The Daily Readings for THURSDAY, March 15, 2018

Unity and Diversity in the Body
1 Corinthians 12:12-26

Daily Readings

THURSDAY, March 15, 2018

Exodus 1:6-22
6 Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died, 7 but the Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers and became so numerous that the land was filled with them. 8 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. 9 “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. 10 Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.” 11 So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. 12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites 13 and worked them ruthlessly. 14 They made their lives bitter with harsh labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their harsh labor the Egyptians worked them ruthlessly. 15 The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 16 “When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.” 17 The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. 18 Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?” 19 The midwives answered Pharaoh, “Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.” 20 So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. 21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own. 22 Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.”

1 Corinthians 12:12-26
Unity and Diversity in the Body
12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Mark 8:27-9:1
Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah
27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” 30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.
Jesus Predicts His Death
31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
The Way of the Cross
34 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. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” 9 And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.

The Morning Prayer for THURSDAY, March 15, 2018

Dear Heavenly Father, You have called us to love and respect our spouses.  We pray that you would help us to love and respect at all times.  Transform our character and ingrain in us the desire to bless our spouses through respect.  May our speech be seasoned with it and may our actions reflect it, especially in those critical times when we may be at odds with our spouses.  May your Holy Spirit direct our every way, encouraging us to do the right things even if it is a challenge in the moment.  We also pray that our spouses would strive to love and respect us as their companion, lover and friend.  Help our marriages to reflect all that you have called us to as a spouse in Jesus name, Amen.

Verse of the Day for THURSDAY, March 15, 2018

Ephesians 5:21 (NIV) [Instructions for Christian Households] Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Read all of Ephesians 5

Listen to Ephesians 5

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 - The Need for Respect in Marriage

The Need for Respect in Marriage

Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.” When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman. And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels. But the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai. 18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram. “What have you done to me?” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!”

~ Genesis 12:10-19 (NIV)

Life can present a married couple with tough choices. Do you take the promotion at work if it means traveling with business associates who have no scruples? Do you keep having lunches with your friend of the opposite sex if it makes your spouse uncomfortable? The list goes on.

So it was with Abram and Sarai. Famine in the land put them into crisis: move or die of starvation. So the couple relocated to Egypt to find food. But Abram made some poor choices there. Sarai was so beautiful that she was sure to attract the attention of Egyptian rulers who wouldn’t hesitate to kill Abram to get his wife. So Abram told his wife to say she was his sister. After all, it was partly true; Sarai was his half sister (see Genesis 20:12). And Abram did need to survive for the covenant promises of God to come true, right?

According to the prevailing pattern for women in that era, Sarai had no say about the arrangement. But how do you think she felt about a husband who feared more for his own skin than for hers? Could you trust your spouse after being misrepresented as someone you’re not? That kind of betrayal can drive a wedge between a couple that only widens over time.

In the movie Love Story, Oliver tells his girlfriend, Jennifer, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” Maybe that’s what Abram thought after telling a lie about his wife. Sure enough, the Egyptians praised her to Pharaoh, and Sarai was taken into Pharaoh’s palace. But God rescued Sarai out of that difficult situation by afflicting Pharaoh and his family with such serious diseases that Sarai was sent back to her husband—and Abram even got to keep the livestock and servants he had acquired in the process.

One problem with never saying you’re sorry after wronging your spouse is that you are then inclined to repeat your behavior. That’s exactly what happened. Some years later, Abram once more passed off his wife as his sister, this time to Abimelek, the king of Gerar (see Genesis 20). And years after that, Abram and Sarai’s son, Isaac, did the same thing with his wife, Rebekah (see Genesis 26). So one wrong left unresolved between a couple only succeeded in perpetuating the abuse, threatening the very calling of Abram to be the father of many nations.

The poor choices that Abram made affected his marriage and his future. A Christian married couple can learn from Abram’s life that choices have long-lasting ramifications. To deal with poor choices, own up to any misuse or disrespect of each other. Deal openly and quickly with the sin; come clean with each other and the Lord, and ask each other and God for forgiveness. Then resolve not to repeat the offense.

