The Daily Readings for THURSDAY, April 12, 2018

Daily Readings

THURSDAY, April 12, 2018

Old Testament

Exodus 16:10-21
16:10 And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. 11 The Lord spoke to Moses and said, 12 “I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’” 13 In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14 When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat. 16 This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Gather as much of it as each of you needs, an omer to a person according to the number of persons, all providing for those in their own tents.’” 17 The Israelites did so, some gathering more, some less. 18 But when they measured it with an omer, those who gathered much had nothing over, and those who gathered little had no shortage; they gathered as much as each of them needed. 19 And Moses said to them, “Let no one leave any of it over until morning.” 20 But they did not listen to Moses; some left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and became foul. And Moses was angry with them. 21 Morning by morning they gathered it, as much as each needed; but when the sun grew hot, it melted.

The Epistle

1 Peter 2:11-25
Live as Servants of God
2:11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. 12 Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge. 13 For the Lord’s sake accept the authority of every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme, 14 or of governors, as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. 16 As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. 17 Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
The Example of Christ’s Suffering
18 Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh. 19 For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. 20 If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

The Gospel

John 15:12-27
15:12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
The World’s Hatred
18 “If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘Servants are not greater than their master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21 But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not have sin. But now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 It was to fulfill the word that is written in their law, ‘They hated me without a cause.’ 26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. 27 You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.
Jesus said, “If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you.

The Morning Prayer for THURSDAY, April 12, 2018

God of power and mercy, help us to accept and love each other as brothers and sisters in the community of the church. Through your justice present in our hearts, may your peace reign in the world. 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 THURSDAY, April 12, 2018

John 13:34 (NIV) “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Read all of John 13

Listen to John 13

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 - Community

Community

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

~ John 13:34 (NIV)

In our individualistic society, many of us often feel alone. Sometimes we are actually alone; at other times we simply feel lonely. Some of us, conditioned by our culture, believe we are better off by ourselves and think we do not need the help of others. However, the gospel—and all of Scripture, for that matter—reinforces the truth that we were created for community. God created us not to be isolated beings, but rather people who live life with others. The primary way that we as Christians live in community is by belonging to the church.

When our culture thinks of community, it often thinks of a social club or an organization formed around a specific interest or cause. But the church is something much greater. It is Christ’s “body.” And the nature of our relationships with other Christians is described in the New Testament as koinonia, a Greek word often translated as “fellowship.” It means that we as Christians have communion with one another and participate in life together. Not only that, but we also have communion with Christ and participate in his life and mission.

Community is opportunity. Fellowship in the church becomes a tutor and an avenue for us to love and serve others, even those outside the church. Above all, the church is called to mirror the love of the Trinity. God exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is the true unity in diversity, and we are invited to not only share in the love of the Trinity, but also to extend that love to everyone we encounter.

One reason why God has established the church is so that we can experience concretely the love of Christ. Yet this love was never meant to be restricted to the community of the church. Rather, it should generously overflow into all of our communities, including our workplaces. The love of Christ changes the way we see our work community. Our coworkers are not merely people who help us get our work done or help us advance professionally. No, God has placed them in our lives so that we may love and serve them, even if they are radically different from us. We are called to love them, as Stott explained, both negatively and positively so that they might not only flourish but also experience God’s love and mercy.

God of power and mercy, help us to accept and love each other as brothers and sisters in the community of the church. Through your justice present in our hearts, may your peace reign in the world. 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

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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 Faith & Work Bible.
The gospel reinforces the truth that we were created for community.

Un dia a la Vez - Dios te regala un nuevo día hoy

Dios te regala un nuevo día hoy

Bendito sea el Señor, nuestro Dios y Salvador, que día tras día sobrelleva nuestras cargas.

~ Salmo 68:19 (NVI)

¿Por qué será que no todos los días nos levantamos igual con Dios?

Si en la gran mayoría de los casos conocemos su Palabra, sabemos que nos ama y que hoy ha preparado un día lleno de oportunidades para nosotros.

