The Daily Readings for SUNDAY, April 1, 2018 - The Sunday of the Resurrection (Easter Morning)

Daily Readings

SUNDAY, MarchApril 1 25, 2018 - Easter Morning

(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)

Prayer of Praise for the Resurrected Christ

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. The kingdom of this world is become; the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ. King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And He shall reign forever and ever. Hallelujah!

Hallelujah Chorus

Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Prayer of the Day (Collect)

O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection. Stir up in your Church that Spirit of adoption which is given to us in Baptism, that we, being renewed both in body and mind, may worship you in sincerity and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Confession and Forgiveness

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.  If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true;  but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

~ 1 John 1:5b-8

We serve a risen Savior yet live as if in chains. Forgive us, Lord that we are so hesitant to live the resurrection life. Forgive us that we fail to show through word and action the truth that you loved us into your kingdom through the glorious mystery of the Cross. Forgive us that there is still fear in our lives that prevents us from achieving our full potential. Draw us close. Open our eyes to the glory of the risen Christ, our hearts to the wonder of the Cross and our hands to the service of your kingdom where you have placed us, that your name might be glorified through our lives. Amen.

The Lessons

First Reading: Acts 10:34-43

Gentiles Hear the Good News
10:34 Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

or

Isaiah 25:6-9

25:6 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. 7 And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; 8 he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. 9 It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

The Response: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

1   Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; *

his mercy endures for ever.

2   Let Israel now proclaim, *

"His mercy endures for ever."

14   The LORD is my strength and my song, *

and he has become my salvation.

15   There is a sound of exultation and victory *

in the tents of the righteous:

16   The right hand of the LORD has triumphed! *

the right hand of the LORD is exalted! the right hand of the LORD has triumphed!

17   I shall not die, but live, *

and declare the works of the LORD.

18   The LORD has punished me sorely, *

but he did not hand me over to death.

19   Open for me the gates of righteousness; *

I will enter them; I will offer thanks to the LORD.

20   This is the gate of the LORD; *

he who is righteous may enter.

21   I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *

and have become my salvation.

22   The same stone which the builders rejected *

has become the chief cornerstone.

23   This is the LORD'S doing, *

and it is marvelous in our eyes.

24   On this day the LORD has acted; *

we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

The Resurrection of Christ
15:1 Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, 2 through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you—unless you have come to believe in vain. 3 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 4 and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them—though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe.

or

Acts 10:34-43

Gentiles Hear the Good News
10:34 Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia. Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

~ 1 Corinthians 5:7, 8

The Gospel: Mark 16:1-8

The Resurrection of Jesus
16:1 When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

or

John 20:1-18

The Resurrection of Jesus
20:1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to their homes.
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Prayer for the Benefit of the Resurrection

Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord's resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit. Send us into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Here ends the Lessons

Click HERE to read today's Holy Gospel Lesson message

The Apostle's Creed

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

We 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.

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

Benediction

Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray that you direct our way unto you, and make all of us increase and abound in love toward one another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you; to the end that we may establish our hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. Amen.

Blessing
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

~ Numbers 6:22-27

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.

Sermon for SUNDAY, April 1, 2018 - The Sunday of the Resurrection (Easter Morning)

“The Epic Event - Easter”

20:1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to their homes. 11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

~ John 20:1-18

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. The kingdom of this world is become; the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ. King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And He shall reign forever and ever. Hallelujah!

If you visited the shopping mall this week end, would your visit there help you understand the meaning of Easter?

Our culture definitely has an Easter holiday. You can buy chocolate Easter bunnies or real bunnies for your back yard. You can fill your Easter Basket with chocolate eggs and marshmallow baby chicks. You can wear new clothes, and you can even buy eggs from the grocery store all ready colored.

If you were an investigator and studied the merchandise in stores, I believe you would be hard pressed to discover the true meaning of Easter.