Dear Heavenly Father, You have called us to love and respect our spouses. We pray that you would help us to love and respect at all times. Transform our character and ingrain in us the desire to bless our spouses through respect. May our speech be seasoned with it and may our actions reflect it, especially in those critical times when we may be at odds with our spouses. May your Holy Spirit direct our every way, encouraging us to do the right things even if it is a challenge in the moment. We also pray that our spouses would strive to love and respect us as their companion, lover and friend. Help our marriages to reflect all that you have called us to as a spouse in Jesus name, 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. Devotion taken from NIV Couples’ Devotional Bible.
The poor choices that we make can affect our marriage and future.

Un dia a la Vez - Oración para que Dios sea mi «Todo»

Oración para que Dios sea mi «Todo»

Pon tu esperanza en el Señor; ten valor, cobra ánimo; ¡pon tu esperanza en el Señor!

~ Salmo 27:14 (NVI)

Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo, hoy busco tu presencia porque he entendido que mi vida sin ti no tiene sentido.

Necesito tu ayuda a fin de poder rendirlo todo a ti. Entiendo que al entregarte mi vida estoy ganando y que al morir a mi propio yo, tú podrás empezar a hacer cambios en mi vida y en mi manera de actuar. De ese modo, Padre, me preparas para tener el carácter de tu Hijo Jesucristo y me fortaleces en ti.

Si veo las noticias o leo la Biblia, en verdad reconozco que la vida se torna cada vez más complicada y yo te necesito.

Quiero dejar de actuar en mis fuerzas y deseo entregarme por completo a ti.

Dios mío, reina en mi vida y en mi corazón. Permite que empiece pronto a dar frutos y a ser un ejemplo a seguir para mi familia, mis amigos, mis compañeros de trabajo y hasta para los que no me conocen.

Renuncio a mi manera antigua de pensar y me dispongo a conocerte cada día más y así poder hacer su voluntad.

Amén y amén.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo, hoy busco tu presencia porque he entendido que mi vida sin ti no tiene sentido.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - DRAWN TO JESUS

DRAWN TO JESUS

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day…”

~ John 6:44 (NIV)

Throughout the Muslim world, Jesus (“the man in white”) has appeared to seekers in special ways—often in dreams and visions. For example, Achmed is forty-two, married and has four daughters. A year ago, the Lord Jesus appeared to him in a dream. Coming from an Egyptian fundamentalist family, Achmed was a committed Muslim. The dream caused his Islamic faith to waver. As a secret believer, he has gone into hiding in Cairo. He describes his dream:

In the field, there were hundreds, perhaps even thousands of people. They were all dressed in white and were looking up to heaven expectantly. They didn’t pay any attention to me. Suddenly a dazzling light shone on the crowd. Out of the light, the Lord Jesus stepped forward. He hovered over the people and blessed them. Then he pointed at me.

At that moment, I woke up. I was completely confused. I knew Isa (Jesus) only from the Koran. I knew that he was a man who had performed miracles, a prophet. Never had I thought that he would reveal himself to me. I was shaking all over my body and woke up my wife. “What’s the matter?” she asked. I could only say, “They’re right. They’re following the right way. They’re right...” I couldn’t go back to sleep. I had to know more about this man.

The easiest way was to turn on the television and look for Christian satellite stations. Achmed also read the Bible and watched the JESUS film. He had bought this on impulse a year before at a book fair in Cairo. He spoke to a Christian neighbor, who took him to a church in Cairo. He says, “I started to attend the services in secret and took part in a Bible study group. The love of the Christians touched me. The members of our Bible study group are like family to me.” Achmed had been supernaturally drawn to Jesus.

RESPONSE: I thank God today that I have also been drawn to Jesus, and He will raise me up!

PRAYER: Pray that God will continue to draw many, many Muslims to Jesus around the globe.

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

NIV Devotionals for Men - Finish Lines

Finish Lines

Read John 19:28–37
Recommended Reading: 2 Samuel 22:32—23:5; Colossians 2:6–15; 2 Timothy 4:1–8; Hebrews 12:1–2

Climb inside the mind of a marathon runner. Listen to his thoughts.

