The Daily Readings for TUESDAY, March 13, 2018

Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand
Mark 8:1-10

Daily Readings

TUESDAY, March 13, 2018

Genesis 49:29-50:14
The Death of Jacob
29 Then he gave them these instructions: “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30 the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in Canaan, which Abraham bought along with the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite. 31 There Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried, and there I buried Leah. 32 The field and the cave in it were bought from the Hittites.” 33 When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed, breathed his last and was gathered to his people. 50 Joseph threw himself on his father and wept over him and kissed him. 2 Then Joseph directed the physicians in his service to embalm his father Israel. So the physicians embalmed him, 3 taking a full forty days, for that was the time required for embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. 4 When the days of mourning had passed, Joseph said to Pharaoh’s court, “If I have found favor in your eyes, speak to Pharaoh for me. Tell him, 5 ‘My father made me swear an oath and said, “I am about to die; bury me in the tomb I dug for myself in the land of Canaan.” Now let me go up and bury my father; then I will return.’” 6 Pharaoh said, “Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear to do.” 7 So Joseph went up to bury his father. All Pharaoh’s officials accompanied him—the dignitaries of his court and all the dignitaries of Egypt— 8 besides all the members of Joseph’s household and his brothers and those belonging to his father’s household. Only their children and their flocks and herds were left in Goshen. 9 Chariots and horsemen also went up with him. It was a very large company. 10 When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, near the Jordan, they lamented loudly and bitterly; and there Joseph observed a seven-day period of mourning for his father. 11 When the Canaanites who lived there saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “The Egyptians are holding a solemn ceremony of mourning.” That is why that place near the Jordan is called Abel Mizraim. 12 So Jacob’s sons did as he had commanded them: 13 They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre, which Abraham had bought along with the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite. 14 After burying his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, together with his brothers and all the others who had gone with him to bury his father.

1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Correcting an Abuse of the Lord’s Supper
17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. 20 So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21 for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. 22 Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter! 23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world. 33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. 34 Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions.

Mark 8:1-10
Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand
8 During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” 4 His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” 5 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied. 6 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. 7 They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. 8 The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 9 About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away, 10 he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.

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

The Morning Prayer for TUESDAY, March 13, 2018

Father, Your perfect design for creating a family started with Adam and Eve.  You gave them tremendous responsibility as parents to raise their children to be responsible individuals who would in turn raise their children in the same way. And so your order continues to our own generation.  At the heart of our family relations the fifth commandment indicates that we’re to honor our father and mother which includes a promise that we’ll live long full lives. When we honor our parents, Lord, we also honor You and show appreciation for Your marvelous workmanship in our lives.  We acknowledge that You ordained the family of our origin and we give thanks to You for our mother and father, brothers and sisters.  Make us a blessing to them as the fruit of the spirit continues to grow in our lives and is played out in our relations to them.  We pray this in the name of Jesus.

Amen

Verse of the Day for TUESDAY, March 13, 2018

Ephesians 6:2-3 (NIV) “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Read all of Ephesians 6

Listen to Ephesians 6

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 - Honor First

Honor First

“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

~ Ephesians 6:2-3 (NIV)

Honor your father and mother! This is a lost art in our society. Unfortunately, when children become adults they confuse honor with allowing their parents to continue to control them.

To do everything your parents say after you have established your own home doesn’t represent honoring. Honoring is remembering who they are, what they have done for you, respecting them and taking care of them as they age. Too often parents manipulate their children by quoting Ephesians 6:2–3. That’s dishonoring!

Honoring involves helping your parents understand that your home will be established by you, hopefully incorporating many of the principles passed on by them. Honoring them includes making sure they’re not left to fend on their own. You can help them with provisions if they are struggling, and listen to them and gain wisdom from their unique perspective.

We can teach our children by establishing this type of honoring relationship with our parents. As you honor your parents, you will be known as a great son or daughter. The direct promise from God is that you will enjoy an extended lifespan.

