The Daily Readings for THURSDAY, June 28, 2018

The Budding of Aaron’s Rod
Numbers 17:1-11

The Daily Readings

THURSDAY, June 28, 2018

Old Testament

Numbers 17:1-11
The Budding of Aaron’s Rod
17:1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 Speak to the Israelites, and get twelve staffs from them, one for each ancestral house, from all the leaders of their ancestral houses. Write each man’s name on his staff, 3 and write Aaron’s name on the staff of Levi. For there shall be one staff for the head of each ancestral house. 4 Place them in the tent of meeting before the covenant, where I meet with you. 5 And the staff of the man whom I choose shall sprout; thus I will put a stop to the complaints of the Israelites that they continually make against you. 6 Moses spoke to the Israelites; and all their leaders gave him staffs, one for each leader, according to their ancestral houses, twelve staffs; and the staff of Aaron was among theirs. 7 So Moses placed the staffs before the Lord in the tent of the covenant. 8 When Moses went into the tent of the covenant on the next day, the staff of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted. It put forth buds, produced blossoms, and bore ripe almonds. 9 Then Moses brought out all the staffs from before the Lord to all the Israelites; and they looked, and each man took his staff. 10 And the Lord said to Moses, “Put back the staff of Aaron before the covenant, to be kept as a warning to rebels, so that you may make an end of their complaints against me, or else they will die.” 11 Moses did so; just as the Lord commanded him, so he did.

The Epistle

Romans 5:1-11
Results of Justification
5:1 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. 8 But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. 9 Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

The Gospel

Matthew 20:17-28
A Third Time Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
20:17 While Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death; 19 then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified; and on the third day he will be raised.”
The Request of the Mother of James and John
20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favor of him. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 26 It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

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.
When Moses went into the tent of the covenant on the next day, the staff of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted. It put forth buds, produced blossoms, and bore ripe almonds.

The Morning Prayer for THURSDAY, June 28, 2018

Dear Father God,

I thank you for waking me up today, another day of life. You have given me another sunrise to enjoy.

Thank you, Lord God, for the wonderful sounds of nature and the cool breeze brushing through the trees making the birds sing beautiful melodies. You are a great Father, Lord, always full of grace and mercy. I praise you, Father, for allowing me to live another beautiful day in Your Kingdom.

Thank you for the gift of family and friends. Holding them in my heart is one of the most precious things I can never get tired of. Bless everyone, Father, for they deserve all the goodness you have given to me. If I may do something wrong today, please forgive me. I also thank you for always being the reason in my head when it comes to decision-making.

I pray to You, Your Son, Jesus Christ and all the angels in heaven.

Amen

Verse of the Day for THURSDAY, June 28, 2018

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Read all of 2 Peter 3

Listen to 2 Peter 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 - What Is Wisdom?

What Is Wisdom?

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom[a] your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

~ Proverbs 9:10-12 (NIV)

We often think of wisdom as intelligence, but we would be mistaken to bring that definition to this literature. When we look at the vast number of topics covered under the heading of “wisdom,” it is easy to despair of finding common ground, for the heading covers artisan skills, scientific knowledge, etiquette, philosophy, psychology, politics, sociology and jurisprudence, just to name a few. Furthermore, the text insists on more than one occasion that the “fear of the Lord” is the beginning or foundation of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; 15:33). Does this suggest that none of those disciplines could be successfully engaged without fear of the Lord?

As we consider the way that people thought in the ancient world, perhaps we can best capture the Biblical way of understanding all of this by thinking in terms of worldview integration. In the ancient world, including Israel, order was an important value. Creation brought order to the cosmos; law brought order to society; etiquette brought order to human relationships; politics brought order to governance and authority. Ancient wisdom can then be understood as the pursuit of understanding and preserving order in the world. Wisdom is present when order is perceived, pursued and preserved. The people of the day wanted their worldview to fit together like a puzzle—fully integrated, with each piece placed in proper relation to the others.

They saw the fear of the Lord as the keystone to this integration process. To “fear the Lord” means to take his person and role seriously. Order in the cosmos could only be understood through acknowledgment of the One who brought order. Order could only be preserved in society and in life by understanding God’s requirements and expectations. In this way, wisdom can be seen to transcend the basic knowledge or skill related to particular disciplines.

A fool (or any of the other synonyms used to describe such a person) was one who brought disorder into any of the pertinent realms by their behavior or thinking. Furthermore, a fool would be one who did not fear the Lord and therefore tried to find coherence in something or someone else—usually themselves.

