The Daily Readings for THURSDAY, November 1, 2018

The New Heaven and the New Earth
Revelation 21:1-6

The Daily Readings

THURSDAY, November 1, 2018

Old Testament

Wisdom 3:1-9
The Destiny of the Righteous
3:1 But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them.
2 In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,
and their departure was thought to be a disaster,
3 and their going from us to be their destruction;
but they are at peace.
4 For though in the sight of others they were punished,
their hope is full of immortality.
5 Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
6 like gold in the furnace he tried them,
and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them.
7 In the time of their visitation they will shine forth,
and will run like sparks through the stubble.
8 They will govern nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord will reign over them forever.
9 Those who trust in him will understand truth,
and the faithful will abide with him in love,
because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones,
and he watches over his elect.

The Epistle

Revelation 21:1-6
The New Heaven and the New Earth
21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

“See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them;
4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.”

5 And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.

The Gospel

John 11:32-44
11:32 When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. 34 He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus began to weep. 36 So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

Jesus Raises Lazarus to Life
38 Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

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.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.

The Morning Prayer for THURSDAY, November 1, 2018

Thursday Morning Prayer

Lord on this day I remember that You go before me, so I pause to meditate on Your promises. Thank You Lord that You go with me, You lay a pathway, You watch over me like a shepherd. So I give You my fears, worries and anxieties. I lay all tension and stress at the foot of the cross. Thank You that You arose from the death, and that You bring life, freedom, hope and the promise of Heaven! Praise You that I am safe in Your presence.

May Thursday be a hope filled day, that floods my fears with light, a day that quiets all anxious thoughts as I encounter Christ. Let Thursday always prompt my heart to stop and find Your peace, and live upon the truth You give my eyes to You I lift.

Amen

Verse of the Day for THURSDAY, November 1, 2018

Ephesians 1:18 (NIV) I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,

Read all of Ephesians 1

Listen to Ephesians 1

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 - Jesús y el ayuno

Jesús y el ayuno

Cuando ores, entra en tu aposento, y cerrada la puerta, ora a tu Padre que está en secreto; y tu Padre que ve en lo secreto te recompensará en público.

~ Mateo 6:6 (RVR1960)

Comenzamos un nuevo mes y una enseñanza más de nuestros veintiún días en los que recordamos lo que Dios dejó escrito en su Palabra para que lo entendamos y le podamos obedecer.

Tanto con la oración como con la ofrenda, Jesús nos hace la misma observación. Nos pide que lo hagamos en privado, sin ser llamativos y escandalosos, pues lo que hacemos es para el Señor y no para los hombres.

El ayuno es una oportunidad que tenemos para estar en verdadera comunión con Dios. Además, tiene poder y un gran valor para nuestro Padre celestial. En esos días de ayuno casi siempre hay peticiones específicas que ponemos delante de Dios y es impresionante cómo responde Él. Esto lo comprobamos en los testimonios que son poderosos de verdad.

Sin embargo, el día que ayunes, lo único que te pide Dios es que no lo estés divulgando. Porque si lo haces, te considerarán un hipócrita. ¿Sabes? Con solo de imaginarme que Dios piense de mí que soy una hipócrita, ya me hace ser obediente. Por eso quiero y trato de agradarle.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Comenzamos un nuevo mes y una enseñanza más de nuestros veintiún días en los que recordamos lo que Dios dejó escrito en su Palabra para que lo entendamos y le podamos obedecer.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - IN CHAINS FOR CHRIST

IN CHAINS FOR CHRIST

As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

~ Philippians 1:13 (NIV)

Authorities in Afghanistan arrested Said Musa on May 31, 2010, days after the local TV station broadcast images of Afghan Christians being baptized and worshiping the Lord. A Christian for eight years, he is married and the father of six. Before release from prison he wrote:

Hello my dear brothers and sisters, lovely and strong in faith. On Saturday I went to court, but my session was not held. I met then two persons. I became very happy when they introduced themselves [as my] defense attorneys…I immediately felt joy in my heart, like somebody gave me comfort, like stars, like lights. I one hundred percent believe it was the Holy Spirit healing my heart.

On Thursday some high officials came from the Attorney General’s office. They asked me, “What is your name?” I introduced myself to them. After that they asked me, “Are you truly a Christian?” I replied to them, I am one hundred percent Christian. I believe in the Son of God Almighty, He is my Savior and Lord. I told them the only way to come to God is to have faith in Jesus Christ, He’s the way, He’s eternal life, He’s truth, He’s love, He’s really God.

After that they asked me, “What is wrong with being a Muslim that you converted to the Christian religion?” I told them, it’s the plan of God. God chose his people to complete his work on the earth. Muslim is not bad. The Christian people are never against any religion in the world. Our fight is just with Satan. We love our enemies, like ourselves. They joked and mocked me. “You want to make us Christians now?”

