Have you ever heard of Ashutosh Maharaj ? Good, I hadn't either. The truth is Ashutosh Maharaj is a pretty famous guy, at least in some circles. You see in 1983 Mr. Maharaj became the founder of a sect called Divine Light Awakening. Today, that sect which is dedicated to "self-awakening and global peace" has millions of followers and owns property worth more than $120 million. There is only one very small, little problem. In 2014 Mr. Maharaj died of a heart attack. At least his son and the medical people consulted said he died of a heart attack. On the other hand, many of Maharaj's followers say he is in a deep, meditative state, and they are waiting for him to wake up. They believe the day is coming when Maharaj will revive, come back to them, and walk out of the commercial freezer where his body is currently being stored. Did I say there was only one very small problem? Let's make that two very small problems. The second problem is legal. You see, if Mr. Maharaj is dead, his son is free to cremate his body according to Hindi tradition, and a fair percentage of his father's assets will go to him. On the other hand, if Mr. Maharaj is alive, the $120 million will continue to be controlled by church leaders. For right now, at least, India's courts have said Mr. Maharaj can continue to meditate in the freezer. No doubt you have formed your own opinion about the state of Mr. Maharaj. And, although I haven't taken any kind of poll, I would guess that most of you hold the opinion that Mr. Maharaj is not going to be joining his followers anytime soon. If that's your belief, I agree with you. As far as I know, in human history there have been only a few folks who have been brought back from the dead, and only One who came back without any assistance. In the first group would be numbered people like the son of the widow from Nain, the daughter of Jairus, and the brother of Mary and Martha. In the second group is Jesus Christ, God's Son, our Savior. If you look at the Gospels, you will quickly realize there was no debate about whether Jesus was alive or dead. Nobody said the Savior was meditating or had fallen into a deep coma. The Roman execution squad was an efficient group of men, experts at their trade. When they nailed someone to a cross and put a spear through his heart, that person was dead. Yes, Jesus was dead when they put His corpse into a borrowed tomb. And three days later He was alive, having defeated the last and the worst of humanity's enemies. Because of that victory, and because He had taken our place under the Law, all who believe on Him are given forgiveness and eternal life. THE PRAYER:Dear Lord, may my heart be moved to unending thanks for the life, suffering, death, and resurrection of my Savior. May doubters and unbelievers also be given faith in the one and only Savior. This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
El conocer a Jesucristo como Señor y Salvador nos trae alegría a la vida. Pero también nos puede traer sufrimiento y persecución. Como hijos de Dios, el Espíritu Santo nos da fuerza para vivir en santidad y alejarnos de las malas acciones. Sin embargo, la intolerancia de quienes rechazan a Dios puede causar que, quienes se oponen a nuestra fe, nos desaprueben e incluso lleguen a odiarnos. Jesucristo ya sabía todo esto. Aun cuando él vino a este mundo para morir por nuestros pecados y entregar su vida en la cruz para salvar a la humanidad, el mundo lo odió. Y así nos puede suceder a nosotros. Sin embargo, al vivir vidas santificadas y servir a Jesucristo, somos bendecidos -aún cuando no lo parezca. De hecho, Jesús dijo: "Dichosos ustedes cuando los odien, cuando los discriminen, los insulten y los desprestigien por causa del Hijo del hombre" (Lucas 6:22). ¡Cuánto nos dicen estas palabras! Somos bendecidos por Dios cuando nos odian, excluyen, insultan, y rechazan - gracias al Hijo del hombre. Es por ello que, si el mundo le odia, no se retracte ni pierda su fe. Considere la vida de Cristo y el ejemplo que él da al mantener su mirada en el Padre. Jesús dijo: "Todo el mundo los odiará a ustedes por causa de mi nombre, pero el que se mantenga firme hasta el fin será salvo" (Marcos 13:13). Crea en el regalo de la salvación que Dios nos da a través de su hijo Jesucristo por la expiación en la cruz de nuestros pecados. Manténgase firme en esta verdad, y será salvo. ORACIÓN:Señor Dios, gracias por darme fuerza para mantenerme firme ante la persecución de este mundo. Gracias por todas las bendiciones que derramas sobre nosotros, incluso cuando somos rechazados por la humanidad. A través de tu Espíritu Santo aumenta nuestra fe y vigoriza nuestro testimonio. Oramos en el nombre de Jesucristo. Amén.
Biografía del autor:Esta devoción ha sido escrita por un voluntario de Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones de Vietnam.
Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 13:14
In her book Wearing God, author Lauren Winner says our
clothes can silently communicate to others who we are. What we wear may
indicate career, community or identity, moods, or social status. Think
of a T-shirt with a slogan, a business suit, a uniform, or greasy jeans
and what they might reveal. She writes, “The idea that, as with a
garment, Christians might wordlessly speak something of Jesus—is
appealing.”
