Daily Devotion July 31, 2017 "Confidence to Face Whatever Comes Our Way"

Confidence. They say it can make all the difference in one's life.

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

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

"Confidence to Face Whatever Comes Our Way"

July 31, 2017

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.

~ Romans 8:28 (ESV)

Confidence. They say it can make all the difference in one's life. Oftentimes athletes with similar skills and abilities perform vastly different under pressure. Why? Confidence -- it's the abundance or its absence that matters. Confidence in your abilities, in your strength, in your talents -- it can make a big difference in how well you deal with the issues you are facing today. But this text speaks of an infinitely greater confidence -- one that you can have when you are overwhelmed, beaten down, without hope. How can you be so confident then? Well, if you are a Christian, a believer in Jesus Christ, the apostle Paul says that even there, you have a God who is "for you" in Christ, who promises you that all things do indeed work together for good to those who love Him.

I call that "Christ confidence." It's a confidence in the Resurrected One, the Lamb who was slain, but who has now begun His reign; all things are indeed under His feet. It's a confidence in the One who says that nothing in this world will separate you from His love. It's a confidence in His Word no matter the dangers and distresses that seem to be all around us.

During World War II, a passenger ship set sail from Great Britain, heading to the port in New York City. The captain of the ship was, shall we say, not very confident in his ability to navigate the dangerous waters of the ocean for the safety of his passengers on board. He was rightly afraid of enemy vessels, dangerous ships, and submarines. So he sought the advice and guidance of the British admiral. The admiral calmly assured the captain that no matter what happened, he should be sure to sail his ship straight ahead. He gave the anxious captain these words: "Don't take any detours. Sail the ship straight ahead. Continue onward, heading straight towards the intended mark."

But after several days of sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, waters filled with submarines and enemy vessels of all kinds, the captain spotted an enemy destroyer off his forward bow. Nervously, he grasped the handset and called for assistance. Again, he heard a calm voice saying, "Keep on straight. Do not detour. Just sail the ship straight ahead. Everything will be just fine. Just keep on going straight to mark."

After a couple more uneasy days, the ship pulled safely into the great harbor of New York City. Shortly after the ship's docking, the great British battleship man-of-war pulled into port behind the passenger vessel. The captain realized that while he did not see the British battleship, she was there, standing by, ready to come to his defense at any time.

There are times when we feel we are sailing on the oceans of our life all alone. But Romans 8 reminds us that it's not man-of-war on our starboard bow that protects us, it's the resurrected Savior Jesus who is with us always. Faith in Christ breeds Christ confidence for life. As Martin Luther says, "Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times. Indeed, He did, and we can too in those Reformation proclamations of grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone!

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, give us the confidence that comes through faith in You and not mere faith in ourselves. Give us Christ confidence to face the challenges of life each day until we see You face to face. Amen.

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

CPTLN Devocional de 31 de Julio de 2017

Alimento Diario

Cerca de Dios

31 de Julio 2017

Porque el Señor disciplina al que ama, y azota a todo el que recibe como hijo.

~ Hebreos 12:6 (RVC)

Cuando era niño, era común que a veces los padres corrigieran a sus hijos con un castigo físico. A veces usaban la cuchara de madera de la cocina, otras veces simplemente la mano.

Aún cuando yo no recibí muchos de esos castigos, siempre me parecieron crueles e inhumanos.

Ahora que soy adulto me doy cuenta que cada vez que eso pasaba, yo hacía justamente lo que no debía haber hecho. Mi reacción normal era alejarme lo más posible de la cuchara de madera, pero en realidad me tendría que haber acercado lo más posible, porque cuanto más cerca, el golpe hubiera llegado con menos fuerza.

Este ejemplo lo uso para que usted entienda que Dios, al igual que un padre, nos disciplina. Y cuando lo hace nosotros, como buenos seres humanos que somos, reaccionamos enojándonos y tomándole miedo y tratamos de apartarnos de él lo más posible.

¿Qué pasaría si en vez de alejarnos nos acercáramos a él? Cuando nos acercamos a nuestro Padre celestial, el castigo ya no duele tanto. Después de todo, ¿qué padre no quiere que sus hijos estén cerca de él? Vale la pena pensarlo.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, en los momentos de dolor y en los momentos de alegría, haz que siempre esté cerca de ti. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén.