Today a new person came. He asked me, “Why do you not accept Islam; why is this religion better?” I replied to him, the golden thing is this; love your enemy as yourself. In which religion do you find this word? Just in Christianity.

He told me, “You know your punishment. It’s death.” I told him, I am one hundred percent ready for the sake of my faith. My Savior gave his life for me. I am not afraid of a human; he just kills my body, but does not hurt my soul. I am afraid of my Lord and Savior; He will be able to punish my soul too. I told him I am holding on to my faith. I will never betray my faith. Without Jesus, what does the life in this world or the afterlife mean? Nothing!

RESPONSE: Today I will pray for those like Said Musa who are truly in prison for their faith.

PRAYER: Lord, may I have the strength and courage to confess You even under severe pressure.

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

NIV Devotionals for Men - TV Dinner or Pot Pie?

TV Dinner or Pot Pie?

Psalm 96:1–13
Recommended Reading: 2 Chronicles 16:9; Psalm 37:5; Jeremiah 2:12–13; Matthew 22:37–40

When was the last time you ate a frozen TV dinner? If you’re old enough, you may remember those early meals that were sold in an aluminum tray and marketed by the Swanson® company in the mid-1950s. If you’ve had one lately, you’re probably well aware that this idea has been adapted for the microwave. Separate compartments house different components of the entrée, and after a few minutes these “nuked” delicacies are ready to savor—from corn to chicken to a brownie for dessert. Delicious! Or so some folks say.

The frozen dinner is an appropriate image for guys—and not just because it keeps us from having to cook. Men often try to compartmentalize their lives—much like a frozen dinner. As most men are wired to think in a linear fashion, this kind of separation usually works nicely: The job goes in one compartment of the tray. Put the family in another. Friends and extended family in another. And sometimes God is relegated to the dessert compartment—the smallest one in the tray that gets attention only for an hour or so on Sunday.

But another idea surfaced around the same time as the TV dinner, one that we could look at as a new representation for our lives as men. The “pot pie” is a more realistic image for life. Inside the flaky crust is a (typically scalding) combination of food groups—it’s nearly impossible to separate the different parts of the pie from each other.

Consider the point to this culinary conversation: Life doesn’t fit into neat compartments. The psalmist illustrates this in his writing when he charges the sum of God’s creation to praise God. The earth, sea, land, stars, trees, forests, fields—everything! All of creation rejoices because of God’s deeds, his splendor and majesty, his strength and glory.

Now, let’s flip that around. Consider your life—every aspect of it. Does it all belong to God? Does it all praise God?

Chances are you’re going to say no. That’s okay, because today is a new day! Maybe you struggle to believe that God cares about your finances, the challenges you face at work or your struggles with sin. But he does! Life works best when you stop making God an add-on to your days—something to consider once a week before moving on. He longs to be brought into the discussion, to permeate every aspect of your life. Like sauce in a pot pie, once you allow him to cover every aspect of your life you’ll discover a richer and more satisfying daily experience.

To Take Away

• In what areas of life are you experiencing specific problems right now?
• Are you struggling with any areas that you’re hiding from God right now? Why?
• What would it look like for God to help you with these issues? Take the time to talk to God and ask him for his help.

When was the last time you ate a frozen TV dinner?

Girlfriends in God - How Reckless Is Your Love?

How Reckless Is Your Love?

Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

~ Luke 15:10 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

You would think she had just won the lottery the way she was screaming and jumping up in down. In fact, to her she practically had! She’d found her lovey and wanted everyone within hearing distance to celebrate with her.

Gabriella had lost her lovey a few weeks prior. This was a very big deal to a four-and-a-half-year old, especially since she’d had the little white and tan bear blanket from the time she was four months old. Lovey comforted her when she was sad or hurting, rode with her in car trips, slept with her during nap and nighttime, and was her most treasured possession.

When her comfy blanket friend went missing, Gabriella was understandably upset. She mentioned it to her mama, Brooke, occasionally and shed a few tears, but overall she held it together and tried hard to be a big girl about it.

So when she came across lovey in her sister’s dollhouse that day, the response was nothing short of effervescent elation.

Her mom had been visiting with a friend when Gabriella went rushing out to the living room, jumping, shouting and happy-dancing that she had found her lovey. Her face was radiant with joy that shown from her smiling eyes to her broad smile. It was a beautiful display of rejoicing over the lost being found.

In Luke 15 we read of a time when large crowds of people surrounded Jesus. Many of the people that came to hear him were lost: non-churched, rough-around-the-edges, curious outcasts. They seemed intrigued by this man who saw them for who they were and took a sincere interest in their lives. He taught, touched, healed and hung out with them. He didn’t wait until they had cleaned up and learned their good-boy Jewish manners. He welcomed them as they were.

