The Daily Readings for TUESDAY, February 6, 2018

The Woman Caught in Adultery
John 7:53-8:11

Daily Readings

Genesis 26:1-6, 26:12-33

Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that had occurred in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar, to King Abimelech of the Philistines. The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, "Do not go down to Egypt; settle in the land that I shall show you. Reside in this land as an alien, and I will be with you, and will bless you; for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will fulfill the oath that I swore to your father Abraham. I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven, and will give to your offspring all these lands; and all the nations of the earth shall gain blessing for themselves through your offspring, because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws." So Isaac settled in Gerar. Isaac sowed seed in that land, and in the same year reaped a hundredfold. The LORD blessed him, and the man became rich; he prospered more and more until he became very wealthy. He had possessions of flocks and herds, and a great household, so that the Philistines envied him. (Now the Philistines had stopped up and filled with earth all the wells that his father's servants had dug in the days of his father Abraham.) And Abimelech said to Isaac, "Go away from us; you have become too powerful for us." So Isaac departed from there and camped in the valley of Gerar and settled there. Isaac dug again the wells of water that had been dug in the days of his father Abraham; for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham; and he gave them the names that his father had given them. But when Isaac's servants dug in the valley and found there a well of spring water, the herders of Gerar quarreled with Isaac's herders, saying, "The water is ours." So he called the well Esek, because they contended with him. Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that one also; so he called it Sitnah. He moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it; so he called it Rehoboth, saying, "Now the LORD has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land." From there he went up to Beer-sheba. And that very night the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham; do not be afraid, for I am with you and will bless you and make your offspring numerous for my servant Abraham's sake." So he built an altar there, called on the name of the LORD, and pitched his tent there. And there Isaac's servants dug a well. Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, with Ahuzzath his adviser and Phicol the commander of his army. Isaac said to them, "Why have you come to me, seeing that you hate me and have sent me away from you?" They said, "We see plainly that the LORD has been with you; so we say, let there be an oath between you and us, and let us make a covenant with you so that you will do us no harm, just as we have not touched you and have done to you nothing but good and have sent you away in peace. You are now the blessed of the LORD." So he made them a feast, and they ate and drank. In the morning they rose early and exchanged oaths; and Isaac set them on their way, and they departed from him in peace. That same day Isaac's servants came and told him about the well that they had dug, and said to him, "We have found water!" He called it Shibah; therefore the name of the city is Beer-sheba to this day.

Hebrews 13:17-25

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls and will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with sighing-- for that would be harmful to you. Pray for us; we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you very soon. Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, make you complete in everything good so that you may do his will, working among us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been set free; and if he comes in time, he will be with me when I see you. Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy send you greetings. Grace be with all of you.

John 7:53-8:11

Then each of them went home, while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, sir." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again."

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.
Jesus asked, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

Prayer of the Day for TUESDAY, February 6, 2018

Merciful Father and Lord of all life, we praise you that we are made in your image and reflect your truth and light. May everything we do begin with your inspiration, and continue with your saving help. Let our work always find its origin in you, and through you reach completion. 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, February 6, 2018

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Read all of Ephesians 2

Listen to Ephesians 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 - Cultural Mandate

Cultural Mandate

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

~ Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

After God created humanity, he gave them a series of commands: be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth, subdue it and have dominion over other living things. This call to cultivate the world and exercise dominion is often called the cultural mandate. As God’s image bearers, our vocation is to reflect his nature—as modeled for us in his work of creating—by bringing increased order, structure, vibrancy and flourishing to this world that’s so full of potential. God wants us to steward what he has lovingly given to us as a gift, to responsibly harness nature’s power and innovate for his glory and the good of all creation.

When we read that God rested on the seventh day, we shouldn’t take this to mean that creation was entirely finished or no longer in need of development. Rather, he made humans in his image to continue his work and bring creation to its God-given potential.