According to Paul, we can similarly wordlessly represent Christ.
Romans 13:14 tells us to “clothe [ourselves] with the Lord Jesus Christ,
and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” What
does this mean? When we become Christians, we take on Christ’s identity.
We’re “children of God through faith” (Gal. 3:26–27). That’s our
status. Yet each day we need to clothe ourselves in His character. We do
this by striving to live for and to be more like Jesus, growing in
godliness, love, and obedience and turning our back on the sins that
once enslaved us.
This growth in Christ is a result of the Holy Spirit working in us
and our desire to be closer to Him through study of the Word, prayer,
and time spent in fellowship with other Christians (John 14:26). When
others look at our words and attitudes, what statement are we making
about Christ?
Dear Lord, we want to be a reflection of You. Help us to look more like You each day. Grow us in godliness, love, joy, and patience.
When others see us, may what they see speak well of the Savior.
Maria estava diante do sepulcro vazio
e chorava em profunda dor porque seu Senhor havia morrido. O poeta
Tennyson descreveu de forma lírica o final frio da morte dizendo: ela
ansiava pelo “toque da mão desaparecida, pelo som da voz que emudeceu”.
Então Jesus lhe apareceu. Em seu sofrimento, os olhos de
Maria a enganaram, pois ela pensou que fosse o jardineiro. Mas quando
Jesus a chamou pelo nome, ela o reconheceu imediatamente. Ela exclamou:
“Rabôni!” — que significa “Mestre” (João 20:16).
As pessoas me perguntam se vamos nos reconhecer no céu.
Creio que vamos reconhecer e ser reconhecidos lá. Quando Jesus recebeu
seu corpo glorificado, os Seus seguidores o reconheceram (João 20:19,20). E um dia, vamos também ter um corpo glorificado (1 Coríntios 15:42-49; 1 João 3:2).
Jesus disse aos Seus discípulos, “alegrai-vos […] porque o vosso nome está arrolado nos céus” (Lucas 10:20).
Um dia ouviremos novamente as vozes dos entes queridos, cujos nomes
estão escritos no céu — que agora estão caladas. Ouviremos a voz do Pai
que chamou o nosso nome com repreensão amorosa, da mãe que nos chamou
quando brincávamos.
Todavia, há uma voz que anseio ouvir acima de todas as
outras — o meu Senhor Jesus chamando-me por meu nome: “David”. E, como
Maria, vou reconhecê-lo imediatamente. Meu Salvador!
As despedidas são a lei da Terra — os reencontros são a lei do céu.
Hãy mặc lấy Chúa là Đức Chúa Jêsus Christ. Rô-ma 13:14
Trong quyển sách Wearing God (tạm dịch: Mặc Lấy Chúa),
tác giả Lauren Winner nói rằng trang phục của chúng ta có thể bày tỏ
cho người khác biết chúng ta là ai. Trang phục có thể cho biết nghề
nghiệp, địa phương hay cá tính, tâm trạng hoặc địa vị xã hội. Thử nghĩ
về một chiếc áo thun có in câu khẩu hiệu, một bộ lễ phục doanh nhân, một
bộ đồng phục hoặc quần jean đầy dầu nhớt và những gì chúng có thể tiết
lộ. Cô viết: “Giống như một bộ trang phục có thể truyền tải thông điệp,
Cơ Đốc nhân có thể trình bày điều gì đó về Chúa Jêsus mà không cần nói
ra.”
Theo lời sứ đồ Phao-lô, chúng ta cũng có thể không cần dùng lời lẽ mà
vẫn trình bày về Đấng Christ. Rô-ma 13:14 dạy chúng ta “mặc lấy [cho
mình] Chúa là Đức Chúa Jêsus Christ, đừng tìm cách làm thỏa mãn các dục
vọng xác thịt.” Điều này có nghĩa là gì? Khi chúng ta trở thành Cơ Đốc
nhân, chúng ta mặc lấy Đấng Christ. Bởi đức tin, chúng ta “là con Đức
Chúa Trời” (Gal. 3:26). Đó là địa vị của chúng ta. Tuy nhiên, mỗi ngày
chúng ta cần mặc lấy phẩm tánh của Chúa. Chúng ta làm điều này bằng cách
cố gắng sống và trở nên giống Chúa Jêsus hơn, tăng trưởng trong sự tin
kính, tình yêu và sự vâng lời, quay lưng lại với những tội lỗi đã từng
bắt chúng ta làm nô lệ.
