The Daily Readings for FRIDAY, February 2, 2018 - Candlemas (Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple)

Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple
Luke 2:22-40

Daily Readings

Malachi 3:1-4

See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight-- indeed, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.

Psalm 84 Quam dilecta!

1   How dear to me is your dwelling, O LORD of hosts!

My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.

2   The sparrow has found her a house and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young;

by the side of your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.

3   Happy are they who dwell in your house!

they will always be praising you.

4   Happy are the people whose strength is in you!

whose hearts are set on the pilgrims' way.

5   Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs,

for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.

6   They will climb from height to height,

and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion.

7   LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer;

hearken, O God of Jacob.

8   Behold our defender, O God;

and look upon the face of your Anointed.

9   For one day in your courts is better than a thousand in my own room,

and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.

10   For the LORD God is both sun and shield;

he will give grace and glory;

11   No good thing will the LORD withhold

from those who walk with integrity.

12   O LORD of hosts,

happy are they who put their trust in you!

Hebrews 2:14-18

Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Luke 2:22-40

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed-- and a sword will pierce your own soul too." There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

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. The Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.

Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple

Presentation at the Temple
by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, 1342

Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple

(Candlemas)

Today the church remembers The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple. (Luke 2:22-38)

Ancient Jewish custom prescribed that a woman who had borne a male child should, forty days after giving birth, come to the temple to be "purified" (Leviticus 12). Furthermore, it was customary to present publicly every firstborn male child to God in the temple (Exodus 13:2, 12). Therefore, Mary and Joseph went up to the temple for her Purification and Jesus' Presentation.

In the temple, to everyone's surprise, a devout old man, Simeon, who was full of the Holy Spirit and "waiting for the consolation of Israel," took the infant Jesus in his arms and praised God in the words of the now familiar Nunc dimittis. In this canticle Simeon proclaimed Jesus "a Light to enlighten the nations." For this reason, in medieval times the Nunc dimittis was sung and candles were blessed and lit and carried in procession through the streets on the night of this feast. It is still called "Candlemas" in England, and the ancient "Feast of Lights" is still sometimes observed in connection with this occasion. Certainly a reflection on the Nunc dimittis is always an appropriate devotion for this day.

Almighty God, we pray that as your only Son our Savior was presented in the temple of the old covenant, so we, who are the temple of his Holy Spirit, may come before you with pure and clean hearts. Amen.

Read the Wikipedia article here.

Almighty and ever-living God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Prayer of the Day for FRIDAY, February 2, 2018 - Candlemas

Almighty and ever-living God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen

Verse of the Day for FRIDAY, February 2, 2018

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV) However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—

Read all of 1 Corinthians 2

Listen to 1 Corinthians 2

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 - A Knowable God

A Knowable God

The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

~ Genesis 18:1–2 (NIV)

God’s tender affection for his people is shown by his willingness to reveal himself, often through his spoken word, to his people. It is clear that the people of God were stunned that God would even speak to them. They often stood at a distance, in fear and awe, at the revelation of God to his people (Exodus 20:21). These appearances in the Old Testament find perfect fulfillment in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. In his birth, Jesus willingly laid aside the glories of heaven to take the form of a servant in order to make a way for sinful people to come to the Father (Philippians 2:1-11). In his deity, Jesus demonstrated and declared to the world the nature and character of God in a way that allowed humanity to see not only a temporary glimpse of his glory but the exact imprint of God’s glory in a permanent, ongoing fashion (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus made himself known so that fallen men and women can know God.

Jesus, thank you for giving me a glimpse of God’s glory. Thank you for showing me who he is and for gifting me with a way to know him intimately. 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.
God’s tender affection for his people is shown by his willingness to reveal himself.

Un dia a la Vez - Que nuestro caminar sea firme

Que nuestro caminar sea firme

Siempre tengo presente al Señor; con él a mi derecha, nada me hará caer.

~ Salmo 16:8 (NVI)

Es muy común que los problemas de la vida nos roben nuestra confianza en Dios.

