The Daily Readings for THURSDAY, October 18, 2018

The Wreck, by Knud-Andreassen Baade c.1835
Acts 27:27-44

The Daily Readings

THURSDAY, October 18, 2018

Old Testament

Jonah 3-4
Conversion of Nineveh
3:1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, 2 “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.

6 When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 Then he had a proclamation made in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: No human being or animal, no herd or flock, shall taste anything. They shall not feed, nor shall they drink water. 8 Human beings and animals shall be covered with sackcloth, and they shall cry mightily to God. All shall turn from their evil ways and from the violence that is in their hands. 9 Who knows? God may relent and change his mind; he may turn from his fierce anger, so that we do not perish.”

10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.

Jonah’s Anger
4:1 But this was very displeasing to Jonah, and he became angry. 2 He prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord! Is not this what I said while I was still in my own country? That is why I fled to Tarshish at the beginning; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing. 3 And now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” 4 And the Lord said, “Is it right for you to be angry?” 5 Then Jonah went out of the city and sat down east of the city, and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, waiting to see what would become of the city.

6 The Lord God appointed a bush, and made it come up over Jonah, to give shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort; so Jonah was very happy about the bush. 7 But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the bush, so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God prepared a sultry east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint and asked that he might die. He said, “It is better for me to die than to live.”

Jonah Is Reproved
9 But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the bush?” And he said, “Yes, angry enough to die.” 10 Then the Lord said, “You are concerned about the bush, for which you did not labor and which you did not grow; it came into being in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should I not be concerned about Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also many animals?”

The Epistle

Acts 27:27-44
27:27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were drifting across the sea of Adria, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. 28 So they took soundings and found twenty fathoms; a little farther on they took soundings again and found fifteen fathoms. 29 Fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. 30 But when the sailors tried to escape from the ship and had lowered the boat into the sea, on the pretext of putting out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat and set it adrift.

33 Just before daybreak, Paul urged all of them to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have been in suspense and remaining without food, having eaten nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food, for it will help you survive; for none of you will lose a hair from your heads.” 35 After he had said this, he took bread; and giving thanks to God in the presence of all, he broke it and began to eat. 36 Then all of them were encouraged and took food for themselves. 37 (We were in all two hundred seventy-six persons in the ship.) 38 After they had satisfied their hunger, they lightened the ship by throwing the wheat into the sea.

The Shipwreck
39 In the morning they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned to run the ship ashore, if they could. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea. At the same time they loosened the ropes that tied the steering-oars; then hoisting the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef, they ran the ship aground; the bow stuck and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the force of the waves. 42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none might swim away and escape; 43 but the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest to follow, some on planks and others on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.

The Gospel

Luke 9:18-27
Peter’s Declaration about Jesus
9:18 Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 They answered, “John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.” 20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.”

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
21 He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

23 Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. 25 What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? 26 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

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.
Striking a reef, they ran the ship aground; the bow stuck and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the force of the waves.

The Morning Prayer for THURSDAY, October 18, 2018

Thursday morning prayer

Lord on this day I remember that You go before me, so I pause to meditate on Your promises. Thank You Lord that You go with me, You lay a pathway, You watch over me like a shepherd. So I give You my fears, worries and anxieties. I lay all tension and stress at the foot of the cross. Thank You that You arose from the death, and that You bring life, freedom, hope and the promise of Heaven! Praise You that I am safe in Your presence.

May Thursday be a hope filled day, that floods my fears with light, a day that quiets all anxious thoughts as I encounter Christ. Let Thursday always prompt my heart to stop and find Your peace, and live upon the truth You give my eyes to You I lift.

Amen

Verse of the Day for THURSDAY, October 18, 2018

Psalm 25:14-15 (NIV) The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.

Read all of Psalm 25

Listen to Psalm 25

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 risa alegra tu vida

La risa alegra tu vida

Nuestra boca se llenó de risas; nuestra lengua, de canciones jubilosas.

~ Salmo 126:2 (NVI)

Si supiéramos a ciencia cierta lo que ocasiona la risa en nuestro cuerpo, los muchos músculos de la cara que se activan y el beneficio que hace en el alma, creo que reiríamos más a menudo.

