The Daily Readings for TUESDAY, January 9, 2018

The Testimony of John the Baptist
John 1:19-28

Daily Readings

Genesis 3:1-24

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God say, 'You shall not eat from any tree in the garden'?" The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.'" But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves. They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" He said, "I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself." He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate." Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent tricked me, and I ate." The LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed are you among all animals and among all wild creatures; upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel." To the woman he said, "I will greatly increase your pangs in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you." And to the man he said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree about which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return." The man named his wife Eve, because she was the mother of all living. And the LORD God made garments of skins for the man and for his wife, and clothed them. Then the LORD God said, "See, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever"-- therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man; and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim, and a sword flaming and turning to guard the way to the tree of life.

Hebrews 2:1-10

Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. For if the message declared through angels was valid, and every transgression or disobedience received a just penalty, how can we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? It was declared at first through the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him, while God added his testimony by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, distributed according to his will. Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. But someone has testified somewhere, "What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them? You have made them for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned them with glory and honor, subjecting all things under their feet." Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

John 1:19-28

This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, "I am not the Messiah." And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No." Then they said to him, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,'" as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal." This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The New Revised Standard Version Bible may be quoted and/or reprinted up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without express written permission of the publisher, provided the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible or account for fifty percent (50%) of the total work in which they are quoted.

Prayer of the Day for TUESDAY, January 9, 2018

God our Father, in obedience to you, your only Son accepted death on the cross for the salvation of mankind. We acknowledge the mystery of the cross on earth. May we receive the gift of redemption in heaven. We ask 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

Verse of the Day for TUESDAY, January 9, 2018

John 14:6 (NIV) Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Read all of John 14

Listen to John 14

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

Morning Devotions with Cap'n Kenny - Coward or Courageous

Coward or Courageous

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

~ Proverbs 29:25 (NIV)

I have done many wrong things in my life, even though I gave my heart to Jesus many years ago. I want to do what is good and right, I pray to be good, and I try to be good, but I many times fall short. When God placed on my heart to start sharing devotionals, I was fearful of many things. I couldn’t understand how God could use me. I was certainly not perfect by any means, and my ability fell short. God knew these things already, but planted this seed in my heart.

What was I going to do? I had two choices, I could be a coward and say no, or I could allow God to be courageous in me, and say yes. I did accept His call. God slowly put a shield around me of protection, to not be concerned about the things that gave me fear. He let me know that these are His stories, not mine, and that He would get His message out, despite me. I also grew a tougher exterior, not letting opinions sway me in the work God had for me. I tell my stories, and the stories of others, relating how God has moved, but they are always His work.

If God has called you to do something, and you are being asked to step outside of your comfort zone, you also have the same two choices. You know you are not perfect. You make mistakes, and you wonder why God would call you. You feel a twinge of fear beginning to strangle you, but God has planted a seed in your heart, and you just can’t shake it.

Don’t fall into the hole of being a coward by making excuses for all the reasons you shouldn’t respond to God’s call. Each excuse you make only digs your hole of fear, deeper. The hole can become so deep, that climbing out, becomes a difficult task. Instead, step out in faith, trusting God will supply all your needs. When you say, “Yes” to his call, He will keep you safe. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” If God has planted a seed in your heart, you can be sure He will give you the courage to accomplish His work.

God our Father, you conquer the darkness of ignorance by the light of your Word. Strengthen within our hearts the faith you have given us; let not the fear of stepping out of our comfort zone to serve you ever quench the fire that your love has kindled within us. We ask 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,
Cap'n 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.
I have done many wrong things in my life, even though I gave my heart to Jesus many years ago.

Un Dia a la Vez - Reconcíliate con Dios

Reconcíliate con Dios

El Señor tu Dios está en medio de ti [...] Se deleitará en ti con gozo, te renovará con su amor [...] como en los días de fiesta.