Dear Father, Your wisdom is above all and today I praise you for being the all-wise God. Though my mind is incapable of understanding all your ways, I trust that you keep every one of your promises. You are good and you make all things for my good. While I know this is true, I often fail to be wise in applying this truth. Help me, Father. I need you. I need the heavenly wisdom that can only come from you. Give me the strength to pursue it; give me the power to practice it and I’ll praise your 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 Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible.
We often think of wisdom as intelligence, but we would be mistaken to bring that definition to this literature.

Un dia a la Vez - Déjate sorprender

Déjate sorprender

Con amor eterno te he amado; por tanto, te prolongué mi misericordia.

~ Jeremías 31:3 (RV-60)

Si Dios es el Creador de mundo, si es el que nos creó, nos separó y escogió como sus hijos, nos dejó un libro lleno de promesas que hablan cosas maravillosas y positivas, no nos dejemos vender otras falsas ideas.

Cuanto más dudas de su poder, más difíciles se pueden volver tus situaciones.

Recuerda que esto de no temerles a las circunstancias no es de un día para otro. Se trata de un fruto que es producto de estar conectados con Dios. Entonces, poco a poco, aprendemos a confiar en Él, de manera que cuando lleguen los problemas, no tendremos miedo ni terror.

Por el contrario, sabremos que aunque la situación es fuerte, Dios es más poderoso que cualquier mala noticia o problema.

Dios es tu ayudador y te ama.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Si Dios es el Creador de mundo, si es el que nos creó, nos separó y escogió como sus hijos, nos dejó un libro lleno de promesas que hablan cosas maravillosas y positivas, no nos dejemos vender otras falsas ideas.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - PRISON PRAYER MIRACLE

PRISON PRAYER MIRACLE

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

~ Acts 12:5 (NIV)

Nadia was in a prison in the Middle East for some months because she was a believer from Muslim background. She told the prison officials that she would not give them any information about the people she knew or about her husband, only about herself. This led her to being placed in an isolation cell for four days. The cell was small and extremely cold. There was no toilet or washing facilities at all.

“At one point,” Nadia reported, “I was feeling very cold and found the whole experience tough. Suddenly though, I felt warm air blowing in my face. So warm, in fact, that when I breathed in and the air hit my lungs I had to cough.”

She had no idea where the warmth was coming from and at the same time she became very joyful. This sense of joy overwhelmed her so much that she began to dance in the cell. Yet, at the same time, she also felt confused. How could she feel warm and joyful in a cold prison cell, she asked herself?

“Then I heard a voice,” said Nadia. She emphasized that it wasn’t an internal voice but audible, “as if someone in the cell was saying, ‘That is because people are praying for you. This is the Spirit of happiness that has come upon you. Receive it.’”

Later on, after her release, Nadia shared her amazing experience in the cell with her sister. Asking when it had happened, Nadia’s sister mentioned the same exact day and time when thirty-two believers had met to pray for Nadia and another believer in prison. Two of the participants had been appointed to represent Nadia and the other Christian. The remaining thirty believers gathered around them to ask God to comfort them, to fill them with joy and send His Spirit of happiness upon them.” They were deeply encouraged to hear Nadia’s experience.

Pastor Gambo Boka from northern Nigeria was falsely accused and sentenced by the Islamic court to three years of imprisonment. When he was put in prison, together with five other falsely accused Christians, he said, “God has a purpose in all of this. My soul is at rest.”

Though he lost weight and became weak, his faith became increasingly strong. He shared the Gospel with many fellow prisoners, who were almost all Muslims. “I experience comfort in this terrible place.” said Gambo. “I know that God’s promises are true.”

The Islamic court gave Pastor Gambo thirty days to appeal. While members of Pastor Gambo’s church prayed, God performed a miracle. Gambo and the other five Christians were acquitted by an Islamic court because of a lack of evidence. “This is God’s grace,” said one of the church members. “Our prayers have been heard and my faith has been strengthened. God’s promises are so special!”

Pastor Gambo and the other five Christians left the court singing, thanking God for His intervention.

RESPONSE: Today I will remember that God’s promises are true and He still performs miracles.

PRAYER: Pray earnestly today for Christians around the world in prison for their faith.