Every other religion has values for behavior. They have leaders and religious teachers. There is one difference. The graves of their religious founders are occupied. Christianity has an empty tomb because Jesus lives. Jesus rose from death and Christianity is based on this historical reality.

Theologian Gerald O’Collins put it this way: “In a profound sense, Christianity without the resurrection is not simply Christianity without its final chapter. It is not Christianity at all.”

The resurrection of Jesus from death after his crucifixion is the epic event that changed human history. It is the lynchpin of history. “If Christ had not been raised from the dead, your faith would be futile and you would be dead in your sins.”

Many years ago, a submarine sank off the coast of Massachusetts. As soon as possible, divers descended to the disabled ship, listening for signs of life. One diver heard a gentle tapping. Listening intently, he recognized the dot and dashes of the Morse Code. The message was simple. “Is there hope?” (Story in Decision Magazine – Billy Graham April 2000)

Is there hope? That is the constant cry of humanity. Easter is the answer to that question. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me shall have eternal life.” He can make that promise because he himself came from God and the Spirit of God raised his body to life. It was a transformed, glorified, resurrected body, not limited by human time or space.

Early that first Easter, somewhere between sunset and early dawn…. Before the women reached the tomb…the darkness of the night was shattered by a radiant burst of energized light. The earth shook. The stone was rolled away. Light exploded from the tomb and the body of Jesus, wrapped in linen shroud, passed through the cloth. It floated back to the stone slab, leaving his imprint. No wonder the guards fainted.

Jesus, whom the Jews and Pilate had made sure was dead on Friday….was alive. He did not rise up from the stone slab as you and I might rise from bed early in the morning, throwing back the covers. No. John writes: I ran to the tomb with Peter. I looked in and “saw the strips of linen lying there as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head.” He was not there.

The resurrected body of Jesus was not bound by the molecules of that linen shroud, nor stone walls. His energized body passed right through the cloth. It fell limp like a glove from which a hand has been removed.

His resurrection guarantees that all of his promises are true. Our sins have been forgiven. His resurrection guaranties that we are set free from the fear of death and freed from the unending, overwhelming burden of trying to please God by our own merits and deeds.

Is there hope? There is hope for life beyond the grave. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead will also give eternal life to all who confess Jesus as “the way, the truth, and the life.” Without this Easter event…you and I would be without hope. There would be a nagging emptiness in your soul. Why?

Why do we believe that there is life after death? Something inside each human being tells us that there is more to life than a few years on earth. ‘Where did you get that feeling? God put it there. When God created each human being he “placed eternity in the heart”… Just as people know from observing creation that there is a creator, so we sense in our hearts that there is life after death.’ (from Decision Magazine April 2000 Billy Graham)

But there is a battle raging for the hearts and minds of people. It’s Easter, an epic celebration of the resurrection of Jesus, the resurrection is the one truth upon which hinges all the teachings of God. Is it any wonder that “The Gospel of Judas” has again surfaced….just at this time…. The Gospel of Judas, an ancient writing from the 3rd century has been known to exist for over 300 years. But it’s like its some new scientific piece of history “The Gospel of Judas” states that Judas was given secret knowledge by Jesus…. According to the “Gospel of Judas” Jesus wanted death so that he could escape his body. There is no mention of a resurrection.

Well, friends that story has been around ever since the week after the resurrection event. The Jews knew Jesus died on the cross. Pilate and the soldiers knew Jesus died on the cross. They knew where he was buried. But two days later, the grave was empty and there was no body. Occasionally bodies, that have been missing will turn up. Rarely will you encounter an empty tomb. When the women arrived the angel greeted them with these words: “I know you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth. He is not here. He has risen from the dead.”

Here’s the story from the first century. “… the guards reported the event and the appearance of the angel. The chief priest and elders devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them: You are to say, His disciples came during the night and stole him away, while we were asleep.” If this report gets to the governor we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble. So the soldiers took the money and did as they were told and this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.” (Matthew 28:12-15)

Why do you think the movie “the Da Vinci Code” was released shortly after Easter?

