LHM Daily Devotion - July 25, 2017 "Only Jesus"

Saint Samuel is a beloved man, an individual who is highly respected...

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

"Only Jesus"

July 25, 2017

Now when they heard these things they were enraged ... But he, (Stephen) full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and ... he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." But they ... cast him out of the city and stoned him. ... And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

~ see Acts 7:54-60 (ESV)

Saint Samuel is a beloved man, an individual who is highly respected by members of the Egyptian Coptic Church. An ascetic monk who lived in the 600s, Samuel was known for doing without food and drink for a week at a time. More importantly, he was tortured for his faith but refused to deny his beliefs. According to tradition, Samuel built the monastery which bears his name in Qalamun, Egypt.

Now all that information might be incredibly boring to you. I hope it becomes less so when I share.

In May of this year a busload of Christian Copts were headed to that monastery when a group of jihadists attacked their bus. About ten masked terrorists opened fire on the vehicle with machine guns. The unarmed riders had no choice but to get off the bus and meet their attackers face to face.

For the Christian men the visit was a short one as they were mercilessly gunned down and martyred.

With 26 dead, and 25 wounded, the remaining women were forced to stand alone before the murderers who had just killed their sons, fathers, husbands, and friends. According to Mariam Adel, a survivor of that day, the terrorists had only one message for the ladies. The women were told they could either "renounce Christ and convert to Islam or they could be killed."

Now I would like to stop the narrative and ask you, what would you have said in reply?

• Would you have done what was demanded and then repent, saying, "I really didn't mean it."
• Would you have said, "It doesn't make any difference; one god is as good as another god?

Knowing your life hung in the balance, what would you have said?

Adel shares the reply of the ladies. Looking down the barrel of a gun, surrounded by their dead friends and family, the women echoed the confession of St. Samuel from many centuries earlier. Boldly they confessed: "Renounce our faith? Of course not! We only want Jesus and we are confident He will not leave us."

Surprisingly, this confession seemed to shock the terrorists who refrained from causing more death. Instead, they decided to steal everything of value from the courageous Christian women.

My friends, by God's grace, we may never have to endure such physical threats. Far more likely are pressures that will come as we follow our risen Redeemer and live a lifestyle different than that of the world. No matter what type of persecution we encounter, may we remain faithful to the Lord whose grace sent His Son into the world to offer His life as the ransom which saves us.

May each of us boldly say, "I want Jesus and I am confident He will not leave me."

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, grant that those who encounter the representatives of this sinful world and Satan might be strong in their resistance. Keep us all in the fellowship so we might be faithful unto death and., in the end, receive the crown of life. In Jesus' Name. Amen

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

CPTLN Devocional de 25 de Julio de 2017

Alimento Diario

Hallando lo que se había perdido

25 de Julio 2017

¿O qué mujer, si tiene diez monedas y pierde una de ellas, no enciende la lámpara, y barre la casa, y busca con cuidado la moneda, hasta encontrarla? Y cuando la encuentra, reúne a sus amigas y vecinas, y les dice: "¡Alégrense conmigo, porque he encontrado la moneda que se me había perdido!" Yo les digo a ustedes que el mismo gozo hay delante de los ángeles de Dios por un pecador que se arrepiente.

~ Lucas 15:8-10 (RVC)

Annat ama mucho a su madre, y así es como debe ser.

Queriendo demostrar su amor, Annat se levantó temprano un domingo por la mañana para conseguir una buena oferta y poder comprar un colchón para regalarle de sorpresa a su madre. Después de comprarlo lo llevó a la casa de su madre, lo arrastró como pudo escaleras arriba, lo colocó en la cama, y se deshizo del colchón viejo.

De más está decir que fue un hermoso acto de amor... excepto que hubo un pequeño problema. Por muchos años, la madre de Annat había usado el viejo colchón como banco donde guardaba su dinero en efectivo... ¡cerca de un millón de dólares! Un millón de dólares que ahora se encontraba en algún lugar del basurero de la ciudad.

Como se imaginarán, Annat y su mamá, junto con un grupo de voluntarios, fueron al basurero de la ciudad para tratar de localizar ese colchón. Y me imagino que, al igual que la mujer en la parábola que contó Jesús, habrán buscado hasta encontrar lo que habían perdido.

Lo cual nos lleva al tema de la devoción de hoy, que no es acerca de colchones o dinero perdidos, sino acerca de las personas que están perdidas espiritualmente y necesitan ser encontradas. Más específicamente, esas personas que están cerca suyo, esas personas a quienes usted conoce y quiere mucho, esas personas que, por diferentes motivos, creen que no necesitan al Salvador.

Esto es lo que propongo: que las decenas de miles de personas que leen estos devocionales unamos nuestros corazones y nuestras oraciones, y presentemos ante el Señor a todos nuestros seres queridos que están perdidos.

Así pues, en la oración que sigue, sustituya el nombre de su moneda o colchón perdido, por el de esa persona que usted ama y que está perdida. Tome un momento extra para pensar en esa persona o personas... y sepa que miles de miles de hermanos en la fe están haciendo lo mismo.