Sự tăng trưởng trong Đấng Christ là kết quả của Thánh Linh hành động
trong chúng ta và lòng ao ước của chúng ta muốn được gần Ngài hơn qua
việc học Lời Ngài, cầu nguyện và dành thì giờ thông công với các Cơ Đốc
nhân khác (Giăng 14:26). Khi người khác nhìn lời nói và thái độ của
chúng ta, họ nhận được thông điệp gì về Đấng Christ?
Lạy Chúa, chúng con muốn phản chiếu Ngài qua đời sống mình. Xin giúp chúng con mỗi ngày trở nên giống như Ngài, tăng trưởng trong sự tin kính, yêu thương, vui mừng và nhịn nhục.
Khi người khác nhìn chúng ta, nguyện những gì họ thấy sẽ bày tỏ đúng về Đấng Cứu Thế.
En su libro Wearing God [Vestidos de Dios], Lauren Winner dice que
nuestra ropa puede comunicar quiénes somos. Lo que nos ponemos puede
indicar una carrera, una comunidad o identidad, estados de ánimo o
condición social. Piensa en una camiseta con un eslogan, un traje
formal, un uniforme o pantalones vaqueros engrasados, y lo que esa ropa
revela. Winner escribe: «Es interesante que, con una prenda, los
cristianos puedan hablar de Jesús a otros sin pronunciar palabra».
Según Pablo, de la misma manera, podemos representar a Cristo sin
hablar. Romanos 13:14 nos insta a vestirnos «del Señor Jesucristo». ¿Qué
significa esto? Cuando aceptamos a Cristo como Salvador, adoptamos su
identidad. Somos «hijos de Dios por la fe» (Gálatas 3:26). Esa es
nuestra condición. Sin embargo, cada día, tenemos que vestirnos de su
carácter, esforzándonos por vivir como Jesús; creciendo en piedad, amor y
obediencia; y dándole la espalda al pecado que nos esclavizaba.
Este crecimiento en Cristo es obra del Espíritu Santo en nosotros y
de nuestro deseo de acercarnos a Él mediante el estudio de la Palabra,
la oración y la comunión con otros creyentes (Juan 14:26). Cuando los
demás ven nuestras palabras y actitudes, ¿qué declaran estas sobre
Cristo?
Señor, queremos reflejarte. Ayúdanos a parecernos más a ti cada día.
Cuando los demás nos miren, que lo que vean, hable bien del Salvador.
In einem Buch mit dem Titel Gott anziehen schreibt die
Verfasserin, unsere Kleidung könne anderen unausgesprochen verraten, wer
wir sind. Was wir tragen, kann auf unseren Beruf, unseren Wohnort oder
unser Gefühl, auf Stimmungen oder soziale Herkunft hindeuten. Denken wir
nur an ein T-Shirt mit Aufdruck, einen Geschäftsanzug, eine Uniform
oder speckige Jeans und was sie uns verraten. Sie schreibt: „Die
Vorstellung, dass Christen, wie mit einem Kleidungsstück, ohne Worte von
Jesus reden können, ist faszinierend.“
Paulus schreibt tatsächlich, dass wir auch ohne Worte Jesus
repräsentieren können. In Römer 13,14 fordert er uns auf: „Zieht an den
Herrn Jesus Christus und sorgt für den Leib nicht so, dass ihr den
Begierden verfallt.“ Was heißt das? Wenn wir Christ werden, nehmen wir
die Identität von Jesus an. Wir sind „durch den Glauben Gottes Kinder in
Christus Jesus“ (Gal. 3,26). Das ist unser Status. Aber wir müssen
jeden Tag sein Wesen anziehen. Das tun wir, indem wir für ihn leben und
ihm ähnlicher werden wollen, in Glauben, Liebe und Gehorsam wachsen und
uns von der Sünde abwenden.
Wachstum in Christus geschieht, wenn wir den Heiligen Geist in uns
wirken lassen, Gott in seinem Wort suchen, beten und Gemeinschaft mit
anderen Christen pflegen (Joh. 14,26). Was erfahren andere über Jesus,
wenn sie uns sehen und hören?
Lieber Herr, wir wollen etwas von dir ausstrahlen. Hilf uns, jeden Tag etwas mehr auszusehen wie du. Lass uns im Glauben, der Liebe, der Freude und Geduld wachsen.
Möge das, was andere an uns sehen, nur Gutes über unseren Herrn aussagen.