Sé que las circunstancias que estás viviendo te roban la paz y el gozo. No obstante, cuando estamos en contacto diario con nuestro Dios, ya sea orando aunque sea un rato cada día, y leyendo su Palabra, encontramos sus promesas.

Estas promesas te dan la certeza de caminar por fe. Te permiten dar por sentado que aunque amanezcas sin un quinto en el bolsillo, andes cansado porque el dinero no te alcanza y otras muchas cosas que llegan a la vida, Dios es un Padre que, ante todo, nunca miente. De modo que si te regaló un nuevo amanecer, es porque te ama y ya tiene predestinado que estuvieras en pie.

¡Ánimo! Recuerda que aunque la tormenta es fuerte, Dios es mayor que tu problema.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
¡Ánimo! Dios es mayor que tu problema.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - HARDSHIP CANNOT SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST

HARDSHIP CANNOT SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall…hardship…?

~ Romans 8:35b (NIV)

The question asked is a personal one. Not “what” can separate us but “who”? The inference is our enemy, Satan, who tries every tactic he can garner to make us think we can be separated from Christ’s love. Today we look at his tactic of “hardship.”

Sixteen-year-old Lakech had always known a stable home in her small Ethiopian village of Moche. Her childhood as one of eight children was not carefree. But it was uncomplicated. Her father, a godly man, worked hard to provide the needs of his large family. They did not have an abundance; but they survived. While Lakech was growing up, her father and mother came to Christ. They labored hard and devoted themselves to bringing up their eight children in a God-fearing way. But two years ago, her father was framed by some enemies and charged with stealing trees.

The legal battle started with a hearing a few days later, dragging on for a year when the court found Lakech’s father guilty and sentenced him to a year’s imprisonment. He found himself sharing a cell with about fifty criminals, and his family was left in turmoil.

At home, mother was not coping well. Neighbors were mocking the children, claiming their father would be jailed for seven more years. “I started noticing that it was hard for my mother to put food on the table,” explained Lakech. “I could not watch my mother battle on her own. I wanted to finish school, but it was impossible for me to just carry on,” admitted the timid young teenager. “My mother needed help.”

Despite her age and innate shyness, Lakech left school and found a full-time job as a house servant some distance from her home town. For long periods of time, Lakech stayed away from home working, sending all her earnings home to her mother. Following her example, Lakech’s second oldest brother, also in his teens, quit school and took over the farming on their small land.

Then the local church began to help support the family, and Open Doors was alerted to the difficult struggle to just feed the family. The ministry was able to come alongside the entire family, helping supply their food, and then paying school fees so Lakech could return home and resume her studies with her brother.

Soon afterwards, to the family’s great joy, father was pardoned because of good behavior and released after serving nearly half of his sentence. He was overjoyed and declared, “I was saying to myself, by the time I finish serving the sentence, I will find my family scattered and needy. But it was different. They lacked nothing and everything was covered.

“I was also thinking no one will be with us,” Lakech’s mother shared. “But we now are in joy. I am happy to be relieved from my worries and above all to have my husband beside me. The Lord has blessed me with these two successes; both my daughter and husband have come home.”

RESPONSE: I will live this day aware that hardships can never separate me from Christ’s love.

PRAYER: Lord we rejoice in Your goodness and in Your provision for every real need.

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 - Scared to Death

Scared to Death

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

Recommended Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1–58; Philippians 1:21–23

Despite all the personal fitness trainers, gastrointestinal bypass surgeries, expensive wrinkle creams and everything else people use to look young and keep fit, the mortality rate still stands at 100 percent! Someone once remarked that our generation will produce the best-looking corpses in history. Of course, Christians aren’t immune from the desire to live longer and look better in the process. And while there’s nothing wrong with caring for our bodies, Paul reminds us that death is nothing to fear.

Paul wants to address the concern of the Thessalonian Christians about loved ones who have died before Christ’s return. Of course, behind this worry for others likely stands a more personal concern: “What will happen to me when I die?”

Paul gets straight to the point with his encouraging answer. Those who die before Jesus returns will on that final day rise from the grave and accompany Christ to meet those still alive. Death doesn’t dash our hope in Christ; indeed, death for Christians marks a transition to an infinitely better life.

