The Daily Readings for THURSDAY, June 14, 2018

The Daily Readings

THURSDAY, June 14, 2018

Old Testament

Ecclesiastes 11:1-8
The Value of Diligence
11:1 Send out your bread upon the waters,
    for after many days you will get it back.
2 Divide your means seven ways, or even eight,
    for you do not know what disaster may happen on earth.
3 When clouds are full,
    they empty rain on the earth;
    whether a tree falls to the south or to the north,
    in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.
4 Whoever observes the wind will not sow;
    and whoever regards the clouds will not reap.
5 Just as you do not know how the breath comes to the bones in the mother’s womb, so you do not know the work of God, who makes everything.
6 In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hands be idle; for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.
Youth and Old Age
7 Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.
8 Even those who live many years should rejoice in them all; yet let them remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity.

The Epistle

Galatians 5:16-24
The Works of the Flesh
5:16 Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The Fruit of the Spirit
22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

The Gospel

Matthew 16:13-20
Peter’s Declaration about Jesus
16:13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

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.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The Morning Prayer for THURSDAY, June 14, 2018

Lord, give me the strength to greet the coming day in peace. Help me in all things to rely on Your holy will. Reveal Your will to me every hour of the day. Bless my dealings with all people. Teach me to treat all people who come to me throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that Your will governs all. In all my deeds and words guide my thoughts and feelings. In unexpected events, let me not forget that all are sent by you.

Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. Give me the physical strength to bear the labors of this day. Direct my will, teach me to pray, pray in me.

Amen

Verse of the Day for THURSDAY, June 14, 2018

Philippians 3:20 (NIV) But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Read all of Philippians 3

Listen to Philippians 3

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 - Flag Day

Flag Day

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

~ Psalm 5: 11-12 (NIV)

Today is Flag Day in the Unites States. The flag, symbol of our country, is an emblem by which many people have died in times of war ... and many of which are forgotten in times of peace.

Another symbol of this country is the bald eagle. I remember that thirteen of these eagles were found dead several years ago, a heartless act of people with sick minds and hearts.

How tragic it is when some citizens of a country treat their own symbols with so much disrespect. The flag is often spit on and burned, parks and public baths are full of insults written by vandals and the eagle is poisoned and shot dead.

Without a doubt we live in a good country ... but it is still a country full of sin and sinners.

Reason why we need a Savior. Only Jesus Christ can rescue us from ourselves and from sin, death and the devil ... and that is precisely what he did when he came to this world.

Today he gives us his Holy Spirit, who calls us to faith, to forgiveness and to a future as only he can give us, a future that could well be summed up in another symbol of this country: the Statue of Liberty. Because only in Him we are truly free.

Dear Lord, extend your protection and blessing on our countries and their inhabitants. Let us see your light and walk in it. Open our hearts so that we are able to appreciate the innumerable blessings you have given us. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

In Jesus,
Chaplain Kenny

Seeking God?
Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal
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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 © Copyright 2018 Christ for All Nations.
Today is Flag Day in the Unites States.

Un dia a la Vez - ¿Temor a Dios?

¿Temor a Dios?

El principio de la sabiduría es el temor del Señor; buen juicio demuestran quienes cumplen sus preceptos.

~ Salmo 111:10 (NVI)

Ayer el versículo con que finalicé la enseñanza encierra esta frase: «El temor del Señor». Quise retomarlo porque cuando se empieza a conocer un poco más la Palabra, cuando comenzamos a asistir a una iglesia evangélica o cuando escuchamos a pastores o cristianos, es muy común escuchar acerca del temor al Señor o a Dios. A menudo, en esto se ve el miedo que sienten algunos a lo que pudiera hacerles Dios, como el temor que sintieron Adán y Eva después de desobedecerlo en el jardín del Edén al comer del árbol prohibido.

Sin embargo, el libro de Proverbios no se refiere al temor de que nos haga daño Dios, sino que se refiere a no querer ofenderlo sabiendo que Él tiene un corazón amoroso. En conclusión, esta palabra bajo este contexto de Proverbios significa reverencia y respeto.

También dice otro versículo que «el comienzo de la sabiduría es el temor del Señor» y que «conocer al Santo es tener discernimiento» (Proverbios 9:10).

Lo más importante es que cada día le pidamos a Dios sabiduría a fin de ser obedientes y agradarlo siempre. No hay nada más hermoso que poder vivir respetando y agradando a nuestro Padre, en lugar de hacer las cosas por miedo o cobardía.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Ayer el versículo con que finalicé la enseñanza encierra esta frase: «El temor del Señor».