De una devoción escrita originalmente para "By the Way"

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

Our Daily Bread - A “New Man”

Read: Colossians 1:3–14

Bible in a Year: Psalms 54–56; Romans 3

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Continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. Colossians 1:23

As a group of teenagers visited a home for the elderly in Montego Bay, Jamaica, one young woman noticed a lonely looking man at the end of the room. He appeared to have little left in this world but a bed to sleep on—a bed from which he could not move because of his disability.

The teen began right away to share the story of God’s love for us and read some Bible passages to him. “As I shared with him,” she would say later, “I started to feel his eagerness to hear more.” Responding to his interest, she explained the wonder of Jesus’s sacrificial death for us. “It was hard for this man, who had no hope and no family,” she recalled, “to understand that Someone he’s never met would love him enough to die on the cross for his sins.”

She told him more about Jesus—and then about the promise of heaven (including a new body) for all who believe. He asked her, “Will you dance with me up there?” She saw him begin to imagine himself free of his worn-out body and crippling limitations.

When he said he wanted to trust Jesus as his Savior, she helped him pray a prayer of forgiveness and faith. When she asked him if she could get a picture with him, he replied, “If you help me sit up. I’m a new man.”

Praise God for the life-changing, hope-giving, available-to-all gospel of Jesus Christ! It offers new life for all who trust Him (Col. 1:5, 23).

Lord, thank You for the new life we have in Jesus Christ. Help us to share the hope of that new life with others so they can be made new as well.

Jesus offers new life.

By Dave Branon

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Ministérios Pão Diário - Levante-se!

Leia: Salmo 54

A Bíblia em um ano: Salmos 54–56, Romanos 3

Fazia 15 anos que eu não praticava esqui aquático, mas quando nossos amigos convidaram meu genro e eu para esquiarmos num lago, como eu poderia dizer não? Parecia ser uma boa ideia, até observar as dificuldades que meu genro tinha em se levantar sobre os esquis. Embora ele houvesse praticado muito desse esporte, quando tentava levantar-se sobre um único esqui, sempre caía. Por isso, quando chegou a minha vez, não me senti muito confiante.

Felizmente, a minha amiga é esquiadora profissional e me deu as devidas instruções: “Deixe que o barco puxe você para cima. Seja forte!” Essas afirmações, aparentemente contraditórias, fizeram toda a diferença. Eu fiz ambas as coisas — confiei que o barco faria seu trabalho e me segurei com todas as minhas forças. Na primeira vez que o barco saiu, levantei-me e desfrutei de um grande passeio pelo lago.

Quando a vida o decepcionar pela tristeza que parece difícil demais para carregar ou por circunstâncias que tornam cada dia um enorme peso — o conselho de minha amiga pode lhe ajudar. Primeiro, deixe que Deus o levante com o Seu poder (Salmo 54:1-4). Em seguida, segure firme na mão dele. Apegue-se a Deus e fortaleça-se “…no Senhor e na força do seu poder” (Efésios 6:10).

Confie no poder de Deus e aguente firme. Ele lhe dará as forças para não cair (Isaías 40:31).

…mas os que esperam no Senhor renovam as suas forças… —Isaías 40:31

por Dave Branon

© 2017 Ministérios Pão Diário

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Một “Người Mới”

Đọc: Cô-lô-se 1:5-14

Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Thi thiên 54-56; Rô-ma 3

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Tiếp tục đứng vững trong đức tin, không nao núng, không chuyển dời khỏi niềm hi vọng của Tin Lành. Cô-lô-se 1:23

Có một nhóm thiếu niên nọ đến thăm một viện dưỡng lão tại Vịnh Montego ở Jamaica. Một thiếu niên trong nhóm chợt chú ý đến một ông cụ có vẻ cô đơn đang ở cuối phòng. Ông dường như chẳng còn gì trên thế giới này ngoài một một chiếc giường để ngủ — ông chỉ có thể nằm yên ở đó vì bị tàn tật.

Thiếu niên đó liền kể câu chuyện về tình yêu của Chúa dành cho mọi người và đọc một vài câu Kinh Thánh cho ông cụ nghe. Sau này cô bé kể lại rằng: “Khi cháu chia sẻ với ông, cháu bắt đầu cảm thấy ông háo hức muốn nghe thêm.” Đáp lại sự thích thú của ông, cô bé giải thích điều kỳ diệu về sự chết hy sinh của Chúa Jêsus vì chúng ta. Cô bé nhớ lại: “Ông không còn chút hy vọng nào và cũng không có gia đình nên rất khó để ông hiểu rằng Đấng mà ông chưa từng gặp có thể yêu thương ông đủ để chết trên thập tự giá vì tội lỗi của ông.”