ORACIÓN: Amantísimo Señor Jesús, que viniste a este mundo a dar tu vida para salvar a los pecadores, traigo ante tu presencia la vida de NOMBRE, a quien amo y estimo. Él/ella está perdido/a y necesita ser encontrado/a. Junto con mis hermanos en la fe te pido que el Espíritu Santo toque su corazón, para que junto con los ángeles en el cielo podamos alegrarnos por el perdido que ha sido encontrado. En tu nombre lo ruego. Amén.

© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. ¡Utilice estas devociones en sus boletines! Usado con permiso. Todos los derechos reservados por la Int'l LLL.

Our Daily Bread - What We Bring Back

Read: Psalm 37:1–6, 23–27

Bible in a Year: Psalms 37–39; Acts 26

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I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.  Psalm 37:25

John F. Burns spent forty years covering world events for The New York Times. In an article written after his retirement in 2015, Burns recalled the words of a close friend and fellow journalist who was dying of cancer. “Never forget,” his colleague said, “It’s not how far you’ve traveled; it’s what you’ve brought back.”

Psalm 37 could be considered David’s list of what he “brought back” from his journey of life, from shepherd to soldier and king. The psalm is a series of couplets contrasting the wicked with the righteous, and affirming those who trust the Lord.

“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither” (vv. 1–2).

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand” (vv. 23–24).

“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread” (v. 25).

From our experiences in life, what has God taught us? How have we experienced His faithfulness and love? In what ways has the Lord’s love shaped our lives?

It’s not how far we’ve traveled in life, but what we’ve brought back that counts.

Dear Lord, thank You for walking with me throughout my life. Help me to remember Your faithfulness.

As the years add up, God’s faithfulness keeps multiplying.

By David C. McCasland

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Ministérios Pão Diário - O coração de Mariana

Leia: Tiago 1:19-27

A Bíblia em um ano: Salmos 37–39, Atos 26

Quando Mariana estava no terceiro ano da escola, ela sempre voltava para casa sem as suas luvas de inverno. A mãe dela se irritava porque sempre tinha que comprar luvas novas e a família não tinha condições para isso. Certo dia, a mãe ficou furiosa e lhe disse: “Mariana, você precisa ser mais responsável. Isso não pode continuar assim!”

A menina começou a chorar. Em lágrimas, contou à mãe que, como ganhava luvas novas, ela podia dar as velhas para outras crianças que não as tinham.

Agora, com 18 anos, os passatempos de Mariana incluem ser voluntária na comunidade e mentora de crianças num centro urbano. Sobre o seu desejo em ajudar as pessoas, ela diz simplesmente que sente ser essa “a coisa que deve fazer”.

Como cristãos, nós também devemos ter o coração benevolente. Tiago nos diz para ouvirmos a Palavra de Deus e praticar o que ela diz (1:22,23). Mas ele não diz apenas que devemos obedecer, pois nos dá instruções específicas sobre o que devemos fazer. Em seguida, apresenta uma forma prática de como podemos dar de nós mesmos aos outros: “…visitar os órfãos e as viúvas nas suas tribulações…” (v.27).

Peça que Deus lhe dê um coração como o de Mariana, e impelido pelo amor a Deus, obedeça ao que Ele lhe pedir. É isso que devemos fazer.

Você pode doar sem amar, mas não pode amar sem doar.

por Anne Cetas

© 2017 Ministérios Pão Diário

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Điều Chúng Ta Mang Về

Đọc: Thi thiên 37:1-6, 23-27

Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Thi thiên 37-39; Công vụ 26

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Trước kia tôi còn trẻ, nay đã già, tôi chẳng hề thấy người công chính nào bị bỏ, hay dòng dõi người ấy đi ăn mày. Thi thiên 37:25

John F. Burns đã dành bốn mươi năm theo dõi các sự kiện thế giới để cung cấp tin tức cho tờ báo The New York Times. Trong một bài báo được viết sau khi ông nghỉ hưu vào năm 2015, Burns nhớ lại lời của một người bạn thân, cũng là đồng nghiệp làm báo, đang hấp hối vì bệnh ung thư. Đồng nghiệp ấy nói rằng: “Đừng bao giờ quên, anh đã đi xa thế nào không quan trọng; quan trọng là anh đã mang về được những gì.”

Thi Thiên 37 có thể được xem là danh sách những điều Đa-vít “mang về” từ hành trình cuộc đời mình, từ người chăn đến người lính rồi làm vua. Thi Thiên này là một loạt các cặp câu nêu lên sự tương phản giữa kẻ ác với người công chính và làm vững lòng những người tin cậy Chúa.

“Chớ phiền lòng vì kẻ làm dữ, cũng đừng ganh tị kẻ làm điều gian ác. Vì chẳng bao lâu chúng sẽ bị phát như cỏ, và phải héo như cỏ tươi xanh” (c.1-2).