While Paul seeks to calm the fears of his readers, he also expresses his concern about the effect these anxieties will have on the other people around them—especially non-Christians. Paul reminds us that we don’t need to grieve the deaths of our loved ones or worry about our own deaths like “the rest of mankind” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Notice that Paul doesn’t say that Christians won’t grieve. Death is horrible, and it separates us from our loved ones. If we tried to pretend that this loss didn’t matter, we wouldn’t be authentic.

Paul, instead, wants us to know that we don’t need to grieve like those without hope. Yes, we mourn our loss, but we also rejoice, knowing that one day we’ll be reunited with loved ones who also knew Christ. More importantly, Christ will unite us with himself for all eternity. This truth allows us to, as Paul invites, “encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

To Take Away

• What is your attitude toward death?
• How do you grieve? How does your response to death affect other people around you, especially non-Christians?
• How can you find encouragement and even cause for rejoicing in the midst of your grief?

Despite all the personal fitness trainers, gastrointestinal bypass surgeries, expensive wrinkle creams and everything else people use to look young and keep fit, the mortality rate still stands at 100 percent!

Girlfriends in God - How Resistance Can Lead to Strength

How Resistance Can Lead to Strength

Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

The testing of your faith produces perseverance.

~ James 1:3 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

My daughter plays competitive volleyball and recently began a specialized resistance plyometric workout called Vertimax training. The actual Vertimax equipment looks rather unimpressive. It’s a sturdy platform that hosts a complicated series of industrial-sized rubber bands. The results of training with this system, however, are anything but unimpressive. This advanced resistance-training helps to increase vertical jump, strengthen and protect muscles, and accelerate an athlete’s reaction time. Everything a volleyball player wants!

But let me tell you, it is hard work.

Kennedy trains under the careful watch of a guide who knows just how much tension to add and to allow on the platform. And she works through a rapid series of reps to the point of fatigue, and sometimes to failure.

The resistance of the bands increases her strength, but not until her muscles are worn down. After fatigue sets in and the muscles break down, healing begins, and she grows stronger as a result.

Just like in life.

Trials and tension can lead to stress or to strength. Often both! Challenges can tear us down, but they also hold the power to build us up. It’s important for us to realize that we get to choose our responses when resistance wears us thin.

I want to honor God in both good and bad times. Don’t you? I honestly do, but it’s not easy. I tend to get upset about the breakdowns and strains I have to deal with. The Bible shows me, however, that if I didn’t have any resistance I wouldn’t grow.

The beauty of resistance is that can lead to strength. (If we allow it to.)

Remember what James said?

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2-3)

I read these verses and a part of me want to run the other way. But I want to grow. I want to mature in my faith, to trust God more, to persevere and showcase His power in and through the pressure.

So how does this play out practically?

Well, I want my marriage to grow stronger. Always. Because even though we’ve been married a long time, Brad and I are two flawed individuals with strong opinions and crazy-different emotions. Those two variables alone set the table for tension, but there are countless sources of strain beyond our shortcomings. (And all the people said: AMEN!)

We know that marriages, and all relationships, are hard work. So for my marriage to be strong - as far as it’s up to me - I need to press through times of fatigue in order to move toward the strength I long for when Brad and I hit the tension point. I need to look to God, my Guide, who carefully watches me, knows all about the hurt, and helps me through the resistance.

If I want my marriage to be strong, I can’t just be stubborn and do things my way because my ways are flawed and weak. (This applies to all relationships!) The ways of the Lord, however, are perfect and strong. So I look to the Bible to instruct my heart and inform my attitude. She brings him (her husband) good and not evil all the days of her life. (Proverbs 31:12) She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. (Proverbs 31:26)

When I’m stressed out by my man, or angry with him (people…it happens), I have to pray for God to give me the grace that my heart lacks and the willingness to forgive. Even in the times when I’m convinced that he’s wrong. Even when my feelings are hurt or my ego is bruised. Even when, even when, even when… (And believe me, Brad has plenty of opportunities to do the same with me!)