This mandate is not reserved for “elites”—politicians, pastors, entrepreneurs and so on. No, we all—no matter our rank, ethnicity, age or vocation—are called to continue God’s work in bringing order and vibrancy to our world. God has entrusted humans with the inordinate privilege of continuing his work of creation “to be God’s helper in executing to the end the blueprint for his masterpiece.”

This cultural mandate gives our work incredible significance, since it is meant to be an extension of God’s work in creation. Still, many of us do not sense that the work we perform each day has a significant meaning or purpose. Some of us even see work as torment and a curse, an obstacle to what’s really important: whether it be friends, family, hobbies—you name it. But the Bible says that work is good, and the cultural mandate reminds us that the work we participate in points to something far greater than ourselves, even if we can’t see the bigger picture. Sure, work is tainted now because of the fall, and we are incredibly limited. But as God’s image bearers, we work to contribute to human flourishing and the development of the earth.

How does our work bring order and flourishing to your company or community? How does it contribute to the common good, the well-being of others and the improvement of the world?

Merciful Father and Lord of all life, we praise you that we are made in your image and reflect your truth and light. May everything we do begin with your inspiration, and continue with your saving help. Let our work always find its origin in you, and through you reach completion. 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,
Chaplain Kenny

Seeking God?
Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ.
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
As God’s image bearers, our vocation is to reflect his nature.

Un dia a la Vez - Tiempos de angustia

Tiempos de angustia

Bueno es el Señor; es refugio en el día de la angustia, y protector de los que en él confían.

~ Nahúm 1:7 (NVI)

Si nos tocara escoger entre el dolor y la angustia, creo que no sabríamos qué responder.

La angustia es esa agonía que se puede prolongar y te puede destruir poco a poco.

Creo que no hay nada más extraño que sentir ese vacío en nuestro estómago. Esos pensamientos que se deslizan por nuestra mente y nos hacen palpitar más fuerte el corazón y hasta sudar sin control.

Dios nos dice en su Palabra varias veces que no debemos vivir angustiados; y que si lo estamos, Él nos libra y nos ayuda. No obstante, solo hay un requisito para poder ver actuar a Dios a favor de nosotros en momentos de angustia y es buscar de Él. Otra manera de lograrlo es siendo obedientes a su Palabra, a sus mandamientos, y saber que Él escucha nuestra oración.

Pon tu mirada en Dios y no te desenfoques buscando amparo en otras cosas que no te ayudarán.

Reta a Dios en este día y dile que aunque no entiendes lo que estás viviendo, vas a confiar en Él. Y que si llegan pensamientos contrarios, tú permanecerás en su Palabra.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Si nos tocara escoger entre el dolor y la angustia, creo que no sabríamos qué responder.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - CONQUERING THE FEAR OF DEATH

CONQUERING THE FEAR OF DEATH

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

~ Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

Fear of dying is the number one universal fear for human beings. Virtually every fear has a relationship to death and a connection to dying. For example, why are we afraid of flying? The plane may crash and we may die. Here are seven scriptural principles that enable us to conquer our fear of death:

1. God is in control. Read Psalm 91. (Mark 4:35-41; Phil 4:6-7)

2. Focus on fearing God and dying to self. (Acts 5:29; Galatians 2:20)

3. We are strangers and pilgrims on this earth. (Hebrews 10:32+)

4. God always brings good from evil. (Genesis 50:20)

5. The enemy can only harm our body, not our soul. (Matthew 10:28)

6. Absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8; 2 Timothy 2:11-12)

7. There is a crown of life for the faithful to death. (Revelation 2:10)

Co-workers had just finished an SSTS seminar on the island of Timor when a young pastor suddenly jumped up and proclaimed before all his colleagues “Now I am ready to die for Jesus!” These were no idle words. Every single pastor attending the seminar was directly or indirectly impacted by the massacres on the island of Ambon. Many of their churches had been burned and several had lost loved ones in the attacks on Christians.

As the meeting concluded, our colleague saw that young pastor making his way towards him. “Your being here has inspired me to go out and share the gospel in other areas,” he announced.

“I am happy to hear that brother. Where has the Lord called you to?” he enquired.

“To Ambon!”

