The Daily Readings for MONDAY, August 6, 2018

The Word Became Flesh
John 1:1-18

The Daily Readings

MONDAY, August 6, 2018

Old Testament

Judges 6:25-40
6:25 That night the Lord said to him, “Take your father’s bull, the second bull seven years old, and pull down the altar of Baal that belongs to your father, and cut down the sacred pole that is beside it; 26 and build an altar to the Lord your God on the top of the stronghold here, in proper order; then take the second bull, and offer it as a burnt offering with the wood of the sacred pole that you shall cut down.” 27 So Gideon took ten of his servants, and did as the Lord had told him; but because he was too afraid of his family and the townspeople to do it by day, he did it by night.

Gideon Destroys the Altar of Baal
28 When the townspeople rose early in the morning, the altar of Baal was broken down, and the sacred pole beside it was cut down, and the second bull was offered on the altar that had been built. 29 So they said to one another, “Who has done this?” After searching and inquiring, they were told, “Gideon son of Joash did it.” 30 Then the townspeople said to Joash, “Bring out your son, so that he may die, for he has pulled down the altar of Baal and cut down the sacred pole beside it.” 31 But Joash said to all who were arrayed against him, “Will you contend for Baal? Or will you defend his cause? Whoever contends for him shall be put to death by morning. If he is a god, let him contend for himself, because his altar has been pulled down.” 32 Therefore on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend against him,” because he pulled down his altar.

33 Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people of the east came together, and crossing the Jordan they encamped in the Valley of Jezreel. 34 But the spirit of the Lord took possession of Gideon; and he sounded the trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called out to follow him. 35 He sent messengers throughout all Manasseh, and they too were called out to follow him. He also sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they went up to meet them.

The Sign of the Fleece
36 Then Gideon said to God, “In order to see whether you will deliver Israel by my hand, as you have said, 37 I am going to lay a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will deliver Israel by my hand, as you have said.” 38 And it was so. When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water. 39 Then Gideon said to God, “Do not let your anger burn against me, let me speak one more time; let me, please, make trial with the fleece just once more; let it be dry only on the fleece, and on all the ground let there be dew.” 40 And God did so that night. It was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew.

The Epistle

Acts 2:37-47
The First Converts
2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” 40 And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Life among the Believers
43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

The Gospel

John 1:1-18
The Word Became Flesh
1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”) 16 From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

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.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The Morning Prayer for MONDAY, August 6, 2018

Dear Lord, I don't know who or what will cross my path today. But I do know that You are my Rock and my Fortress. You are my Shield and my Strong Tower. Help me to anchor myself to You today. Teach me how to stand strong in You and choose only Your way today. Help me walk by Your truth and not my feelings. Help me to embrace anything that comes my way as an opportunity to see You at work and as an opportunity to point others to You. Thank You that You love me and nothing can ever take that away from me! Even if I fail today and fall short, You whisper Your unconditional love deep into my soul and remind me that Your mercies are new every morning. That truly amazes me, Lord. Thank You for meeting with me today. Would You wake me again tomorrow with the same sweet whisper of Your love? I can't wait to meet with You again. In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Verse of the Day for MONDAY, August 6, 2018

John 1:1 (NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Read all of John 1

Listen to John 1

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Un dia a la Vez - La obediencia a los padres

La obediencia a los padres

Padres, no exasperen a sus hijos, no sea que se desanimen.

~ Colosenses 3:21 (NVI)

Este día quiero honrar a los padres que hacen una buena labor enseñando, educando e interviniendo en la vida de sus hijos.

La relación con nuestros hijos no siempre es fácil. Pasan diferentes etapas en sus vidas en las que es casi imposible penetrar.

Dios quiere que tú y yo vivamos el modelo que Él estableció como Padre.

La violencia y la agresión no nos llevarán a nada bueno con ellos.

Lo que siempre escuchamos es verdad: La violencia trae más violencia.

Necesitamos tener una magnifica relación con Dios y pedirle que nos ayude en esta difícil tarea de ser padres. Aunque ya lo he dicho en otros devocionales, en el Manual de Instrucciones encontramos la manera adecuada para educar a nuestros muchachos.