Standing Strong Through the Storm - PRAY FOR PERSECUTORS

PRAY FOR PERSECUTORS

“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

~ Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)

In Luke chapter six, Jesus defines persecution with four verbs: hatred, exclusion, insult and rejection (Luke 6:22). But later in the chapter Jesus gives much more emphasis on how you and I are to respond to persecution that comes our way.

One of the great lessons from the persecuted church is praying for those who persecute you. This is a parallel principle with loving your enemies. Multiple examples can be shared how God has honored this principle of prayer:

Noskie was a former Imam in the southern part of the Philippines. He was a devout Muslim and one who generated respect from that little community in which he lived. Coming home from a fishing expedition one day, he was shocked to discover that his two daughters had converted to Christianity. He was well aware of the shame that this would bring to the whole community.

In his anger, he mercilessly beat them hoping that they would renounce their new faith. But the daughters remained faithful. They loved their father and knew that nothing was impossible with God so they started praying for their father’s conversion.

Sometime later, while fishing, Noskie felt a sudden piercing pain in his stomach. As the pain intensified, his belly began to balloon. He writhed in unbearable pain. He prayed but nothing happened. In desperation he cried out to the God of his daughters, Jesus Christ, and was instantly healed.

Noskie emerged from the experience a new person. He submitted his heart and surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Today he faithfully serves the Lord as a lay pastor. His daughters help in the ministry.

RESPONSE: I am committed to respond to persecution with non-violence as Jesus taught.

PRAYER: Lord, I realize today that when I pray for my enemy and love my enemy, he or she is no longer my enemy. Help me to always respond this way.

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 - Fear the Lord … But Don’t Be Afraid

Fear the Lord … But Don’t Be Afraid

Deuteronomy 10:12–22
Recommended Reading: Psalm 33:18–22; Hebrews 12:22–29; Revelation 1:9–18

In his autobiography, Blessings in Disguise, the late actor Alec Guinness wrote that as he was walking up Kingsway in the middle of an afternoon, he had an impulse to start running. He ran until he reached a little church. He’d never been there before, but he caught his breath and knelt to pray. For the next ten minutes he “was lost to the world.”

Guinness explained the compulsion as a “rather nonsensical gesture of love,” an outburst of thanksgiving. He ran to the church and fell on his knees in prayer not long after March 24, 1956, the day he had converted to Christianity after years of being an atheist.

Guinness, in a move reflective of the movement of the Holy Spirit in his life, learned in part what “fearing God” is all about. Although Scripture uses the word “fear,” God doesn’t want us to be afraid of him. Instead, he wants us to realize how magnificent, awe-inspiring and deserving of our worship he is.

Interestingly, knowing that God desires our worship also helps us understand just how special we are to him. This can lead us into a more active relationship with God. God always expresses his love in some kind of action toward us, and he desires that we return our loving expressions in action, as well as in trusting his leading and following his commands for our life.

God’s love, coupled with our sense of awe and reverence, leads us to action. It led Alec Guinness to run down the street and then fall on his knees in thanksgiving and adoration. Perhaps you’ve only recently come to know about God’s grace revealed through Jesus Christ. Perhaps you’ve been his devoted follower for years. Or perhaps you’re just looking for a fresh experience of God in your life. What actions will you take today to express your “fear of God”?

Don’t be afraid to go for it!

To Take Away

• Describe in your own words what it means to fear God.
• How does knowing that God desires our worship help us understand how special we are to him?
• What actions can you take to express your love to God?

What it means to fear God?

Girlfriends in God - Love Lives Here

Love Lives Here

Creating a Home that Combats Chaos and Practices Peace Every Day

Kathi Lipp

Today’s Truth

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

~ John 14:26-28 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

For years, home was not my happy place. There were tense words, loud conversations, lots of noise, and a whole bunch of chaos. I remember thinking, “When these kids grow up…When my husband is nicer…When we have more money…things will calm down.”

But peace isn’t determined by our circumstances; it’s determined by the way we respond with God’s help to those circumstances. God sent His Son so we could experience peace, not just in the quiet of life, but also when chaos hits.

If you are approaching your home with dread at the end of the day, perhaps your place needs a peace makeover, like mine did. Here are a few things you can be intentional about when it comes to creating a peace-filled home:

Speak Words that Build Peace

So much of what determines our level of peace is the choice of words we use in our home. Are we speaking words of respect and kindness? Are we lifting up the people we live with? How can you build into the lives of those you love with an “I love you!” and “I’m proud of you!” A “You make me happy!” and “I forgive you”?