The Pharisees and the teachers of the law didn’t like it one bit. They muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:2) Knowing what was on their hearts and minds, Jesus began to talk about lost things, repentance, and rejoicing.

First he talked about sheep. “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:4-7)

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God!

Then Jesus talked about the value of a lost coin. “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:8-10)

And He went on to tell the story of a prodigal son who broke the traditional customs by asking his father for his share of the family inheritance before it was due him, left home to do his own thing, spent all of his inherited money on wild living, and ended up desperate, alone, lost, and broken in a place far away.

When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (Luke 15:17-20)

Jesus continued to tell of that loving father who watched and waited for his son to return. When the wayward son finally did return, the father threw a grand ole’ party to celebrate. He was overjoyed that his lost son was found… that he was home and restored to the family.

Jesus told these parables to expose the depth of love God has for humanity. The Pharisees showed blatant disregard for people who they didn't perceive to be as religious as they were and who didn’t act like them. What a contrast.

I want my life to expose the depth of love God has for humanity.

I’m reminded as I read this that I need to be careful about how I respond to people who don't share my faith in Christ. I need to value all of humanity and take a sincere interest in their lives regardless of what they believe. It can be easy to dismiss people who don't look like us or act like us or believe like us. But that's not what Jesus did.

Jesus showed us His heart for the lost. He went out of His way to teach and love them. He spoke life and shared the hope of salvation through the repentance of sins. He treasured those that society considered to be throw-away people and reached out to them in love. “For the Son of Man,” He said, “came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)

To seek and save … and savor and celebrate!

Just like sweet little Gabriella rejoiced when she found her lovey, God and all of heaven celebrates when a sinner repents. Because we are His treasures and He loves us that much.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, Thank You for seeking and saving me by Your grace. Thank You for loving me when I was hard to love. (And for the times when I still am!) Help me to see others as You see them. Break my heart for what breaks Yours. Please use me to point others to Your hope.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read Luke 19:1-10. What was the reason Jesus gave for coming to earth in verse 10? Are there any people you have given up on? Any you’ve distance yourself from because they don’t think, look, or act like you? What do you think would please God regarding this?

Give thanks to God for your salvation and for at least 3 loved ones who have been found by grace. Pray for the salvation of 3 lost people who are yet to be found by grace.

More from the Girlfriends

Ready for more strength, dignity, and joy in your life? The GRACEOLOGY with Gwen Smith podcast will help you get there! Hang out with Gwen and friends on your commute to and from work, when you go on walks, exercise, run errands or travel. Podcasts are also perfect to listen to as you do household chores! (Laundry anyone?) Each GRACEOLOGY with Gwen Smith podcast episode is filled with fun, faith-focused, grace-filled conversations that will help you know and trust God more. These discussions are going to encourage you in meaningful ways to live out and lean on the GRACE of Jesus in the midst of cluttered, messy days. CLICK HERE to listen on iTunes, or visit GwenSmith.net/Graceology for more information.

Are you an INSTAGRAM girl? Connect with Gwen there! (Her Insta stories are fun!)

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

You would think she had just won the lottery the way she was scream...

LHM Daily Devotions - Growing into Jesus' Image

"Growing into Jesus' Image"

Nov. 1, 2018

... theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

~ Matthew 5:3 (ESV)

I have to confess, that the Beatitudes in Matthew chapter 5 were never my favorite. I would read "Blessed are the pure in heart," and immediately all of the impurities in my own heart would leap into my thoughts. Or I would read "Blessed are those who mourn" and think that I don't want to mourn! I don't want to be sad or grieve. I knew these were Jesus' words, but I really didn't want to read them. I found no pleasure in them, and I got on to the next chapter as quickly as I could.

But lately I begin to wonder if I was reading them all wrong. Have you ever noticed that, except for the first one and the last, all of them have a statement in the future tense? For example, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Clearly, the earth doesn't belong to the meek right now; this is a statement about the future. Or try, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." This is also clearly about the future, and you can try it yourself: just try to make peace between two enemies and see what they call you right now! It won't be anything as nice as "son of God!"

But it isn't just the second half of each statement that has a meaning set in the future. Take a look at the first halves. "Blessed are the meek ... the merciful ... the peacemakers ... those who hunger and thirst after righteousness." These are words that might describe me on my best days, but certainly they are not true 100 percent of the time. I am meek, but only sometimes. I am merciful, well, I try to be. I am a peacemaker -- when I'm not exhausted. And my hunger and thirst for righteousness is definitely part-time.