Father, Your perfect design for creating a family started with Adam and Eve. You gave them tremendous responsibility as parents to raise their children to be responsible individuals who would in turn raise their children in the same way. And so your order continues to our own generation. At the heart of our family relations the fifth commandment indicates that we’re to honor our father and mother which includes a promise that we’ll live long full lives. When we honor our parents, Lord, we also honor You and show appreciation for Your marvelous workmanship in our lives. We acknowledge that You ordained the family of our origin and we give thanks to You for our mother and father, brothers and sisters. Make us a blessing to them as the fruit of the spirit continues to grow in our lives and is played out in our relations to them. We pray this in the name of Jesus. 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. Taken from Once a Day Nurturing Great Kids.
As you honor your parents, you will be honored.

Un dia a la Vez - ¿Por qué terminar en crisis?

¿Por qué terminar en crisis?

Aunque un ejército acampe contra mí, no temerá mi corazón; aunque contra mí se levante guerra, yo estaré confiado.

~ Salmo 27:3 (RV-60)

Sé que es muy común escuchar que personas atormentadas por sus problemas, por situaciones desesperantes de economía, celos, por estar ilegal en este país, y muchas otras situaciones que tú y yo conocemos, llegan a un punto tal de crisis que hasta quieren dejar de existir. A menudo, prefieren huir de sus problemas desahogándose en el alcohol o las drogas y no afrontan una realidad dolorosa. Aun así, esta manera de escapar de la realidad es temporal, pues no podrás estar siempre drogado ni tomado. Vas a tener momentos de lucidez, donde estarán presentes de nuevo esas preocupaciones.

Es lamentable, pero muchos llegan a la decisión más cobarde, y valiente a la vez, de quitarse la vida. Entonces, ¿qué pasa cuando escuchamos que alguien con mucho dinero, propiedades, trabajo, fama y todo lo que al parecer llena a un ser humano también entró en crisis y siguiendo el mismo cuadro anterior también termina quitándose la vida?

La gran conclusión es que no importa el dinero que tengas, ni los títulos universitarios, ni las posiciones en un trabajo, ni la familia, ni la mucha fama. Si no tienes a Dios en tu corazón por medio de Jesucristo, siempre estarás buscando cómo llenar ese vacío.

No permitas que la crisis se plante en tu vida. Sin duda, llegarán tormentas y problemas.

Sentirás que no puedes más, pero cuando pones tu mirada en Dios y le entregas toda esa carga pesada, empezarás a sentir un alivio, un descanso, y verás que ya no estás solo.

Si has tenido este tipo de situaciones, pídele perdón a Dios y sigue adelante.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Sé que es muy común escuchar que personas atormentadas por sus problemas, por situaciones desesperantes de economía, celos, por estar ilegal en este país, y muchas otras situaciones que tú y yo conocemos, llegan a un punto tal de crisis que hasta quieren dejar de existir.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - CHOOSE TO FOLLOW JESUS

CHOOSE TO FOLLOW JESUS

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

~ Mark 8:34 (NIV)

They stood out like lighthouse beacons. We spotted them while walking through the tables of artisan wares in old Havana. Two oil painting portraits side-by-side propped in front of the table. Portraits of two famous revolutionaries: Che Guevarra and Jesus Christ.

The Cuban people are well acquainted with Che. The Argentina-born socialist revolutionary joined Fidel Castro in the Cuban revolution of 1959. Fidel made him Minister of the Interior for the first five years. Then Che disappeared only to surface in Bolivia where he was captured and executed. Cuba has made him out to be a martyr for the revolution. His face and sayings are even more wide-spread in the country than Fidel’s.

Jesus is also becoming well-known in Cuba due to revival that has swept the island since the late 1980’s.

These two portraits depict the major choices for most people today. One revolutionary says, “Follow me and I will make you a liberator of men—teach them how to fight!” The other says, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men—teach them how to really live!”