~ Sofonías 3:17-18 (NVI)

Como seres humanos, es muy común que cuando una relación no da resultado, ni nos llena, la dejamos. Rompemos con ella y tratamos de olvidarnos para siempre de esa persona que nos ofendió o nos abandonó.

Aun así, he escuchado a través de la vida en Cristo que muchas personas se pelean con Dios por diferentes razones. Quizá perdieran un ser querido y culparan a Dios. O porque tuvieron una petición especial y Dios no la concedió. O a lo mejor sufrieron una amarga experiencia en una iglesia o le falló un líder en el que depositaron toda la confianza. Entonces prefieren cortar toda relación con Dios.

¿Sabes? Es un atrevimiento enojarse con quien te dio la vida. Debemos entender que muchas de nuestras decisiones son las causantes de lo que vivimos. Debemos entender que a Dios le interesa nuestra felicidad y que no se goza con nuestro dolor y sufrimiento. Quizá muchas veces antes de tomar decisiones equivocadas Él nos alertara de varias maneras y no lo escuchamos.

A pesar de eso, si fallamos, recuerda que Él no te falla. Él no es un Dios cambiante. Él permanece para siempre. Si estás enojado con Dios, hoy es el día de tu reconciliación con Él. Pídele perdón de todo corazón por haberle juzgado, por haberte alejado, y verás que Él, como un Dios Padre misericordioso, te recibe una vez más en sus brazos.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón

Standing Strong Through the Storm - BOLDNESS, LOVE AND NON-VIOLENCE

BOLDNESS, LOVE AND NON-VIOLENCE

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

~ Romans 12:17, 18 (NIV)

A few years ago I was leading a group from my home church in Canada on a mission trip to Cuba. The church in Cuba had experienced a significant revival movement and the fast-growing house church movement was overflowing with new believers.

In Havana we visited the Baptist Seminary and were delighted to have some time with its then elderly president, Dr. Vegilla. He spoke perfect English and shared with us how he had spent five years in Castro’s prison system in the 1960’s just because he was a Christian pastor. He further itemized the pressures the church had experienced at the hand of the regime over the past five decades. Then he smiled and in his very positive style of expression concluded, “But we have learned three things through all of this. We learned not to fear, not to hate and not to harm!”

I have meditated on this statement for some time and concluded that it expresses very succinctly the biblical essence of standing strong through any storm. And although his three point outline is stated negatively, there are very positive aspects of each:

· learning “not to fear” infers a development of boldness and courage

· learning “not to hate” implies a focus on love, forgiveness and grace

· learning “not to harm” indicates a commitment to the biblical principles of non-violence and aggressive love

Dr. Vegilla summed it up perfectly and as you continue to read these devotionals, you will see dozens of specific applications for all aspect of discipleship in following our Lord Jesus.

RESPONSE: Today I want to live in boldness, love and non-violence. I am committed not to fear, not to hate, and not to harm anyone.

PRAYER: Lord, this kind of living is counter-culture. I need Your strength and power to live this way. Help me—as well as Your persecuted church—to keep this as my focus.

Girlfriends in God - It’s No Small Thing

It’s No Small Thing

Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

"Does it seem a small thing to you that the God of Israel has chosen you … to minister to them?" 

~ Numbers 16:9 (NET Bible)

Friend to Friend

A friend sent this text: “I thought of you when I read Numbers 16:9 today!”

“Does it seem a small thing to you that the God of Israel has chosen you from among all the people of Israel to be near Him as you serve in the Lord's tabernacle and to stand before the people to minister to them?” (Numbers 16:9, NET Bible)

She texted again: “God chose you to serve Him in this tabernacle of flesh, to stand, talk, and to sing before people to minister to them.”

I thanked her and shook my head. No, it’s not a small thing at all. It is an honor: one that I don’t deserve, but for the healing, life-changing grace of Jesus.

She probably thought of me because I serve on stage, in a visible position. I get it. But I have to tell you this, even though she thought of me, I thought of you.