These are all things the Holy Spirit is growing us into. They are not things that any of us is all the time. Rather, this passage-as-a-whole is a picture of what the Spirit is making us into: people in the image of Jesus Christ. Someday, in fact, we will be pure of heart - peacemakers -- meek -- merciful. And when we are completed, we will have the gifts that God promises in the future tense: we will see God; we will be called "children of God"; we will inherit the earth; we will be shown mercy. All of this will happen because Jesus has saved us through His own life, death, and resurrection, and has given us His Holy Spirit to live in us and remake us in His image.

But how does this happen? Let's look at the two present-tense verses, the first and the last. "Blessed are the poor in spirit ... Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Right now, theirs is the kingdom of heaven. God's reign has already begun. They -- or I should say we -- are not waiting for their King to come. He has already come and is already ruling over their lives and all things. Jesus is our King, and our lives are in His hands. This is true right now. Thank God!

THE PRAYER: Lord, please keep making me into Your own image. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
I have to confess, that the Beatitudes in Matthew chapter 5 were never my favorite.

Devocional del CPTLN de 01 de Noviembre de 2018 - Cumpliendo las promesas

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Cumpliendo las promesas

01 de Noviembre de 2018

Cuando hagas un voto al Señor tu Dios, no tardes en cumplirlo, porque ciertamente el Señor tu Dios te exigirá que lo cumplas, y cometerás un pecado si no lo cumples. Aunque no cometerás ningún pecado si te abstienes de prometer, toda promesa que salga de tus labios deberás cumplirla. Tal y como lo prometiste al Señor tu Dios, cumplirás con la ofrenda voluntaria que hiciste con tu propia boca.

~ Deuteronomio 23:21-23 (RVC)

Después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, Albert Gubay fue dado de baja de la Marina Británica Real.

Siendo devoto católico, Albert estaba agradecido de haber sobrevivido la guerra. Por otro lado, estaba entristecido por el hecho que todo lo que poseía eran 80 libras. Aun cuando una libra británica valía más en aquellos tiempos, no era suficiente como para ser considerado "rico."

Fue entonces que decidió hacer un pacto con Dios, diciéndole: 'si me haces millonario, puedes tener la mitad de mi dinero'.

Para hacerla corta, Dios lo hizo millonario... y luego multimillonario. ¿Qué pasó con su promesa? Albert estaba decidido a cumplir la promesa hecha a Dios, por lo que en su testamento indicó que la mitad de su dinero sería destinado a obras de caridad elegidas por la Iglesia Católica y sus administradores.

Cuando leí la historia me pregunté si Dios estaría sorprendido al ver que un pecador había estado decidido a mantener su promesa. No quiero parecer difamador de la humanidad, pero nuestros records en esa materia no son muy alentadores.

Si duda de lo que digo, hable con su pastor. Pregúntele cuántas promesas hechas en el bautismo, en la confirmación y en el matrimonio, han sido olvidadas y quebrantadas. Es una señal de nuestra naturaleza pecadora que con gran facilidad podemos hacer promesas a Dios y el uno al otro, y con más facilidad aún podemos olvidar esas promesas.

Damos gracias a Dios porque nuestras imperfecciones no lo detienen a él de mantener su promesa. Dios prometió enviar al mundo a un Salvador, y mantuvo su promesa en la persona y sacrificio de Jesús. Él prometió que todo el que cree en Jesús como su Redentor será perdonado y salvado, y es una promesa que ha mantenido decenas y cientos de millones de veces.

Lo cual es tan sólo una de las razones por la que él es Dios y nosotros no... y por lo que podemos confiar absolutamente en él y las cosas que él nos dice en su Santa Palabra.

ORACIÓN: Señor, te doy gracias porque tú cumples sin depender en mi fidelidad. Gracias por cumplir tus promesas de salvación para todas las personas en la persona de Jesucristo. En su nombre. Amén.

© Copyright 2018 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
Después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, Albert Gubay fue dado de baja de la Marina Británica Real.

Хлеб наш насущный - Когда устаешь сочувствовать

Когда устаешь сочувствовать

Читать сейчас: Матфея 9:35-38 | Библия за год: Иеремии 24-26; Колоссянам 3

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Видя толпы народа, Он сжалился над ними, что они были изнурены и рассеяны, как овцы, не имеющие пастыря. — Матфея 9:36 

Энн Франк стала известной благодаря своему дневнику, в котором описала, как во время Второй мировой войны ее семья несколько лет скрывалась от немцев. Потом их нашли и поместили в концлагерь. Те, кто видел Энн, говорили, что «у нее никогда не высыхали слезы». Но она плакала не о себе, а о других. Поэтому «ее присутствие было благословением для всех, кто ее знал». Ученый Кеннет Бэйли сказал, что Энн никогда не уставала сочувствовать.