And it is not just the words we speak, it is the words we allow into our home. Carefully consider TV programs, music, and especially sites you visit on the internet. All of those words that come into your home can promote or tear down peace within your four walls.

Create a Home that Promotes Peace

One of the main biblical definitions of peace when translated from the Greek includes "to be complete or whole" or "to live well." A home that promotes peace is one where healthy food is served, clutter is controlled, systems are in place and people are cared for. These may feel like the everyday acts of a woman just keeping her home running, but really, they are the hundreds of small decisions we can make every day to promote peace and live whole lives in our homes:

Create meal plans for healthy eating.

Put things away when we are done using them.

Balance our bank account.

Pay our bills.

Invite others over to share a meal.

Serve our neighbors when there is a crisis.

Tend to a garden.

Be a Woman Who Promotes Peace

When someone insults me online, on the phone, or even in the line at the grocery store, I need to commit deliberate, defiant acts of peace toward that person. Those acts of peace can be, depending on the situation and the person, quick forgiveness, kind words to quench the hurt, or praying for them instead of responding. Peace is not powerlessness but refusing to give someone else the power over your response.

As you drive home tonight, think about what feeling you have as you approach your front door. Is it relief that you are finally home and have a soft place to land, or do you hesitate because inside your house carries the same amount of chaos as the rest of the world?

If peace doesn’t meet you at the door, make the decision to be someone who doggedly pursues peace in your home starting today.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, Thank You for making peace possible in every circumstance. Thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your Son to make peace a reality on this side of heaven. Let me be a peacemaker within my home and outside of its walls.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

What is one thing you could do to promote peace within your home today?

More from the Girlfriends

Looking to win the war of contentment? Join us at the Clutter Free Academy Facebook Group to learn to live with less and increase the peace in your home.

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

 

 For years, home was not my happy place.

LHM Devotion - June 14, 2018 - Embarrassed?

Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Embarrassed?"

Jun. 14, 2018

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

~ Psalm 32:1-2 (ESV)

The Porsche Carrera is a wonderful looking vehicle, which can go over 190 mph.

The Porsche Carrera is an expensive bit of machinery with a base price starting well over $100,000.

Finally, the Porsche Carrera is usually the owner's pride and joy, a great toy which is to be handled with kindness, care, and kid gloves.

Recently, when the owner of such a vehicle handed over his keys to the valet at Australia's Hyatt Regency Hotel in Sydney, he fully expected his auto would receive the very best of treatment.

It was a reasonable request which was never fulfilled.

The valet got in the car, put the key in the ignition, gave it a twist, and the engine roared to life, awaiting its driver's commands. Up to this point, everyone is in agreement: all those things did happen, and they happened in the way I've described.

The problem is nobody is quite sure what happened next.

Photographs taken at the hotel show the valet still at the wheel of the Porsche ... and the hood and passenger's compartment, that is the entire front end of the Porsche, underneath another vehicle. That's right. Somehow, some way the Porsche reached a speed which allowed it to successfully submarine a small SUV.

Emergency workers cut the driver out of the Porsche while a fairly large crowd watched.

Matthew Talbot, spokesman for the hotel, said the valet was okay, embarrassed, and a little bit shocked. Nobody reported the reaction of the Porsche's owner. Probably just as well, the language probably wouldn't have been printable.

Now the part of that story which intrigued me was the line about the valet being embarrassed and a little bit shocked. That is not what I would expect. Embarrassed? That's a pretty weak word for what he really ought to be feeling, don't you think? After pretty well destroying someone else's property, at the very least he ought to be repentant, remorseful, regretful, and contrite.

I wonder if the Lord doesn't often feel much the same way about the half-hearted repentance offered up by sinful humanity. We commit our sins: big sins, little sins, one-time sins, and often-repeated sins. We commit sins against Him and our neighbor.

Then, in an almost matter of fact way, we say, "Sorry, God," and go on our way as if nothing had ever happened.

Now, in one respect, God's forgiveness is so complete, it is as if nothing had ever happened. But on the other hand, we have just committed a sin which our Savior died to remove. In short, sin is a big deal, and our repentance should also be a big deal, and the Lord's forgiveness ought to be the biggest deal of all.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may my confession be heartfelt and sincere. Let my thanksgiving for Your blood-bought forgiveness be genuine and earnest. This I ask in the Name of my Savior who gave His life, so my life and eternity might be changed. Amen.