Cô bé kể cho ông cụ nghe nhiều hơn về Chúa Jêsus—rồi nói đến lời hứa về thiên đàng (bao gồm một thân thể mới) cho mọi người tin. Ông cụ hỏi cô bé: “Cháu sẽ nhảy múa với ông ở đó chứ?” Cô bé thấy ông bắt đầu mường tượng khung cảnh ông được thoát khỏi thân thể suy kiệt và tàn tật của mình.

Khi ông ngỏ ý muốn tin nhận Chúa Jêsus làm Cứu Chúa của mình, cô bé đã giúp ông cầu nguyện xin Chúa tha thứ tội lỗi và bày tỏ đức tin. Khi cô bé gợi ý muốn chụp một bức ảnh chung với ông, ông đáp: “Nếu cháu giúp ông ngồi dậy thì ông là một con người mới.”

Ngợi khen Đức Chúa Trời vì Phúc Âm về Chúa Jêsus Christ đã làm thay đổi đời sống, ban hy vọng, và dành sẵn cho mọi người! Phúc Âm đó ban đời sống mới cho tất cả những ai tin cậy Ngài (Côl. 1:5, 23).

Lạy Chúa, cảm ơn Ngài về đời sống mới mà chúng con có trong Chúa Jêsus Christ. Xin giúp chúng con chia sẻ niềm hy vọng về đời sống mới đó cho người khác để họ cũng được dựng nên mới.

Chúa Jêsus ban đời sống mới.

bởi Dave Branon

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Un «hombre nuevo»

Leer: Colosenses 1:3-14

La Biblia en un año: Salmos 54–56; Romanos 3

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[Permaneced] fundados y firmes en la fe, y sin moveros de la esperanza del evangelio que habéis oído… (v. 23).

Mientras un grupo de adolescentes visitaba un hogar de ancianos, una joven observó a un hombre solitario en un rincón. No le quedaba mucho en este mundo más que una cama, de la cual no podía levantarse debido a su incapacidad física.

La joven empezó a hablarle del amor de Dios y a leerle algunos pasajes bíblicos. «Mientras le hablaba —contó—, empecé a sentir su ansia de escuchar más». En respuesta a su interés, ella le explicó la maravilla de la muerte de Jesús por nosotros. «A este hombre, que no tenía esperanza ni familia —recordó la joven—, le costaba entender que Alguien a quien nunca había conocido lo amara tanto como para morir por sus pecados».

Ella le habló más de Jesús y la promesa del cielo (que incluye un cuerpo nuevo) para todo el que cree. El hombre le preguntó: «¿Bailarás conmigo allá?». La joven pudo ver cómo empezaba a imaginarse libre de su cuerpo agotado y sus limitaciones paralizantes.

Cuando dijo que quería confiar en Jesús como Salvador, ella lo ayudó a orar. Luego, le preguntó si podía tomarse una foto con él, y él respondió: «Si me ayudas a sentarme. Soy un hombre nuevo».

¡Alabado sea Dios por el evangelio transformador y esperanzador de Jesucristo, que está al alcance de todos! (Colosenses 1:5, 23).

Señor, gracias por la nueva vida que tenemos en Jesús.

Jesús ofrece una vida nueva.

Por Dave Branon

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Ein „neuer Mensch“

Read: Kolosser 1,5-14

Bible in a Year: Psalm 54–56; Römer 3

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Bleibt im Glauben, gegründet und fest, und [weicht] nicht von der Hoffnung des Evangeliums. Kolosser 1,23

Eine Gruppe von Teenagern besuchte ein Altenheim auf Jamaika. Dabei fiel ihnen ein einsamer Mann am Ende des Zimmers auf. Er schien kaum mehr zu haben als das Bett, auf dem er lag—und das er nicht mehr verlassen konnte.

Ein junges Mädchen ging sofort zu ihm und begann, ihm aus der Bibel vorzulesen und von Gottes Liebe zu erzählen. „Ich habe richtig gespürt, wie er mehr wissen wollte“, erzählte sie später. Sie ging auf ihn ein und erklärte ihm, was Jesu Opfertod für uns bedeutet. „Es war für den Mann, der keine Familie und keine Hoffnung mehr hatte, schwer zu begreifen, dass Einer, dem er nie begegnet ist, ihn so sehr liebt, dass er am Kreuz für ihn starb“, meinte sie.