Мы устаем сочувствовать из-за того, что живем в грешном мире. Бесконечный поток человеческих страданий способен сделать равнодушными даже самых доброжелательных. Но с Иисусом Христом все было по-другому. В Евангелии от Матфея 9:35-36 сказано: «И ходил Иисус по всем городам и селениям, уча в синагогах их, проповедуя Евангелие Царства и исцеляя всякую болезнь и всякую немощь в людях. Видя толпы народа, Он сжалился над ними, что они были изнурены и рассеяны, как овцы, не имеющие пастыря».

Наш мир страдает не только из-за материальных нужд, но еще в большей степени из-за духовных. Иисус пришел, чтобы восполнить эти нужды, и призывает нас присоединиться к Его труду (Мф. 9:37-38). Он молился, чтобы Отец выслал делателей на помощь людям, страдающим от греха, одиночества и боли. Пусть Небесный Отец даст нам сострадательное сердце, которое отразило бы состояние сердца Христа. В силе Божьего Духа мы сможем проявлять Его сочувствие и заботу ко всем страдающим.

Небесный Отец, прости, что я часто отворачиваюсь от нуждающихся. Укрепи меня Своим Духом, чтобы я поступал в соответствии с Твоей волей и руководством.

В мире, где так много боли, нам нужно научиться состраданию Иисуса.

автор: Билл Краудер

© 2018 Хлеб Наш Насущный
Энн Франк стала известной благодаря своему дневнику, в котором описала, как во время Второй мировой войны ее семья несколько лет скрывалась от немцев.

The Daily Readings for WEDNESDAY, October 31, 2018

The Woman and the Dragon
Revelation 12:1-6

The Daily Readings

WEDNESDAY, October 31, 2018

Old Testament

Ecclesiasticus 28:14-26 (Sirach 28:14-26)
28:14 Slander has shaken many,
    and scattered them from nation to nation;
it has destroyed strong cities,
    and overturned the houses of the great.
15 Slander has driven virtuous women from their homes,
    and deprived them of the fruit of their toil.
16 Those who pay heed to slander will not find rest,
    nor will they settle down in peace.
17 The blow of a whip raises a welt,
    but a blow of the tongue crushes the bones.
18 Many have fallen by the edge of the sword,
    but not as many as have fallen because of the tongue.
19 Happy is the one who is protected from it,
    who has not been exposed to its anger,
who has not borne its yoke,
    and has not been bound with its fetters.
20 For its yoke is a yoke of iron,
    and its fetters are fetters of bronze;
21 its death is an evil death,
    and Hades is preferable to it.
22 It has no power over the godly;
    they will not be burned in its flame.
23 Those who forsake the Lord will fall into its power;
    it will burn among them and will not be put out.
It will be sent out against them like a lion;
    like a leopard it will mangle them.
24a As you fence in your property with thorns,
25b     so make a door and a bolt for your mouth.
24b As you lock up your silver and gold,
25a     so make balances and scales for your words.
26 Take care not to err with your tongue,
    and fall victim to one lying in wait.

The Epistle

Revelation 12:1-6
The Woman and the Dragon
12:1 A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2 She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pangs, in the agony of giving birth. 3 Then another portent appeared in heaven: a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear a child, so that he might devour her child as soon as it was born. 5 And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. But her child was snatched away and taken to God and to his throne; 6 and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, so that there she can be nourished for one thousand two hundred sixty days.

The Gospel

Luke 11:37-52
Jesus Denounces Pharisees and Lawyers
11:37 While he was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him; so he went in and took his place at the table. 38 The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not first wash before dinner. 39 Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41 So give for alms those things that are within; and see, everything will be clean for you.

42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds, and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practiced, without neglecting the others. 43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love to have the seat of honor in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces. 44 Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without realizing it.”

45 One of the lawyers answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us too.” 46 And he said, “Woe also to you lawyers! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not lift a finger to ease them. 47 Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your ancestors killed. 48 So you are witnesses and approve of the deeds of your ancestors; for they killed them, and you build their tombs. 49 Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’ 50 so that this generation may be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be charged against this generation. 52 Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”

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.
A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

The Morning Prayer for WEDNESDAY, October 31, 2018

Wednesday morning prayer

We thank You, Lord, for the gift of living in this nation and for blessings You shower on all its citizens. Guide us as we fulfill the duties of citizenship. Let us carry out our civic obligations with gratitude toward You and joy at the privilege of serving others through participation in community and national life. Let us see all kinds of public service - payment of taxes, efforts for local and national improvement, support for responsible political parties and noble causes - as opportunities to give You praise and to meet the needs of others. Grant us wisdom to repent of unwise decisions in the political sphere and discernment to make proper contributions to the common welfare.

May Wednesday be a dwelling day, curled up on Abba's knee. Following in the path of Christ, with His Spirit I'm set free. Let Wednesday always prompt my heart to travel home to nest. To feel the blessings of my faith to know Your peace and rest. In Jesus' name, who redeemed us by His cross.