“Các bước của người thuộc về Đức Giê-hô-va được vững chãi, Ngài ưa thích đường lối người ấy. Dù người có vấp ngã cũng không nằm sải dài vì Đức Giê-hô-va đưa tay nâng đỡ người ấy” (c.23-24).

“Trước kia tôi còn trẻ, nay đã già, tôi chẳng hề thấy người công chính nào bị bỏ, hay dòng dõi người ấy đi ăn mày” (c.25).

Chúa đã dạy chúng ta điều gì từ những trải nghiệm trong cuộc sống? Chúng ta đã kinh nghiệm sự thành tín và tình yêu của Ngài ra sao? Tình yêu của Chúa đã định hình cuộc sống của chúng ta như thế nào?

Chúng ta đã đi xa thế nào không quan trọng; quan trọng là chúng ta đã mang về được những gì.”

Lạy Chúa, cảm ơn Ngài đã đồng hành cùng con suốt cuộc đời. Xin giúp con nhớ đến lòng thành tín của Ngài.

Khi năm tháng thêm lên, sự thành tín của Chúa cũng thêm lên gấp bội.

bởi David McCasland

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Lo que traemos del viaje

Leer: Salmo 37:1-6, 23-27

La Biblia en un año: Salmos 37–39; Hechos 26

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Joven fui, y he envejecido, y no he visto justo desamparado, ni su descendencia que mendigue pan (v. 25).

John F. Burns pasó 40 años cubriendo acontecimientos mundiales para el New York Times. En un artículo que escribió después de jubilarse, recordó las palabras de un amigo periodista que estaba muriendo de cáncer: «Nunca olvides que no se trata de cuán lejos viajaste, sino de lo que trajiste a tu regreso».

El Salmo 37 podría considerarse una lista de David de lo que «trajo» de su viaje por la vida, de pastor a soldado, y luego a rey. El salmo es una serie de contrastes entre los malos y los justos, y reconoce a los que confían en el Señor.

«No te impacientes a causa de los malignos, ni tengas envidia de los que hacen iniquidad. Porque como hierba serán pronto cortados, y como la hierba verde se secarán» (vv. 1-2).

«Por el Señor son ordenados los pasos del hombre, y él aprueba su camino. Cuando el hombre cayere, no quedará postrado, porque el Señor sostiene su mano» (vv. 23-24).

«Joven fui, y he envejecido, y no he visto justo desamparado, ni su descendencia que mendigue pan» (v. 25).

De nuestra experiencia en la vida, ¿qué nos ha enseñado Dios? ¿Cómo hemos experimentado su fidelidad y amor? ¿De qué maneras el amor del Señor ha formado nuestras vidas?

Lo importante no es lo lejos que llevamos, sino lo que traemos de nuestro viaje.

Señor, gracias por caminar conmigo por la vida.

A medida que los años se suman, la fidelidad de Dios se multiplica.

Por David C. McCasland

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Was wir zurückbringen

Lesen: Psalm 37,1-6.23-27

Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: Psalm 37–39; Apostelgeschichte 26

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Ich bin jung gewesen und alt geworden und habe noch nie den Gerechten verlassen gesehen und seine Kinder um Brot betteln. Psalm 37,25

John F. Burns hat vierzig Jahre für die New York Times aus aller Welt berichtet. In einem Artikel nach seiner Pensionierung im Jahr 2015 schreibt er von dem Rat eines guten Freundes und Kollegen, der an Krebs gestorben war. „Vergiss nie“, hatte dieser Kollege gesagt, „es kommt nicht darauf an, wie weit du gereist bist. Wichtig ist, was du mit zurückbringst.“

Psalm 37 könnte man als Davids Liste von dem bezeichnen, was er von seinem Weg durchs Leben vom Hirten zum Soldaten und König mit zurückgebracht hat. Der Psalm besteht aus einer Reihe von Versen, in denen die Bösen mit den Gerechten verglichen und die gelobt werden, die dem Herrn vertrauen.

„Entrüste dich nicht über die Bösen, sei nicht neidisch auf die Übeltäter. Denn wie das Gras werden sie bald verdorren“ (V.1-2).

„Von dem Herrn kommt es, wenn eines Mannes Schritte fest werden, und er hat Gefallen an seinem Wege. Fällt er, so stürzt er doch nicht, denn der Herr hält ihn fest an der Hand“ (V.23-24).

„Ich bin jung gewesen und alt geworden und habe noch nie den Gerechten verlassen gesehen und seine Kinder um Brot betteln“ (V.25).

Wie haben wir Gott in unserem Leben erfahren? Seine Treue und Liebe? Wie hat seine Nähe unser Leben geprägt?

Es kommt nicht darauf an, wie weit wir im Leben gereist sind. Wichtig ist, was wir zurückbringen.

Lieber Herr, hab Dank, dass du mit mir durchs Leben gehst. Hilf mir, immer an deine Treue zu denken.

Mit zunehmendem Alter erleben wir auch immer mehr von Gottes Treue.