Llegar a un país extraño, la separación por una situación migratoria de tu familia, un divorcio, un hijo en las drogas, una desilusión en tu iglesia, una traición de un amigo… Son tantas y tan comunes las situaciones que te menciono hoy que es muy fácil que tú y yo podamos estar pasando alguna de ellas.

Sabemos que no todos tenemos la misma resistencia al dolor ni todos tenemos la misma capacidad para enfrentarnos a la vida. Sabemos que esas situaciones nos pueden aturdir y hasta nos pueden alejar de Dios. Incluso, a menudo culpamos a Dios de lo que nos está pasando y por error podemos tomar decisiones fuera de su voluntad.

¡Qué riesgo es vivir la vida sin tener a Dios de nuestro lado! ¡Qué peligro es desafiar a Dios a que podemos vivir sin Él y hacer nuestra voluntad!

Ahora quiero que aprendas algo: Dios es AMOR, Dios es COMPASIVO, Dios es JUSTO y es PADRE. Y al que ama corrige. Por favor, no quieras experimentar la corrección del Padre. Entrega este día toda soberbia, todo orgullo, y ríndete en los brazos del Único que puede cambiar tu situación.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón

Standing Strong Through the Storm - SATAN’S TACTIC OF PRIDE

SATAN’S TACTIC OF PRIDE

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

~ 1 Peter 5:5 (NIV)

We each have to come to terms with Satan's deadliest tactic, which the Bible calls pride. Ever since the Garden of Eden, Satan has promulgated The Great Lie: “You will be like God” (Genesis 3:5b). We all must learn to overcome pride, which was Satan’s own initial sin and which is his pervasive and repetitive tactic against us.

In Proverbs 6:17, “haughty eyes” are first on the list of the seven things that are an “abomination” to God. Proverbs 27:2 adds, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth.” Christ spoke of pride in Luke 18:14 when He instructs, “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Over and over again, we are reminded in the Bible of God’s utter disdain for a prideful spirit.

Why does God have so much to say about this issue? Because, ultimately, a prideful person is saying, “I don't need God. I can do it on my own.” As our Creator and Sustainer, God has the perfect plan laid out before us. Attempting to “go it alone” will only lead us down a path of self-destruction. No one knows that better than God—He has seen pride destroy the lives of His creations throughout time.

In the Old Testament we see an example of this in the life of King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:28-37) until he acknowledged the Most High God. We also see it in the life of King Belshazzar, who saw the handwriting on the wall and received judgment because of his pride (Daniel 5: 22-31).

In the New Testament, the Pharisees, filled with self-righteousness, denied the work of Christ, even as He stood before them. The Apostle Paul warned the Corinthians to “not take pride in one man over against another” (1 Corinthians 4:6). Peter repeats the warning about pride from Proverbs 3:34.

Pride is so devastating because of its deceptiveness. C. S. Lewis said, “A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you’re looking down, you can’t see something that’s above you.” We may easily point out pride in the life of someone else, completely oblivious to the stranglehold that pride may have in our own lives. Pride causes us to focus solely on being “better” than someone else. Don’t compare yourself to others; compare yourself to Christ. Remember where you came from, and recall what God has saved you from.

When all else fails, God may allow adversity into our lives. Nothing gets our attention better than going through a difficult time. He allows these experiences in order to filter out pride, causing us to return our focus on Him. As much as our prideful spirit may disagree, we cannot live a fulfilling life without God. Simply put, when God is out, pride is in!

RESPONSE: Today I will keep my eyes fixed on Jesus and steer clear of pride’s deceptiveness.

PRAYER: Lord, I need Your help to keep focused on You and avoid pride’s stranglehold.

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

Men of the Bible - Esau

Esau

His name means: "Hairy"

His work: An outdoorsman, Esau was an accomplished hunter.
His character: The desire for instant gratification was one of Esau's greatest failures. It cost him his birthright.
His sorrow: When he realized that Jacob had secured his father's blessing, Esau wept aloud.
His triumph: Years later Esau demonstrated the ability to forgive his conniving brother.
Key Scriptures: Genesis 27, 33

A Look at the Man

Esau was a "man's man." He was ruddy, strong, impulsive, competitive, impetuous—quite a lethal mix.