Sin embargo, recuerda que nuestro ejemplo, lo que ven y lo que aprendan será lo que guarden como un estilo de vida.

Empieza por respetarlos, diles cuánto los amas y lo especiales que son para ti.

No los compares con otro hijo o hijo de algún amigo.

Siempre reafírmales su corazón.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Este día quiero honrar a los padres que hacen una buena labor enseñando, educando e interviniendo en la vida de sus hijos.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - FOUR-STAGE PROCESS OF PERSECUTION

FOUR-STAGE PROCESS OF PERSECUTION

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.

~ Proverbs 31:8 (NIV)

Jesus’ basic communication theory in Matthew 12 is that people speak and act from the overflow of what is in their heart. Jeremiah and others remind us that the heart can be exceedingly wicked. One of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s famous statements is “The line of good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being.”

Christian persecution within a country or state rarely happens suddenly or in isolation. It is most often a process. Some years ago Rev. Dr. Johan Candelin, who headed the World Evangelical Alliance’s (WEA) Religious Liberties Commission recognized this and devised a three-stage process of what happens leading up to persecution becoming entrenched in any society. He labeled the three stages of downward spiral as disinformation, discrimination and persecution. Dr. Candelin later expanded it to a six-stage process with each of the three having a passive, then active, aspect.

Dr. Jim Cunningham and I included this process in the first edition of Standing Strong Through the Storm (SSTS) and in our seminars.

Some academicians and wordsmiths found it problematic to label the third stage with the same word as that of the process. So we began to wrestle with this issue from a sociological, historical and biblical perspective. We found interesting academic parallels. For example, in 1996, Professor Gregory Stanton, President of Genocide Watch, proposed an excellent model of an eight stage process of genocide. There are interesting similarities between this downward spiral and what psychologist John Gottman has labeled as the four most likely predictors of divorce.

When we accepted Jesus’ four verb definition of persecution in Luke 6:22, we then found four clear biblical steps in understanding the downward spiral in the process of persecution: opposition, disinformation, injustice and mistreatment. We will look at these four steps forming the acronym ODIM individually over the next four days.

Why is this important to you and me? Just today I read again the poignant words of German theologian Martin Niemoller written after he had been imprisoned for eight years in concentration camps as the personal prisoner of Adolf Hitler:

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.

And then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

RESPONSE: Today I will speak out for the rights of those who have no voice to speak for themselves.

PRAYER: Help me, Lord, to be aware of the forces of evil that conspire against Your Kingdom.

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

Women of the Bible - Esther

Esther

Her name means: "Ishtar," the Babylonian Goddess of Love, or from the Persian Word for "Star." Her Hebrew Name, "Hadassah," Means "Myrtle"

Her character: An orphan in a foreign land, she was willing to conceal her Jewish identity in a bid for a pagan king's affection. Esther seemed willing to made moral compromises by sleeping with the king and then taking part in a wedding that would necessarily have required her to pay homage to foreign gods. Even so, she displayed great courage in the midst of a crisis. Prior to risking her life for her people, she humbled herself by fasting and then put her considerable beauty, social grace, and wisdom in the service of God's plan.
Her sorrow: To learn that her husband, the king, had unwittingly placed her life and the life of her people in jeopardy.
Her joy: To watch mourning turn to celebration once the Jews enjoyed relief from their enemies.
Key Scriptures: Esther 1-10

Her Story

Vashti, queen of Persia, was the most powerful woman in the Middle East, yet her power was as fragile as a candle in a storm. Her husband, Xerxes, had just summoned her to appear before a festive gathering of his nobles. Vashti, however, having no intention of parading herself like a prized cow in front of a herd of drunken men, refused.

What should be done to punish her insolence? One of the king's counselors spoke for all: "Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. For the queen's conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, 'King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.' There will be no end of disrespect and discord."

So poor Vashti bore the brunt of every man's fears. She who had refused the royal summons was forever banished from the royal presence, and a great domestic uprising was squelched before it even began.