“My brother, are you sure. This is like signing your own death certificate. You know that most Christians are fleeing the massacre and you want to return?”

His response was simple and without pretense. “If I don’t go back to tell the people about Jesus, who will do it? I am willing to give my life for Jesus!”

RESPONSE: Today I will live prepared to die, and die prepared to live!

PRAYER: When I fear you, Lord, I fear nothing else—even death. Today I pray for those who do not fear You and thus fear everything else—especially death.

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 - In His Image

In His Image

Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver”.

~ Malachi 3:3 (NIV)

Friend To Friend

The story is told of a group of women who met each week to study the Bible, hoping to learn more about the nature and character of God and how He works in our lives. The women were puzzled and even a little troubled by the description of God they found in Malachi 3:3, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” One of the women offered to do a little research on the subject and report back to the group at their next meeting.

The woman found a local silversmith and made an appointment to observe him at work, explaining that she was particularly interested in the process of refining silver. She watched as the craftsman carefully selected a piece of silver for his demonstration. She thought the piece of silver was already beautiful but evidently the silversmith saw something that she could not see. As he held the silver over the furnace, the craftsman explained that in refining silver, the silver had to be placed in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest so all of the impurities would be burned away.

The woman was silent for a moment as her thoughts drifted to the fiery trials she was facing in her own life. Honestly, she did not get it. Why would a loving God allow His children to suffer when He could so easily deliver them? In fact, why does God even allow bad things to happen to people who are seeking Him and really trying to live for Him?

The woman asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. “Oh, yes!” he replied. “I cannot take my eyes off the silver. If it is left in the furnace even a moment too long, it will be destroyed.” The woman suddenly understood the beauty and comfort of Malachi 3:3, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”

Yes, there are times when it seems as if we will be swallowed whole by the fires of Hell itself. The pain seems too hard to bear. The fear is paralyzing. The doubt is overwhelming.

Is God really who He says He is?

Will He really do what He says He will do?

Will He really keep His promises?

Our trials are not random persecutions. Heaven is not in a panic. Where we are and what we are going through is no surprise to God. We may be knocked down and kicked around by life, but if we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we will not be destroyed.

Our lives are filled with excess baggage and waste - a cherished sin we refuse to relinquish or an addiction to which we are enslaved. What about the emotional garbage that weighs us down or our unforgiving spirit that holds us prisoner? Fiery trials come to burn away the guilt of sin and then purify our heart. From those ashes of freedom, the Father then creates a work of beauty.

I believe the words I just wrote. I know and accept the truth that trials and hard times make me stronger and strengthen my faith, but there are times when I want it all to stop. I find myself asking, “How much is enough, Lord? How many trials do I have to endure? When will the pain and trouble end?”

"How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" the woman asked. The silversmith smiled and answered, “Oh, that’s easy. The refining process is complete when I can see my image reflected in the silver.”

God is not committed to our comfort. He is committed to our character. Only God can exchange the ashes of our sin for the beauty of His forgiveness and grace. God alone can replace our despair with His peace that passes all understanding. Hope can only be found in Him.

Let’s Pray

Father, I want to be more like You. Give me the strength to withstand the trials in my life. Help me love the people who are hard to love and forgive the people who have hurt and even abused me. Burn away the sin in my life and empower me to live for You. Create a clean heart in me, Lord, and teach me how to live for You.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Journaling is a powerful spiritual discipline and habit that I encourage you to cultivate this year.

Record new truths and insights God gives you as you read and study the Bible. Write your prayers and thoughts. Create a section in your journal where you can record the promises God gives you.

More from the Girlfriends

I know many of you are facing fiery trials. You may be wondering how you can make it through the day or find the strength to face tomorrow. God is with you. He is working in your life. Choose right now to believe Him and walk by faith … not by sight.

Need help?

Do you or someone you love struggle with depression? Mary’s book, Hope in the Midst of Depression, offers practical steps you can take to get out and stay out of that pit.

Be sure to check out Mary’s book excerpts, articles, and FREE MP3s. Connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.