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 - “I’m Starving”

“I’m Starving”

Genesis 25:27–34
Recommended Reading: Mark 9:43–48; Romans 8:5–16; Hebrews 12:14–29

This is a story that really connects with men. We can understand how Esau felt after he came in from a long day in the fields. He had been hunting, and he was tired, hot and famished. Hunger consumed him, so much so that his appetite, and his desire for immediate gratification, overruled his self-control. He had no thought for the future. He saw it, smelled it and wanted that stew—now.

We’ve all been there, literally and figuratively. Just before mealtime you’re raiding the cupboard or the fridge. “Where’s something to tide me over? Got to have something! So what if I ruin my appetite?” You want it now.

And food is just the beginning: New electronic “toys” beckon. Our vehicle’s odometer turns over a certain number of miles, and we start thinking about a newer vehicle. The latest vacation spot beckons. So to get what we want, now, we unadvisedly bust the budget.

We see an alluring woman and lust sparks our desire. We take a step closer. Our appetite overrules self-control. But there’s always a price to pay.

There’s no doubt about it, while we’re in this body we’re consumed with a gnawing sense that we have this hole in our lives that needs to be filled. We long to fill that hole with any number of material things and experiences, both good and bad. But no matter how much money we make or what kinds of pursuits we chase after, that hunger for more still eats away at us.

Instead of going to God’s Word for direction when tough temptations loom, or instead of using the brains he gave us, we go with our gut. Or worse, we fly on autopilot, not giving a second thought to the consequences of our actions.

Like Esau giving up his birthright for some bread and stew, we sometimes exchange true joy for a temporary thrill, a blessed future for immediate fulfillment. We carelessly toss aside our imperishable spiritual birthright for a consumable—and fleeting—fantasy.

The rewards of obedience to God’s will are flushed away every day by such hasty choices. We give up our financial security or our own sexual purity for a rush that lasts only seconds. The regret, however, can last for years.

So before giving in, stop and pray. Give it some time. Then take another look at the price tag on that spiritual birthright God offers. It’s marked “priceless.”

To Take Away

• What “hungers” control you or draw you away from God?
• Do you think “living for the moment” can kill the soul? Why?
• What are some ways you can resist temptation and hold on more tightly to your birthright?

This is a story that really connects with men.

Girlfriends in God - What Difference Does He Make?

What Difference Does He Make?

Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.

~ John 14:16-17 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

If you were going off to war, and knew you’d be put on the front lines and probably wouldn’t be coming back home to your family, what would you tell them? Think of the final instructions you’d give your children, the affirmation of your love you’d whisper to your spouse, and the words of endearment you’d share with your friends.

Jesus was in that very situation as He shared His last meal with the disciples in the upper room. All along, He had given them clues about how His earthly life would end and the purpose for His brief life here on earth. But they didn’t understand. They refused to believe their king would be anything other than worshiped as He had been when He rode into town on the back of a donkey and was hailed with palm branches and praise.

I imagine during their last meal together, Jesus went through a mental list of what He needed to tell His friends before He went to the cross. John records those precious moments in John 13–17. Those words are some of the most endearing of Scripture and ones I read time and time again. I encourage you to read those chapters and place yourself in that room with Jesus, for you, dear one, are one of His disciples, and the words Jesus shared with the Twelve are meant for you as well.

Let’s look at one word of comfort and instruction regarding a special parting gift Jesus was leaving His trusted friends. He said:

If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them (John 14:15-21).

Did you catch that the Holy Spirit had been with them, but now He was going to be in them? What difference do you think that would make in someone’s life? What difference has that made in your life?

After Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven, the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples and transformed a bunch of bungling cowards into powerful, prophesying preachers. They commanded the lame to walk, cast out demons, preached to the masses, confronted angry crowds, and laughed in the face of death.

They changed the world.

On that glorious day at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit fell on the worshiping believers, a new day was unleashed for the church. The Holy Spirit now resides in every person who has accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior (Romans 8:9). The Spirit of the living God has empowered us with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:19-22).

Then why don’t we exercise that power? Because we don’t believe.

In developing countries, it is not unusual to hear of miraculous healings, signs, and wonders, and even the raising of the dead. No one told them those things don’t happen anymore. Praise God for that! They believe in the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives and expect God to show up when they call on His name. Oh that we would put our sophisticated, over-educated minds aside and go to God as children who believe He is who He says He is and does what He says He will do.

When we come to Christ, we are given the Holy Spirit as a deposit of our heavenly inheritance (Ephesians 1:14), as a seal upon our hearts (Ephesians 1:13), and as a permanent resident within us (Hebrews 13:5). But we have the choice to stumble about in our own strength, saying “I can’t,” or embrace the power of the Holy Spirit and say, “I can.”

