laughed at, despised, often living in fear, many times persecuted, the words of encouragement are precious and give fresh hope of another place and time when things will be put right.

While in countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, there are greater freedoms and life is not so difficult, there are restrictions nonetheless. In others like Pakistan, Christians have suffered unjustly and are denied many basic rights. In Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Sudan, Nigeria and Morocco, the story is similar though the extent of suffering may vary. To all, Jesus gives this important message. We will look at each of the eight Beatitudes individually.

RESPONSE: I will study Jesus’ Beatitudes so that I live the way Jesus lived.

PRAYER: Pray for Christians in Islamic countries that they will receive great encouragement as they seek to know and live the Beatitudes in their regions of restriction.

Girlfriends in God - July 12, 2017

Mad Mary is One of Us

Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth

“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others.”

~ Luke 8:1-3a (NIV)

Friend to Friend

She was just a normal little girl frolicking about the house, toying with the goats, and sticking her fingers in her mother’s rising dough. After her father died, Mary’s mother tried her best to raise the child on what little her husband had left behind. But when puberty began to bloom, a poisonous weed began to take root in Mary’s mind. With each passing year, her behavior grew more and more erratic.

Often she was seen banging her head against the wall of their modest home, screaming curses to unseen shadows, crawling like an animal through the yard, and cutting her arms with sharp edged stones. Mary’s mother was almost relieved when the deranged young woman ran away to live among the tombs. “Now I won’t have to deal with her craziness,” her mother breathed.

Mary Magdalene was an outcast, demon-possessed lunatic – unwanted, unclean, untouchable, and unapproachable. But all that was about to change.

“Peter,” Jesus spoke as he led the troupe of men toward the cemetery on the fringes of Magdala, “I need to stop by here for a moment.”

“But why,” John questioned. “Do you have a relative’s grave you wish to visit?”

“Not a physically dead relative,” my friend, “but a spiritually dead sister who needs me.”

With confused looks on their faces, Jesus’ friends knew not to argue with Jesus’ travel plans. It seemed he always had an agenda that they didn’t know about.

As soon as the band of disciples neared the tombs, a half-dressed woman in tattered rags bolted from the brush.

“We know who you are,” the woman hissed. “You are the Son of God. What do you want with us?”

The disciples recoiled at the sight and stench of this mad woman, but Jesus drew near. Certainly this was not the sister he mentioned. With a shout, Jesus directed his words toward the woman, but rebuked the demons within. “Come out of her!”

The woman fell to the ground in a violent seizure. After a few moments of blood curdling screams and obscene curses, she lay perfectly still.

“Is she dead?” James asked.

“No, my friend,” Jesus replied. “She is actually more alive than she has ever been.”

Jesus knelt down beside her, brushed the hair from her eyes and extended his hand. “Mary, Daughter of Abraham, rise to newness of life.”

The disciples stared wide-eyed as Mary stood to her feet and in her right mind. Her crazy countenance was replaced by perfect peace.

“Thank you, thank you,” she cried as tears of freedom and joy coursed down her weathered cheeks.

Jesus turned to walk away to his next assignment, but rather than stand and stare in awe, Mary ran to follow. The disciples waited for Jesus to send her away. They were quite surprised when he did the opposite and motioned for her to come along. From that day on, she would remain among the disciples to do whatever she could to further the ministry of Jesus.

We don’t know much about Mary Magdalene’s encounter with Jesus and her deliverance from demons. A closer look at her emancipation only allows us to examine one solitary sentence. “The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out…” (Luke 8:2).

For most of my life, I pictured Jesus traveling about with his twelve disciples. After all, isn’t that the picture in the Sunday school books? It was only recently that the landscape in my mind changed dramatically. I had to walk over to the easel in my mind and paint a new picture on a fresh canvas. Jesus didn’t travel about with only the twelve men. Luke lets us know that there were women who travelled with them as well: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others.

“…and many others.” I just love that. These were women who had been healed, delivered, saved and empowered by Jesus. Where have they been all my life? They’ve been there all along, but somehow I’ve missed their influence and impact on Jesus’ earthly ministry. I’ve allowed ancient artists to paint the pictures of Jesus and his entourage in my mind rather than Scripture.

Now we are a part of “…and many others.” In Jesus’ day, women were not allowed to study under a Rabbi’s teaching, attend temple services in the same room with the men, or even talk to men in public. But Jesus came to change all that. He showed great love and respect for God’s female image bearers and risked his reputation to save theirs. He flung open the doors to His classroom for them to learn and the doors of the Kingdom for them to serve.

I hope you know just how much God loves you today. Jesus is proof of just how much He does.

Let’s Pray

Dear LORD, Thank You for all you did to set women free to play leading roles in Your redemptive story. I pray that I, like Mary Magdalene, will do what I can to further the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen

Now It’s Your Turn

Today’s retelling of Mary Magdalene was somewhat fictitious. It is easy to read the stories of the women in the Bible and forget that they were flesh and blood just like you and me. I hope today’s devotion helped you see what her life might have been like.

Most likely, you have not been delivered from 7 demons like our sister Mary, but if you know Jesus Christ as Savior, you have been delivered from darkness. Look up the following verses and note how you have been delivered from darkness.

Ephesians 5:8
Colossians 1:13
1 Peter 2:9

More from the Girlfriends

One of my most important books is How Jesus Broke the Rules to Set you Free: God’s Plan for Women to Walk in Power and Purpose.We tend to read the gospels with our twenty-first century eyes. But when we understand how oppressive the culture Jesus stepped into was against women, we begin to understand just how radical Jesus’ ministry, messages, and miracles were at setting women free. He risked His reputation to save theirs…and yours. This is an in-depth look at every woman in the New Testament and how Jesus changed their lives. Click here to watch a short video or download a free sample chapter. You’ll fall in love with Jesus all over again.

This is a perfect study for your next Women’s Ministry Bible Study. Contact me at Sharon@sharonjaynes.com for special bulk pricing.

Seeking God?

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relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

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