La Bible en un an : PSAUMES 29 – 30 et ACTES 23.1‑15
Mais revêtez vous du Seigneur Jésus Christ. V. 14
Dans son livre intitulé Wearing God
(Se revêtir de Dieu), Lauren Winner dit que notre tenue vestimentaire
peut indiquer en silence qui nous sommes. Nos vêtements peuvent révéler
notre carrière, notre collectivité ou identité, nos états d’âme, ou
encore notre statut social. Pensez à un t‑shirt portant un slogan, un
complet ou un tailleur type du monde des affaires, un uniforme ou un
jean graisseux, ainsi que ce qu’ils peuvent divulguer. Winner écrit :
« L’idée qu’à l’instar d’un vêtement il est possible aux chrétiens
d’exprimer quelque chose au sujet de Jésus sans même ouvrir la bouche
est attrayante. »
Selon Paul, nous pouvons représenter
Christ de manière tout aussi silencieuse. Romains 13.14 nous exhorte
ainsi : « Mais revêtez‑vous du Seigneur Jésus‑Christ, et n’ayez pas soin
de la chair pour en satisfaire les convoitises. » Que signifie ce
verset ? Il veut dire qu’en devenant chrétiens, nous endossons
l’identité de Christ. Nous devenons « fils de Dieu par la foi en
Jésus‑Christ » (GA 3.26,27). Malgré cela, il nous faut chaque jour nous
revêtir de ses attributs. Or, nous y parvenons en cherchant à vivre
toujours plus pour Jésus, à sa ressemblance, dans la piété, l’amour et
l’obéissance, et en tournant le dos aux péchés auxquels nous étions
asservis par le passé.
Cette croissance en Christ découle de
l’oeuvre du Saint‑Esprit en nous et de notre désir de nous approcher de
lui par l’étude de sa Parole, la prière et la communion fraternelle (JN
14.26). Qu’affirmons‑nous au sujet de Christ par nos paroles et nos
attitudes ?
Puisse ce que les autres voient en nous honorer notre Sauveur.
У своїй книзі “Зодягнуті Богом” Лорен Віннер стверджує,
що наш одяг може завуальовано посилати іншим сигнали щодо того, хто ми
є. Те, що ми носимо, може вказувати на нашу кар’єру, місце проживання,
соціальний статус, настрій. Подумайте зараз про футболку з якимось
написом, про діловий костюм, уніформу, порвані джинси. Що цей одяг може
сказати про людину? Лорен пише: “Ідея, що своїм одягом християни можуть
передавати іншим якусь невербальну інформацію, – дуже цікава й
приваблива!”
На думку апостола Павла, ми без слів можемо репрезентувати Христа. В
Посланні до римлян читаємо: “Зодягніться Господом Ісусом Христом, а
догодження тілу не обертайте на пожадливість!”(Рим. 13:14).
Що означають ці слова? Коли ми стали християнами, то прийняли
ідентичність Христа. Тепер ми “сини Божі через віру в Христа Ісуса!” (Гал. 3:26).
Ось такий маємо статус! Але тепер потребуємо щодня зодягатись у
Христовий характер. А це означає жити для Ісуса, бути все більше схожими
на Нього, зростати у благочесті й любові, відвертаючись від гріхів, що
колись панували над нами.
Таке зростання у Христі є результатом праці Святого Духа в нас і нашого щирого бажання наближатись до Господа (Ів. 14:26). Яку інформацію про Христа отримують люди, коли чують наші слова, бачать наші діла й відношення?
Дорогий Господи, ми бажаємо відображати Тебе. Допоможи щодня все більше уподібнюватись Тобі, щоб зростати у благочесті, любові, радості й терпінні.
Давайте зробимо все можливе, щоб наше життя являло іншим Христа.
Облекитесь в Господа нашего Иисуса Христа. — Римлянам 13:14
Писательница Лорен Уиннер в своей книге «Облечься в Бога»
пишет, что одежда может многое сказать о нас без всяких слов. То, что
мы надеваем, указывает на карьеру, общественное положение, привычки или
черты характера. Представьте себе майку с яркой надписью, деловой
костюм, униформу или порванные джинсы. Что они могут сказать о носителе?
Уиннер пишет: «Как и в случае с одеждой, христиане могут без слов
многое сказать о Христе».
Согласно апостолу Павлу, мы действительно можем без слов представить
миру нашего Спасителя. В Послании к римлянам он пишет: «Облекитесь в
Господа нашего Иисуса Христа и попечение о плоти не превращайте в
похоть» (Рим. 13:14).
Что это значит? Становясь христианами, мы разделяем со Христом Его
высокое положение. Мы – «сыны Божии по вере во Христа Иисуса» (Гал. 3:26). Тем не менее каждый день мы должны облекаться в Его характер. (Гал. 3:27).
Мы делаем это, стремясь жить для Него и быть больше похожими на
Господа, возрастая в благочестии, любви, послушании и отвергая грехи,
Которые некогда порабощали нас.