And you should too.

Because every person who places her faith in Jesus becomes a part of His plan: to know Him intimately and impact others for His glory. No microphone required. No Bible degree needed. You don’t have to be a pastor, ministry director, Sunday school teacher, elder, or deacon.

Several gems rise to the surface of this Scripture as I look it over. As a member of the body of Christ, God’s chosen, I must…

MAKE IT PERSONAL

This verse is a question. Does it seem a small thing to you…?

In other words, do you realize how awesome it is that you get to do something to express your love for God? Do you understand what a privilege it is to know and serve the One who knows and loves you best… the One who redeems broken lives from the pit and crowns them with love and compassion… the One who forgives, heals, holds, restores, guides, and helps? (I’m jumping up and down here!)

I know my answer. I may forget it sometimes in my selfishness, but today I know my answer. You?

On to the next gem…

BE NEAR HIM

“…the God of Israel has chosen you from among all the people of Israel to be near Him…”

It’s easy to feel isolated, rejected, unwanted, and unappreciated. Right? Most of us do at times. This reminds me that our Creator loves His creation. And He wants us near Him. (In spite of the fact that He fully knows who we are, the ways we’ve failed, the rules we’ve broken, the habits that trip us up, and the stubborn heart-places that are yet to be refined.)

This invitation to His presence is personal. Gem. Gem. Gem.

And there’s more…

SERVE HIM and STAND BEFORE THE PEOPLE to MINISTER to THEM

“…as you serve in the Lord's tabernacle …”

Where? At church. Ahem. Yep. It pretty much says that.

To be clear, the church is the body of Christ. The church is people. Us. But we often meet in places as groups that need each of us to step up and pitch in. Before you and I can breathe our excuses…

I’m too busy I’m not good with kids
They already have piano players
I don’t know the Bible well enough
I really don’t want to

We are all called to serve one another. No easy pass here.

(Of course we also serve God at home as we chase tireless toddlers, prepare meals, wash dishes, and clean endless piles of laundry. And we serve Him at work as we go about our jobs with excellence, as we behave with a dignity and joy that makes others wonder about our God, and as we honor our bosses, counterparts, and subordinates.)

My final observation? The order of it all:  Him. Him. Them.

Seek God (Him). Serve God (Him). Serve others (them).

Does that seem a small thing?

Experiencing the power and pleasure of God while seeking and serving Him in His tabernacle is surely no small thing. When we minister to those people who bless, but also stretch, stress, and strain us, we do so in Jesus’ name, for HIS glory. Not for our own.

It’s time to stop dismissing, doubting, or avoiding opportunities to serve.

Dive in. Sign up. Fill a need.

Shake a few hands, vacuum a carpet, push a wheelchair, welcome first time guests who feel out of place and need a friendly smile, pray with the burdened, change a diaper, take a meal, speak truth, make coffee, teach, love, lead, serve.

Use what you’ve been given BY God FOR God.

Be the body of Christ and share His beautiful grace by serving His people.

Service is beautiful. And you have been chosen.

Let’s Pray

Lord, let that be me. I recognize that it is no small thing to seek you, serve you and minister to others. Please rid my heart of my agenda and replace it with Yours so that You might be honored and that Your name might be lifted high in and through my life.
In Jesus’s Name I pray,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read what Jesus said in Mark 10:45. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Read 1 Peter 4:10. “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

Read Colossians 3:23-24. “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”

Consider how God has uniquely gifted you and pray about what steps to take next. Post a prayer of response on the wall of my blog.

More from the Girlfriends

Did you need today’s nudge? If so, let Gwen come along side of you on a fresh faith adventure. I WANT IT ALL is a book filled with relatable stories, Scriptural depth, and practical points for personal application. And it has a Bible Study guide included in the back! Order yours today from Amazon, or get a signed copy from her website.

SPECIAL OFFER: Gwen is offering a 20% OFF discount on the I Want It ALL book from her site when you use the coupon code: 20OFF. Click here to get yours now.