One revolutionary says, “Follow me and USE your life for the sake of the revolution!” The other says, “Follow me and LOSE your life for my sake and the gospel’s (and you will find it)!”

The one says “Follow me and we will build a utopia on earth!” Jesus says, “Follow me and we will build the kingdom of God on earth (and the world will be a better place)!”

Those who have chosen to follow Jesus in Cuba are making a significant impact for the Lord. I met a twenty-three-year-old Cuban young lady who is a committed follower of Jesus. She ministers to four churches in the mountains where no male graduate from the seminary is willing to serve. The one mountain-top church we visited with her required forty-seven crossings of the winding mountain river in climbing the eight kilometres distance. In rainy season the mud is up to her knees.

I asked her what the last message was she had shared with believers. She replied, “Take up your cross and follow me!”

We also saw a young male evangelist en route to a meeting point which would take him seven hours to walk. That’s commitment!

Today Jesus is also calling you and me to truly follow Him. It may mean leaving behind our favourite time-waster and our comfort zones. But Jesus promises his personal presence and his abundant blessing. It’s an adventure like no other. If you listen carefully, you can hear his voice right where you are this moment. He’s saying, “Follow me!”

RESPONSE: Today I choose to follow Jesus, regardless of the cost.

PRAYER: Lord, may Your call on my life ever draw me closer to You and Your kingdom.

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 - Rerouting Wrong Ways

Rerouting Wrong Ways

Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

~ Acts 9:3-4 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

He had no idea that he was moving in a dangerous direction. The cute, little box turtle was just trying to get where he was going. Doing what turtles do. Thinking what turtles think. The fact that he was crossing a busy road that is paved for fast moving cars, not slow crawling reptiles, wouldn’t have even entered his tiny turtle brain.

I’m a fan of turtles. Always have been. Maybe it’s because they look tough on the outside, but are really softies on the inside. Maybe it’s because they seem shy and vulnerable when they retreat into their shells and pretend that nobody’s home. Maybe it’s because for a brief time as a kid I had a pet turtle named Raspberry… because I found him when I was picking raspberries. {I’m a clever pet-namer.} Not sure that there’s one reason in particular, but I do like turtles.

And I had to do something.

If I didn’t help him out, there was a high chance that his field trip to the pavement would’ve ended disastrously. I cared about his cute, little shelled-self so I quickly, and safely, pulled over to the side of the road and intervened. He wasn’t able to see the danger of his actions, so I picked him up and moved him to a safe place; to the grass near the swampy area.

In the days of the early church a man named Saul was full of murderous threats and was moving in the wrong direction. Like my turtle friend, he had no idea. Saul, a Pharisee, sincerely thought he was doing the right things, acting the right ways, and following the right rules. But he wasn’t. His behaviors and convictions were actually opposed to the very God he believed that he was representing and defending.

So the Lord intervened one day as Saul walked along a road in Damascus on his way to arrest some people who didn’t believe as he believed. (Acts 9:2) He couldn’t see the danger of what he was doing, so Jesus paid him an illuminating visit that struck him blind so that he might know and see the truth.

In order to save him.

To reroute his wrong ways and point him in the direction of life.

Saul’s personal encounter with Jesus changed him. All of him. Even his name! (Which was eventually changed from Saul to Paul.) From the time of his rerouting, Saul humbled himself before the Lord and worked hard to go where God wanted him to go: to help reroute other wandering hearts toward the salvation and hope of Jesus Christ.

One of the evidences that someone has a genuine relationship with the Lord is the willingness to search their heart and ask God to show them what needs changed. Sometimes in life we can move in the wrong direction, away from the will of God, and not even realize it.

You might be blinded by an anger that you feel justified hanging onto. Perhaps you think that flirting with that guy on social media isn’t hurting anyone. Maybe you need rerouted from unhealthy eating patterns, addictions, insecurities, or maxed out anxieties. Know this, Jesus wants to reroute every wrong way and move you to the safest place: the center of His will.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, Please show me the ways that my heart needs rerouted and give me the courage, desire, and determination to move in the direction that you lead.
In Jesus’ Name I pray,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read the story of Paul’s conversion: Acts 9:1-19.