Yo me considero una persona muy feliz y muy alegre. Me fascina reírme y sé que esa alegría se contagia a otras personas que viven tristes por sus problemas. Además, tengo el privilegio y el hermoso trabajo en la radio de llevar positivismo y motivación a mis oyentes.

Tú también puedes hacer lo mismo que yo. Puedes alegrarte y llenarte de júbilo, como dice la Palabra, pues Dios te da la fortaleza para ver tus problemas de otra manera. No en vano la Biblia dice que «el corazón alegre hermosea el rostro» (Proverbios 15:13, RV-60).

Si hablamos del amor de Dios, no debemos destilar amargura, odio, mal genio, ni tampoco soberbia. Hay personas que su misma frustración les roba la sonrisa de sus labios. Tampoco es justo contigo mismo consumirte en la tristeza y el dolor.

Sé que hay tiempo de llorar y tiempo de reír, pero es obvio que no debemos llevarlo a los extremos. También hay un cierto tipo de risa burlona que hace daño y la Palabra le llama a esto «vanidad».

Dios es Dios de nuevos comienzos. Así que hoy Él quiere devolverte la alegría y endulzar tu vida. ¡No pases por alto esta oportunidad!

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Si supiéramos a ciencia cierta lo que ocasiona la risa en nuestro cuerpo, los muchos músculos de la cara que se activan y el beneficio que hace en el alma, creo que reiríamos más a menudo.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - VALUE DOUBTS AND MYSTERY

VALUE DOUBTS AND MYSTERY

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

~ 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

This is a scripture passage that many use in disciplining new believers. The New International Version of the Bible footnotes this verse with the reminder that in the Greek language the word “temptation” or “tempted” can also mean “trial” or “testing.” It is a characteristic of the human condition that we often have doubts about God and we feel badly about them. But the story of Job in the Old Testament reveals that we should value our doubts because they bring God close.

Co-worker Ron Boyd-MacMillan tells the story of a missionary to Tibet at the time of the Communist takeover in China. He was imprisoned on the charge of being a counter-revolutionary. Every day for three years he thought he was going to be executed—a strain that ultimately broke him.

Daily he was taken outside and made to kneel down. They put a hood over his head and stated they were going to execute him. Then when he thought he was a goner, they pulled off the hood and laughed at his fear.

He was deprived of sleep and light; often placed in cells with hundreds of screaming people; demanded to renounce his Christian faith—all tactics of psychological torture. He said, “All I had were doubts: whether God was with me; whether God still loved me; even if was truly a Christian since I was so broken…I was raised never to question God and that doubt was a sin.”

One day wanting to die, he finally prayed and said, “Lord, I have to talk about my doubts to you. I’m sorry it’s all I have to talk about. But I just want to be in touch with you again.”

That night he felt a warm breath in the dungeon, a comforting sweet breath. And he said, “I learned that nothing must keep me from talking to God. I knew from that breath that He even wants to know about my doubts.

Then he was taken to another cell which had a window and he saw the beauty of a colorful sunset. He wept. It was a picture God had drawn in majestic colors with the black ring of mountains in the distance looking like a crown of thorns. He commented, “The colorful sunset told me Jesus is still in charge…The world may be full of human suffering but it is more full of God’s beauty and grace. That got me through. I took my doubts to God and realized His beauty. The next time they took me to a mock execution I knelt and thanked God for the sunset I had seen. My sunset from my God! And when they took off the hood they saw no more fear—only a man at peace ready to die and meet his God.

RESPONSE: Today I will talk to God even about my doubts, trusting Him to help me sense His loving presence.

PRAYER: Thank You God that we can value doubt and we can value mystery assured that You still love us and care for us.

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

Men's Devotional Bible - Asa: Not by Strength

Asa: Not by Strength

1 Kings 15:9–24; 2 Chronicles 14—16

Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God.

~ 2 Chronicles 14:2 (NIV)

It is an honor to interview a good king when there have been so many bad ones.

“Good” is a relative term among men and kings. The Lord is good. Even the best of men are weak and foolish.

What one thing have you learned during your long reign?

I have learned this: “It is not by strength that one prevails.” I might have learned it much sooner, because Hannah, the mother of Samuel, spoke these words long ago. But it is only now, near the end of my days, that I begin to see Hannah’s wisdom. Even so, I have not learned it completely.