The Bible assures us, Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)

That sounds good to me. I like to know that there is a reward that follows the fatigue.

On the Vertimax platform when the tension bands are removed, an athlete experiences the benefits of the training. Testing brings perseverance. It’s a promise.

What resistance are you facing today? Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:4)

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, Forgive me for wanting to find the easy way around the resistance that can be used to strengthen me. Help me to appreciate the value in the strains and struggles I endure. Build my strength today in the fatigue I face and help me to look to You and walk in Your grace.

In Jesus’s Name I pray,

Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read James 1.

JAMES CHALLENGE: Ready to grow in the strength of God? Read the entire book/letter of James. Do it today or do it this week. However long it takes. Are you in? Click here to let me know by leaving a comment on my blog.

More from the Girlfriends

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

What resistance are you facing today?

LHM Devotion - April 12, 2018 - Thy Will, Not Mine

Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Thy Will, Not Mine"

Apr. 12, 2018

(Jesus said) "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me."

~ John 6:38 (ESV)

It was about three years ago that the middle-aged Milwaukee school teacher invested her life savings in a business enterprise which had been elaborately -- and very smoothly -- sold to her.

Unfortunately, the person who did the selling was nothing more than a simple swindler.

Only after his promises proved to be false, and her investment nest egg had disappeared, and the wonderful dream of a wealthy future was shattered, did she go to the offices of the Better Business Bureau. They were shocked at how badly she had been swindled.

Then they asked an incredibly important question: "Why on earth didn't you come to us first?" they asked. "Have we don't such a bad job of advertising you have never heard of us? Hasn't anyone ever spoken about us and what we do? Didn't you know about the Better Business Bureau?"

"Oh, yes," said the lady sadly, "I've always known about you. But I didn't come at the beginning because I was afraid you'd tell me not to do it."

As strange as the true story sounds, every one of us is compelled to admit that we have done much the same thing when it comes to obeying the will of God.

* When Satan whispered his sinful suggestions to Adam and Eve, they didn't wait for a chance to visit with the Lord about whether He was really, really sincere about His instruction forbidding them to eat from the tree, which provided knowledge about good and evil. No, they didn't talk it over with the Lord at all. Probably they were afraid He might tell them He had been in earnest: deadly in earnest.

* Even though the Lord's presence had been with them during the plagues of Egypt, and even as Moses was receiving the Law up on Sinai, the children of Israel decided to build a golden calf to be their object of worship and veneration. Note they did not pray to the Lord, nor did they wait for Moses. They simply forged ahead in their idolatry. They ignored the Lord because they were pretty sure He would tell them not to proceed.

* When it came to the trial and death of Jesus, the priests who knew the prophecies about the Messiah choose not to apply them to the Savior. And why didn't they take it to the Lord -- why didn't they enter the holy places of the temple? I believe they were afraid they might hear God say, "This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him."

You and I, dear friends, have done the same sort of thing. In such situations, we may know what the Lord expects, but we choose to ignore Him and preferred to listen to our own sinful longings. All too often we have acted according to our own will, and only when things fell apart did we ask the Lord to weigh in. We followed that path, our plan of action, because we were afraid God would say, "No."

In contrast to the rest of humanity we see the Savior. The Father's perfect Son never thought He knew better than His Father. Jesus didn't put His will and wishes first. Instead, from before His first baby cry in Bethlehem, past His last cry on Calvary' cross, the Lord's will was always first, last, and always. And because it was, we are forgiven and saved.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I often act and then ask. Help me get my priorities right. Accept my prayers of thanks that You have saved me by following the Father's will. With a thankful heart, may I do the same. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
It was about three years ago that the middle-aged Milwaukee school teacher invested her life savings in a business enterprise...

Devocional del CPTLN de 12 de Abril de 2018 - Enfrentando la realidad

ALIMENTO DIARIO

"Enfrentando la realidad"

12 de Abril de 2018

Con todo, él llevará sobre sí nuestros males, y sufrirá nuestros dolores, mientras nosotros creeremos que Dios lo ha azotado, lo ha herido y humillado. Pero él será herido por nuestros pecados; ¡molido por nuestras rebeliones! Sobre él vendrá el castigo de nuestra paz, y por su llaga seremos sanados.