After a while, a search was conducted for a new queen to replace Vashti. It so happened that many Jews were living in Persia at the time. Exiled from Judah a hundred years earlier (after Jerusalem's fall in 587 bc), they had been deported to Babylon, which in turn was conquered by Persia. Mordecai and his orphaned cousin Esther were among those living in exile, 650 miles northeast of Jerusalem.

Like many other young virgins, the beautiful Esther was gathered into the king's harem. To refuse the privilege may well have meant her death. Counseled by Mordecai to keep her Jewish origins a secret, because being a Jew would probably have disqualified her from becoming queen, she spent the next twelve months awaiting her tryst with the king. When the moment came, Esther so pleased Xerxes that she became queen in Vashti's place.

Some time later, an Amalekite named Haman rose to power in Persia. Haman was so highly placed that other officials knelt before him as a sign of respect. One man, however, the Jew Mordecai, refused to kneel. Haman became so angry that he decided to eliminate every Jew in the kingdom.

To ascertain the most favorable moment for destroying them, Haman piously consulted his gods by casting lots (or pur). A date eleven months into the future was revealed—March 7 by our reckoning. Haman immediately persuaded Xerxes to issue a decree that all the Jews in his realm were to be slaughtered on that day. By way of incentive, the decree proclaimed that anyone who killed a Jew could plunder his possessions.

Mordecai reacted immediately by contacting his cousin Esther and asking her to beg Xerxes for mercy. But Esther was afraid and replied, "For any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spare their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king."

Mordecai replied, "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

So Esther instructed Mordecai, "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."

On the third day, Esther approached the king. As soon as Xerxes saw her, he held out the golden scepter. "What is it, Queen Esther?" he asked. "What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given to you."

But Esther merely invited the king and Haman to join her that evening for a banquet she had prepared especially for them. That evening the king again pressed her to ask for whatever she desired, but Esther simply invited the king and Haman to another banquet, to be held the following night.

That evening, on his way home, Haman caught sight of Mordecai, sitting smugly rather than kneeling as he passed by. Haman was outraged, but his wife consoled him by proposing an evil scheme—he need merely build a gallows and then ask the king to hang Mordecai on it the next morning.

While Haman was happily constructing a gallows for his enemy, the king was pacing the royal bedroom. Unable to sleep, he ordered one of his servants to read from the annals of the kingdom. That evening's reading just happened to be about how Mordecai had once saved the king's life by warning of a plot against him. It struck the king that Mordecai had never been properly rewarded for his loyalty.

So the next morning the king asked Haman: "What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?"

Assuming the king intended to reward him in some new and marvelous way, the foolish Haman replied with a grandiose suggestion: "For the man the king delights to honor, have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden. Then let one of the king's most noble princes robe the man and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, 'This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!' "

"Go at once," the king commanded him. "Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew."

Haman was dumbstruck. The man who had planned to bury his enemy was suddenly forced to exalt him that very day!

That night, as the king and Haman were once again drinking wine at the queen's banquet, the king implored Esther to ask for whatever her heart desired. This time she spoke her mind: "If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation."

"Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?" the king demanded.

"The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman."

And so Haman's star, which had risen to so great a height, fell suddenly, like a bolt of lightning crashing from the sky. He was hanged on the very same gallows he had built for the Jew Mordecai, and all his property was given to Esther. Furthermore, the king, because he could not revoke one of his own edicts, issued another to counteract the first one. It gave Jews throughout the empire the right to protect themselves, to destroy and plunder every enemy who might raise a hand against them on the seventh of March.

As news of the king's edict spread, many people from various nationalities became so terrified that they claimed to be Jews themselves. The very day Haman's gods had revealed as a day of reckoning for the Jews became a day of reckoning for their enemies. Ever after, the Jews commemorated these events with the Feast of Purim. As the book of Esther says, these days were celebrated "as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration."

Subject to foreign powers after the exile, God's people must have felt among the weakest elements of society. But weaker even than a Jewish man exiled to a foreign land was a Jewish woman. And weakest of all would have been a young orphan of Jewish descent. God had once again employed one of his favorite methods for accomplishing his purposes: He had raised an imperfect woman, the weakest of the weak, placing her in a position of immense strategic importance.