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

LHM Devotion - January 9, 2018 "No Opinion, Just Truth"

Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"No Opinion, Just Truth"

Jan. 9, 2018

(Jesus said) "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

~ John 14:6 (ESV)

It was Christmas Day, and Nicole Coggins from South Carolina gave herself a present.

She invested $1 in the Holiday Cash Add-A-Play lottery. The object was to scratch off three spots on the game card and thereby expose three Christmas trees in a straight line. Coggins scratched, and those three trees told her she had just won $500. So, what to do with this unexpected largesse?

Simple, Coggins played the game again -- and she won again. A third winning ticket brought her earnings to almost $1,500. That's when she called her mother-in-law. By the time they were done, the two had bagged an amazing $18,000.

Coggins' children also became winners when she promised them a trip to Disneyworld.

Their victory celebration was short lived. The South Carolina Education Lottery got wind of Coggins and other winners. Quickly, they halted the sales of the lottery cards. They discovered that some cards had been printed where all nine slots covered a Christmas tree. There was no way the players could lose when they had one of those cards.

Then the lottery folks said something like "Those cards were bad; we're not going to pay."

Seeing her money evaporate, and looking at the crestfallen faces of her children, Coggins said, "We didn't do anything wrong. I think they should either honor the tickets or give us our money back."

As of this writing, there has been no further announcement from the lottery officials.

I wonder if I could poll the Daily Devotion readership what that questioning reveal?

No doubt, some would say, "Give her the money. She played the game fair and square. It wasn't her fault if the cards had been printed wrongly." There are others who believe that the lottery people shouldn't have to pay out for a flaw that wasn't their doing. After all, they reason, "Suppose there had been thousands of those winning cards?" Finally, there is the position which argues, "People shouldn't play the lottery and expect to harvest what they haven't sown."

Me, I'm thankful that I don't have to make a legal decision where all parties involved can make a reasonable argument for their position, and where everybody is kinda right and kinda wrong.

I'm also thankful there is no such problem when it comes to preaching Law and Gospel.

Scripture is clear: there is nobody in this world who is untainted by sin. The Word offers no wiggle room when it says the soul that sins will die. That depressing and damning picture of humanity's future would have remained unchanged if it had not been for the Savior Jesus Christ who entered this world as the ransom that would mend the sin-created rift between earth and heaven.

Jesus' prophesied life, death, and resurrection is the plan the Almighty began and completed to save us. Now all who are brought to faith are granted the forgiveness which transforms and opens heaven. Without doubt, they can believe Jesus who said, "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." That's God's eternally correct truth we can share.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, we live at a time when everyone wants us to believe there is no such thing as truth. May I always rejoice that Your Word is truth, and in it we are given the Redeemer who has ransomed us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
It was Christmas Day, and Nicole Coggins from South Carolina gave herself a present.

Devocional del CPTLN del 9 de Enero de 2018 "Decisiones"

ALIMENTO DIARIO

"Decisiones"

9 de Enero de 2018

Pero cuando se cumplió el tiempo señalado, Dios envió a su Hijo, que nació de una mujer y sujeto a la ley, para que redimiera a los que estaban sujetos a la ley, a fin de que recibiéramos la adopción de hijos.

~ Gálatas 4:4-5 (RVC)

El niño acababa de terminar la última porción de pastel, cuando su madre entró en la cocina. Con severidad en la voz, le dijo: "¡No puedo creer que te lo comieras todo! ¿Cómo es que no pensaste en tu hermana?" Con total falta de tacto, él le respondió: "Mamá, eso no es justo. Estuve pensando en ella todo el tiempo. Cada vez que daba un bocado, pensaba: 'espero terminar antes que venga.'"

Los adultos no somos mucho mejor que ese niño. Sabemos lo que es correcto, pero frecuentemente no lo hacemos.