~ Isaías 53:4-5 (RVC)

Dice la historia que hace varios siglos en China, un hombre se unió a la orquesta del emperador como flautista. Lamentablemente, no era capaz de tocar ni una nota en su flauta.

Cada vez que la orquesta tocaba, él hacía como que también tocaba. Por este "trabajo" recibía un salario y vivía confortablemente. Todo marchaba bien hasta que un día el emperador pidió a cada músico que tocara un solo. En su desesperación, el flautista trató de tomar lecciones para aprender rápidamente a tocar la flauta y hasta fingió estar enfermo, pero aun así le llegó su turno.

El día en que tenía que ejecutar su solo, sintiéndose incapaz de enfrentar la realidad, el flautista se envenenó.

Aun cuando probablemente nunca se nos ocurra hacer lo que hizo ese flautista, a todos nos pasa que en algún momento nos rehusamos a enfrentar ciertas realidades. Es que no es fácil aceptar la responsabilidad que nos corresponde por las cosas que hemos hecho mal.

Y esa es justamente la razón por la cual necesitamos a Jesús. Quienes tienen a Jesús como Salvador de sus vidas, saben que él ha ocupado el lugar que les correspondía a ellos. Al cargar sobre sí nuestros pecados y el castigo que merecíamos por ellos, Jesús hizo frente por nosotros a nuestra más terrible realidad.

Liberados de esa realidad, ahora podemos cantar alabanzas al Salvador que cargó con nuestras enfermedades y soportó nuestros dolores, y fue herido, molido y castigado por nosotros. Damos gracias a Jesús porque, por haber enfrentado nuestra realidad, vivimos en armonía con el Señor en el cielo.

ORACIÓN: Querido Jesús, gracias por enfrentar mi realidad y por darme el regalo de la salvación. Gracias por darme la posibilidad de vivir sin miedo. Te pido que aceptes mi alabanza por todo lo que has hecho por mí, y que me ayudes a ser testigo de tu paz y de tu amor. En tu nombre. 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.
Dice la historia que hace varios siglos en China, un hombre se unió a la orquesta del emperador como flautista. Lamentablemente, no era capaz de tocar ni una nota en su flauta.

Хлеб наш насущный - Вера, любовь и надежда

Вера, любовь и надежда

Читать сейчас: 1 Фессалоникийцам 1:1-3 | Библия за год: 1 Царств 19-21; Луки 11:29-54

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Всегда благодарим Бога за всех вас. — 1 Фессалоникийцам 1:2

Десять лет моя тетя Кэти заботилась о своем отце (моем дедушке). Она готовила ему и убирала за ним, когда он еще мог ходить, а когда слег, стала нянькой.

Ее забота – современная иллюстрация слов Павла, который писал фессалоникийцам, что благодарит Бога за их «дело веры, и труд любви, и терпение упования на Господа нашего Иисуса Христа» (1 Фес. 1:3).

Забота моей тети о больном отце была выражением веры и любви. Она верила, что Бог призвал ее к этому важному делу, и подходила к нему со всем усердием, потому что любила Бога и отца.

И также она была полна надежды. Дедушка был очень добрым человеком, но смотреть на его угасание было непросто. Она пожертвовала общением с семьей и друзьями, отказалась от путешествий, чтобы ухаживать за ним. И смогла все перенести, потому что верила, что Бог укрепит ее, и надеялась на чудесное будущее для отца в небесных обителях.

Что бы вы ни делали – забота о родственнике, помощь соседу или другие добрые дела, – ободритесь в своем труде. Он может стать сильным свидетельством веры, любви и надежды.

Господь, помоги мне сегодня увидеть нужды окружающих, Твое водительство и силу Духа для послушания. Я хочу жить верой, любовью и надеждой, которые Ты дал мне.

Главное в жизни – любить, а не быть любимым, давать, а не получать, служить, а не принимать служение.

автор: Лиза Самра

© 2018 Хлеб Наш Насущный

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