But it had been up to Esther to decide whether she would play the part God offered. Like Moses, she chose to identify with God's people even if it meant risking her life to do so. And even though exile was a punishment for Israel's long unfaithfulness, God showed that he was still with his people, delivering and protecting them in surprising ways, turning the table on their enemies through a series of stunning reversals. Earthly powers were at work to kill and destroy, but a heavenly power, far greater in scope, was at work to save and preserve.

Her Promise

God often uses the most unlikely characters to fulfill his purposes. He elevates a Jewish orphan to become queen of a great empire. Esther begins as a nobody and becomes a somebody, a woman who somewhat reluctantly risks her life to make a stand.

Again, God reveals his penchant for using the most unlikely, ordinary people to accomplish his divine purposes. But, you may wonder, could God ever use you to accomplish his purposes, with all your foibles and imperfections, your lack of talent or influence? Yes, he can! He isn't looking for people who are perfect or talented or influential. He is only looking for people who are willing.

This devotional is drawn from Women of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda. Used with permission.
Vashti, queen of Persia, was the most powerful woman in the Middle East, yet her power was as fragile as a candle in a storm.

Girlfriends in God - Always Remember This One Truth

Always Remember This One Truth

Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.

~ Psalm 56:3 (ESV)

Friend to Friend

Each day brings fresh possibilities and opportunities for us to trust God. As I think of what lies ahead today I’m reminded of a trust lesson God taught me long ago…

Our arms were braided across each other’s and our hands were locked tightly. As the young girl stood on the tall tree stump above us she looked over her shoulder and saw with her eyes that our formation was tight...that we were ready for her. She heard with her ears that we would catch her...that we would not let her get hurt. Yet the fear that screamed in her head told her not to do it. Not to fall backwards.

Her legs shook and lips quivered. Other campers had gone before her. She and her cabin mates had successfully caught each one. But this camper hesitated – allowing the looming possibilities of failure and pain to paralyze her from action. The risks just seemed too great.

She trembled.

We encouraged.

She cried.

We encouraged.

Then, finally, with determination in her heart, she took the plunge. She fell straight backwards onto the safety net of our arms. We bent low to the ground giving way to her fall and caught her with cheers of excitement.

She did it!

As her trembling legs regained their confidence, she stood tall and beamed from ear to ear – realizing that she had faced her fear. Joy was felt from heart to heart as each of us rejoiced with her. Mission accomplished.

Early in the day, we had trekked across the campgrounds to the “Trust Fall station” as a group of counselors and campers who didn’t have a shared experience among us, an unconnected strand of strangers. Now our wooded team-building time had come to an end and we left the trust fall station having bonded deeply as a group of new girlfriends prepared for a fresh journey of fun and adventure.

Each of us took turns at the trust fall that day. We all faced a set of scary circumstances and were forced to work through our doubts, tremblings and fears. As a result, we learned valuable lessons and strengthened our relationships.

Since my days of being a camp counselor, I’ve faced many scary life trust falls: financial trials, relationship strains, relocations, sick loved ones, loss and difficult family matters. I’ve trembled and I’ve cried. I’ve been paralyzed by “what ifs” and “whys.” We all go through difficult seasons and trials; times when we want to see the invisible arms of the One who says He will catch us; times when we are afraid to fall into them.

Wherever you go and whatever you face, God is with you – yesterday, today and forever. He bids us to live by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). He wants us to trust Him. He catches us when we trust fall, when we live by faith. And to encourage us along the way, He spurs us on by sending a cloud of witnesses who testify of His faithfulness. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”  (Hebrews 12:1).

Today, whether you identify with the shaky young camper on the trust fall stump or with the cabin mates who were filled with encouragement for another, God wants you to trust Him... right where you are. It might be scary. Tears might be shed. But God is faithful and can be trusted.