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 - February 6, 2018 "Sweet Stuff"

Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Sweet Stuff"

Feb. 6, 2018

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

~ James 4:7-8 (ESV)

The other day I watched a video which showed the wisdom and compassion of elephants.

The film began with a two-thirds-size juvenile elephant stuck in a water ditch. That elephant knew how to get out of the ditch, but he just wasn't tall enough to make the plan work. Again and again, he'd get a knee up on the bank, and then he would end up sliding back. You could see him getting frustrated, tired, and probably a little bit angry.

The next scene showed two full-grown adult elephants joining the juvenile. For the longest time, they just stared at him and his predicament. It almost seemed as if they were saying, "Well, you really did it up right this time, didn't you?" The third and final scene had one of the adult elephants getting into the ditch. He pushed and the other elephant pulled, and soon the juvenile was freed.

Truly, you have to like elephants ... unless they're eating the food you need to feed your family.

Sadly, when that kind of interaction occurs ... and it occurs often ... the elephant often pays for the encounter with its life. It's a sad thing, but there just aren't any effective ways to deter an elephant who wants to munch on your garden.

At least that's the way it used to be.

Now a method which has proven effective in Africa is also being tried in Sri Lanka. The elephant deterrent? Honeybees. Yup, honeybees. Tests have shown that elephants will give a wide berth to honeybees --- or even a tape recording of honeybees.

Farmers who have been bothered in the past by elephants who had the munchies are being encouraged to line the perimeter of their property with honeybee hives. Those who have done so have reported surprisingly good results, and they have the benefit of honey as a new cash crop.

In short, everybody wins.

Now it occurs to me that the same sort of principle might work for humans. Sooner or later, all of us have had the devil, the world, and our flesh come around to bother us. Like those marauding elephants, it seems there's just no way to keep them out of the orderly gardens of our faith.

Well, maybe it's time to introduce some spiritual honeybees into our fight against temptation. James tells us if we resist the devil he will flee from us. So, the question is what can really drive away these unholy three? I think Luther identified our honeybees. Once he wrote, "The devil hates music because he cannot stand gaiety" and "Satan can smirk but he cannot laugh; he can sneer but he cannot sing."

Which means, next time you're being tempted, you might want to break into an enthusiastic rendering of "A Mighty Fortress" or another hymn of your choice. Now I know you probably don't think it will work and I can understand your skepticism, but if honeybees can work on elephants, I think these hymns of faith in the Christ might work on our spiritual marauders, too.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I ask that You will send the Holy Spirit upon me and grant me the tools which will enable me to resist temptations and stand firm in the faith. 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).
The other day I watched a video which showed the wisdom and compassion of elephants.

Devocional del CPTLN de 06 de Febrero de 2018 "Por causa de mi nombre"

ALIMENTO DIARIO

"Por causa de mi nombre"

6 de Febrero de 2018

Por causa de mi nombre todo el mundo los odiará a ustedes, pero el que resista hasta el fin, se salvará.

~ Marcos 13:13 (RVC)

El Papa Benedicto XVI y yo no siempre estuvimos de acuerdo.

Aun así, ambos pedimos al gobierno de Pakistán que anulara las leyes con respecto al blasfemar o maldecir. En resumen, esas leyes dicen que una persona puede ser ejecutada por insultar al Profeta Mahoma.

Pero, por más que hayamos pedido, difícilmente dichas leyes sean abolidas.

Salman Taseer, un gobernador de Pakistán, quiso cambiar esas leyes. Todo lo que consiguió fue que su guardaespaldas lo asesinara.

En vez de ser condenado por lo que hizo, en algunos círculos ese guardaespaldas ha sido considerado como un héroe. La primera vez que apareció ante la corte, fue literalmente cubierto con los pétalos de rosas que el público le tiró en señal de apoyo. Entre ese público estaban algunos abogados paquistaníes.

Parece que una manera de asegurarse que alguien no discrepe con uno es matándolo.