You’ve run this race countless times in your mind and hundreds of times in practice. But none of those resemble the real thing. The course takes you cross-country, and the running surface changes constantly. You could stumble at any step. Every change in terrain brings new challenges. Each race offers a different combination of obstacles and difficulties. And even though there are people at the roadside water stations to refresh your body, and crowds of individuals standing by to revive your spirit with their encouragement, it’s still just you out there—you, your two legs and your two feet. No matter which race you’re running, all of them have at least two things in common: the pain and the finish line.

Ah, the finish line! It makes all the pain bearable. Sometimes you forget the idea of winning the race in your all-consuming effort just to reach the finish line. You face the challenge and embrace the pain of running for over 26 miles, and a surge of joy fills your heart as you see the tape stretched across the journey’s end. Every last ounce of strength drives you across the finish line.

Jesus understood that intense drive to finish. With one of his last breaths, he cried out, “It is finished!” In the language of the New Testament, that’s a one-word exclamation: “Done!”

Jesus had joined the human race for a very special and specific reason—to finish God’s plan to provide forgiveness, salvation and eternal life for a fallen humanity. When Jesus shouted “Finished!” he was declaring that he had endured the judgment of sin on behalf of all humankind. He’d crossed the finish line for each of us. And in order to finish, he had to seal the arrangement with his life.

The cross represented the last hours in a long race marked out for Jesus. Even though he knew exactly how the race would end—with his sacrificial death—he still ran. Even though he had his disciples around him to provide companionship and support, not one of them knew exactly what he was going through in his final hours. Jesus knew that he’d experience excruciating pain. He knew that many would never accept his sacrifice, but he also knew that many would, and for us he ran. And finished. For this we’ll spend eternity in grateful appreciation.

To Take Away

• Do you see your life as a race? Why? How would you describe your progress so far?
• When you think of Jesus dying on your behalf on the cross, how does it make you feel? What effect does this reality have on your daily life?
• How can Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross motivate you to run the race God sets out before you?

Climb inside the mind of a marathon runner. Listen to his thoughts.

Girlfriends in God - The Right Backdrop for Life

The Right Backdrop for Life

Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. We are well known, but we are treated as unknown. We live close to death, but here we are, still alive. We have been beaten within an inch of our lives. Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything .

~ 2 Corinthians 6:8-10 (NLT)

Friend to Friend

When golf balls were first manufactured, their covers were smooth. Golfers soon discovered that after a ball had been roughed up a bit they were able to get more distance out of it. Manufacturers then began producing golf balls with dimpled covers.

Life is a lot like that.

It takes some rough spots to make us go our farthest.

It takes some storms to teach us that God is faithful and will provide the strength to stand firm.

The Apostle Paul knew all about storms. As a fully devoted follower of Christ, Paul was despised, slandered, mistreated, abused and poor. He had every right to be angry and distressed but instead chose joy. “We own nothing, and yet we have everything.” (2 Corinthians 6:8-10 NLT)

I never fully understood the amazing truth behind Paul’s words because I had never really lived their truth – until 1995 – when I found myself sitting at the bottom of a deep, dark pit. Clinical depression, the psychologist called it. The name was irrelevant to me.  All I knew was that it was the most hellish place I had ever been, and I had absolutely no idea how to escape. I was paralyzed and totally helpless – the perfect setting for a miracle!

Sitting at the feet of Jesus, stripped of my human efforts and impotent plans, I discovered the life changing truth that He did not come to eliminate the storms in my life.  No - He came to fill those storms with His presence. I was not delivered from that pit until I was delivered in that pit.

Because joy is a deeply rooted confidence that God is in control, it only stands to reason that the highest joy will come through the greatest pain. The greater the pain, the more we are forced to search for and cling to the hand of God. But that only happens when we choose the right attitude toward pain. Here it is.

James 1:2-3 Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

When was the last time you threw a party to celebrate the trials and storms in your life?  God’s ways are higher than our ways, and most human reactions are in direct opposition to the paradoxical ways of God. Honestly, there are times when what He has asked me to do simply does not make sense – to me. And there we find the problem. Faith is a matter of blind obedience, not human logic.

At the heart of every storm is victory – waiting to be claimed. The words of James offer the perfect backdrop for every life storm.