Этот рост во Христе – результат действия Святого Духа и нашего
стремления быть ближе к Нему через изучение Слова, молитву и время,
проведенное в общении с другими христианами (Ин. 14:26). Когда люди слышат наши слова и видят отношение, что они могут подумать о Христе?
Господь, мы хотим быть Твоим отражением. Помоги нам с каждым днем быть больше похожими на Тебя. Благослови, чтобы мы возрастали в благочестии, любви, радости и терпении.
Opening Sentence The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him. Habakkuk 2:20 Morning Prayer
I give thanks to you, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have protected me through the night from all danger and harm. I ask you to preserve and keep me, this day also, from all sin and evil, that in all my thoughts, words, and deeds I may serve and please you. Into your hands I commend my body and soul and all that is mine. Let your holy angels have charge of me, that the wicked one have no power over me. Amen.
Prayer of Confession and Pardon
O Holy One, we call to you and name you as eternal, ever-present, and boundless in love. Yet there are times, O God, when we fail to recognize you in the dailyness of our lives. Sometimes shame clenches tightly around our hearts, and we hide our true feelings. Sometimes fear makes us small, and we miss the chance to speak from our strength. Sometimes doubt invades our hopefulness, and we degrade our own wisdom. Holy God, in the daily round from sunrise to sunset, remind us again of your holy presence hovering near us and in us. Free us from shame and self-doubt. Help us to see you in the moment-by-moment possibilities to live honestly, to act courageously, and to speak from our wisdom. Amen.
Today's Readings The First Reading is taken from 1 Samuel 20:24-42
So David hid himself in the field. When the new moon came, the king sat at the feast to eat. The king sat upon his seat, as at other times, upon the seat by the wall. Jonathan stood, while Abner sat by Saul's side; but David's place was empty. Saul did not say anything that day; for he thought, "Something has befallen him; he is not clean, surely he is not clean." But on the second day, the day after the new moon, David's place was empty. And Saul said to his son Jonathan, "Why has the son of Jesse not come to the feast, either yesterday or today?" Jonathan answered Saul, "David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem; he said, 'Let me go; for our family is holding a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your sight, let me get away, and see my brothers.' For this reason he has not come to the king's table." Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan. He said to him, "You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother's nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse lives upon the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Now send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die." Then Jonathan answered his father Saul, "Why should he be put to death? What has he done?" But Saul threw his spear at him to strike him; so Jonathan knew that it was the decision of his father to put David to death. Jonathan rose from the table in fierce anger and ate no food on the second day of the month, for he was grieved for David, and because his father had disgraced him. In the morning Jonathan went out into the field to the appointment with David, and with him was a little boy. He said to the boy, "Run and find the arrows that I shoot." As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. When the boy came to the place where Jonathan's arrow had fallen, Jonathan called after the boy and said, "Is the arrow not beyond you?" Jonathan called after the boy, "Hurry, be quick, do not linger." So Jonathan's boy gathered up the arrows and came to his master. But the boy knew nothing; only Jonathan and David knew the arrangement. Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy and said to him, "Go and carry them to the city." As soon as the boy had gone, David rose from beside the stone heap and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. He bowed three times, and they kissed each other, and wept with each other; David wept the more. Then Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, since both of us have sworn in the name of the LORD, saying, 'The LORD shall be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants, forever.'" He got up and left; and Jonathan went into the city.
The Second Reading is taken from Acts 13:1-12
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the ruler, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John also to assist them. When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they met a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet, named Bar-Jesus. He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and wanted to hear the word of God. But the magician Elymas (for that is the translation of his name) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul, also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, "You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? And now listen-- the hand of the Lord is against you, and you will be blind for a while, unable to see the sun." Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he went about groping for someone to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.
The Holy Gospel is written in Mark 2:23-3:6
One sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?" And he said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions." Then he said to them, "The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath." Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Come forward." Then he said to them, "Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?" But they were silent. He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.
Morning Psalms
Psalm 37: Part INoli aemulari 1 Do not fret yourself because of evildoers; do not be jealous of those who do wrong. 2 For they shall soon wither like the grass, and like the green grass fade away. 3 Put your trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and feed on its riches. 4 Take delight in the LORD, and he shall give you your heart's desire. 5 Commit your way to the LORD and put your trust in him, and he will bring it to pass. 6 He will make your righteousness as clear as the light and your just dealing as the noonday. 7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him. 8 Do not fret yourself over the one who prospers, the one who succeeds in evil schemes. 9 Refrain from anger, leave rage alone; do not fret yourself; it leads only to evil. 10 For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait upon the LORD shall possess the land. 11 In a little while the wicked shall be no more; you shall search out their place, but they will not be there. 12 But the lowly shall possess the land; they will delight in abundance of peace. 13 The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash at them with their teeth. 14 The Lord laughs at the wicked, because he sees that their day will come. 15 The wicked draw their sword and bend their bow to strike down the poor and needy, to slaughter those who are upright in their ways. 16 Their sword shall go through their own heart, and their bow shall be broken. 17 The little that the righteous has is better than great riches of the wicked. 18 For the power of the wicked shall be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.