Sie erzählte ihm mehr von Jesus—und seiner Verheißung auf einen neuen Himmel (und einen neuen Leib) für alle, die an ihn glauben. Er fragte: „Wirst du dort mit mir tanzen?“ Er sah sich schon befreit von seinem alten Körper und allen Behinderungen.

Als er sagte, er wolle Jesus als seinen Erlöser annehmen, sprach sie mit ihm ein Übergabegebet. Und als sie fragte, ob sie ein Foto mit ihm machen dürfte, erwiderte er: „Wenn du mir hilfst, mich aufzusetzen. Ich bin ein neuer Mensch.“

Gott sei Dank für das Evangelium von Jesus Christus, das Leben verändert, Hoffnung schenkt und für alle da ist! In ihm haben alle, die ihm vertrauen, neues Leben (Kol. 1,5.23).

Herr, hab Dank für das neue Leben, das wir in Jesus Christus haben. Hilf uns, die Hoffnung darauf mit anderen zu teilen, damit auch sie neu werden.

Jesus schenkt neues Leben.

By Dave Branon

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Un « homme nouveau »

Lisez : Colossiens 1.5‑14

La Bible en un an : PSAUMES 54 – 56 et ROMAINS 3

[Demeurez] fondés et inébranlables dans la foi, sans vous détourner de l’espérance de l’Évangile. V. 23

En visite avec un groupe d’adolescents dans une maison de retraite de Montego Bay, en Jamaïque, une jeune femme a remarqué un homme qui semblait esseulé au fond de la pièce. On aurait dit qu’il ne lui restait plus dans la vie que le lit auquel son handicap l’avait cloué.

L’adolescente s’est mise aussitôt à lui parler de l’amour de Dieu pour nous et à lui lire des passages bibliques. Plus tard, elle nous a dit : « En lui parlant, j’ai commencé à sentir qu’il voulait en savoir plus. » Voyant son intérêt, elle lui avait expliqué tout le merveilleux de la mort sacrificielle de Jésus envers nous. Puis elle a ajouté : « C’était difficile pour cet homme sans espoir ni famille de comprendre qu’une Personne qu’il n’avait jamais rencontrée l’aimait au point de mourir sur la croix afin d’expier ses péchés. »

Elle lui en a dit plus sur Jésus, et ensuite sur la promesse des cieux (y compris d’un nouveau corps) pour tous ceux qui croiraient en Christ. L’homme lui a demandé : « Danserez‑vous avec moi là‑haut ? » Elle l’a alors vu commencer à s’imaginer libéré de son corps usé et infirme.

Lorsqu’il lui a indiqué qu’il désirait mettre sa foi en Jésus comme son Sauveur, elle l’a aidé à faire une prière de pardon et de foi. Quand elle lui a demandé la permission de se faire prendre en photo avec lui, il lui a répondu : « Si vous m’aidez à m’asseoir. Je suis un homme nouveau. »

Gloire à Dieu pour son Évangile transformateur, porteur d’espoir et universel ! Il offre une vie nouvelle à quiconque croit en lui.

Jésus offre à tous une vie nouvelle.

par Dave Branon

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - “Нова людина”

Читати: Колосян 1:5-14

Біблія за рік: Псалом 54-56 ; Римлян 3

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Якщо тільки пробуваєте в вірі тверді та сталі, і не відпадаєте від надії Євангелії. — Колосян 1:23

Якось група віруючих підлітків відвідала будинок для людей похилого віку на Ямайці. Одна дівчина побачила у кутку кімнати чоловіка, що мав дуже сумний вигляд. Він не міг пересуватись.

Ця дівчина відразу ж почала свідчити йому про Божу любов і зачитувати деякі біблійні уривки. “Коли я свідчила йому, – розказувала вона пізніше, – то відчула, що він хоче почути більше”. Такий інтерес з боку самотнього чоловіка спонукав дівчину пояснити йому значення жертви Ісуса Христа. Потім вона згадувала: “Цій людині, яка не мала ані родини, ані надії, було важко зрозуміти, що Хтось – Кого він ніколи не бачив, – міг так сильно полюбити, що навіть вмер на хресті за його гріхи”.

Дівчина продовжувала розповідати нещасному про обітницю вічного життя на небі та про нові тіла для всіх віруючих. “А ти потанцюєш зі мною там?” – раптово запитав він. Дівчина зрозуміла, що він вже почав уявляти себе вільним від свого поношеного тіла.