Today, I’m choosing to access the power that is already mine. What about you?

Let’s Pray

Lord, I’ll be honest, sometimes I forget that I even have the power of the Holy Spirit in me. I stumble about like I’m spiritually blind rather than walk surefooted like an empowered child of the King. Help me to access the power that You have already given me. Help me to understand what that power looks like. Help me to understand the person of the Holy Spirit better.
In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read John 16:7,12-15 and note the purpose of the Holy Spirit.

Read Acts 1:4-5,8 and note what Jesus told the disciples about what they would do with the power of the Holy Spirit. Now look at Acts 2. What difference did the power of the Holy Spirit make in Peter’s life?

More from the Girlfriends

Do the voices in your head tell you that you are not good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, or just not enough, period? If so, it’s time to stop listening to the lies that sabotage your confidence and start embracing the truth of your true identity in Christ. It’s time to overcome the lies of the enemy with the promises of God.

Enough: Silencing the Lies that Steal Your Confidence exposes the lies that keep you bogged down in guilt, shame, and insecurity. By recognizing the lies, rejecting the lies, and replacing the lies with truth, you’ll be able to:

• silence the voice inside that whispers you’re not good enough
• accept God’s grace and no longer allow past failures to define you or confine you
• be preloaded with the truth to fight insecurities
• walk in the surefooted confidence of God’s unconditional love

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

If you were going off to war, and knew you’d be put on the front lines and probably wouldn’t be coming back home to your family, what would you tell them?

LHM Devotion - June 28, 2018 - Throttle the Devil

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Throttle the Devil"

Jun. 28, 2018

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

~ 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)

DeDe Phillips is a grandmother who lives in Hart County, Georgia.

Recently, around dinnertime, she left her five-year-old granddaughter in the house, so she could step outside and take a photo of her truck. That mission was quickly put on hold when Phillips realized she was being watched ... by a bobcat. Even in Hart County, Georgia, bobcat sightings are not an everyday occurrence, so she took a quick snapshot of the feline.

She was shocked at what happened next. Rather than running away, the bobcat attacked. She says, it "took two steps and was on top of me. ... It came for my face." Now Phillips had a limited number of choices. She could call for help, but what would happen if her granddaughter came out? She could try to push the bobcat off and run away, but the bobcat didn't seem amenable to that option.

Her mind racing, she thought, "Not today. There was no way I was going to die." That's when Phillips stopped defending herself, and she went on the attack. She grabbed the bobcat by the throat and throttled it until it went limp.

That was when she called for help. When her son came, Phillips released her grip on the dead bobcat.

She was taken to the hospital and treated for a broken finger, some deep cuts and scratches on her hands, chest, and legs. She also is going in for a round of shots. You see, the bobcat was rabid.

Now I have to tell you, reading Phillips' story has given me a newfound respect for grandmothers. I always knew they were smart and wise, but I have seriously been underestimating their strength, especially when they are protecting a grandchild.

Oh, there is one other thing that occurred to me after reading Phillips' story. That thing is this: there are times when we have to take a stand and be ready to fight for what we believe is important. It means, as Peter said, we have to be prepared and on the watch for Satan who is stalking us, for the devil who is a rabid bobcat ready to pounce.

Now there are a great many times when it is wise to flee from temptation. Putting a considerable distance between yourself and the lions and bobcats who are dedicated to the destruction of our souls is a smart thing to do.

But there are times when we can't escape, and we can't run away. Luther had one of those times when his church and government ordered him to take back his statements about God's grace and love. Luther couldn't run and he couldn't hide. Instead, he took a stand. He did as James had suggested when he wrote, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).

The truth is we who have been redeemed and saved by the Christ live in the presence of the Holy Spirit. In times when a stand must be taken a person who lives by faith will often find that the Lord has given him power far beyond that which he, himself, possesses.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, if it be possible, please deliver us from evil. When it is necessary for us to take a stand against Satan, grant us the commitment and the courage that will send him back to where he belongs. This I ask in the Savior's holy Name. Amen.

The above devotion was inspired by a number of sources, including one written by Janet Croley for Newser on June 15, 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/260682/rabid-bobcat-attacks-woman-she-throttles-it-to-death.html

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
DeDe Phillips is a grandmother who lives in Hart County, Georgia.