Von David C. McCasland

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Ce que l’on ramène avec soi

Lisez : Psaume 37.1‑6,23‑27

La Bible en un an : PSAUMES 37 – 39 et ACTES 26

J’ai été jeune, j’ai vieilli ; et je n’ai point vu le juste abandonné, ni sa postérité mendiant son pain. V. 25

John F. Burns a passé quarante ans à couvrir les événements du monde pour le journal The New York Times. Dans un article ultérieur à son entrée en retraite en 2015, Burns citait un ami intime, lui aussi journaliste, que le cancer était sur le point d’emporter : « N’oublie jamais que l’important n’est pas la distance que tu auras parcourue, mais ce que tu auras ramené. »

On pourrait considérer le Psaume 37 comme la liste de ce que David « a ramené » de son voyage de vie, l’ayant fait passer de berger à soldat, puis à roi. Ce psaume constitue une suite de couplets établissant le contraste entre le méchant et le juste et confirmant ceux qui ont foi dans le Seigneur.

« Ne t’irrite pas contre les méchants, n’envie pas ceux qui font le mal. Car ils sont fauchés aussi vite que l’herbe » (V. 1,2).

« L’Éternel affermit les pas de l’homme, et il prend plaisir à sa voie ; s’il tombe, il n’est pas terrassé, car l’Éternel lui prend la main » (V. 23,24).

« J’ai été jeune, j’ai vieilli ; et je n’ai point vu le juste abandonné, ni sa postérité mendiant son pain » (V. 25).

Qu’est‑ce que Dieu nous a enseigné par notre vécu ? En quoi avons‑nous fait l’expérience de sa fidélité et de son amour ? Comment l’amour du Seigneur a‑t‑il façonné notre vie ?

Ce qui compte, ce n’est pas la distance que l’on aura parcourue dans la vie, mais plutôt ce que l’on aura ramené avec soi.

Les années s’additionnent, alors que la fidélité de Dieu se multiplie.

par David C. McCasland

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Головне досягнення

Читати: Псалом 36:1-6, 23-27

Біблія за рік: Псалми 37−39 ; Дії 26

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Я був молодий і постарівся, та не бачив я праведного, щоб опущений був, ні нащадків його, щоб хліба просили. — Псалом 36:25

Джон Бьорнс на протязі 40 років висвітлював світові події у видавництві “Нью-Йорк Таймс”. У своїй статті, написаній вже після виходу на пенсію у 2015 році, Бьорнс цитує слова свого близького друга й колеги, який, вмираючи від раку, сказав: “Ніколи не забувай: головне не те, як далеко ти забрався, а те, з чим ти повернувся назад”.

Псалом 36 можна розглядати як список досягнень у житті Давида, що починав кар’єру як пастух, а завершив як цар. Цей Псалом складається з серії контрастних порівнянь нечестивих з праведними, і підбадьорює тих, хто покладаються на Господа.

“Не розпалюйся гнівом своїм на злочинців, не май заздрости до беззаконних, бо вони, як трава, будуть скоро покошені, і мов та зелена билина − пов’януть!” (Пс. 36:1-2).

“Від Господа кроки людини побожної ставляться міцно, і Він любить дорогу її; коли ж упаде, то не буде покинена, бо руку її підпирає Господь” (Пс. 36:23-24).

“Я був молодий і постарівся, та не бачив я праведного, щоб опущений був, ні нащадків його, щоб хліба просили” (Пс. 36:25).

А чому навчив Бог нас через життєвий досвід? Як ми відчуваємо Його вірність та любов? Яким чином Божа любов формує нас, наше життя? Важливо не те, чого ми досягли в житті, а те, якими ми зрештою стали.

Дорогий Господи, дякую за те, що крокуєш поруч зі мною через все моє життя. Допоможи не забувати про Твою вірність.

Роки додаються, а Божа вірність примножується.

Автор Давид Маккасланд

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Багаж

Читать сейчас: Псалом 36:1-6, 23-27

Библия за год: Псалтирь 36–38; Деяния 26

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Я был молод и состарился – и не видел праведника оставленным и потомков его просящими хлеба. — Псалом 36:25

Джон Бернс провел сорок лет, освещая мировые события для издания «Нью-Йорк Таймс». В статье, написанной после выхода на пенсию в 2015 г., Бернс вспоминает слова близкого друга и коллеги журналиста, умиравшего от рака. «Никогда не забывай, – сказал он, – важно не то, как далеко ты забрался, а то, что ты принес назад».

Псалом 36 можно считать своеобразной ведомостью того, что принес с собой Давид из долгого путешествия по жизни, в которой он был пастухом, воином и царем. Псалом представляет собой ряд куплетов, в которых нечестивые противопоставляются праведным, а также высказывается похвала тем, кто уповает на Господа.

«Не ревнуй злодеям, не завидуй делающим беззаконие, ибо они, как трава, скоро будут подкошены и, как зеленеющий злак, увянут» (Пс. 36:1-2).