Will you give us an example of what you mean?

You have heard of my fortified cities and my army of half a million men. Then Zerah the Cushite came against me with an army twice that size. My only prayer was that the Lord would help the powerless against the mighty. My army prevailed, but not by its own might.

Why do you say you have not learned this completely?

Four years ago the king of Israel meant to invade our land. Instead of relying on the Lord, I sent silver and gold to Ben-Hadad in Damascus, who attacked Israel from the rear. Thus we fought off the invasion, but at the same time we were plunged into further war.

You spoke of relying on God rather than on personal strength. But what about the endless wars in your people’s history?

Not endless. Our prophets could tell you more about this than I can. For now, our people must survive. In days to come, however, a king will rise from David’s royal house. He will—well, I cannot tell you what he will do, exactly. But his kingdom will bring peace and justice. Then these hideous wars will end.

What one thing do you most want to tell our readers?

Rely upon the Lord. I have not always done so, and I am the worse for it.

Forgive me for not walking with you through the garden to the gate. You see the problem I have with my feet. Even as an old man I remain foolish. I have sought physicians, but I have sought the Lord too late!

Back to the Future

• In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on your own strength?
• How would you respond to someone who asked you, “What does it mean to rely on the strength of the Lord?”
• What practical steps can you take to become more dependent on the Lord’s strength?

Read Asa’s Story:
The detail is found in 1 Kings 15:9–24; 2 Chronicles 14—16. Also Read Hannah’s song in 1 Samuel 2:1–10.
In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on your own strength?

Girlfriends in God - Sometimes You Just Need to Breathe

Sometimes You Just Need to Breathe

Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in seasonand whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.

~ Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

It was one of my favorite trees. And it was dying.

We live on a lake, and my dying tree was truly a “tree planted by streams of water.” So how could it be dying? How could branches right in the smack dab middle of the bushy green be turning into kindling? It didn’t make sense.

I called an arborist to come out and take a look. He saw the problem right away.

“Ma’am, see how that tree looks like a telephone pole stuck in the ground? That’s not the way a tree should be planted. You should be able to see some of the roots spreading out from the trunk. Those roots are covered up with dirt, grass, and these pretty perennials you’ve planted at the base. The tree can’t breathe.”

“It can’t breathe?” I asked.

“Yep. You see a tree is a living organism that needs to breathe just like you do. If the roots are smothered, then it can’t. Trees need sunlight, water, carbon dioxide and nutrients from the soil. Those flowers you have planted around it are actually stealing the nutrients. The dirt covering the roots is suffocating it. It has water, but it needs more than that.

“Bottom line, your tree is stressed out.”

Ah, words I understood. “Stressed out.”

So, the arborist cleared away some of the dirt from around the roots to allow the tree to breathe and cut away the dead limbs. Then he dug up the flowers and tossed them aside. I could almost hear the tree take a deep breath as if to say, “Ah, thank you!”

Three months later, it looks like the tree is going to make it after all.

All this thinking about my tree planted by the water made me think about my schedule…my life. And of course, that led me to your schedule…your life.

I like to think of myself as a tree planted by the water similar to the one mentioned in the first psalm. I get up every morning and soak in God’s Word before jumping into my day. That’s my water. My living water.

But it’s not enough to drink in the morning and then smother my day with too many activities, commitments, and deadlines. I need more than water to thrive. I need to be able to breathe.

I can plant “beautiful” activities in my life like those flowers, but they may be sucking the nutrients right out of my soul. Those activities might look nice on my calendar, but they might not be soul nice. I can smother my roots with commitments and pile on the soil so that I look more like a non-living thing stuck in the ground—a telephone pole—rather than a fruit-bearing tree.

So as I begin this fall season with its activities left and right, I need to stop and examine if they are exactly what God wants me to do, or if they are just “pretty flowers ” that are keeping me from being that tree that yields fruit in due season.

As I think about my fall schedule with its commitments and deadlines, I need to ask myself if I am covering up the roots of my heart—smothering it from the very air I need to breathe.

And that’s what I want you to consider today. Let’s do more than survive. Let’s thrive! Clear away what needs to be cleared away. Toss out what needs to be tossed (even if it looks pretty on your schedule). Make room to breathe.