Потім старенький чоловік сказав, що хотів би увірувати в Ісуса як свого Спасителя, і дівчинка допомогла йому помолитись молитвою покаяння. Коли вона спитала його, чи може сфотографуватися з ним, він відповів: “Якщо допоможеш мені сісти… Тепер я нова людина”.

Слава Богу за те, що Він дає нове життя кожному, хто вірує в Ісуса Христа! (Кол. 1:5, 23).

Господи, дякуємо Тобі за нове життя, яке маємо в Ісусі Христі. Допоможи нести цю надію іншим, щоб вони теж могли стати новими людьми.

Ісус пропонує кожному нове життя.

Автор Давид Брено

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - «Новый человек»

Читать сейчас: Колоссянам 1:3-14

Библия за год: Псалтирь 53–55; Иакова 3

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Если только пребываете тверды и непоколебимы в вере и не отпадаете от надежды благовествования. — Колоссянам 1:23

Группа молодежи из церкви посетила дом престарелых на Ямайке. Одна из девочек обратила внимание на одинокого человека в дальнем углу. Судя по всему, у него в этом мире осталась только кровать, на которой он, несчастный инвалид, лежал без движения.

Девочка отправилась прямо к нему и стала рассказывать о Божьей любви к людям, читая при этом тексты из Библии. «Когда я говорила, – делилась она позже, – то почувствовала, что ему интересно». Вдохновившись, она объяснила своему новому знакомому чудо жертвенной смерти Иисуса Христа за грешников. «Этому человеку без надежды и без семьи было трудно осознать, что Кто-то, кого он никогда не знал, любил его настолько, что умер на кресте за его грехи», – вспоминала она. Еще она рассказала ему об Иисусе, а потом об обещании вечной жизни (включая новое тело) для всех верующих. «Вы сможете танцевать», – сказала она и увидела, как он представляет себя свободным от своего нынешнего беспомощного тела.

Он сказал, что хочет обратиться ко Христу, и она подсказала ему слова молитвы покаяния и веры. После этого юная миссионерка попросила разрешения сфотографироваться со своим новым другом, и тот ответил: «Если вы поможете мне сесть. Я теперь новый человек».

Слава Богу за преображающее жизнь, дающее надежду, доступное для всех Евангелие Иисуса Христа! Оно открывает двери новой жизни для тех, кто верит в Него (Кол. 1:5, 23).

Господи, благодарю Тебя за новую жизнь в Иисусе Христе. Помоги мне делиться надеждой этой новой жизни с другими, чтобы и они родились свыше.

Иисус Христос дает новую жизнь.

автор: Дэвид Брэнон

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for SUNDAY, July 30, 2017 - 8th Sunday after Pentecost

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

Opening Sentence

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

Sunday Morning Prayer

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

Confession and Forgiveness

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 Kings 3:5-12

At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask what I should give you." And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?" It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you.

Psalm 119:129-136 Pe Mirabilia
129   Your decrees are wonderful; therefore I obey them with all my heart.
130   When your word goes forth it gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
131   I open my mouth and pant; I long for your commandments.
132   Turn to me in mercy, as you always do to those who love your Name.
133   Steady my footsteps in your word; let no iniquity have dominion over me.
134   Rescue me from those who oppress me, and I will keep your commandments.
135   Let your countenance shine upon your servant and teach me your statutes.
136   My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.

The Second Reading is taken from Romans 8:26-39

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Holy Gospel is written in Matthew 13:31-33, 13:44-52

He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened." "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. "Have you understood all this?" They answered, "Yes." And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."

The Apostle's Creed

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

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

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

Prayer of the Day

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Prayer for Sundays

O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer for Mission

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.

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

Closing Prayer

All through this week, O Lord, by the power of your quickening Spirit, let me touch the lives of others for good, whether through the word I speak, the prayer I speak, or the life I live. 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 SUNDAY, July 30, 2017

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Verse of the Day for SUNDAY, July 30, 2017

Matthew 5:14,16 (NIV) “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Read all of Matthew 5

Listen to Matthew 5

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

Exploring the Parables with Cap'n Kenny - The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast

Matthew 13:31-33
31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” 33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

THINK ABOUT IT
The presence of a mustard tree in the middle of a field was certainly a strange image to Jesus’ listeners. Who would want birds perching where one was trying to grow food? Jesus was comparing the kingdom to a giant shrub or weed that starts tiny but grows and takes over the garden. The image of yeast was equally strange to Jesus’ listeners. Yeast was a symbol for sin and had to be completely removed from the house before the Festival of the Passover. The comparison of the kingdom with something that was symbolically negative would have been shocking. Rather than pretty images, these were disturbing metaphors for the completely unlikely and subversive way God’s kingdom actually works.