Like the Psalmist, let’s choose to say, “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?” (Psalm 56:3-4)

When we trust fall from our struggles into the faithful arms of God, we are freed from the fears that paralyze us. Trust Him today, friend. I’m cheering for you.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, You are good, loving and faithful – and You know exactly what I’m facing. Please take this burden from me. Help me to fall into a deeper place of trusting you.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

What is God asking you to trust Him in or through right now? Spend a few moments praying about it. Then write about it in your journal or leave a comment on my blog about what God is calling you to trust Him with.

More from the Girlfriends

We’re pleased to announce the new GRACEOLOGY with Gwen Smith podcast! Hang out with Gwen and friends when you go on walks, exercise, run errands or travel. Podcasts are also perfect to listen to as you do household chores! (Laundry anyone?)Each GRACEOLOGY with Gwen Smith podcast episode is filled with fun, faith-focused, grace-filled conversations that will help you know and trust God more. These discussions are going to encourage you in meaningful ways to live out and lean on the GRACE of Jesus in the midst of cluttered, messy days. CLICK HERE to listen on iTunes, or visit GwenSmith.net/Graceology for more information.

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

Each day brings fresh possibilities and opportunities for us to trust God.

LHM Devotion - August 6, 2018 - Suggested Improvements

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Suggested Improvements"

Aug. 6, 2018

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

~ Romans 5:1 (ESV)

In His warning about the last times, Jesus talked about how He will

1. take those who have had faith in Him as their Savior and Lord into an eternity of joy;

2. send those who have no such faith into everlasting fire.

To human experts, armed with human wisdom, those are fightin' words.

In rebuttal to the Lord, unbelievers respond, "We don't think there is such a person as god. And, if there is a god, who can tell who that god really is? Is he one of the deities of world's religions? Is He a deity invented and promoted by an overactive human imagination? Is he a deity which has resulted exclusively from humankind's desire to make the Lord in our own incomplete, corrupt, human image?"

What is most amazing, almost astounding, is that 2,000 years ago, the New Testament predicted what these human experts would say. On that list would be things like the following:

* They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even deny the sovereign Lord who bought them.

* Many will follow their shameful ways; these teachers will exploit believers with stories they have made up.

* Bold and arrogant are these men -- not afraid to slander celestial beings; these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand.

* They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct. They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done in the last days. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' (god) promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation" (see 2 Peter 3:4).

Could there be a more accurate rendering of these experts and their opinions? It is when experts elevate human wisdom over godly fact that they become foolish.

In the 1800s, when atheist Robert Ingersoll was delivering his lectures against Christ and the Bible, he usually spoke to large crowds. At one meeting, he dramatically took out his watch and said, "I'll give God a chance to prove He exists and that He is almighty. I challenge Him to strike me dead within five minutes!"

There was silence. People became uneasy. Some left the hall; one woman fainted.

At the end of the allocated time, Ingersoll proclaimed, "See! There is no God. I am still very much alive!"

In a discussion after the lecture, a young man concluded, "Well, Ingersoll certainly proved something tonight!"

A young lady, replying to the remark, said, "He did. He showed that God isn't taking orders from unbelievers today."

Truly, we are saved because the Lord set His salvation plan into motion after our original ancestors sabotaged the perfection God gave us. Yes, the Lord made the plan, and His Son carried it out. Perfectly, completely, Jesus did all that was necessary to give us forgiveness and life eternal. And if humans think they can improve on the Lord's plan, they should, by all means try. Then, when they have failed, they should listen to the Holy Spirit who is ready to give them the only Name under heaven which saves: Jesus Christ.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, there are many people who think they could improve on Your plan of salvation. Give them a dose of humility and bring them to the cross and the blood-bought salvation Jesus offers. In His Name I pray. Amen.

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
In His warning about the last times, Jesus talked about how He will...

Devocional del CPTLN del 06 de Agosto de 2018 - No deberás

ALIMENTO DIARIO

No deberás

06 de Agosto de 2018

Por cuanto todos pecaron y están destituidos de la gloria de Dios; pero son justificados gratuitamente por su gracia, mediante la redención que proveyó Cristo Jesús.

~ Romanos 3:23-24 (RVC)

De acuerdo con lo que dice una página de seguros en Internet, el 80% de los accidentes automovilísticos se producen debido a distracciones. Según la lista que allí proveen, una de las razones es porque las personas comen mientras van manejando.