Evening Psalms
Psalm 37: Part IINovit Dominus 19 The LORD cares for the lives of the godly, and their inheritance shall last for ever. 20 They shall not be ashamed in bad times, and in days of famine they shall have enough. 21 As for the wicked, they shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD, like the glory of the meadows, shall vanish; they shall vanish like smoke. 22 The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous are generous in giving. 23 Those who are blessed by God shall possess the land, but those who are cursed by him shall be destroyed. 24 Our steps are directed by the LORD; he strengthens those in whose way he delights. 25 If they stumble, they shall not fall headlong, for the LORD holds them by the hand. 26 I have been young and now I am old, but never have I seen the righteous forsaken, or their children begging bread. 27 The righteous are always generous in their lending, and their children shall be a blessing. 28 Turn from evil, and do good, and dwell in the land for ever. 29 For the LORD loves justice; he does not forsake his faithful ones. 30 They shall be kept safe for ever, but the offspring of the wicked shall be destroyed. 31 The righteous shall possess the land and dwell in it for ever. 32 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and their tongue speaks what is right. 33 The law of their God is in their heart, and their footsteps shall not falter. 34 The wicked spy on the righteous and seek occasion to kill them. 35 The LORD will not abandon them to their hand, nor let them be found guilty when brought to trial. 36 Wait upon the LORD and keep his way; he will raise you up to possess the land, and when the wicked are cut off, you will see it. 37 I have seen the wicked in their arrogance, flourishing like a tree in full leaf. 38 I went by, and behold, they were not there; I searched for them, but they could not be found. 39 Mark those who are honest; observe the upright; for there is a future for the peaceable. 40 Transgressors shall be destroyed, one and all; the future of the wicked is cut off. 41 But the deliverance of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. 42 The LORD will help them and rescue them; he will rescue them from the wicked and deliver them, because they seek refuge in him.
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
Holy Jesus, help me to surrender past mistakes; not to dwell on them, but to accept your forgiveness in the certainty of hope. The past is over and gone forever. Having made such restitution as is your will, there is nothing more I can do about them. Lift the burden of my past failures from my spirit. Let me go forward in faith. Clear the clouds from my path and lighten my step. If you do not reproach me, let me hear no reproach from myself or any other person, but only your promise of new life. And bring your Word and your light and your forgiveness to all who have wrecked their lives, I pray; for your power is greater than sin, and there no human being you cannot heal, no matter how wretched and vile, if they only surrender their lives to you. Amen.
A Prayer for Guidance
Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for Mission
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
When the Roll is called up yonder Lyrics When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more, And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair; When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
Refrain: When the roll, is called up yon-der, When the roll, is called up yon-der, When the roll, is called up yon-der, When the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.
On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise, And the glory of His resurrection share; When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun, Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care; Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
Music and Lyrics by James M. Black, 1893
Alleluia! Christ has risen. Christ has risen indeed. Alleluia!
Closing Prayer
And finally, may the grace of Christ our Savior, and the Father's boundless love, with the Holy Spirit's favor, rest upon me, and all of us, from above. Thus may we abide in union, with each other and the Lord, and possess, in sweet communion, joys which earth cannot afford. 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.
Holy Jesus, help me to surrender past mistakes; not to dwell on them, but to accept your forgiveness in the certainty of hope. The past is over and gone forever. Having made such restitution as is your will, there is nothing more I can do about them. Lift the burden of my past failures from my spirit. Let me go forward in faith. Clear the clouds from my path and lighten my step. If you do not reproach me, let me hear no reproach from myself or any other person, but only your promise of new life. And bring your Word and your light and your forgiveness to all who have wrecked their lives, I pray; for your power is greater than sin, and there no human being you cannot heal, no matter how wretched and vile, if they only surrender their lives to you. Amen.
1 John 1:7(NIV)But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. Read all of 1 John 1 Listen to 1 John 1
I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You. May they also be one in Us, that the world may believe that You have sent Me.