Our son Jered was a beautiful baby. One Easter I took him to Sears for their annual “Get a million pictures for $2.99” deal. Expecting the studio to be crowded, I was met by one bored photographer thrilled to see his first customers. Jered always loved having his picture taken and put on quite a show. After the advertised special pictures were done, the photographer asked, “Listen, I don’t have any appointments today and really need some new pictures for wall displays. Would you mind if I took more pictures of Jered?”  What mother is going to say, “No thank you! I don’t want my child’s face plastered on every wall of this studio?” Not this proud mama! We went to work.

The photographer handed me a box of clothes, asking me to choose several different outfits for Jered. First came the tuxedo. No – I am not kidding you. The photographer pulled down a silver backdrop, making Jered’s curly, black hair stand out and his blue eyes dance. Next came the blue snowsuit against a red backdrop. With every backdrop, Jered’s appearance changed – and an eternal truth lodged in my heart.

As daughters of the King, we have a different backdrop for every life experience. It is a manger – a cruel cross – an empty tomb – and eternity itself. That backdrop changes everything. It makes our hearts sing and our souls dance with the truth that we can always count on His joy in us to face the storms around us!

Girlfriend, what storm is raging in your life today? What step do you need to take in order to experience His strength for that storm? Your Father stands ready to meet you in your darkest hour. He longs to wrap His arms around you until the winds die down and the waves are stilled. Right now – surrender. Yield to His presence and power. Celebrate the storm that dashed your battered life on the shores of His unyielding love.

Let’s Pray

Father, I am so tired of trying to face storms on my own. I need a new backdrop for my life. Today, I choose victory. I am going to count on You to provide the strength I need for every trial and every difficult circumstance. I am taking one tiny step of faith, trusting You to meet me there.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

What storm are you facing today? Choose to step out in faith and trust God to deliver you. What does that look like in your life? Record your thoughts in your journal. Take time to praise God for what He is about to do.

More from the Girlfriends

What does it mean to trust God? What would your life look like if you were walking by faith and trusting God with your whole heart? The 10-Day Trust Adventure addresses every decision you make in every area of your life - including your past and future, your family and friendships, your finances and work - and how to make those decisions as you step out in faith and really trust God.

Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website. Connect with Mary through email or on Facebook.

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

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I was paralyzed and totally helpless...

LHM Devotion - March 15, 2018 - Rope

Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Rope"

Mar. 15, 2018

Read Mark 15:1-5

And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led Him away and delivered Him over to Pilate.

~ Mark 15:1 (ESV)

Do you have a coil of rope in your house? What about your car? Rope is a handy thing to have when you're tying down a Christmas tree to be carried home on the car roof, or wood and drywall for a remodeling project. It even comes in handy when you have a new puppy, but you still need to buy a leash for his collar.

We bind all these things with rope and think nothing of it. But rope takes on a different meaning when we think of Jesus. Think about it -- when they bound Him in the garden of Gethsemane, that was it until they nailed Him to the cross. His last real freedom of movement was the quick step and reach He made to heal His enemy who had lost an ear to Peter's sword. From that point on, He went wherever His enemies wanted Him to go: to the high priest's house, to Pilate, to Herod, to scourging, mocking -- and crucifixion. He would not be free again until the resurrection.

Our Lord Jesus -- treated like a wayward puppy, a stubborn donkey -- a dangerous criminal. This is so wrong I don't have words to describe it.

And yet He accepted this to set us free. We were the wayward ones, the stubborn ones who insisted on running into danger. As Isaiah says, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned -- every one -- to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6).

He was bound so we might be free; He was hurt so we might be whole; He was killed so that we might live. This is love. This is Jesus, our Savior. And today He lives and calls us to Him to be His own in faith, and in the joyful freedom of the children of God.

THE PRAYER: Lord, You have set me free at the cost of Your own life. Yet bind my heart to You in love, that I may be Your own forever. Amen.

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
What's the last thing you used rope for?

Devocional del CPTLN de 15 de Marzo de 2018 - UNA CUERDA

ALIMENTO DIARIO

"UNA CUERDA"

15 de Marzo de 2018

Leer Marcos 15:1-5

En cuanto amaneció, y luego de reunirse los principales sacerdotes, los ancianos, los escribas y todo el tribunal para ponerse de acuerdo, ataron a Jesús y se lo llevaron a Pilato.