As a young man he was not accustomed to holding anything back. He may have lived on the edge of danger, self-indulgence, and immediate gratification. Having his father's favor did nothing to inhibit this behavior. But Esau had a serious problem—his brother Jacob.

My twin brother has ruined my life, Esau must have fumed. And he will pay for it.

The most destructive dimension to this conflict was that Jacob fled to Haran without any conversation with Esau: no explanation, no confession, no resolution. So the battle between these grown siblings may have waged silently for twenty years. The discord gnawed at their hearts—Esau's need for revenge and Jacob's fear of his brother's reprisal.

There is some levity in the account of Jacob going to such extremes to meet his brother after two decades. First he divided his servants, his family, and his possessions into two groups so that Esau could only capture half of what Jacob owned—one group could run away while the other was being attacked. Then Jacob prepared a gift to assuage his brother's fury: two hundred female goats and twenty male goats; two hundred ewes and twenty rams; thirty female camels with their young; forty cows and ten bulls; and twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. All in all, a very expensive transaction for Jacob! And completely unnecessary. Forgiveness was granted without charge. Esau's words tell the whole story: "I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself."

The image of these two grown men embracing and weeping is one of the most powerful in all of Scripture. It is, in fact, the echo of the prodigal standing guilty as his father runs to meet him. It is the image of our heavenly Father doing the same for us.

Esau's forgiveness was not offered reluctantly. He was not arrogant nor did he require that Jacob verbally review his transgressions against him, groveling with words of repentance. In his eagerness to forgive, Esau ran, he embraced, and he wept. Twenty years of apprehension and fear were erased in that incredible moment.

Reflect On: Genesis 33:1-9
Praise God: For every earthly blessing.
Offer Thanks: For the basic ways God has cared for you, giving you food, water, and shelter.
Confess: Any tendency to pursue earthly pleasures at the expense of God’s blessings.
Ask God: To help you rightly value the promises he has made to you in Scripture.

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

LHM Devotion - February 2, 2018 "A Christian's Alert"

Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"A Christian's Alert"

Feb. 2, 2018

Now the works of the flesh are evident:... I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no Law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

~ Galatians 5:19-24 (ESV excerpts)

Warnings can be wonderful, life-saving things, if people pay attention.

Living as I do in Texas, my phone will occasionally light up with a public informational message called an Amber alert. The Amber Alert informs the public of a child's abduction in hopes that someone will spot the child and call the police.

But there are also other alerts which are sent out. For example there is

1. the Silver Alert for seniors who disappear and may not have the mental wherewithal to find their way home;

2. the Blue Alert to inform the public to be on the lookout for someone who has attacked a police officer;

3. the Endangered Missing Persons alert which lets people know a younger person with limited abilities to get home has been taken or wandered away.

As far as I am aware, neither my community, nor any other Texas community, has had a "fugu alert." No, I'm not making that up. Recently, the central Japanese city of Gamagori had to use its warning system to put out a fugu alert. In Japan, eating blowfish is a topflight meal ... as long as you don't consume the fish's liver, sexual organs, or skin.

Those all contain tetrodotoxin, a neurotoxin which needs to be removed by a chef who is specially trained in the fish's preparation.

The alert was sent out because it appears a local supermarket had sold five packages of blowfish without removing their livers. Three of those packages had been recovered, but two were still out there.

You should know that, in Japan, every year, there are people who die of respiratory arrest after they have eaten contaminated fugu.

In the book of Galatians, the apostle gives a warning to the Savior's followers. It is a warning which says the Lord's people ought do their best to lead a moral life. Paul knows that falling back into immoral sin can be more deadly than eating fugu.

Remember, we lead the moral life not to earn heaven. Forgiveness and salvation are a blood-bought gift to those who have been brought to faith by the Holy Spirit.