Chapter 17, of the book of John is a wonderful prayer of Jesus, to His Father. Although, the Father was in Jesus, and Jesus was in the Father, there was constant communication between them. This is a beautiful prayer that I would suggest everyone read. He is praying for others, and himself. He had come to fulfill His purpose; to do the will of the Father. He had completed His mission, flawlessly. He had only one more thing to do, and that was to die. But, before He was to do this, He prayed this prayer.
His appeal was to not only glorify Himself though His Father, but also let believers share in that same glory. He was asking for help for the disciples, but then He even included us; those who would come to believe in Him through their message.
Here we were, the children of the future, present in the mind of God. Centuries later, we have the prayer of Jesus as He was thinking, loving, and pleading our case. He was asking for all of us who have accepted Him, to be one with God; that we would be in Him and He would be in us.
In verse 24 Jesus said, “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, that they may see My glory which You have given Me. For You loved Me before the creation of the world.”
All along, He was thinking of others. Here He was, ready to go through a brutal torturing, fully aware of the pain and suffering He would bear, yet His mind was on us. He would receive the punishment, so that we could share His glory. He was sacrificial in every way possible, even in His prayers.
Love God and love others; His motto, His calling, His commission to us, is displayed in His last few recorded words here on earth. His example was perfect. Just what kind of love is this? Verse 26 reveals this love when it says, “I have declared Your name to them, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
Dear Father, Thank you for thinking of us, in the here and now, when the foundations of the earth were being laid by your hands. We are in awe of such love. Amen
In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny
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Muchas
veces hemos escuchado hablar acerca de relacionarnos con Dios. Por eso,
en varias ocasiones me surgió esta pregunta: «¿Cómo me puedo relacionar
con Dios?». Entonces aprendí varias cositas que te quiero confiar. No
soy pastora ni poseo ningún título religioso, pero tengo años de
experiencias maravillosas con Dios. La relación con Dios es algo
entre Él y la persona. Nadie más cabe ahí: Tú y Dios. Es personal, es
privado, es íntimo. En una relación nos conocemos porque pasamos tiempos
juntos. De ahí que, para que una relación crezca y se afiance, le haga
falta tiempo de calidad. Como necesitamos tiempo para hablar con
Dios, saca de tu mente que es absurdo hablar con alguien que no ves,
pues aunque no lo veas, está ahí escuchándote. Cuando te relacionas con
Dios, comprendes sus maravillas y comprendes cuántos sacrificios hizo
por ti. Eso te dará un amor tan profundo que sentirás respeto y temor
para hacer su voluntad. Además, terminarás rindiendo tu vida en sus
caminos. La relación con Dios te da seguridad. Te da también la garantía de ser feliz y esperar de manera confiada sus bendiciones. Aférrate a Él, no es una religión, sino una relación personal. ¡No te arrepentirás!
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult
you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because
of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for
in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
With
our hunger and thirst for righteousness comes the promise of
persecution for those who take a stand for God. We have not been called
to safety and comfort but to serve in the midst of conflict. Persecution
is not to be strenuously avoided, for it is the result of righteous
living. To avoid it, one would have to cease living righteously. The
early church went through much persecution for their faith in Christ.
It affected their livelihood. They had to ask themselves, Should a
Christian craftsman create idols for the temples? Or should a tailor sew
robes for heathen priests? Persecution affected social and family
life. Most feasts were held in the temple of some god. A common
invitation would be dining at the table of such a god. Even an ordinary
meal in a home began with a cup of wine poured out in honor of the gods,
like grace before a meal. Could a Christian share in such a meal like
that? Severe persecution meant being flung to the lions, burned at
the stake, or being wrapped in pitch and set alight to provide light
for Nero’s palace gardens. Or it meant being sewn in animal skins and
set upon by Nero’s hunting dogs. Christians were tortured on the rack;
scraped with pincers; had molten lead poured on them; had red-hot brass
plates fixed to the most tender parts of their bodies; had eyes torn
out; had limbs cut off and roasted before their eyes; had hands and feet
burned while cold water was poured over other parts to prolong agony. Most
of us have never in our lives made a real sacrifice for Jesus. To have
to suffer persecution is to walk along the same road as the prophets,
the saints, and the martyrs. To suffer persecution is to make things
easier for those who are to follow. To suffer persecution is to
experience the fellowship of Christ, as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
did in the furnace (Daniel 3:19-25).
It is not always so dramatic, but it is nevertheless real. Most of us
enjoy the blessing of liberty today because men and women in the past
were willing to buy it for us at the cost of their own blood, sweat and
tears. RESPONSE: I will accept persecution, whether mild or hot, which comes as a result of righteous living. PRAYER: Lord, encourage those today who are experiencing severe persecution for Your name.
Moses married a daughter of yours? Yes.