What’s going on? Well, folks it’s about truth. And we all know that in our present “secular” culture truth has become relative. The culture would like us to believe that “truth” is up to each individual and that there are no absolutes.

One of my favorite lines in Mel Gibson’s “Passion of the Christ” typifies our present day. During the trial of Jesus Pilate asked his wife: “What is truth?” Do you remember her answer? She said; “If you can not see truth when it is in front of you then no one can tell you what it is.” It’s classic.

How about you this morning? Are you like some in our culture who believe the event of Jesus resurrection is merely alleged? His body was stolen by his disciples? That he later married Mary Magdalene and they had children, and his blood line still survives to this day?

God has given each of us the ability to choose. The question of Jesus to Mary and Martha is still valid today: “I am the resurrection and the life. Do you believe?” When preaching in Jerusalem Peter said: “There is no other name given under heaven by which we can be saved.”

God’s word reminds us that “our citizenship is in heaven. We eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control will transform our bodies so that they will be fashioned like his glorious body.” (Phil. 3:20-21) “For we believe that Jesus died and rose again…. And so we believe….” That God will keep his promise to us.

Let us pray: Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord's resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit. Send us into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Seeking God?

Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal

relationship with Jesus Christ

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission. Sermon contributed by Pastor Clarence Eisberg, Redeemer Lutheran Church (LCMS), Fresno, California on Apr 11, 2006.

The Morning Prayer for SUNDAY, April 1, 2018 - Easter Morning

The Sunday of the Resurrection (Easter Morning)

O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection. Stir up in your Church that Spirit of adoption which is given to us in Baptism, that we, being renewed both in body and mind, may worship you in sincerity and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen

Verse of the Day for SUNDAY, April 1, 2018 (Easter Morning)

Mark 16:6 (NIV) “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.

Read all of Mark 16

Listen to Mark 16

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

Morning Devotions with Chaplain Kenny - Easter Is for Everyone

Easter Is for Everyone

"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die."

~ John 11:25 (NIV)

Easter is for everyone!

It is about Jesus, and it is specifically about Jesus crucified and risen again from the dead.

I don’t know how you might describe your life this Easter. Maybe you are full of faith and looking forward to joining your family and friends at church and perhaps a special meal later in the day. If everything is going well for you, then praise God for that.

For others, it might be a different story. For some, Easter may even be a bittersweet day.

Death can seem so brutal, so ruthless, and so final. And that is exactly how the disciples felt when they saw the beaten, bloodied body of their Lord hanging on a Roman cross. Then, in addition to the Crucifixion, a Roman soldier took his spear, thrust it into Jesus’ side, and out of it came blood and water.

There was no question about it. Christ had died. If the Crucifixion hadn’t killed him, certainly the spear of the Roman soldier would have. The disciples thought it was over. They thought death had finished it.

So the disciples were shocked to find an angel waiting for them with the good news: “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him” (Mark 16:6).

They thought He was dead. But He was alive again.

Because Jesus has died and has risen again, it means that we as believers do not have to be afraid of death. As 1 Corinthians 15:20 tells us, “ But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” Jesus has gone to the other side, He has returned, and He has the keys to death and hell (see Revelation 1:18).

He is the resurrection and the life, and if we believe in Him, though we were dead, yet shall we live.

God our Father, by raising Christ your Son you conquered the power of death and opened for us the way to eternal life. Let our celebration today raise us up and renew our lives by the Spirit that is within us. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

In Jesus,
Chaplain Kenny


Seeking God?
Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ.
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Can you declare that Jesus is alive in you? Easter is for everyone!

Un dia a la Vez - La pildorita contra el estrés

La pildorita contra el estrés

Aun los jóvenes se cansan, se fatigan [...] pero los que confían en el Señor renovarán sus fuerzas.