La fe cristiana propone una manera diferente. En su carta a los fieles en la iglesia en Tesalónica, Pablo los alienta, diciéndoles: "Ustedes, hermanos, no se cansen de hacer el bien. Si alguno no obedece las instrucciones que les damos en esta carta, denúncienlo públicamente y no se relacionen con él, para que se avergüence. Sin embargo, no lo tengan por enemigo, sino amonéstenlo como a hermano."

En otras palabras, no escuchen ni le hagan caso a lo que dice el incrédulo, sino háblenle como a un hermano que está equivocado.

Como pueden ver, San Pablo no dice nada acerca de matar a nadie. Tampoco dijeron nada al respecto Pedro, Santiago, y Juan. Quizás se deba a que a Jesús, el Príncipe de Paz, le importaba mucho más salvar a las personas, que apedrearlas.

Como cristianos nos alegramos porque Jesús vino a este mundo para librarnos del pecado, del diablo, y de la muerte. Gracias a que realizó con éxito su obra desde Belén hasta su tumba prestada es que nosotros, su familia perdonada, somos libres de invitar a otros a unirse a nosotros para adorar a aquél que es la buena noticia de gran alegría.

Es por ello que San Pablo escribe en Gálatas 5:13-15: "Les hablo así, hermanos, porque ustedes han sido llamados a ser libres; pero no se valgan de esa libertad para dar rienda suelta a sus pasiones. Más bien sírvanse unos a otros con amor. En efecto, toda la ley se resume en un solo mandamiento: «Ama a tu prójimo como a ti mismo.» Pero si siguen mordiéndose y devorándose, tengan cuidado, no sea que acaben por destruirse unos a otros".

ORACIÓN: Señor Jesús, gracias por ser el Salvador que libera y perdona. Ayúdame a mantenerme fiel a la maravilla de lo que tú has hecho por mí. En tu 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.
El Papa Benedicto XVI y yo no siempre estuvimos de acuerdo.

Хліб Наш Насущній - Хвала серед проблем

Хвала серед проблем

Читати: Йова 1:13-22
Біблія за рік: Вихід 39−40 ; Матвія 23:23-39
Завантажити MP3

Чи ж ми будем приймати від Бога добре, а злого не приймем?

— Йова 2:10

“Знову рак”, − сказала мама. Я намагалась бути сильною, почувши це, але не стрималась і розплакалась. Моя мама вже втретє вступала у боротьбу з цією хворобою. Після чергового обстеження їй повідомили про злоякісну пухлину.

Але мама почала втішати мене. Її слова стали для мене великим духовним уроком: “Я знаю, Бог завжди добрий до мене. Він завжди вірний”. Незважаючи на перспективу важкої хірургічної операції та наступної променевої терапії, вона була впевнена у Божій присутності та вірності.

Це нагадало мені Йова. Того, хто втратив багатство, здоров’я та дітей. Почувши страшну новину, він “упав на землю і поклонився” (Йов 1:20). Коли ж, вражений жахливою хворобою, почув від дружини пораду проклясти Бога, то сказав: “Чи ж ми будем приймати від Бога добре, а злого не приймем?” (Йов 2:10). І хоча пізніше Йов багато скаржився Богу, він зрештою прийняв той факт, що Бог ніколи не змінюється, що Бог ніколи не залишав його і завжди про нього піклувався.

Для більшості з нас хваління Бога не є першою імпульсивною реакцією, коли нас спіткають труднощі. Інколи обставини приносять такий біль, що ми приголомшені − нас охоплює почуття страху або гніву. Але мамина реакція на хворобу нагадала мені: Бог все ще з нами; Він як і раніше добрий до нас і допоможе пройти крізь важкі часи.

Господи, приготуй мене до важких часів, коли так важко відкривати вуста для прославлення Тебе.

Навіть із дна проблем можемо здіймати очі до Господа.

Автор Лінда Вашингтон

© 2018 Хліб Наш Насущній
“Знову рак”, − сказала мама. Я намагалась бути сильною, почувши це, але не стрималась і розплакалась.