CPTLN Devocional de 28 de Junio de 2018 - El plan de rescate más grande

ALIMENTO DIARIO

El plan de rescate más grande

28 de Junio de 2018

En él tenemos la redención por medio de su sangre, el perdón de los pecados según las riquezas de su gracia.

~ Efesios 1:7 (RVC)

Cincuenta mil millones de dólares es muchísimo dinero.

En su momento, el Presidente Obama le pidió al Congreso que les diera esa cantidad de dinero a General Motors, Ford y Chrysler, las tres fábricas de autos más grandes de este país, para rescatarlos de la situación financiera en que se encontraban.

Seguramente esa medida tuvomuchas cosas a favor y muchas en contra, pero ese no es el tema de esta devoción.

Tampoco es el tema de esta devoción criticar al Presidente Obama. Estoy seguro que se habrá rodeado de personas expertas en temas financieros que lo aconsejaron. Además, mis conocimientos de finanzas no me califican para ser crítico de nadie.

Pero no es necesario ser una calculadora humana para saber que cincuenta mil millones de dólares es muchísimo dinero para rescatar a alguien de sus problemas.

Aún así, no es nada comparado con lo que nuestro Padre estuvo dispuesto a pagar para que cada uno de nosotros pueda ser rescatado de nuestro estado pecaminoso. Sabiendo que estábamos perdidos y que por nuestra propia cuenta no podíamos cambiar nuestra situación, el Señor dijo que proveería el plan de rescate más grande de la historia.

Un plan de rescate que no sería dirigido a una industria específica o a un período de tiempo determinado, sino que habría de alcanzar a toda las personas de todos los tiempos.

Un plan de rescate que no requirió oro o plata, sino el sufrimiento y sacrificio de su propio Hijo. San Pablo dijo: "En él (Jesucristo) tenemos la redención mediante su sangre, el perdón de nuestros pecados, conforme a las riquezas de la gracia."

No sé cómo reaccionó usted al plan de rescate de Obama, pero sí sé, al igual que usted, cómo debemos responder al plan de rescate del Señor.

ORACIÓN: Querido Señor, te doy gracias por un rescate espiritual que no fue ni ganado ni merecido. Te pido que mi vida esté llena de acciones de gracias por la salvación que el sacrificio de tu Hijo me ha 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.
Cincuenta mil millones de dólares es muchísimo dinero.

Хлеб наш насущный - Кольцо в мусоре

Кольцо в мусоре

Читать сейчас: Матфея 13:44-46 | Библия за год: Иов 11-13; Деяния 9:1-21

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Ищите – и найдете; стучите – и отворят вам. — Матфея 7:7

Во время учебы в колледже я однажды утром проснулась и увидела, что моя соседка по комнате Кэрол в панике. Потерялось ее кольцо с печаткой. Мы обыскали всю комнату – безуспешно. На следующее утро мы уже рылись в мусорном контейнере.

– Оно тебе так нужно? – проворчала я, открывая пакет с мусором.

– Оно стоило двести долларов. Для меня это много! – заявила она.

Усердие Кэрол напомнило мне притчу о Небесном Царстве, которую рассказал Иисус. «Еще подобно Царство Небесное сокровищу, скрытому на поле, которое, найдя, человек утаил, и от радости о нем идет и продает все, что имеет, и покупает поле то» (Мф. 13:44). Некоторые вещи действительно стоят того, чтобы долго их искать.

На протяжении всей Библии Бог обещает, что те, кто Его ищут, обязательно найдут. В книге Второзаконие Он говорит, что израильтяне найдут Его, если обратятся от своих грехов и станут искать Его всем сердцем (Втор. 4:28-29). Царь Аса во 2-ой книге Паралипоменон нашел утешение в подобном обещании (2 Пар. 15:2). А в Книге Иеремии Бог направил те же слова изгнанникам, пообещав, что возвратит их из плена (Иер. 29:13-14).

Если мы ищем Бога в Его Слове, молитве и повседневной жизни, то найдем Его. Со временем мы познаем Его на более глубоком уровне. Это даст нам большую радость, чем та, что была у Кэрол, когда она достала-таки свое кольцо из мусорного пакета.

Господь, помоги мне искать Тебя всем сердцем.

Чтобы найти Бога, нужно искать Его.

автор: Джулия Шваб

© 2018 Хлеб Наш Насущный
Во время учебы в колледже я однажды утром проснулась и увидела, что моя соседка по комнате Кэрол в панике. Потерялось ее кольцо с печаткой.