The Daily Readings for SATURDAY, April 14, 2018

Daily Readings

SATURDAY, April 14, 2018

Old Testament

Exodus 17:1-16
Water from the Rock
17:1 From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 The people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” 3 But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” 4 So Moses cried out to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” 5 The Lord said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”
Amalek Attacks Israel and Is Defeated
8 Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some men for us and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands grew weary; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; so his hands were steady until the sun set. 13 And Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the sword. 14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a reminder in a book and recite it in the hearing of Joshua: I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 And Moses built an altar and called it, The Lord is my banner. 16 He said, “A hand upon the banner of the Lord! The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”

The Epistle

1 Peter 4:7-19
4:7 The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 11 Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
Suffering as a Christian
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. 16 Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?” 19 Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good.

The Gospel

John 16:16-33
Sorrow Will Turn into Joy
16:16 “A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 Then some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying to us, ‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They said, “What does he mean by this ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Are you discussing among yourselves what I meant when I said, ‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’? 20 Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is in labor, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. 22 So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
Peace for the Disciples
25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father. 26 On that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father.” 29 His disciples said, “Yes, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things, and do not need to have anyone question you; by this we believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33 I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”

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.
Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.

The Morning Prayer for SATURDAY, April 14, 2018

Almighty God, our hope and strength, without you we falter. Help us to follow Christ and to live according to your will. 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 SATURDAY, April 14, 2018

John 2:11 (NIV) What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

Read all of John 2

Listen to John 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 - Curious, Convinced, or Committed?

Curious, Convinced, or Committed?

What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

~ John 2:11 (NIV)

When Christ walked our planet, He spent a lot of time with twelve handpicked disciples. In Matthew 5:1-2 we read, “Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them”. After that came the Sermon on the Mount, which was given to His disciples who had gathered around Him. Jesus took time for His disciples. He spent time with them.

The word disciple means “a learner.” If you’re a disciple of Jesus, then you’re a learner. You’re someone who is listening and processing. These disciples listened to Jesus and followed Him.

Dwight Pentecost used three words to describe the different phases of where people are spiritually: curious, convinced, and committed.

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He had a lot of curious people gather around Him, especially when He performed a miracle like multiplying the loaves and fish. A free lunch? Now we’re talking. Jesus would show up, and the crowds would show up. They listened to Him, but it didn’t impact them for the most part.

Then there are the convinced. These people aren’t impacted personally by what they hear, but they give intellectual assent to it, which is an important step. For example, we read that the first miracle Jesus did was turn water into wine in Cana of Galilee. John 2:11 tells us, “What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him”. The disciples had gone from curious to convinced. They were so convinced that they were starting to follow Him. But at that point, after that miracle, they went from convinced to committed.

Which of these categories best describes you? Have you gone from curious to committed?

Almighty God, our hope and strength, without you we falter. Help us to follow Christ and to live according to your will. 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 by Harvest Christian Fellowship.
Curious, convinced, or committed: Which one describes you?

Un dia a la Vez - Lo mejor para mí

Lo mejor para mí

De este modo todos sabrán que son mis discípulos, si se aman los unos a los otros.

~ Juan 13:35 (NVI)

Dios a veces tiene que mover fichas para llamar nuestra atención.

En mi caso, aunque ya estaba segura que escribir este libro era una idea de papito Dios y se reconfirmaba con la Biblia en Jeremías 30:2, yo me negaba.

Hasta un día que llegó a mi vida una personita muy especial que Dios ha usado en serio para que le diera inicio a este proyecto. Se trata de Pedrito, como le digo cariñosamente. Pedrito Lancheros es un hombre inteligente, sencillo, preparado y con un lindo hogar. Además, forma parte del equipo de Conexión USA, la revista.

Hacía ya un tiempo que me venía escuchando por la radio, y cuando entró a trabajar en la revista, empezamos a tener algunas conversaciones. Entonces, un día, entra a mi oficina y me dice que sentía de Dios decirme que lo que hacía por los oyentes era excelente, que la oración de la mañana era muy poderosa y un tremendo testimonio. Acto seguido me preguntó si no pensaba escribir un libro. Cuando me dijo esas palabras, pensé: «¡Dios mío, otra persona que envías para que reaccione!». Tuvimos varias conversaciones serias en las cuales me dijo cosas que me hicieron reflexionar y sentir incómoda, pero todo para bien. Más tarde, me entregó un cronograma y el resultado hoy es que tú y yo estamos leyendo este motivador libro lleno de testimonios.

Gracias, Pedrito, por ser obediente a Dios y hablarme, y gracias por tu paciencia.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Dios a veces tiene que mover fichas para llamar nuestra atención.

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

FAMINE CANNOT SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST

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

~ Romans 8:35d (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 “famine.”