~ Isaías 40:30-31 (NVI)

Muchas veces a lo largo de tu vida, sin importar la edad que tengas, te sentirás con la sensación de que ya no puedes más con las cosas que estás viviendo. Incluso, ni siquiera te motivará la búsqueda de Dios.

Has intentado de todo para hallar la paz y la solución a tus problemas, y ya te has dado cuenta que las pastillas para la depresión no dan resultado. Que las visitas al que se supone que conoce tu futuro ya te desilusionó porque al fin comprendes que te han quitado tu dinero, pues nadie conoce tu futuro sino solo Dios.

Hoy te digo que Dios es el único que basta. Él es el que saca del hoyo tu vida. El que te viste con ropas nuevas y el Dios de las oportunidades.

Hace unos meses escuché una vez más que un joven de veintiún años se había quitado la vida porque no pudo soportar la muerte de su novia. Entró en depresión y, pasado un tiempo, se quitó la vida. ¡Qué dolor para la familia!

Ni tú, ni él, ni ninguno de nosotros se puede aferrar a la vida de otras personas, incluyendo las de nuestras parejas e hijos, nuestros pastores o líderes. No debemos convertir esos seres especiales en la razón para vivir. Es idolatría y Dios la detesta. Debes entender hoy que no puedes poner tu vida y tu confianza en el hombre porque lo más seguro es que te va a fallar.

Dios es el que te ayudará en todas tus necesidades y te dará nuevos comienzos.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Muchas veces a lo largo de tu vida, sin importar la edad que tengas, te sentirás con la sensación de que ya no puedes más con las cosas que estás viviendo. Incluso, ni siquiera te motivará la búsqueda de Dios.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - COMMISSIONING ASPECT OF COMMITMENT

COMMISSIONING ASPECT OF COMMITMENT

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

~ Luke 9:23 (NIV)

The personal and trusting relationship between God and His followers now leads the believer to the commissioning aspect of commitment—a task that is characteristic of being His true followers—“and follow me.” This commitment is not to a task but to a person. To be a follower of Jesus is to be a disciple of Jesus. A disciple is one who follows the teaching of another; one who is like another; one who models after another.

What is the task to which he has called us? The task is none other than the words of what we call “The Great Commission”:

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18–20)

The Christian’s task is nothing short of being a servant of Jesus Christ proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ and helping others become followers of Jesus. Our primary responsibility is neither overthrowing governments nor opposing ideologies but a proactive one of making disciples of all nations.

In the course of our obedience to God’s authority, we may come in conflict with the existing government. We have been called to be good citizens and history has proven that Christians are generally law-abiding and hard working. But when conflicts come, the Christian is ready to choose his commitment to Christ over his or her commitment to local authorities (Acts 4:19–20).

RESPONSE: Today I complete my commitment to follow Jesus in sharing His love with others.

PRAYER: As a true disciple, I give myself, Lord, to the task of world evangelization starting where You place me today.

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.

LHM Devotion - April 1, 2018 - A Homely Beginning

Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"A Homely Beginning"

Apr. 1, 2018

Read John 20:1-9

Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.

~ John 20:6-7 (ESV)

It seems so tidy, somehow. When the disciples look into the tomb, they see the linen cloths lying on the stone bed, with the face cloth folded up neatly a little distance away. There are no grand explosions, no linen left dramatically draped around the room.

Rather it suggests to my mind that when He rose from the dead, Jesus simply sat up, removed His wrappings, folded His things (no doubt as His mother taught Him!) and then stood up and went about His day.

Such a quiet, homely beginning for the day that changed the world. A beginning like any other -- one that says "This is home; this is comfort; this is your life where you belong." A beginning unlike any other -- because this is the day that sees death undone, first for Jesus, and ultimately for every Christian who belongs to Him.

We fear death; for death is the enemy; death is a stranger and unknown to us. But Christ is no stranger. He is our Lord, our Savior, our brother and friend and refuge. And He is the One who has mastered death.