~ Marcos 15:1 (RVC)

¿Tienes un rollo de cuerda en tu casa? ¿Y en tu automóvil? La cuerda viene bien cuando uno tiene que atar algo que compró al techo del automóvil para llevarlo a la casa. También resulta útil cuando hay que sostener a un cachorrito y no se tiene a mano la correa.

En esos casos utilizamos un trozo de cuerda y con eso lo arreglamos. Pero cuando pensamos en Jesús, la cuerda toma otra significado. Cuando lo apresaron en el Jardín de Getsemaní todo lo que usaron fue una cuerda. Y así fue hasta que lo clavaron a la cruz. La última libertad real de movimiento que tuvo fue un paso rápido para tocar y sanar al enemigo que había perdido una oreja por causa de la espada de Pedro. A partir de allí, Jesús fue sólo donde sus enemigos quisieron que fuera: a la casa del sumo sacerdote, ante Pilato, ante Herodes, a los azotes, a las burlas... y a la crucifixión. Y no volvería a estar libre hasta la resurrección.

Nuestro Señor Jesús fue tratado como un cachorro desobediente, como un burro terco, como un criminal peligroso. No hay palabras para describir la injusticia que se estaba cometiendo.

Y, sin embargo, él la aceptó para hacernos libres. Nosotros éramos los desobedientes, los tercos que insistimos en meternos en peligro. Como dice Isaías: "Todos perderemos el rumbo, como ovejas, y cada uno tomará su propio camino; pero el Señor descargará sobre él todo el peso de nuestros pecados" (Isaías 53:6).

Él fue atado para que nosotros podamos ser liberados. Él fue herido para que nosotros podamos ser sanados. Él fue muerto para que nosotros podamos vivir. Eso es amor. Eso es Jesús, nuestro Salvador, que hoy vive y nos llama a que seamos suyos en fe y en la libertad gozosa de los hijos de Dios.

ORACIÓN: Señor, que me has liberado a costa de tu propia vida, une mi corazón al tuyo en amor, para que te pertenezca a ti para siempre. Amén.

© Copyright 2018 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Para qué fue lo último que usaste la cuerda?

Хлеб наш насущный - Открыто для исцеления

Открыто для исцеления

Читать сейчас: Псалом 24:1-11 | Библия за год: Второзаконие 26-27; Марка 14:27-53

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Укажи мне, Господи, пути Твои и научи меня стезям Твоим.

— Псалом 24:4

В детстве я смотрел, как мой отец распахивает землю, которая раньше никогда не возделывалась. Во время первой вспашки плуг выворачивал из земли большие камни. Отец ходил по полю и собирал их. Затем он снова перепахивал землю. С каждым разом на поверхность выходили камни поменьше. Снова следовал сбор и потом опять вспашка.

Возрастание в благодати чем-то похоже на этот процесс. Когда мы только обращаемся ко Христу, могут открыться некоторые «большие» грехи. Мы исповедуем их перед Богом и принимаем Его прощение. Но проходит время, Слово Божье глубже проникает в наше сердце, и Святой Дух извлекает из его глубин грехи другого плана. Раньше они казались маленькими и незначительными пустяками, а теперь предстали во всей своей безобразности. Это такие грехи, как гордость, себялюбие, капризность, мелочность, подозрительность, раздражительность, самооправдание.

Бог обнаруживает каждый грех, чтобы освободить нас от него. Он открывает раны, чтобы исцелить их. Когда подобные пороки выходят на поверхность, мы можем молиться вместе с Давидом: «Ради имени Твоего, Господи, прости согрешение мое, ибо велико оно» (Пс. 24:11).

Смиренное признание греха хоть и болезненно, но благотворно для души. Через него Бог «наставляет грешников на путь». Он «направляет кротких к правде и научает кротких путям Своим» (Пс. 24:8-9).

Спасибо, Господь, что Ты поступаешь с нами по любви. Направь нас и научи. Помоги всегда помнить, как много нам прощено.

Иисус берет нас такими, как есть, и делает такими, как нужно.

автор: Дэвид Роупер

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Возрастание в благодати чем-то похоже на этот процесс.