One day my seven daughters told me some men had forced them away from
the well. We have such trouble over water rights in Midian! But an
Egyptian man stood up for them. I knew right away that he was the man
for one of my daughters. You were a priest. But to the same God that Moses knew? To
God as best I knew him. How can anyone know more about God than what
God reveals of himself? But Moses returned one day with the flocks,
saying that Yahweh had made himself known as the one true God, in a
burning bush! From that day on, it was no longer a matter of “God as we
best know him.” It was a matter of serving either the God who makes
himself known or serving the gods of our own conceiving. Has there been a high point in your walk with God? Moses
brought the people to the same place where God had spoken to him. When I
came to this mountain to visit, Moses told me all that the Lord had
done. Then I knew that the Lord is greater than all other gods. Even
though I am not myself an Israelite, I offered sacrifices to God here at
this mountain. I knew we were in the presence of the God who wants all
men to know him. Cite an example of something Moses learned from you. When
I first arrived, the people came to Moses from morning to evening with
their disputes, small and great, and he judged every case. It was more
than any one man could handle, deciding all day about rights and vows
and insults! I told him he must first teach the people the laws of God
and then appoint men, truthful and just, to make judicial decisions.
They would bring to Moses only the most difficult cases that they
themselves were unable to decide. Moses saw that my advice was good. So
in my own small way I taught Moses a better way to accomplish his goals. Will you go now with Moses and his people? No.
It is back to Midian for me. To my flocks and daughters and the life I
know. But I’ll be accompanied by the God I know and will pray only that
in his perfect wisdom he will show us more and more of his beauty.
Back to the Future
Are
you growing in your understanding of who God is? Are you growing in
your love for him? In what ways does your life show this to be true?
What can you do to gain a deeper understanding of who God is?
Why should you pursue a deeper understanding of God? Why does God want you to do so?
Read Jethro’s Story: Read the rest of the story in Exodus 2:11—4:18.
Friend to Friend One day when my kids were little and playing with Play-Dough at the
kitchen table, they enthusiastically called me over to view their
creative masterpieces. I noticed that my son Hunter had used a small
cookie cutter to make a bunch of blue stars. As I looked at the work of
his small hands, I was reminded of a Bible verse. So I asked them,
“Did you guys know that the Bible talks about stars?” I continued, “It
says that God made all of the stars in the sky and has named each one!”
Without hesitation my daughter Kennedy, who was five years old at the
time, excitedly responded “Like George, Junior, and Kelsey?” After the laugher waned, we had a simple, yet special conversation
about God’s love for us. I really enjoy those moments of simplicity.
The times when we pause to think about God’s handiwork and His Word as
it applies to us. I can’t help but shake my head when I consider this
thought: if God directed His attention to the stars and named each and
every last one, how much more does He direct His attention to His children who are made in His image and purposed in His love? It’s not uncommon for me to watch my children play in the backyard.
While I do care what they say to one another, how they behave, and if
they’re safe, I love to watch them just because they’re my kids…because
I love them. Do you know that God delights in you and loves you simply because
you are His? Not because of what you do or don’t do … not because of
what you say or don’t say … not because of what neighborhood you live
in or what dress size you wear. He just – flat out – loves you! Psalm 145:20a says, “The LORD watches over all who love him….” I’m so glad that I don’t have to perform for God in order to be loved by Him. Just like the stars in the heavens, we were handmade by the Master
of Life. He watches over us, loves us, and extends mercy to us through
Jesus. I need that mercy daily. We all do. I hope that today you will intentionally remember this and look for
opportunities to extend that same attention, love, and mercy to the
people in your life. Let’s Pray Dear God, Thank You for loving me just because I’m Yours. I’ve spent too many days not relishing that simple truth. Please open the eyes of my heart to how
personal Your love is and give me to strength to extend that love to the
people in my life. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen. Now It’s Your Turn Tell your child, children, or a special child in your life that you
love them, unconditionally, regardless of what they do or say. Have you extended love to a friend recently? Call someone today with a word of unsolicited encouragement. Write God a love letter – thank Him, worship Him and love Him. More from the Girlfriends FREE EBOOK: Gwen Smith is a speaker, worship leader, songwriter, and author of the new book, I Want I ALL,
which includes a Bible Study Guide right in the back of the book; no
extra purchase required. I WANT IT ALL is easy to read yet contains
compelling and challenging content. You'll connect with the stories,
probably dust off a few heart dreams, think bigger thoughts of God,
laugh and smile a lot, search your soul, and even cry a little ...
because each page lovingly directs you to the personal grace and truth
of JESUS. (CLICK HERE to get a FREE Downloadable “7 Day I WANT IT ALL” Devotional Ebook.)
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