Let’s Pray

Lord, I want to be a tree planted by streams of living water that bears fruit in its season. As I move into the fall season, open my eyes to unnecessary activities and commitments, and help me to know when to say “no”. Show me what I need to dig up and toss. Help me to do what I need to do to avoid stressing out my roots and suffocating my soul.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

I want you to keep this devotion in mind as you head into fall. Before putting something on your schedule, ask yourself these three questions that Liz Higgs asks herself in her book Only Angels Can Wing It.

1. Will this activity matter one week from today? One month? One year?
2. Is there someone who does this task better than I do, to whom I might delegate it?
3. Does it satisfy a heart need for me or someone I love very much?
4. What are the ramifications if I don’t do it?
5. What are the outcomes if I do?

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.

Join me in the Enough: Silencing the Lies that Steal Your Confidence Bible study beginning Oct 9-Nov 26. Click here to sign up!

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

It was one of my favorite trees. And it was dying.

LHM Daily Devotions - Strange Gifts

"Strange Gifts"

Oct. 18, 2018

Peter began to say to Him, "See, we have left everything and followed You." Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for My sake and for the Gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life."

~ Mark 10:28-30 (ESV)

This is a strange passage. At first glance, it sounds like the prosperity Gospel of preachers on TV, the ones who say, "Send me a hundred dollars, and you will see God return it to you a thousand times over!"

"Yeah, right," we say. And besides, who needs a hundred houses or brothers or sisters and so on?

Then Jesus slips in a dissonant note; he adds, "with persecutions," and suddenly our view is turned upside down. Persecutions, really? These are some of the good things we can look forward to if we give our lives to serving Jesus? Well, thanks a lot!

Jesus is very serious about what He's saying -- both the "good" gifts, and the persecutions. The persecutions are pretty straightforward. Daily, we see that living as a Christian results in suffering and trouble. Some Christians face arrest, beatings, bombing, and death for their faith. Others of us face different kinds of suffering that are far less vivid but still very real. We may have trouble at work because we won't cut corners or break laws when asked to do so. We may lose relationships with a spouse or child or friend who finds our faith an annoyance and a disturbance in their lives.

We may even end up caring for others who are going through their own suffering, which might be why Jesus promised us "a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands." Yes, indeed, God will send you any number of new brothers and sisters, all needing care, all needing to know God's love through you. They will come into your life together with all that belongs to them -- children and parents and houses and land as well -- and you get to care for them all! Truly, you will have more family than you know what to do with -- if you follow Jesus.

Because, of course, this is exactly what happened to Him. He left His home in heaven to suffer persecution and death on a cross, and to rise again. Now He makes His home in our hearts as well as at the right hand of the Father. As for new family, well -- at last count, Jesus has adopted several billion human beings as part of God's family, all of them needing His love and care. No wonder He can make this promise. He speaks from experience. It has happened to Him.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, You fulfill Your promises in strange and unexpected ways. Live in me and through me so that I receive Your odd gifts with both patience and joy. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.  Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
This is a strange passage. At first glance, it sounds like the prosperity Gospel of preachers on TV, the ones who say, "Send me a hundred dollars, and you will see God return it to you a thousand times over!"

Devocional del CPTLN de 18 de Octubre de 2018 - Mide tu palabras

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Mide tu palabras

18 de Octubre de 2018

¿Acaso has comido del árbol del que yo te ordené que no comieras? Y el hombre espondió: 'La mujer que me diste por compañera fue quien me dio del árbol, y yo comí.' Entonces Dios el Señor le dijo a la mujer: '¿Qué es lo que has hecho?' Y la mujer dijo: 'La serpiente me engañó, y yo comí.'

~ Génesis 3:11b-13 (RVC)

Amy había decidido tatuarse en el brazo la palabra preciosa. El artista que lo haría escribió una muestra en su computadora, se la mostró a Amy para que viera cómo iba a quedar y luego comenzó a tatuarle el brazo.

Sólo al final, cuando el tatuaje estaba terminado, Amy notó que la palabra estaba mal escrita: en vez de preciosa, el tatuaje decía precisa.

Amy estaba molesta... el artista también estaba molesto... la discusión terminó en la corte.