The above devotion was inspired by a number of sources, including one written by Newser editors on May 28, 2018. Those who wish to reference that article may do so at the following link, which was fully functional at the time this devotion was written: http://www.newser.com/story/259995/how-not-to-park-a-porsche.html

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
The Porsche Carrera is a wonderful looking vehicle, which can go over 190 mph.

CPTLN Devocional de 14 de Junio de 2018 -

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Día de la Bandera

14 de Junio de 2018

Pero que se alegren todos los que en ti confían; que griten siempre de júbilo, porque tú los defiendes; que vivan felices los que aman tu nombre. Tú, Señor, bendices al hombre justo; tu favor lo rodea, como un escudo.

~ Salmo 5:11-12 (RVC)

En los Estados Unidos hoy es el Día de la Bandera. La bandera, símbolo de nuestro país, es un emblema por el cual muchas personas han muerto en tiempos de guerra... y del cual muchos se olvidan en tiempos de paz.

Otro símbolo de este país es el águila de cabeza blanca. Recuerdo que hace varios años fueron encontradas muertas trece de estas águilas, un acto desalmado de personas con mentes y corazones enfermos.

Qué trágico es cuando algunos ciudadanos de un país tratan con tanta falta de respeto a sus propios símbolos. A la bandera a menudo se la escupe y se le prende fuego, los parques y baños públicos están llenos de insultos escritos por vándalos y el águila es envenenada y matada de un disparo.

Sin lugar a dudas vivimos en un país bueno... pero sigue siendo un país lleno de pecado y de pecadores.

Razón por la cual necesitamos un Salvador. Solamente Jesucristo puede rescatarnos de nosotros mismos y del pecado, la muerte y el diablo... y eso es precisamente lo que hizo cuando vino a este mundo.

Hoy nos da su Espíritu Santo, quien nos llama a la fe, al perdón y a un futuro como sólo él nos puede dar, un futuro que bien podría ser resumido en otro símbolo de este país: la Estatua de la Libertad. Porque sólo en Él somos verdaderamente libres.

ORACIÓN: Querido Señor, extiende tu protección y bendición sobre nuestros países y sus habitantes. Haz que podamos ver tu luz y caminar en ella. Abre nuestros corazones para que seamos capaces de apreciar las innumerables bendiciones que nos has dado. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén.

© Copyright 2018 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
En los Estados Unidos hoy es el Día de la Bandera. La bandera, símbolo de nuestro país, es un emblema por el cual muchas personas han muerto en tiempos de guerra... y del cual muchos se olvidan en tiempos de paz.

Хлеб наш насущный - Обращение с критиками

Обращение с критиками

Читать сейчас: Неемии 4:1-6 | Библия за год: Ездры 9-10; Деяния 1

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Услышь, Боже наш, в каком мы презрении, и обрати ругательство их на их голову. — Неемии 4:4

Я работаю в группе, которая организует ежегодные мероприятия в нашем городе. Одиннадцать месяцев мы готовимся, обсуждаем детали, назначаем дату, составляем план, устанавливаем цены на билеты. А также подбираем ведущих, звукотехников и других важных людей. Когда мероприятие начинается, мы следим за процессом, отвечаем на вопросы посетителей, даем советы. А после всего собираем отзывы. Некоторые положительные. Некоторые трудно читать. Мы часто слышим похвалы, но не обходится и без жалоб. Негативные отзывы иногда разочаровывают и вызывают желание все бросить.

Неемия возглавил восстановление стен вокруг Иерусалима, и у него тоже были критики. Они высмеивали усилия строителей и бросали в их адрес язвительные замечания. Например: «Пойдет лисица и разрушит их каменную стену» (Неем. 4:3). Реакция Неемии помогает мне поступить правильно с собственными критиками. Вместо того чтобы впадать в уныние или пытаться спорить, он просил Бога услышать, как обходятся с Его детьми, и защитить их (Неем. 4:4). А потом вместе с другими неравнодушными он опять принялся за труд на стене (Неем. 4:6).

Мы можем научиться у Неемии не отвлекаться на беспредметную критику. Если над нами насмехаются, просто обратимся к Богу с просьбой защитить нас от недругов и помочь не унывать в добром деле.

Спасибо, Господь, что Ты видишь мои обстоятельства и вступаешься за меня. Помоги различать в критике доброе и злое, доверять Тебе и трудиться от души.

Бог – лучшая защита от критики.

автор: Кирстен Холмберг

© 2018 Хлеб Наш Насущный
Я работаю в группе, которая организует ежегодные мероприятия в нашем городе.