Now we do not need to be afraid. Jesus our Lord goes with us, through life and suffering and death and life again. He knows the way, and He holds us safe through all terrors. And just as it was for Him, so it will be for us some day: we will rise from our graves to enjoy the eternal life He gives -- the life that is home, that is comfort, that is where we belong -- forever -- with Jesus.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You with all my heart for rising again. Help me to trust in You as I face life and death, knowing that You will be with me and help me through every step of the way. Amen.

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Who first taught you to fold or hang up your clothing?

Devocional del CPTLN de 01 de Abril de 2018 - UN COMIENZO FAMILIAR

ALIMENTO DIARIO

"UN COMIENZO FAMILIAR"

1 de Abril de 2018

Domingo de Pascua
Leer Juan 20:1-9

Tras él llegó Simón Pedro, y entró en el sepulcro, y vio los lienzos puestos allí; pero el sudario, que había estado sobre la cabeza de Jesús, no estaba puesto con los lienzos, sino enrollado en un lugar aparte.

~ Juan 20:6-7 (RVC)

De alguna manera, todo luce muy prolijo. Cuando los discípulos miran dentro de la tumba, ven los lienzos sobre la cama de piedra y la tela que la había cubierto la cara prolijamente doblada en otro lugar. No hubo ninguna explosión, ni ningún trozo de tela quedó colgada dramáticamente en la roca.

La escena sugiere que, cuando resucitó de la muerte, Jesús simplemente se sentó, se quitó las telas que lo envolvían, las dobló (así como su madre seguramente le había enseñado), se levantó y siguió adelante con su día.

Sin duda un comienzo muy tranquilo y familiar para el día que cambió al mundo. Un comienzo como cualquier otro, uno que dice: "Estoy en casa, me siento cómodo, aquí pertenezco". Pero también un comienzo como ningún otro: porque ese es el día en que la muerte fue vencida, primero para Jesús y finalmente para cada persona que le confiesa como Señor y Salvador.

Le tememos a la muerte porque es nuestra enemiga, es algo extraño y desconocido. Pero Cristo no es ningún extraño ni desconocido. Él es nuestro Señor, nuestro Salvador, nuestro hermano, amigo y refugio, y quien ha conquistado a la muerte. Ya no necesitamos tener miedo.

Nuestro Señor Jesús va con nosotros en nuestra vida, sufrimiento, muerte y vida nueva. Él conoce el camino y nos cuida cuando pasamos por momentos difíciles. Y así como fue con él, será un día también con nosotros: nos levantaremos de nuestra tumba para disfrutar la vida eterna que él nos da. Y entonces sí estaremos en casa y nos sentiremos cómodos, porque allí es donde pertenecemos, para siempre, con Jesús.

ORACIÓN: Querido Señor, gracias por resucitar. Ayúdame a confiar totalmente en ti tanto en la vida como en la muerte, sabiendo que tú estarás conmigo y me ayudarás en todo momento. Amén.

© Copyright 2018 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Quién te enseñó primero a doblar o colgar tu ropa?

Notre Pain Quotidien - Méprisé pour tout cela

Méprisé pour tout cela

Lisez : Ésaïe 53.3-12

La Bible en un an : Juges 13 – 15 ; Luc 6.27-49

[Il] a porté les péchés de beaucoup d’hommes, et […] il a intercédé pour les coupables. (V. 12)

Susannah Cibber est devenue célèbre au XVIII^e siècle tant pour sa superbe voix que pour ses scandales matrimoniaux. Voilà pourquoi, lorsque l’on a interprété le Messie, de Haendel, à Dublin pour la première fois, en avril 1742, beaucoup de gens dans l’auditoire ont désapprouvé le rôle de soliste qu’elle y tenait.