«Господом утверждаются стопы такого человека, и Он благоволит к пути его: когда он будет падать, не упадет, ибо Господь поддерживает его за руку» (Пс. 36:23-24).

«Я был молод и состарился – и не видел праведника оставленным и потомков его просящими хлеба» (Пс. 36:25).

А чему научил Господь нас? Довелось ли нам увидеть на жизненном пути Его верность и любовь? Каким образом эта любовь повлияла на нас? Важно не то, насколько далеким было наше путешествие, а то, что мы привезли с собой.

Дорогой Господь, благодарю Тебя за благословенное сопровождение в течение всей жизни. Помоги мне не забывать Твоей верности.

Годы прибавляются, а Божья верность умножается.

автор: Дэвид Маккасланд

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for MONDAY, July 24, 2017

... have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation (Acts 13:47)

Opening Sentence

I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord." Psalm 122:1

Morning Prayer

I  call upon you, O Lord. In the morning you hear me; in the morning I offer you my prayer, watching and waiting.

I lift my heart to you, O Lord, to be strengthened for this day. Be with me in all I do, my God; guide me in all my ways.

I will carry some burdens today; some trials will be mine. So I wait for your help, Lord, lest I stumble and fall.

I will do my work, Father, the work begun by your Son. He lives in me and I in him; may his work today be done.

Amen

Confession and Forgiveness

Almighty God, who does freely pardon all who repent and turn to Him, now fulfill in every contrite heart the promise of redeeming grace; forgiving all our sins, and cleansing us from an evil conscience; through the perfect sacrifice of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

~ The Book of Common Worship, 1946

Today's Readings

The First Reading is taken from 1 Samuel 24:1-22

When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, "David is in the wilderness of En-gedi." Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to look for David and his men in the direction of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. He came to the sheepfolds beside the road, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. The men of David said to him, "Here is the day of which the LORD said to you, 'I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it seems good to you.'" Then David went and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's cloak. Afterward David was stricken to the heart because he had cut off a corner of Saul's cloak. He said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD's anointed, to raise my hand against him; for he is the LORD's anointed." So David scolded his men severely and did not permit them to attack Saul. Then Saul got up and left the cave, and went on his way. Afterwards David also rose up and went out of the cave and called after Saul, "My lord the king!" When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the ground, and did obeisance. David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of those who say, 'David seeks to do you harm'? This very day your eyes have seen how the LORD gave you into my hand in the cave; and some urged me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, 'I will not raise my hand against my lord; for he is the LORD's anointed.' See, my father, see the corner of your cloak in my hand; for by the fact that I cut off the corner of your cloak, and did not kill you, you may know for certain that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you are hunting me to take my life. May the LORD judge between me and you! May the LORD avenge me on you; but my hand shall not be against you. As the ancient proverb says, 'Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness' but my hand shall not be against you. Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A single flea? May the LORD therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you. May he see to it, and plead my cause, and vindicate me against you." When David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" Saul lifted up his voice and wept. He said to David, "You are more righteous than I; for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. Today you have explained how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the LORD put me into your hands. For who has ever found an enemy, and sent the enemy safely away? So may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. Now I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. Swear to me therefore by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants after me, and that you will not wipe out my name from my father's house." So David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home; but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

The Second Reading is taken from Acts 13:44-52

The next sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy; and blaspheming, they contradicted what was spoken by Paul. Then both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, 'I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord; and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers. Thus the word of the Lord spread throughout the region. But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their region. So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Gospel is written in Mark 4:1-20

Again he began to teach beside the sea. Such a very large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the sea and sat there, while the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: "Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold." And he said, "Let anyone with ears to hear listen!" When he was alone, those who were around him along with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables; in order that 'they may indeed look, but not perceive, and may indeed listen, but not understand; so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.'" And he said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. These are the ones on the path where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: when they hear the word, they immediately receive it with joy. But they have no root, and endure only for a while; then, when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. And others are those sown among the thorns: these are the ones who hear the word, but the cares of the world, and the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it yields nothing. And these are the ones sown on the good soil: they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold."

Morning Psalms

Psalm 41 Beatus qui intelligit
1   Happy are they who consider the poor and needy! the LORD will deliver them in the time of trouble.
2   The LORD preserves them and keeps them alive, so that they may be happy in the land; he does not hand them over to the will of their enemies.
3   The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and ministers to them in their illness.
4   I said, "LORD, be merciful to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you."
5   My enemies are saying wicked things about me: "When will he die, and his name perish?"
6   Even if they come to see me, they speak empty words; their heart collects false rumors; they go outside and spread them.
7   All my enemies whisper together about me and devise evil against me.
8   A deadly thing, they say, has fastened on him; he has taken to his bed and will never get up again.
9   Even my best friend, whom I trusted, who broke bread with me, has lifted up his heel and turned against me.
10   But you, O LORD, be merciful to me and raise me up, and I shall repay them.
11   By this I know you are pleased with me, that my enemy does not triumph over me.
12   In my integrity you hold me fast, and shall set me before your face for ever.
13   Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, from age to age. Amen. Amen.