Aun cuando no creo ser un conductor extremadamente cuidadoso, nunca se me hubiera ocurrido manejar comiendo alguna de las cosas que se mencionan en el artículo. Por ejemplo, hay personas que mientras manejan van tomando sopa, o comiendo pollo frito, o costillas de cerdo... Pero por más que las compañías de seguro o las autoridades públicas establezcan reglas y leyes para mantener segura a la población, muchos no las siguen ni las cumplen.

Lo mismo sucede con los mandamientos que nos dio el Señor. Aun cuando sepamos que Dios puso reglas y leyes para nuestro propio bien, muchas veces nos rehusamos a seguirlas y cumplirlas, desobedeciendo así a Dios.

Esa desobediencia es parte de nuestra naturaleza pecadora que nos hace creer que sabemos más que Dios, por lo que no lo necesitamos. Pero al rebelarnos de esa forma, nos estamos olvidando que no somos más que simples criaturas, y que Dios es nuestro Creador, dador, y sustentador de todo lo que tenemos y somos.

Queridos amigos, recordemos siempre que, si fuimos perdonados de nuestros pecados y justificados ante el Señor, es porque Jesús estuvo dispuesto a cargar con nuestro castigo y entregar su propia vida en nuestro lugar.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, perdóname por pensar que sé más que tú. Acepta mi agradecimiento por enviar a tu Hijo, quien asumió mi castigo para que yo pudiera ser perdonado. 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.
De acuerdo con lo que dice una página de seguros en Internet, el 80% de los accidentes automovilísticos se producen debido a distracciones.

Unser Täglich Brot - Geben macht Freude

Geben macht Freude

Lesung: 1. Thessalonicher 5,12-24 | Die Bibel in einem Jahr: Psalm 70–71; Römer 8,22-39

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Tröstet die Kleinmütigen, tragt die Schwachen, seid geduldig mit jedermann. 1. Thessalonicher 5,14

Es war eine öde Woche. Ich war lethargisch und lustlos, wusste aber nicht wieso.

Kurz vor dem Wochenende erfuhr ich, dass eine Tante an Nierenversagen litt. Mir war klar, dass ich sie besuchen sollte—aber ehrlich gesagt hatte ich keine große Lust. Trotzdem machte ich mich auf den Weg, wir aßen zusammen, plauderten und beteten. Als ich eine Stunde später ging, fühlte ich mich zum ersten Mal seit Tagen wieder besser. Mich auf jemand anderen zu konzentrieren, anstatt auf mich selbst, hatte irgendwie meine Laune verbessert.

Psychologen haben herausgefunden, dass der Akt des Gebens Befriedigung schaffen kann. Sie entsteht, wenn der Gebende die Dankbarkeit des Empfangenden sieht. Manche Fachleute glauben sogar, der Mensch sei darauf gepolt, großzügig zu sein!

Vielleicht hat Paulus die Gemeinde in Thessalonich neben seinen Tipps zur Stärkung ihrer Gemeinschaft deshalb gemahnt: „Tragt die Schwachen“ (1.Thess. 5,14). An anderer Stelle zitiert er sogar die Worte Jesu: „Geben ist seliger als Nehmen“ (Apg. 20,35). Das galt zwar für finanzielle Spenden, gilt aber genauso gut für das Geben von Zeit und Kraft.

Wenn wir geben, bekommen wir eine Ahnung davon, wie Gott denkt. Wir begreifen, warum er uns so gern seine Liebe schenkt, teilen seine Freude und erleben die Befriedigung, anderen etwas Gutes getan zu haben. Ich denke, ich werde meine Tante bald wieder besuchen.

Vater, du hast mich dazu geschaffen, anderen etwas zu geben, wie du mir deine Gaben gibst. Lehre mich, etwas von deinem Wesen auszustrahlen und dir immer ähnlicher zu werden.

Wer gibt, empfängt am meisten.

Von Leslie Koh

© 2018 Unser Täglich Brot
Es war eine öde Woche. Ich war lethargisch und lustlos, wusste aber nicht wieso.