Might there be a way that God wants to reroute your heart today? Spend some time in prayer and ask Him to help you see His will clearly. Then move in that direction.

NEED PRAYER? Click here to visit my blog community and share your prayer needs in the comments section. Then pause to pray for the needs of others that have posted.

More from the Girlfriends

Did today’s message resonate with you? If so, let Gwen come along side of you in your journey. 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.

Stay up with Gwen on her blog, and connect with her on Facebook & Instagram.

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

He had no idea that he was moving in a dangerous direction. The cute, little box turtle was just trying to get where he was going.

LHM Devotion - March 13, 2018 - An Open Door

Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"An Open Door"

Mar. 13, 2018

Read John 18:15-18

But Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in.

~ John 18:16 (ESV)

The door of the high priest's house was busy that night. Once Jesus was arrested, the household swung into action. Messengers went out to gather the Jewish council for an emergency meeting; soon those elite gentlemen would pass through that door to gather in a hall off the courtyard. Jesus Himself came through that door, a prisoner under heavy guard. His disciple John was recognized and came in quietly -- perhaps because of some family business relationship with the high priest's household.

But Peter could not get in. He came late and unknown, a nobody. The door only opened when John had a quiet word with the doorkeeper -- doing a favor for a friend who loved Jesus.

Still, maybe Peter would have been better off if the door had stayed shut. It was the servant girl at the door who first said to him, "You aren't one of this man's disciples too, are you?"

"No, no," Peter said, and scuttled off into the central courtyard. But the accusation followed him. "Aren't you one of them? ... You must be one of them.... Of course, you are. We can all tell you're a Galilean."

There was no escape. He was on the wrong side of the door. Trapped among Jesus' enemies, Peter did the only thing he could think of -- he denied Christ, loudly and repeatedly, calling down curses on himself in the hopes they would believe his lie.

And then the door didn't matter anymore. Peter had trapped himself by his lies, cursed himself with his own words, cut himself off from the fellowship of Christ. There was no escape from that. Except...

Just then, Jesus turned and looked at Peter (see Luke 22:61). What was in that look? Sadness, no doubt, and disappointment, too. But certainly, above all, there was love. Jesus knew Peter and all that he had done, and He still loved him. At that very moment, He was in the process of saving him -- and all of us.

Jesus' saving love opened the door to freedom and life for Peter. It does the same for us today.

THE PRAYER: Lord, You set me free from the sin and death that had me trapped. Teach me to live in Your freedom, loving my neighbors, and being joyful in You. Amen.

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Have you ever done a favor for a friend and regretted it later?

Devocional del CPTLN de 13 de Marzo de 2018 - UNA PUERTA ABIERTA

ALIMENTO DIARIO

"UNA PUERTA ABIERTA"

13 de Marzo de 2018

Leer Juan 18:15-18

Pedro se quedó afuera, a la entrada. Pero salió el discípulo que era conocido del sumo sacerdote, le habló a la portera, e hizo que Pedro entrara.

~ Juan 18:16 (RVC)

Esa noche, la puerta de la casa del sumo sacerdote estuvo muy ocupada. Una vez que Jesús fue arrestado, comenzó la acción. Los mensajeros salieron a convocar al concilio judío a una reunión de emergencia y pronto esos caballeros de la elite pasarían por la puerta para reunirse en el salón que daba al patio. El mismo Jesús pasó por esa puerta como prisionero, llevado por un guardia. Su discípulo Juan fue reconocido y fue dejado entrar discretamente, quizás porque su familia haya tenido relaciones de negocios con la familia del sumo sacerdote.