Psalm 52 Quid gloriaris?
1   You tyrant, why do you boast of wickedness against the godly all day long?
2   You plot ruin; your tongue is like a sharpened razor, O worker of deception.
3   You love evil more than good and lying more than speaking the truth.
4   You love all words that hurt, O you deceitful tongue.
5   Oh, that God would demolish you utterly, topple you, and snatch you from your dwelling, and root you out of the land of the living!
6   The righteous shall see and tremble, and they shall laugh at him, saying,
7   This is the one who did not take God for a refuge, but trusted in great wealth and relied upon wickedness.
8   But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
9   I will give you thanks for what you have done and declare the goodness of your Name in the presence of the godly.

Evening Psalms

Psalm 44 Deus, auribus
1   We have heard with our ears, O God, our forefathers have told us, the deeds you did in their days, in the days of old.
2   How with your hand you drove the peoples out and planted our forefathers in the land; how you destroyed nations and made your people flourish.
3   For they did not take the land by their sword, nor did their arm win the victory for them; but your right hand, your arm, and the light of your countenance, because you favored them.
4   You are my King and my God; you command victories for Jacob.
5   Through you we pushed back our adversaries; through your Name we trampled on those who rose up against us.
6   For I do not rely on my bow, and my sword does not give me the victory.
7   Surely, you gave us victory over our adversaries and put those who hate us to shame.
8   Every day we gloried in God, and we will praise your Name for ever.
9   Nevertheless, you have rejected and humbled us and do not go forth with our armies.
10   You have made us fall back before our adversary, and our enemies have plundered us.
11   You have made us like sheep to be eaten and have scattered us among the nations.
12   You are selling your people for a trifle and are making no profit on the sale of them.
13   You have made us the scorn of our neighbors, a mockery and derision to those around us.
14   You have made us a byword among the nations, a laughing-stock among the peoples.
15   My humiliation is daily before me, and shame has covered my face;
16   Because of the taunts of the mockers and blasphemers, because of the enemy and avenger.
17   All this has come upon us; yet we have not forgotten you, nor have we betrayed your covenant.
18   Our heart never turned back, nor did our footsteps stray from your path;
19   Though you thrust us down into a place of misery, and covered us over with deep darkness.
20   If we have forgotten the Name of our God, or stretched out our hands to some strange god,
21   Will not God find it out? for he knows the secrets of the heart.
22   Indeed, for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
23   Awake, O Lord! why are you sleeping? Arise! do not reject us for ever.
24   Why have you hidden your face and forgotten our affliction and oppression?
25   We sink down into the dust; our body cleaves to the ground.
26   Rise up, and help us, and save us, for the sake of your steadfast love.

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

Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous;
Teach me to serve you as you deserve;
To give and not to count the cost,
To fight and not heed the wounds,
To toil and not seek for rest,
To labor and not to seek reward,
Save that of knowing that I do your will.
Amen.

~ adapted from a prayer of St. Ignatius Loyola (Catholic), 1540

A Prayer for Trustfulness

O  Most loving Father, who wills us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you, who cares for us; Preserve me from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from me the light of that love which is immortal, and which you manifested unto us in your Son, 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.

This catchy calypso song, based on Psalm
137, was a popular hit around 1980.

By the Rivers of Babylon

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

Closing Prayer

And now, as a little child, let me abide in you all this day, oh Christ, so that when you appear I may have confidence and not shrink from you in shame at your coming. For I know that you are righteous, and I am sure that I will be made righteous only by my life in you. 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 MONDAY, July 24, 2017

Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous;
Teach me to serve you as you deserve;
To give and not to count the cost,
To fight and not heed the wounds,
To toil and not seek for rest,
To labor and not to seek reward,
Save that of knowing that I do your will.
Amen.

~ adapted from a prayer of St. Ignatius Loyola (Catholic), 1540

Verse of the Day for MONDAY, July 24, 2017

Psalm 112:5 (NIV) Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.

Read all of Psalm 112

Listen to Psalm 112

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 - Shake Off the Dust

And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.

~ Matthew 10:11-14 (ESV)

Christ charged us, and anointed us, with what is called the Great Commission. Our job is to go forth into the world and proclaim the Good News of salvation through Christ, so that all the world may hear it and have a chance to know it. But not all who hear it will receive it. Many will reject it, some vehemently and with mockery and sarcasm, and even violence. This is not our problem.

If we read the first verse of the quote carefully, we might suddenly realize an enormous implication to the worlds “find out who is worthy in it.” Christ does not tell us, “harangue those who scoff and argue until they agree with you.” He does not tell us, “Make them accept your words by threats and bribes.” He tells us, rather, that it is they who must show whether they are worthy, not we who must prove that Christ is worthy. We are not trying to sell them something. We are trying to give them life.

If they reject our message, it is not a reflection on us. We must not become frustrated (although we might be disappointed or sad). It is not part of our Great Commission to fit a round peg in a square hole.