Amen

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, October 31, 2018

1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV) Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Read all of 1 Peter 5

Listen to 1 Peter 5

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 - Jesús y la limosna

Jesús y la limosna

Cuando ores, entra en tu aposento, y cerrada la puerta, ora a tu Padre que está en secreto; y tu Padre que ve en lo secreto te recompensará en público.

~ Mateo 6:6 (RVR1960)

Fíjense bien que lo que Dios nos ha exhortado durante estos últimos devocionales es a que todo lo que hagamos para Él sea en silencio, pues es un Dios de intimidad. Es evidente que le molesta la gente ruidosa y que les dicen a todos lo que diezman, lo que ofrendan y hoy, en este devocional, lo que oran.

Una vez más Jesús dice que si vas a orar, lo hagas solo, que no seas como los hipócritas que oran de pie en las sinagogas y en la calle para que los vean. ¡Cuánto le choca esto a nuestro Dios!

Ahora bien, esto no quiere decir que no podamos orar en grupo o en familia de una manera audible. Tampoco se trata de que no podamos ir a las misiones, pues a lo que Dios se refiere es a la intención de nuestro corazón.

También nos enseña que no seamos repetitivos en la oración como los loros, sino tengamos una conversación natural y sincera de nuestro corazón con Él.

Aprendemos, entonces, que todo lo que hagamos en secreto, Él nos lo recompensara en público. Y aun si no se nos reconociera, es bueno hacerlo en silencio.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Fíjense bien que lo que Dios nos ha exhortado durante estos últimos devocionales es a que todo lo que hagamos para Él sea en silencio, pues es un Dios de intimidad.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - ADVANCING THE GOSPEL

ADVANCING THE GOSPEL

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

~ Philippians 1:12 (NIV)

The Apostle Paul writes these words from prison but he assures his readers that prison in no way hindered the spread of the gospel, but actually advanced it. Then he states in the following verses that he is chains only because of Christ and because of his imprisonment, others have become bolder and fearless in sharing their faith. And the gospel advances!

A Vietnamese brother, we’ll call Daniel, was led by the Lord to the minister in the north where he soon found himself in the midst of a revival. The inevitable soon happened and Daniel was sent to prison, his “training school,” for three years. He shares his experience in prison:

After my arrest I was put in solitary confinement and chained to the ground for six months. This was a very hard time for me. The cell was only 2 x 3 meters, there were no lights in the cell and I only had one bowl of rice and salt a day. A piece of bamboo was stuck between my crossed legs and chained to the ground. My hands were chained to the ground behind my back and whenever I had to go to the toilet I was offered only a plastic bag.

I felt totally deserted. I asked the Lord to take my life. It was too much for me. I prayed a lot but thankfully the Lord did not do what I asked.

One night in my prison cell, chained to the ground, I saw a vision of the Lord. He did not speak a word. He just placed his hand on me and I felt how new strength filled my body. I cried and repented before the Lord. Then I knew the Lord was saying to me that He would not allow me to leave this world defeated, that when He takes me “home” it would be victoriously. The next day the police came and took me to another cell but I could not walk. After one year I could walk again.

Today I can see why God allowed this difficult time. After three years in prison there is a church in every area where I spent time and more than 200 inmates came to know the Lord. Three other prisoners who came to know the Lord also started churches in prison.

When I was released, I found that my village church had grown to 500. I know that God has a good plan. He sent me to prison to preach the gospel and so that I may become a strong warrior for Him.

RESPONSE: Today I will pray differently for brothers and sisters in prison for their faith.

PRAYER: Help me Lord to always trust Your plan – even when it seems difficult and overwhelming.

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

Girlfriends in God - Leaving Home

Leaving Home

Lisa Morrone, PT

Today’s Truth

From one man He has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live.

~ Acts 17:26 (HCSB)

Friend to Friend

Abraham, or Abram, as he was first named, was called by God to leave home…and to go. Where to, you ask? Great question. I’m sure Abram asked the very same one. The answer? “…to the land I will show you.”

Huh, so that’s it? Just leave? Follow you, Lord, with blind trust?

Yes, Abram. Just leave…and go. I will show you where to make each turn along the way, but on a “need to know” basis.

A former pastor of mine once said, “Just as it’s easier to steer a car that’s already rolling forward, it’s easier for the Lord to move a person who’s already in motion.” I guess this is as true for you and me today as it was for Abram way back then.

As Christ-followers, many of us are prone to hang back and ask God to reveal ALL the details He has in store for our future BEFORE we will commit to leaving our familiar surroundings (location of residence, job title, ministry role). But I ask you, sister, is this really trust on our part? Or is it calculated, weighed, and measured “obedience”?