Pero Pedro no pudo entrar. Llegó tarde y nadie lo conocía. La puerta se abrió sólo después que Juan le dijera algo al portero, haciéndole un favor a un amigo que amaba a Jesús.

Aunque quizás hubiera sido mejor que Pedro se hubiera quedado afuera. Una joven sirvienta fue la primera en decirle: "¿Acaso no eres tú también uno de los discípulos de este hombre?" (Juan 18:17).
"No lo soy", dijo Pedro, y se fue al patio central. Pero la acusación lo siguió. ¿Acaso no eres uno de ellos?... Debes ser uno de ellos... Eres uno de ellos, pues eres galileo."

No había escapatoria. Pedro estaba atrapado del lado equivocado de la puerta: entre los enemigos de Jesús. Y entonces hizo lo único que le vino a la mente: negó a Cristo en voz alta y repetidamente, maldiciendo y jurando, con la esperanza de que le creyeran su mentira.

Y de pronto la puerta ya no tuvo más importancia. Pedro se había atrapado a sí mismo con sus mentiras, maldiciéndose con sus propias palabras, separándose de la comunión de Cristo. No tenía salida. A menos que...

Justo entonces, Jesús se volvió a ver a Pedro (ver Lucas 22:61). ¿Qué había en su mirada? ¿Tristeza? Sin lugar a duda, y también decepción. Pero, por sobre todas las cosas, había amor. Jesús conocía a Pedro y sabía lo que había hecho, pero aun así lo amaba. Y en ese preciso momento estaba en proceso de salvarlo: a él y a todos nosotros.

El amor salvador de Jesús le abrió a Pedro la puerta a la libertad y a la vida. Lo mismo hace para nosotros hoy.

ORACIÓN: Señor, gracias por liberarme del pecado y la muerte que me habían atrapado. Enséñame a vivir en tu libertad, amando a quienes me rodean y compartiendo el gozo de tu salvación. Amén.

© Copyright 2018 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
 ¿Alguna vez le hizo un favor a un amigo y lo lamentó después?

Nuestro Pan Diario - Aunar esfuerzos

Aunar esfuerzos

Leer: Hebreos 10:19-25 | La Biblia en un año: Deuteronomio 20–22 Marcos 13:21-37

Descargar MP3

Y considerémonos unos a otros para estimularnos al amor y a las buenas obras (v. 24).

¿Por qué más de cinco millones de personas cada año pagan para correr varios kilómetros por un recorrido con obstáculos, subiendo paredes verticales, caminando en el barro y trepando por el interior de un caño mientras les cae agua? Algunos lo consideran un desafío para mejorar su resistencia o vencer sus miedos. Para otros, el atractivo está en el trabajo en equipo, donde los competidores se ayudan unos a otros. Alguien lo denominó «zona del no juzgamiento», donde personas que no se conocen se auxilian mutuamente para terminar la carrera (Stephanie Kanowitz, The Washington Post).

La Biblia nos insta a dedicarnos a trabajar en equipo, como la forma de poner en práctica nuestra fe en Jesús: «considerémonos unos a otros para estimularnos al amor y a las buenas obras; no dejando de congregarnos, como algunos tienen por costumbre, sino exhortándonos; y tanto más, cuanto veis que aquel día se acerca» (Hebreos 10:24-25).

En la carrera de la fe, nuestra meta no es «llegar primero», sino realizar acciones alentadoras tangibles, prestando una mano en el camino y dejando un ejemplo.

El día llegará en que nuestra vida en la Tierra termine. Hasta entonces, alentémonos unos a otros, estemos dispuestos a ayudar y sigamos tirando juntos todos los días.

Padre, danos fuerzas para correr juntos la carrera de la fe.

En la carrera de la fe, corremos juntos.

Por David C. McCasland

© 2018 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario
¿Por qué más de cinco millones de personas cada año pagan para correr varios kilómetros por un recorrido con obstáculos, subiendo paredes verticales, caminando en el barro y trepando por el interior de un caño mientras les cae agua?