Lors de ce spectacle inaugural, Cibber a chanté un extrait du Messie : « Méprisé et abandonné des hommes, homme de douleur et habitué à la souffrance » (ÉS 53.3). Et ces paroles ont ému le révérend Patrick Delany au point de l’inciter à se lever d’un bond en lançant : « Femme, pour cela, que tous tes péchés te soient pardonnés ! »

Le lien entre Susannah Cibber et le thème du Messie, de Haendel, est évident. C’est à cause du péché que l’« homme de douleur » – Jésus, le Messie – a été « [méprisé] et abandonné ». Le prophète Ésaïe a dit : « [Par] sa connaissance, mon serviteur juste justifiera beaucoup d’hommes, et il se chargera de leurs iniquités » (V. 11).

Or, le même lien nous unit au Messie. Que l’on soit du côté de l’auditoire désapprobateur, de celui de Susannah Cibber ou quelque part entre les deux, nous devons tous nous repentir et recevoir le pardon de Dieu. Par sa vie, sa mort et sa résurrection, Jésus nous a réconciliés avec notre Père céleste.

Pour cela – pour tout ce que Jésus a fait –, que nos péchés nous soient pardonnés !

Alléluia ! Car le Seigneur […] est entré dans son règne.

Apocalypse 19.6

par Tim Gustafson

© 2018 Ministères NPQ
Pour cela – pour tout ce que Jésus a fait –, que nos péchés nous soient pardonnés !

The Daily Readings for SATURDAY, March 31, 2018 - Saturday in Holy Week (Holy Saturday)

Saturday in Holy Week (Holy Saturday)

Daily Readings

SATURDAY, March 31, 2018 (Holy Saturday)

The Collect

O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament: Job 14:1-14

14:1 “A mortal, born of woman, few of days and full of trouble, 2 comes up like a flower and withers, flees like a shadow and does not last. 3 Do you fix your eyes on such a one? Do you bring me into judgment with you? 4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? No one can. 5 Since their days are determined, and the number of their months is known to you, and you have appointed the bounds that they cannot pass, 6 look away from them, and desist, that they may enjoy, like laborers, their days. 7 “For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease. 8 Though its root grows old in the earth, and its stump dies in the ground, 9 yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth branches like a young plant. 10 But mortals die, and are laid low; humans expire, and where are they? 11 As waters fail from a lake, and a river wastes away and dries up, 12 so mortals lie down and do not rise again; until the heavens are no more, they will not awake or be roused out of their sleep. 13 O that you would hide me in Sheol, that you would conceal me until your wrath is past, that you would appoint me a set time, and remember me! 14 If mortals die, will they live again? All the days of my service I would wait until my release should come.

or

Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24

God’s Steadfast Love Endures
3:1 I am one who has seen affliction under the rod of God’s wrath; 2 he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light; 3 against me alone he turns his hand, again and again, all day long. 4 He has made my flesh and my skin waste away, and broken my bones; 5 he has besieged and enveloped me with bitterness and tribulation; 6 he has made me sit in darkness like the dead of long ago. 7 He has walled me about so that I cannot escape; he has put heavy chains on me; 8 though I call and cry for help, he shuts out my prayer; 9 he has blocked my ways with hewn stones, he has made my paths crooked. 3:19 The thought of my affliction and my homelessness is wormwood and gall! 20 My soul continually thinks of it and is bowed down within me. 21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

The Response: Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16 In te, Domine, speravi

1 In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; *

deliver me in your righteousness.

2 Incline your ear to me; *

make haste to deliver me.

3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe, for you are my crag and my stronghold; *

for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.

4 Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, *

for you are my tower of strength.

15 My times are in your hand; *

rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.

16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, *

and in your loving-kindness save me."

The Epistle: 1 Peter 4:1-8

Good Stewards of God’s Grace
4:1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin), 2 so as to live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God. 3 You have already spent enough time in doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme. 5 But they will have to give an accounting to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the spirit as God does. 7 The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.

The Gospel: Matthew 27:57-66

The Burial of Jesus
27:57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.
The Guard at the Tomb
62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception would be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.

or

John 19:38-42

The Burial of Jesus
19:38 After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. 39 Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. 40 They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. 42 And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Here ends the Lessons

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission. The Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.