Wilson Chen from Vietnam spent five years in one of those harsh and primitive re-education camps. He was forced to spend long hours of hard backbreaking work clearing jungles for farmland, cutting trees for lumber and farming the fields. He had looked forward to a successful secular career and also to marrying his lovely girlfriend. In his final year in camp, he received the crushing news that his girlfriend had given up hope, married another and escaped from Vietnam.

The camp food was barely enough to keep him alive. “The constant brutality attacked our minds and spirits; the malnutrition attacked our bodies,” he recalls. The constant hunger drove them to eat anything. He would search the ground with other prisoners for rats, toads, worms, snakes, insects and birds to supplement their diet and keep them alive and to simply ease the feeling of constant hunger.

Wilson remembers companions who went insane from the pressure of hunger. Others committed suicide. Many died from diseases caused by the malnutrition.

That very night they were subjected to mental torture and political indoctrinat. Always in their minds were thoughts of escape. But Wilson Chen says, “It was hope in the Lord Jesus that kept me alive. I fed this hope by secretly reading the Scriptures...” In that camp situation, Wilson promised the Lord that he would serve him if he ever received the opportunity. The Holy Spirit whispered to him, “You have opportunities right here!” Very soon three fellow-prisoners came to know the Lord.

Camp experiences helped him reflect on the significance of the sufferings of Jesus. In that context he found refreshment and exhilaration in his own weakness. And he says, “...Jesus gave me peace in the midst of tribulation.”

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

PRAYER: Thank you Lord that You give peace in the midst of tribulations.

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

The NIV Couples Devotional - Fighting Over Nothing

Fighting Over Nothing

Read Joel 2:1–32

Do not be afraid, land of Judah; be glad and rejoice. Surely the LORD has done great things!

~ Joel 2:21 (NIV)

In the midst of calamity, of living with the consequences of sin, the prophet Joel reminds us not to be afraid, but rather to be glad and rejoice, for “the LORD has done great things!” This is a great reminder for me in marriage.

Okay, my marriage doesn’t usually feel like a calamity. But at times it has felt impossible . . . like a mistake… like a mess. It has felt, to borrow an image from Joel, like a horde of locusts has come in and taken over everything.

Our most recent rough patch was over nothing. I think the immediate cause was sleep deprivation and too many evening meetings at church and work. Griff and I just got stuck, like a needle on a broken record. For about three days, we couldn’t exchange a pleasant word, let alone a loving one.

We had lost our sense of being a team. Each, I think, was thinking, “I’m contributing way more here.” One of us was thinking, “I do way more housework,” and the other was thinking, “I slog away at work for endless hours to pay the mortgage.” And together we were concluding, “Why do I put up with this? I’m not getting anything out of it.” There were moments in that three-day period when I seriously wondered if we would ever get through that horrible time. “This is how we’ll be for the rest of forever,” I thought.

Our dissatisfaction was not only superficial but also sinful. We were allowing ourselves to feel alienated from each other and to enjoy strangely delicious feelings of self-righteous annoyance. I felt a little superior; I’m sure Griff did too.

The prophet Joel told the people of Judah that unless they got their act together (that is, repented), God would destroy them just as locusts had destroyed their land.

At the time, I didn’t think God was waiting around to unleash lightning bolts on our marriage. But unless Griff and I repented of our small sins—tetchiness, selfishness, anger—our small sins would quickly become large sins that could do serious harm to our marriage.

At times like that, I find it helpful to remember that the Lord has done great things. He has done great things in our marriage. He has gotten us through far worse patches than three days of clawing at each other. Remembering that I don’t have to be in control and that I should cede that control to God, who has done great things, leads me to repent. After three days or three hours of tetchiness, repentance can be as simple and profound as acknowledging that if I let God into the situation, we won’t feel so stuck.

For me, the beginning of repentance is as basic as picturing Jesus walking into the situation. Sometimes I do that when Griff and I are in the middle of a squabble. Sometimes, I can’t get there until later, when I’m alone. Then I replay the scene, the tension and the annoyance, and I envision Jesus showing up. This is not just some imaginative exercise. It is a prayer, a plea for help. And the God who does great things answers.

Lauren Winner

Let’s Talk

• What are some of the great things God has done in our marriage?
• What are some small sins in our marriage that sometimes threaten to turn into big, destructive sins?
• How might inviting Jesus into our squabbles lead us to repentance? What might change as a result?

We had lost our sense of being a team...

LHM Devotion - April 14, 2018 - A Sacrificing Servant

Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"A Sacrificing Servant"

Apr. 14, 2018

(Jesus said) "And whoever wants to be first must be your slave just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

~ Matthew 20:27-28 (NIV)

In the Korean War, there was a young sergeant by the name of Gardolibov.

Sergeant Gardolibov had been caught up in the blood battle that was known as "Heartbreak Hill." During a lull in the shooting, a rescue team was sent out to aid the wounded. By the time the medics found him, the sergeant was dying, his hands paralyzed.

But death and paralyzed hands hadn't stopped the sergeant from fulfilling his duty.