In my own life’s journey, the Lord has, many times, asked me to vacate my present ministry, job role—and most recently, my state of residence—to follow Him. Early on, I admit, I was a full-fledged foot dragger…slow to obey, begging for all the details before I would step out in “faith” and go.  But as the years have gone by, Jesus has been calling me to a purer, more mature level of obedience—the kind that says, “Yes, Lord,” and obeys, rather than asking for a detailed itinerary so I can weigh out all the pros and cons of my action or inaction.

Twelve years ago, I was smack dab in the middle of co-directing Vacation Bible School at my church when the Lord told me my role as Co-Director was finished. What?! I exclaimed. “I am such a perfect fit for this position! I’ve implemented so many important changes that have improved the effectiveness of this program ten-fold!” I think He agreed with me, but nevertheless, I was to move on. “But to where?” I asked. No answer.

Five months later, the Lord called me to write books on health for the purpose of enabling His Army to age well, live long, and serve strong. After six, published books, I see His point. He had something else for me to do to advance His Kingdom.

Presently, my obedience challenge is to relocate from New York to Virginia. In order to “Go,” I must leave home—which includes the house I raised my children in, my physical therapy practice, my college teaching position, my church family, and my friends—many of whom I’ve known and loved for over 20 years!

But this I know from looking back: my future, when placed in the Lord’s hands, always accomplishes what’s best for His Kingdom and for myself as his daughter. With every act of obedience on my part, I grow, and as I do, I’m always amazed at what the Lord can accomplish with my small offering.

Really, friends, isn’t this what we all long for? To witness the Lord at work in and through us? To be directed and used by God to accomplish His will on earth?

The Lord has great plans for us—things for us to do, places for us to live, people for us to impact. Praise God, we do not need to figure it all out from point A. We simply need to respond in obedience to the next thing the Lord is prompting us to do.

Let’s Pray

My Lord and my God, be my vision when I cannot see past today. Call me out to the great unknown where you are already at work. Give me the privilege of working alongside you, my Master. I will leave, and I will go, where and when you ask me to. I promise.
In your Mighty Name, Jesus, I pray,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

What or where have you been feeling led by the Lord to leave? How long have you been hearing, yet resisting? What are your hesitations? Talk this over with Jesus and commit to Him your willingness to release what you know and to grab hold of what He knows is best.

More from the Girlfriends

Sleep Well Again (Harvest House Publishers) is one of Lisa’s six books in her Restoring Your Temple® health resource collection. Lisa Morrone, PT is a physical therapist, professor, author of six books, radio guest and event speaker who encourages people to “Get Healthy for Heaven’s Sake.” Visit Lisa’s website for more information and to sign up to receive her informative “Monday Morning Health Tips!” Her books are available on Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, or wherever books are sold.

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

Abraham, or Abram, as he was first named, was called by God to leave home…and to go.

LHM Daily Devotions - Welcomed as Sons and Daughters

"Welcomed as Sons and Daughters"

Oct. 31, 2018

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.

~ 1 John 3:1-2 (ESV)

What a wonderful passage of Scripture to consider on this Reformation Day!

See how the Father loves us, it says. Look at the kind of love He has shown -- the paternal patience, the gentle prodding to faith, the complete preoccupation with our well-being. He shows us the heartfelt embrace of love that a parent has for his son or daughter. That is the love God has for us.

And that we should be called His children -- not the lost orphans we once were, not the rebellious haters who despised both self and others -- but His children. This gift of eternal kinship is ours through the faith we have in our Lord and Savior Jesus. He's the One who found us as lost sheep, who searched for us like a lost coin, who welcomes home the problem child -- even when that child squandered everything.

And the reason why the world doesn't know us? How could it? We're aliens in a strange land. We're not the world's kind anymore. We're new creations being shaped by the same hand the world nailed to the cross. If we were like we were, we'd be recognizable to the world and greeted with open arms. But we're not; "we are God's children now."

And yet we're becoming something more. We're being molded daily into His image -- refined to be like Him, to speak like Him, to forgive like Him and, most definitely, to love like Him. We are like those early believers in Antioch who were taught by Paul and Barnabas and who, likewise, were transformed by God. So much so, that outsiders saw them as distinct and gave them a name: "Christians" or little Christs. (See Acts 11:19-26.)

And finally, the passages says, one day -- and not very long from now -- "we shall see Him as He is."

Can we possibly imagine what that Day will be like -- when we see Him as He is? No doubt we will thank God for His grace and mercy. We will praise Him for the wondrous gift of His Son whose defeat of death made all of heaven possible. We might even go up to the Father -- can you picture it -- and sit on His lap.

After all, we are His children.

THE PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, we are Your children, for that's what You call us. Washed in Jesus' blood, You take us to Your side. We love and thank You for this. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Paul Schreiber. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
What a wonderful passage of Scripture to consider on this ...