Secondly, consider the implication of “let your peace return to you.” Christ seems to intend this to mean, “Do not attempt to bless a house that rejects your message.” But we might extend it to our own state of mind: “Be at peace when you bring the Word of Christ to someone and they reject it.” We cannot let a lost soul disturb our peace; we should not feel frustrated. It is human nature to argue and try to win and argument, when you know you are right, and to feel frustrated when someone will not listen to you. We are not selling ourselves; we are not trying to prove that we are correct or smart or wise. We seek their victory, not our own. Those who will not hear us have not rejected us; it is prideful to cast the rejection in such terms. They have rejected Christ, not us.

And finally, “shake off the dust from your feet” when you leave. In other words: fuhgeddaboudit. It is not our job to save the world; it is rather our job to inform those in the world so that they might accept salvation, if they want it. The world will destroy itself, and the unredeemed will destroy themselves with it. Judgment is not ours to make and forgiveness is not ours to give. God’s Holy Spirit will flow from us to anyone who willingly accepts Christ, and nobody else.

Lord, let me be bold in witnessing to salvation through Christ, and at peace when someone rejects it. 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 - La mentira

Aparta de mí el camino de la mentira, y en tu misericordia concédeme tu ley.

~ Salmo 119:29 (RV-60)

El tema de la mentira tiene mucha tela por donde cortar. Todos hemos mentido y seguiremos mintiendo. El que niegue esto ya está mintiendo.

La mentira puede tomar tanta fuerza en una persona que se considera una enfermedad. Se le llama «mitomanía», que es la forma incontrolada de mentir, donde el mitómano hace de la mentira su modus vivendi. Las personas mienten sin medir los alcances de la mentira. En realidad, es terrible.

El Manual de Instrucciones reprende con fuerza la mentira y dice que Dios la aborrece. Eso lo encontramos en Proverbios 12:22 «El Señor aborrece a los de labios mentirosos, pero se complace en los que actúan con lealtad». También la Biblia dice que el padre de mentiras es Satanás y tú debes saber que es precisamente el diablo el que nos induce a la mentira.

Tú y yo, como hijos de Dios, debemos evitar la mentira. Además, recuerda que para Dios todas las mentiras son iguales, incluso las que llamamos blancas, porque mentir es un pecado ante sus ojos. ¡Vaya! ¡Qué tremendo! Esto es algo a lo que estamos expuestos todos los días de la vida. Por ejemplo, nos llama alguien y mandamos a decir que no estamos en casa.

Establezcamos hoy la conciencia de que mentir nos aleja de la comunión con Dios.

Recordemos también que si somos mentirosos, eso es lo que estamos sembrando y, por supuesto, lo cosecharemos también.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón

Standing Strong Through the Storm - PURIFIED BY THE REFINER’S FIRE

He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness…

~ Malachi 3:3 (NIV)

It sounds easy to say we will always forgive others but what happens in your heart when your own son is brutally murdered. How can God make good come from that terrible event?

For answers, we go (in two parts) to the southern Philippines where a decade ago Severino (Junie) Bagtasos, a young pastor, was sitting in the front row of his church in Alat listening to his sister conclude her Sunday message about heaven. Suddenly a man barged into the chapel. Two loud bangs were heard. Before anyone could make sense of what happened, Severino lay lifeless in a pool of blood. The killer made his escape as the distraught church members gathered around their pastor, killed instantly by gunshots to his chest and cheek.

His mother, Purificacion, says, “I miss my son. Junie was the most caring of all my children. He would always offer help when I was cooking. He would often ask me and his father advice whenever he was beset with difficulties in the ministry because his church members were older than him. I was blessed by Junie’s sincerity and faithfulness in the ministry. Nothing could hinder him from going to his Bible studies. Heavy downpours and floods could not keep him from bringing the Word of God to those who needed to hear it. Death threats did not stop him.”

There is not even a hint of bitterness as Purificacion speaks of that painful time. “During one of the services held at the wake of my son, my husband told the congregation, ‘We forgive the person who killed our son. If that person is here, I want you to know that we forgive you. If he is not here, and if anyone of you knows him, please tell him that we forgive him. The God we serve is the God of love and we want to show that love to you.’”

But there were those who didn’t share these convictions. She adds, “Some of my husband’s relatives who were also Muslims got angry at him for saying this. They were eager to avenge Junie’s death. It’s part of their culture. But my husband restrained them and told them that our God is a God who also forgives. We chose to forgive our son’s murderer.”

Purificacion shares what she thinks now was one of God’s reasons for her losing Junie. “After my son’s death, many Christians whose faith had grown cold were ushered back to the Lord.” Now after a decade has passed, she continues to see God’s hand in it all. She adds, “I believe Junie’s death was part of God’s plan. It was His way of opening the doors that have long been shut. You see, before the death of my son, Chinese-Tausug believers were scattered all over Jolo [their island in southern Philippines]. Many of them stopped attending the worship services.