In that moment when a normal person directs his thoughts and concerns to survival, the sergeant was still doing what he could to keep the messages going through. In the conflict, a crucial communication wire had been broken. Seeing the danger, Gardolibov had clenched the two broken pieces of wire ends between his teeth.

The medics were moved by his devotion. I imagine you are also touched by the sergeant who was faithful unto death.

As admirable as the sergeant's sense of duty was, it pales in comparison to the sacrifice of our Savior.

Scripture tells us of how Jesus' innocent blood was shed. It was shed not just to save a few comrades who might appreciate His gift. No, Jesus died for people who hated and despised Him. He died for the very people who had put Him on the cross and made mockery of Him as He was dying.

It is quite possible that the sergeant knew, as he died, that his options were limited. He could hold those wires, or he could let them hang loose. No other possibility presented itself.

In contrast we have a Savior who went through His entire life fully aware that if humankind was to be saved, He would have to die. It was a crushing burden to carry. Even so, Jesus did just that. As John had plainly stated, He was the Lamb of God who would take away the world's sins by carrying them to the cross.

Now, it's quite possible that Sergeant Gardolibov was aware that family, friends, and those who lived after him would be proud that he had done the right thing. In contrast the Savior's omniscience told Him that many people in future generations would deny that He had ever existed -- let alone made any kind of sacrificial satisfaction for humankind's sins.

In spite of all this disregard and disrespect from those He had come to save, Jesus remained at His post, and finally showed Himself to be faithful unto death. He continued on as a serving Slave for humanity, giving His life so there would be a covenant of peace between once-lost humanity and our forgiving God.

Paul understood Jesus' love and duty when he wrote to the church in Rome (and to us): "God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8, NIV).

THE PRAYER: Lord, history is filled with soldiers who made great sacrifice for their comrades. I rejoice that in the battle against Satan, Jesus made sacrifices for me. Seeing His great sacrifice, may I also be willing to make sacrifices for others. This I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
In the Korean War, there was a young sergeant by the name of Gardolibov...

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Trong Cơn Bão

Trong Cơn Bão

Đọc: Mác 4:35-41 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: I Sa-mu-ên 25-26; Lu-ca 12:32-59

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Ngài thức dậy, quở gió và truyền cho biển rằng: “Hãy yên đi, lặng đi!” Gió liền ngưng bặt và biển lặng như tờ. Mác 4:39

Gió giật, chớp lóe lên, sóng xô ầm ầm. Tôi đã nghĩ mình sắp chết. Tôi và ông bà đang câu cá trên hồ, nhưng chúng tôi lại ở ngoài đấy quá lâu. Khi trời sập tối, một cơn gió mạnh thổi bạt qua chiếc xuồng nhỏ của chúng tôi. Ông bảo tôi ngồi ở mũi xuồng để nó không bị lật úp. Nỗi sợ hãi bao trùm lấy tôi. Nhưng rồi, vì lý do nào đó, tôi đã bắt đầu cầu nguyện. Lúc đó, tôi mười bốn tuổi.

Tôi cầu xin Chúa bảo vệ và khiến chúng tôi bình an. Cơn bão không giảm đi, nhưng chúng tôi đã vào được đến bờ. Cho đến nay, tôi không biết liệu mình có kinh nghiệm nào về sự hiện diện của Chúa sâu sắc hơn đêm đó không.

Chúa Jêsus không xa lạ gì với những cơn bão. Trong Mác 4:35-41, Ngài bảo các môn đồ chèo thuyền đi trước và chẳng bao lâu sau, họ gặp sóng to gió lớn. Cơn bão đêm hôm đó đã thử nghiệm và đánh bại những ngư phủ rắn chắc này. Họ cũng nghĩ mình sắp chết. Nhưng Chúa Jêsus đã làm yên sóng gió và đem các môn đồ đến một đức tin sâu sắc hơn.

Cũng vậy, Chúa Jêsus mời gọi chúng ta tin cậy Ngài trong những bão tố của đời mình. Đôi khi Ngài dẹp yên sóng gió cách lạ lùng. Đôi khi Ngài làm một điều cũng lạ lùng giống như vậy: Ngài làm chúng ta yên lòng và giúp chúng ta tin cậy Ngài. Ngài muốn chúng ta yên nghỉ trong sự tin quyết rằng Ngài có quyền năng phán với sóng gió: “Hãy yên đi, lặng đi!”

Lạy Chúa, đôi lúc những cơn bão trong cuộc đời tưởng chừng như nhấn chìm chúng con. Xin giúp chúng con tin cậy rằng Ngài là Đấng có quyền trên bão tố, và đặt đức tin nơi Ngài khi bão tố cuộc đời quật mạnh vào chúng con.

Không hiểm nguy nào đến gần chúng ta đến nỗi Chúa không thể gần chúng ta hơn.

bởi Adam Holz

© 2018 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày
Gió giật, chớp lóe lên, sóng xô ầm ầm. Tôi đã nghĩ mình sắp chết.