Amy culpaba al artista, y viceversa. Finalmente, el juez sentenció que Amy no podía culpar a nadie más que a sí misma por el error, ya que ella había aprobado el diseño antes de que fuera permanente.

Al ser humano le gusta culpar a otros por sus errores. Veamos a Adán y Eva. Después que Dios los confrontara por haber comido del árbol prohibido, Eva culpó a la serpiente por haberla tentado.

¿Y Adán? Él fue más allá en su acusación, primero trató de culpar a Eva... pero incluso implicó a Dios mismo: "La mujer que me diste por compañera fue quien me dio del árbol, y yo comí".

A través de los siglos el Señor ha escuchado innumerables excusas. Tan constantes somos para excusarnos a nosotros mismos, que Jesús dice que, en el Día del Juicio, el perdido tratará de justificarse diciendo: "Señor, ¿cuándo te vimos con hambre, o con sed, o forastero, desnudo, enfermo, o en la cárcel, y no te servimos?"

Simplemente no nos gusta admitir que estamos en falta, ¿verdad?

Esto es triste, porque el Gran Médico no puede hacer mucho por quienes piensan que están sanos y saludables. En la parábola de Jesús fue el recaudador de impuestos quien confesó: "Dios mío, ten misericordia de mí, porque soy un pecador" (Lucas 18:13b), y fue él quien regresó a su casa perdonado.

Juan lo dijo muy claramente: "Si confesamos nuestros pecados, él es fiel y justo para perdonar nuestros pecados y limpiarnos de toda maldad. Si decimos que no hemos pecado, lo hacemos a él mentiroso, y su palabra no está en nosotros" (1 Juan 1:9-10).

ORACIÓN: Señor, confieso que soy pecador. Mis pensamientos, mis palabras y mis acciones no son lo que deberían ser. Te doy gracias porque Jesús vino a este mundo para salvarme a mí y a todos. Envía tu Espíritu Santo para que cada alma enferma admita su necesidad y encuentre el perdón en la cruz del calvario y la tumba vacía. En el nombre del Salvador. Amén.

© Copyright 2018 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
Amy había decidido tatuarse en el brazo la palabra preciosa. El artista que lo haría escribió una muestra en su computadora, se la mostró a Amy para que viera cómo iba a quedar y luego comenzó a tatuarle el brazo.

Хлеб наш насущный - Шип

Шип

Читать сейчас: Исаии 53:1-6 | Библия за год: Исаии 53-55; Галатам 6

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Но Он изъязвлен был за грехи наши... и ранами Его мы исцелились. — Исаии 53:5

Шип до крови проколол мне указательный палец. Я вскрикнул и инстинктивно отдернул руку. Но чему было удивляться? Полез выкорчевывать колючий куст без рукавиц – вот и получил по заслугам. Было бы удивительно, если бы я вышел из этой схватки невредимым.

Палец болел, требуя внимания. Кровь текла красной струйкой. Я искал бинт и вдруг поймал себя на том, что думаю о Христе. Жестокие воины надели на Спасителя усеянный шипами венец (Ин. 19:1-3). Если один-единственный шип причинил мне столько боли, то какое мучение доставил целый венок! А это была лишь малая часть страданий, которые Он вынес. Бич разорвал Ему спину. Гвозди проткнули Его руки и ноги. Копье вонзилось в бок.

Кроме того, Иисус терпел еще и духовную боль. Пророк Исаия писал: «Он изъязвлен был за грехи наши и мучим за беззакония наши; наказание мира нашего было на Нем» (Ис. 53:5). «Мир» здесь означает примирение или прощение. Фактически Исаия говорит, что Его наказание принесло нам мир с Богом. Иисус отдал Себя на мучения от шипов, бича и гвоздей, чтобы открыть для нас путь к общению с Богом Отцом. Он сделал это ради меня, ради вас.

Небесный Отец, Я не могу представить себе всю боль, которую вынес Твой Сын, чтобы очистить меня от греха. Благодарю, что отдал Его за меня на смерть, чтобы примирить меня с Тобой.

Иисус отдал Себя на мучения, чтобы принести нам мир с Богом.

автор: Адам Хольц

© 2018 Хлеб Наш Насущный
Шип до крови проколол мне указательный палец. Я вскрикнул и инстинктивно отдернул руку. Но чему было удивляться?