No, we try to lead lives filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. By doing that we give praise and honor to the Lord Jesus whose life was given up to ransom us.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me remember that when we are called to follow the Savior, we are also called to leave our past sins behind. Grant that I may honor the Savior who died so I might live. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen.

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Warnings can be wonderful, life-saving things, if people pay attention...

Devocional del CPTLN de 02 de Febrero de 2018 "Día de la marmota"

ALIMENTO DIARIO

"Día de la marmota"

2 de Febrero de 2018

Éste es el día que el Señor ha hecho; y en él nos alegraremos y regocijaremos.

~ Salmo 118:24 (RVC)

Aquí en los Estados Unidos se celebra hoy el día de la marmota (Groundhog Day).

A pesar de que no es ni un feriado nacional ni un festival de la iglesia, igual se ha convertido en una celebración. Para quienes no saben de qué se trata, el 2 de Febrero de cada año miles de personas y periodistas se dirigen a Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, para ver la predicción que Phil, su marmota, va a hacer con respecto al resto del invierno.

Según la tradición, si cuando Phil sale de su cueva logra ver su sombra (lo cual significa que el sol está afuera), la segunda mitad del invierno será crudo; pero si no ve su sombra porque está nublado, el resto del invierno será moderado. Más allá de lo que resulte del pronóstico de Phil, las personas van allí para celebrar... aunque sólo sea la sombra de una marmota.

Menos mal que tenemos otras razones que realmente son dignas de celebrar. El nacimiento de un niño, una promoción en el trabajo, buenas calificaciones en la escuela, el reencuentro de una familia... todos estos acontecimientos son motivo de celebración.

Pero por más dignas de celebración que todas esas cosas sean, no hay nada que se compare con la celebración de la persona que descubre que el Cristo crucificado y resucitado está con ella en todos y cada uno de los momentos de su vida.

Cuando el Salvador está con nosotros, ya no importa si el invierno es frío o si el verano es caluroso. El Señor de los señores está con nosotros y nada, ni sombras, ni crudas y dolorosas realidades, puede asustarnos. Celebremos su presencia en nuestra vida.

ORACIÓN: Querido Señor Jesús, gracias por estar con nosotros todo el tiempo. Gracias por habernos amado tanto como para dar tu vida por nosotros. Bendito seas, Jesús. 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.
Aquí en los Estados Unidos se celebra hoy el día de la marmota (Groundhog Day).

Notre Pain Quotidien - Saisir l’occasion qui passe

Saisir l’occasion qui passe

Lisez : Colossiens 4.2-6
La Bible en un an : Exode 29 – 30 ; Matthieu 21.23-46

Conduisez-vous avec sagesse envers ceux du dehors, et rachetez le temps. (V. 5)

Comme la plupart des gens, j’ai du mal à faire assez d’exercice. Je me suis donc procuré un podomètre pour me motiver à bouger plus. Or, bien que ce gadget qui compte les pas soit tout simple, c’est fou ce qu’il m’aide à me motiver. Au lieu de m’extirper du canapé en grommelant, j’y vois l’occasion de faire quelques pas supplémentaires. De menues tâches, comme apporter un verre d’eau à l’un de mes enfants, deviennent pour moi des occasions de tendre vers un objectif plus grand. En ce sens, mon podomètre a transformé ma perspective et ma motivation. Maintenant, je me cherche des raisons de faire des pas additionnels chaque fois que cela m’est possible.

Je me demande s’il n’en va pas un peu de même de notre vie chrétienne. Comme Paul nous y exhorte dans Colossiens 4.5, nous devrions saisir chaque jour les occasions que nous avons d’aimer et de servir les gens, et d’interagir avec eux. En suis‑je par contre toujours conscient ? Est‑ce que je remarque les occasions que j’ai d’encourager les autres lors d’interactions me semblant ordinaires ? Dieu est à l’œuvre en chaque personne avec qui j’interagis : mes proches, mes collègues ou un préposé à l’épicerie. J’ai chaque fois la chance de prêter attention à ce que Dieu est peut‑être en train d’accomplir – ne serait‑ce qu’un geste semblant aussi « petit » que de demander gentiment à une serveuse au restaurant comment elle va.