The Morning Prayer for SATURDAY, March 31, 2018 (Holy Saturday)

O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen

Verse of the Day for SATURDAY, March 31, 2018

John 19:42 (NIV) Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Read all of John 19

Listen to John 19

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

Morning Devotions with Chaplain Kenny - Holy Saturday

Holy Saturday

Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

~ John 19:42 (NIV)

Holy Saturday is sometimes called the Great Sabbath, referring to Jesus being asleep in death, resting before being raised. It is the day in which we remember Jesus laid in the tomb, before the women discover that the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of that rocky resting place. It is a mysterious day on which members of the early church wondered how this “Holy Undying One” was abiding—a sacred pause between death and resurrection.

A homily from the second century tells us that this is also the moment when Jesus “descended into hell,” as the Apostles’ Creed states. The tradition remembered Jesus Christ, the Holy Undying One, going in search of all who had died before. The homily tells us that this Lord went in search of Adam and Eve, our own first parents. Finding them, he lifted them up and proclaimed, “I did not create you to be a captive in hell!” He bid them to waken from the sleep of death, to rise and follow him into fullness of life.

Whether you understand this figuratively or concretely, the point of the homily is that in this Holy Undying One, the Risen Lord, God’s desire to liberate us from all of our hells is revealed. Your hell may be personal, perhaps enslavement to addiction of some type. Or your hell could be communal, a family trapped in cycles of violence and abuse. Or your hell could be political if you are living in a country in which power and corruption go hand in hand.

Holy Saturday proclaims to us that the life, mercy, and light of God suffuses every single hell we can think of. We were not created to be captives in hell. When that divine truth sinks into our brains, our bodies, our very bones, we begin to know the inner liberation that leads us to speak truth in love, to take risks, and to desire freedom for all who are captive. Holy Undying One, have mercy upon us.

Holy Undying One, I know that You did not create me to be a captive; may your liberating grace and mercy guide me to seek the freedom to love in your Name, and to stand with those who are not yet free. Amen.

In Jesus,
Chaplain Kenny

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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Holy Saturday proclaims to us that the life, mercy, and light of God suffuses every single hell we can think of.

Un dia a la Vez - Oración por la unión de la familia

Oración por la unión de la familia

Dichosos todos los que temen al Señor [...] En el seno de tu hogar, tu esposa será como vid llena de uvas [...] tus hijos serán como vástagos de olivo.

~ Salmo 128:1, 3 (NVI)

¡Dios mío y Padre mío! Gracias por ser nuestro Padre. Gracias porque tú nunca nos dejarás ni nos abandonarás.

Te agradecemos porque de una manera sencilla puedo ver algunas de las cosas que esperas de mí como padre, como madre o como hijo.

Te pido perdón si no he desarrollado como es debido mi posición de hijo y de padre.

Te suplico que me des una nueva oportunidad para buscar más de ti y así obtener la sabiduría de cuidar a los míos de manera que sea un buen ejemplo para ellos.

Hoy, como familia, te rogamos que nos des un manto de unión y de protección. Que de una manera milagrosa sanes los corazones de cada uno de los que en este día se acogen a tu misericordia.

Te necesitamos y ponemos delante de ti todo hogar representado por cada persona que hoy hace esta oración.

Gracias, mi Dios, por la bendición de tener una familia.

Amén y amén.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Oración por la unión de la familia

Standing Strong Through the Storm - ENTRUSTING ASPECT OF COMMITMENT

ENTRUSTING ASPECT OF COMMITMENT

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

~ Luke 9:23 (NIV)

On the basis of certain facts, a relationship has been established between two parties. Now there must be actual evidence to prove that one has made that commitment. This is the aspect of entrusting oneself to that second party. In our Luke text, we see two phrases that reflect this entrusting aspect of commitment, “deny yourself” and “take up your cross daily.”