TALK ABOUT IT
When have you seen God work in an unexpected way?

 In Jesus, Cap'n Kenny

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

Un Dia a la Vez - Deja de llorar

¡Levántate y resplandece, que tu luz ha llegado! ¡La gloria del Señor brilla sobre ti!

~ Isaías 60:1 (NVI)

No podemos llorar toda la vida por una pérdida. Ya escuchaste que debemos vivir el luto y que el dolor es normal cuando hemos tenido una adversidad. Aun así, ten presente que ese dolor puede desaparecer con la ayuda de Dios.

Hoy les hablo a los que después de cierto tiempo aún siguen llorando esa pérdida, pues es tiempo de que digan: «¡Me levantaré y resplandeceré!».

Al igual que la Palabra nos recuerda que hay tiempo de sembrar y tiempo de recoger lo sembrado, también nos dice en Eclesiastés que hay «un tiempo para llorar, y un tiempo para reír» (3:4).

No se trata de que olvides que murió tu hijo, que te abandonó tu cónyuge, ni que le fallaste a Dios. Nunca se nos olvida, pero Dios en su infinito amor nos restaura de tal manera que nos quita el dolor y nos sana cada herida.

Por eso no te puedes quedar llorando. Tus lágrimas no cambiarán lo sucedido. Y el hecho de que dejaras de llorar por tu fracaso no significa que ya no te importe. Todo lo contrario, se debe aprender del dolor.

No obstante, si sigues llorando, no te recuperarás. ¡Dale la oportunidad a Dios de recuperarte!

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón

Standing Strong Through the Storm - FORGIVENESS IS FOR OURSELVES TOO

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

~ Matthew 6:12 (NIV)

Corrie ten Boom often thought back over the horrors of Ravensbruck prison camp and realized that it was hard to find forgiveness in her heart—the true Christian attitude for the former Nazis that would reveal through her the Spirit’s goodness. Where was love, acceptance, and forgiveness in a horror camp where allegedly more than 95,000 women died? How could she ever forget the horrible cruelty of the guards and the smoke constantly coming from the chimney of the crematorium?

A few years later, Corrie was speaking in a church in Munich, and when the meeting was over she saw one of the cruelest male guards of Ravensbruck coming to speak to her. He had his hand outstretched. “I have become a Christian,” he explained. “I know that God has forgiven me for the cruel things I did, but I would like to hear it from your lips as well. Fraulein, will you forgive me?”

Conflict raged in Corrie’s heart. The good Spirit of God urged her to forgive. The spirit of bitterness and coldness urged her to turn away. “Jesus, help me. I can lift my hand. I can do that much.” As their hands met it was as if warmth and healing broke forth with tears and joy. “I forgive you, brother, with all my heart.” Later Corrie testified that “it was the power of the Holy Spirit” who had poured the love of God into her heart that day.

Philip Yancey gives a pragmatic reason why we must forgive that seems very foundational: forgiveness alone can stop the cycle of blame, pain as well as vengeance and violence. The meaning of the New Testament word “forgiveness,” he says, is literally “to release, to hurl away, to free yourself.” The only way to break the chain or cycle of hurtfulness is to stop and ask forgiveness. This allows a relationship to start over and begin anew. The Russian writer, Solzhenitsyn, believed this forgiveness is what truly makes us different from animals. Only humans can perform that most unnatural act of forgiveness that transcends the relentless law of nature.

The only thing harder than forgiveness is the alternative. A teacher once told each of her students to bring a clear plastic bag and a sack of potatoes to school. For every person they refused to forgive in their life's experience, they chose a potato, wrote on it the name and date, and put it in the plastic bag. They were then told to carry this bag with them everywhere for one week, putting it beside their bed at night, on the car seat when driving, next to their desk at work. The hassle of lugging this around with them made it clear what a weight they were carrying spiritually, and how they had to pay attention to it all the time to not forget and keep leaving it in embarrassing places…Too often we think of forgiveness as a gift to the other person, and it clearly is for ourselves as well! 

RESPONSE: Today I will give myself the gift of forgiveness. Is there someone I need to forgive?

PRAYER: Father, I pray today for the power of Your Holy Spirit to enable me to release any cycles of hurtfulness in my life by forgiving others.