Qui saurait dire comment Dieu pourrait intervenir lorsque nous guettons les occasions qu’il nous offre ?

Profitez de toutes les occasions qui passent pour servir quelqu’un.

par Adam Holz

© 2018 Ministères NPQ
Comme la plupart des gens, j’ai du mal à faire assez d’exercice.

Girlfriends in God - Leaving an Imprint, Part One

Leaving an Imprint, Part One

Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them”.

~ Genesis 1:27 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

Let’s rewind humanity’s story way back to the beginning. “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.’ ... So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:26-27).

My brain doesn’t know what to do with this. I don’t know how to process this mystery. His image displayed in my life. How can that be? How can there be such a compelling connection between God’s heart and my humanity? Especially when I know me. I know that on my best, most holy day, I don’t come close to being imago Dei, the image of God.

Even so, the Bible says that I am made in God’s image (v. 27), and that Jesus is the “radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature” (Hebrews 1:3). As followers of Jesus, you and I get to share in the glory of God and reflect His nature as well. The apostle Paul wrote it this way:

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

When I think about what it means to leave God’s imprint on the world, I’m reminded of the signet ring my mother used to wear. When I was a little girl, I loved looking at my mom’s hands. Her fingers were elegant, long, and slender. On her left hand she wore a simple gold wedding band that was eight millimeters thick. No diamond, just the band. And on her right hand, she wore a gold signet ring she got when she was eighteen.

I always wanted a wedding ring and a signet ring just like hers.

The signet ring had a monogram of her surname: A for Adams, not E for Eisaman (her married name). The ring seemed to be a bridge of sorts that connected who she was to who she is. I loved that. Loved that my mom’s hands wore two symbols that rep- resented the spectrum of her identity. She grew up an Adams and will always be an Adams. She married an Eisaman and became an Eisaman. Her signet ring left me with an impression that echoed the importance of her identity.

I did some research and learned about the following parallels between signet rings and what it means to be God’s imprint:

• Signet rings were used for a purpose: to authenticate a letter or message. Christ followers are used to bring God glory as we authenticate the hope of Christ to the world. Jesus said, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:8).

• Signet rings were used to leave an imprint, a distinct impression that validated that the message being delivered was genuine. Jesus kicked it up a few notches for His followers by telling us that our love for one another authenticates our faith. He was talking to His disciples when He said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34–35) .

Do you see? You and I are signets for the King of Kings. We are to bear evidence of the message of His hope—no matter what compromising assignment our bosses give us, no matter what carrot of temptation is dangled before us, no matter what argument that person tries to bait us into, no matter what lions’ dens we might be thrown into. We’re called to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (1 Pet. 3:15–16).

To fulfill our purpose as image bearers, we need to be an imprint.

Let’s Pray

 Lord Jesus, Thank You for making me in Your image, for always remembering me and for engraving my name on the palms of Your hands. Would You help me to be Your image bearer today?
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read (Daniel 6).Did you see it? How did the king seal the stone that was placed over the mouth of the den? (Hint: verse 17)

How was Daniel an image bearer of the one true God in this encounter?

More from the Girlfriends

Tired of life living you … instead of the other way around?

This study will help you:

* Step into the renewal and rest that is best for your weary, stressed-out heart so that you won't be shaken by the swirling pace of this fast-moving world.

* Quiet feelings of loneliness, fear, and doubt by accepting the Biblical truth that even when you feel unseen, anxious, and afraid, God is present, peace-giving, and compassionate.

* Learn practical prayer points that will clear away heart clutter, calm concerns, and bolster believing.

Join us March 5 - April 9 as we study "I WANT IT ALL” by Girlfriends in God cofounder Gwen Smith. Sign up today for FREE: https://gwensmith.net/iwia2018

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com