Deny Yourself: The word “deny” literally means “say no to oneself” or “renounce self—leave self behind.” The biblical concept of commitment calls the follower of Jesus to “deny oneself” not self-denial. This is not to deny something, but a more complete and total denial of oneself in which one no longer seeks for what pleases self.

This is in direct contrast to the normal way of life where everyone is out for himself or herself. The basic sinful nature of the world, whether communist, capitalist or revolutionary is the same. It desires the promotion of self at the expense of someone else. Jesus says his followers will be known as those who deny themselves.

Take Up Your Cross Daily: The second part is even more extreme. Commitment also calls for the taking up of the cross. In commitment to Jesus, you deny yourself even to the point of willingness to go to your own execution! We only commit ourselves to the point of willingness to die when we understand that the present life ends up in death anyway and the One who has promised us forgiveness and eternal life can really deliver.

In Jesus Christ, the believer has found real life. Therefore the denying of self and the way of the cross are only logical steps for him or her to take.

A young man who had recently become a Christian was returning home to a country where the punishment for conversion to Christ was death. He was asked whether or not he was afraid to go back. He replied, “I have already died in Christ!”

Jim Elliott, a missionary who was martyred in Ecuador, said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

RESPONSE: Today I will commit to entrust myself to Jesus by denying self and taking up my cross.

PRAYER: Lord, I entrust myself to You and purpose to live the rest of my life to the fullest in ways that only You decide.

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.

The NIV Couples Devotional - Parental Lessons to Avoid

Parental Lessons to Avoid

Read Ezekiel 20:1–29

“Do not follow the statutes of your parents or keep their laws or defile yourselves with their idols. I am the LORD your God; follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

~ Ezekiel 20:18–19 (NIV)

Most children follow the example of their parents. Even as we move into adulthood and marriage, it is natural to mirror our parents’ attitudes and actions. Following their examples can be positive and productive. But what some parents teach can also be difficult and destructive, or somewhere in between.

Jim and Jolene wrestled with the lessons each had learned in their dysfunctional families. When they gave their lives and their marriage to Jesus Christ, they found themselves on a healthier path. But the lessons each had learned from parents and other family members required a lot of sifting. As the couple grew in Christ, they learned three important lessons that the people of Israel also had to learn. The prophet Ezekiel provided specific directions:

First, do not follow the rules (written and unwritten) of sinful parents. Their destructive behavior, broken relationships and spiritual emptiness can lead to death. That was Jim’s experience. He had witnessed drunkenness, abuse and betrayal in his parents’ relationship, and as a teen Jim followed their example as he got into drugs, alcohol and trouble with the law.

Even religious parents can provide poor examples to follow. Jolene often went to church with her family and took part in a youth group. But her mother was judgmental, and her father was preoccupied with his own life. Neither one modeled for Jolene how to behave in a long-term relationship.

Second, do everything you can to pattern your lives and relationship after Christ and his followers. Before meeting each other, Jim and Jolene had become believers. Yet they had to learn how to live as authentic Christians in marriage. They learned as much as they could from Christ’s teachings and example as well as from godly couples in church.

Third, keep the Sabbath. It’s easy to organize life around each other, your jobs, recreational activities, house and yard upkeep, or caring for the kids. But as God says in Ezekiel 20:20, we must keep the Sabbaths holy, “that they may be a sign between us.” When our lives conform to the pattern suggested to us by Scripture, setting aside a day to worship God with other believers and letting everything else line up after that, then, as Ezekiel said, we will know God is our Lord.

John R. Throop

Let’s Talk

• What were some of the lessons our parents taught us about being a husband or wife? How did they model good behavior? Not-so-good behavior?
• What are some practical and productive ways we can follow the commands of Christ to build a spiritual life as a couple and together glorify him?
• In a time-challenged world, what are some ways we can keep the Sabbath together? How can we worship and obey God together?

What were some of the lessons your parents taught you about being a husband or wife?