Esa verdad la pude comprobar personalmente esta mañana cuando manejaba al trabajo. Cuando entraba a la vía expresa, encontré que los otros conductores iban a 20 millas por hora -por encima del límite permitido. Tenía unos pocos segundos para decidir si respetaría el límite de velocidad (y observar a los otros conductores pasarme zumbando), o unirme a los que no respetaban la ley.

Opté por unirme a ellos.

Eso no significa que hayamos pensado que lo que hacíamos era correcto, porque cuando divisamos un patrullero, todos bajamos rápidamente la velocidad hasta el límite permitido.

Pero hicimos lo correcto solamente hasta que el patrullero se perdió de nuestra vista; luego, nuestros velocímetros comenzaron a subir nuevamente.

Me imagino que cada vez que hacemos algo así, el Señor debe sacudir la cabeza y pensar que sus hijos no cambian nunca y son muy previsibles. Es evidente que necesitamos un Salvador. Y deberíamos estar muy agradecidos porque tenemos uno.

Gracias a Dios que tenemos la bendición de contar con Cristo como nuestro Redentor. Su perfección ha logrado todo lo que nosotros nunca podríamos lograr. Su sufrimiento, muerte y resurrección, nos ofrece perdón, esperanza y vida eternidad en el cielo.

En su honor trataré de portarme mejor.

ORACIÓN: Amado Señor, te doy gracias por enviar a tu Hijo para nacer bajo la ley, para que así yo pueda ser perdonado de mis ofensas. Ayúdame, para que mi vida sea un testimonio de su amor. En el nombre del Salvador. Amén.

De una devoción escrita originalmente para "By the Way"

© Copyright 2018 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.

Хліб Наш Насущній - Каміння пам’яті

Каміння пам’яті

Читати: Ісуса Навина 3:14 – 4:7
Біблія за рік: Буття 23–24 ; Матвія 7

Завантажити MP3

Пам’ятайте про чуда Його, які Він учинив, про ознаки Його та про присуди уст Його.

— Псалом 104:5

Інколи вранці, коли я заходжу в Інтернет, Фейсбук показує мені “нагадування” − те, що я розмістила у себе на сторінці в цей день декілька років тому. Ці спогади – фотографії з весілля мого брата, відео, як моя донька грає з бабусею – зазвичай викликають у мене усмішку. Але інколи вони мають більш глибокий емоційний ефект. Коли я бачу повідомлення щодо візиту до мого дівера в той час, як він проходив хіміотерапію, або фотографію швів на голові моєї мами після операції на її мозку три роки тому, я згадую про Божу присутність під час важких обставин. Такі спогади зі сторінки у Фейсбук наповнюють мене бажанням молитися та бути вдячною.

Всі ми схильні забувати те, що Бог зробив для нас. Тому маємо потребу в нагадуваннях. Коли Ісус Навин вів Божий народ в Обітовану землю, вони мали перейти через річку Йордан (Єг. 3:15-16). Бог розділив води, і Його народ перейшов по сухій землі. Для того, щоб зробити згадку про це чудо, вони взяли дванадцять каменів із середини русла річки та склали їх на іншому березі (Єг. 4:3, 6-7). Якщо б хтось попитав про значення тих каменів, Божий народ у відповідь розказав би, що Бог зробив того дня.

Фізичні нагадування Божої вірності з минулого можуть підбадьорити нас довіряти Йому зараз і в майбутньому.

Боже, дякую Тобі за Твою вірність по відношенню до мене протягом багатьох років! Допоможи мені довірити Тобі моє сьогодення та моє майбутнє.

Як ми можемо створити фізичні щоденні нагадування Божої вірності? Поділіться з нами вашими думками у коментарях.

Автор Емі Петерсон

© 2018 Хліб Наш Насущній
 Інколи вранці, коли я заходжу в Інтернет, Фейсбук показує мені “нагадування” − те, що я розмістила у себе на сторінці в цей день декілька років тому.