Devocional del CPTLN de 31 de Octubre de 2018 - Oremos por las autoridades

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Oremos por las autoridades

31 de Octubre de 2018

Ante todo, exhorto a que se hagan rogativas, oraciones, peticiones y acciones de gracias por todos los hombres; por los reyes y por todos los que ocupan altos puestos, para que vivamos con tranquilidad y reposo, y en toda piedad y honestidad. Porque esto es bueno y agradable delante de Dios nuestro Salvador.

~ 1 Timoteo 2:1-3 (RVC)

¿Ha escuchado hablar del Grupo de Oración Presidencial? Si bien no está organizado ni por el gobierno, ni por el presidente actual o un presidente pasado, es un ministerio nacional que se ha propuesto organizar oraciones por el Presidente de los Estados Unidos y otras autoridades.

En muchas formas esta es una idea buena, poderosa y, como dice la Escritura para la devoción de hoy, 'agradable a Dios'.

El presidente del mencionado Grupo ha dicho que están atravesando por problemas económicos, dado que algunos de sus miembros no están contentos con la forma en que está yendo el gobierno.

En una carta solicitando fondos, escribe: "Unos miembros nos dicen que están desanimados y decepcionados, y algunos han admitido que han dejado de orar por el Presidente y por nuestra nación." Luego agrega que, para continuar con su ministerio, para el mes que viene necesitan reunir $96,000 dólares.

Lo más probable es que nosotros no necesitemos que una organización nos diga que oremos por nuestras autoridades, porque nuestro Señor ya nos lo ha dicho. Las Escrituras nos dice que, a través de su vida, Jesús siempre mostró respeto por quienes estaban en autoridad.

Así lo hizo cuando fue llevado a juicio, y a pesar de las mentiras que dijeron acerca de él y de los cargos falsos que levantaron en su contra. Jesús respetó su autoridad aun cuando ellos pidieron su muerte y lo enviaron a la cruz.

Honrar a las autoridades. Eso es lo que los cristianos debemos hacer en todo momento... siempre y cuando esas autoridades no traten de interponerse en la obligación que tenemos de dar testimonio de nuestro Redentor.

Es por ello que, más allá de lo que usted piense de su gobierno, le invito a que ore por sus autoridades, porque 'eso es bueno y agradable a Dios nuestro Salvador'.

ORACIÓN: Señor Dios, te pido por todas las personas que están en puestos de autoridad, todo hombre y mujer a quien has elevado a posiciones de honor e influencia. Dales la fuerza y la sabiduría necesarias para que hagan lo que es correcto delante de tus ojos, para que así sus pueblos sean bendecidos y puedan llevar una vida de gratitud a ti. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén.

© Copyright 2018 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Ha escuchado hablar del Grupo de Oración Presidencial?

Ministérios Pão Diário - Nunca se acaba

Nunca se acaba

Leia: 1 Pedro 1:3-9 | A Bíblia em um ano: Jeremias 22–23; Tito 1

Baixe a versão MP3

…[Deus] nos regenerou […] para uma herança incorruptível… vv.3,4

Quando perguntei a uma amiga que estava perto de aposentar-se o que ela mais temia quanto à sua próxima etapa de vida, ela disse: “Quero ter a certeza de não ficar sem dinheiro.” No dia seguinte, ao conversar com meu conselheiro financeiro, ele me aconselhou sobre como eu poderia evitar ficar sem dinheiro. De fato, todos nós queremos ter a segurança de saber que teremos os recursos de que necessitaremos durante o restante de nossa vida.

Nenhum plano financeiro é capaz de proporcionar uma garantia absoluta de segurança terrena. Mas há um plano que se estende muito além desta vida e adentra indefinidamente no futuro. O apóstolo Pedro o descreve assim: “…o Deus e Pai de nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo, […] segundo a sua muita misericórdia, nos regenerou para uma viva esperança, mediante a ressurreição de Jesus Cristo dentre os mortos, para uma herança incorruptível, sem mácula, imarcescível…” (1 Pedro 1:3,4).

Quando depositamos nossa fé em Jesus para perdoar os nossos pecados, recebemos uma herança eterna por meio do poder de Deus. Por causa dessa herança, viveremos eternamente e nunca nos faltará o que necessitamos.

Planejar-se para a aposentadoria é uma boa ideia, se pudermos fazê-lo. No entanto, mais importante do que isso é ter a herança eterna que jamais se esgota — e essa só está disponível mediante a fé em Jesus Cristo.

A promessa do céu é a nossa esperança eterna.

por Dave Branon

© 2018 Ministérios Pão Diário
Quando perguntei a uma amiga que estava perto de aposentar-se o que ela mais temia quanto à sua próxima etapa de vida, ela disse ...