When my son began the work in Alat [a predominantly Muslim town], little by little these believers started to gather again. Junie, their pastor, loved them dearly and was truly passionate for the ministry. One by one they started coming to church again. Before long, these believers were on fire once more and got involved in the work of God.” God’s refining at work!

RESPONSE: Today I will live in the awareness of God’s refining plan for His Kingdom’s expansion.

PRAYER: Lord, purify Your Church and help me to accept whatever consequences this will have.

Women of the Bible - Huldah

Her name means: "Weasel"

Her character: Trusted by the king with a matter of great importance, she was a prophetess whose word ignited a significant religious reform.
Her sorrow: That God's people refused to respond to him with loving obedience, ignoring repeated warnings about the consequences of their unfaithfulness.
Her joy: As a prophetess, she was privileged to be a messenger of God.
Key Scriptures: 2 Kings 22:14-20; 2 Chronicles 34:22-33

Her Story

She pressed the leather scroll against her breast, as though cradling a living being. The high priest, Hilkiah, and several other men of Jerusalem stood before her. King Josiah wanted to know—would the words of the Book of the Law, which Hilkiah had just discovered in the temple, come to pass?

Holding the scroll by its wooden handles, she unrolled it carefully and began reading:

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength…. Fear the Lord your God, serve him only, and take your oaths in his name. Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land" (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, 13-15).

"Cursed in the city and cursed in the country … sudden ruin because of what you have done … wasting disease … madness, blindness and confusion … an object of scorn and ridicule to all the nations … because you did not obey the Lord your God" (cf. Deuteronomy 28:15-68).

Though her voice was steady, Huldah's throat felt sore from the effort of speaking such words aloud, terrible threats that made her eyes well over, warnings that spawned vision upon vision from the past. In her mind, she watched as Judah's kings Ahaz and Manasseh sacrificed their sons to pagan deities. She saw the smoke of incense rising before pagan idols in the temple. She looked on as prophets were murdered, as diviners and sorcerers were honored, as kings bowed down to the stars and the people followed suit, prostituting themselves to false gods and spurning the advances of the Almighty. She saw the children of Israel marching in chains from the land of milk and honey. Her face flushed as a burning sensation rushed through her body and searing words spilled from her lips:

"This is what the Lord says: 'I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people, according to everything written in the book the king of Judah has read. Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and provoked me to anger by all the idols their hands have made, my anger will burn against this place and will not be quenched.' Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord: 'Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people, that they would become accursed and laid waste, and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord. Therefore I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.' "

Huldah is one of only four women with an authentic prophetic ministry mentioned in the Old Testament (along with Miriam, Deborah, and Isaiah's wife). Though prophets like Jeremiah and Zephaniah were also active at the time, King Josiah consulted Huldah about the amazing discovery of the Book of the Law (material that probably forms the core of the book of Deuteronomy).

Beyond the brief scene imaginatively retold above, we know little of her story—only that God entrusted her with his word in a time of national crisis. A hundred years earlier, Judah had witnessed God's punishment of the northern kingdom. Faithless Israel had been led captive to Assyria, just as the prophets had warned. Huldah surely knew the sordid details. She could not have missed its frightening significance for Judah. She may also have endured part of Manasseh's fifty-five-year reign, the longest and worst of any king in Judah. Certainly, she would have been heartened by the recent reforms of King Josiah—his attempts to restore the temple though the people had all but forgotten God.

But her words of prophecy confirmed the king's fear. Judah was standing on a precipice. God was a jealous lover who blessed those who loved and obeyed him and cursed those who did not. Across the centuries, his slow anger was building to a fiery crescendo. Judah's infidelities had not gone unnoticed.

After Huldah's prophecy, Josiah led one of the greatest religious reforms in history, purging Judah and even parts of Israel of paganism. But the kings who followed him soon reversed course, leading the people astray once again. Thirty-five years after Huldah's prophecy, Judah was taken in chains to Babylon and all of its cities were destroyed.

The magnificent kingdom of David and Solomon had come to an end. But though every other nation captured by Assyria and Babylon ceased to exist, Israel still had a future. Chastened, it was never destroyed. Disciplined, it was never forsaken. All because God still loved his people.

The words of Isaiah, a prophet who preceded Huldah by a few decades, proclaimed a future day of restoration: "They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities…. Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance" (Isaiah 61:4, 7).

Judgment and mercy, law and grace, punishment and salvation—these are the tensions that characterize the story of God's love affair with his people. Huldah was a woman who understood the paradox and who was not afraid to proclaim the truth, even to a king. Her words must have cost her, but she spoke them anyway. She cherished God's word in a time of spiritual crisis.

Her Promise

The story of Huldah and her words to the king illustrate the contrast between God's judgment and his mercy. He judges those who deserve his punishment, but he quickly forgives those who repent. In fact, he is eager to forgive, waiting only for us to come to him in repentance.

Today's reading is a brief excerpt from Women of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda (Zondervan). © 2010 by Ann Spangler. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Enjoy the complete book by purchasing your own copy at the Bible Gateway Store. The book's title must be included when sharing the above content on social media.