The Daily Readings for THURSDAY, November 8, 2018

It is done!
Revelation 16:12-21

The Daily Readings

THURSDAY, November 8, 2018

Old Testament

Ecclesiasticus 44:1-15 (Sirach 44:1-15)
Hymn in Honor of Our Ancestors
44:1 Let us now sing the praises of famous men,
    our ancestors in their generations.
2 The Lord apportioned to them great glory,
    his majesty from the beginning.
3 There were those who ruled in their kingdoms,
    and made a name for themselves by their valor;
those who gave counsel because they were intelligent;
    those who spoke in prophetic oracles;
4 those who led the people by their counsels
    and by their knowledge of the people’s lore;
    they were wise in their words of instruction;
5 those who composed musical tunes,
    or put verses in writing;
6 rich men endowed with resources,
    living peacefully in their homes—
7 all these were honored in their generations,
    and were the pride of their times.
8 Some of them have left behind a name,
    so that others declare their praise.
9 But of others there is no memory;
    they have perished as though they had never existed;
they have become as though they had never been born,
    they and their children after them.
10 But these also were godly men,
    whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten;
11 their wealth will remain with their descendants,
    and their inheritance with their children’s children.
12 Their descendants stand by the covenants;
    their children also, for their sake.
13 Their offspring will continue forever,
    and their glory will never be blotted out.
14 Their bodies are buried in peace,
    but their name lives on generation after generation.
15 The assembly declares their wisdom,
    and the congregation proclaims their praise.

The Epistle

Revelation 16:12-21
16:12 The sixth angel poured his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up in order to prepare the way for the kings from the east. 13 And I saw three foul spirits like frogs coming from the mouth of the dragon, from the mouth of the beast, and from the mouth of the false prophet. 14 These are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. 15 (“See, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and is clothed, not going about naked and exposed to shame.”) 16 And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Harmagedon.

17 The seventh angel poured his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18 And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a violent earthquake, such as had not occurred since people were upon the earth, so violent was that earthquake. 19 The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. God remembered great Babylon and gave her the wine-cup of the fury of his wrath. 20 And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found; 21 and huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, dropped from heaven on people, until they cursed God for the plague of the hail, so fearful was that plague.

The Gospel

Luke 14:18-30 
14:18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my regrets.’ 19 Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my regrets.’ 20 Another said, ‘I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21 So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, ‘Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ 22 And the slave said, ‘Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.’ 23 Then the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.’”

The Cost of Discipleship
25 Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, 26 “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.
The seventh angel poured his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!”

The Morning Prayer for THURSDAY, November 8, 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, November 8, 2018

Joshua 24:15 (NIV) But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Read all of Joshua 24

Listen to Joshua 24

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 puerta estrecha

La puerta estrecha

Pero estrecha es la puerta y angosto el camino que conduce a la vida, y son pocos los que la encuentran.

~ Mateo 7:14 (NVI)

Me llamó mucho la atención encontrar dentro de las cosas que Dios espera de nosotros algo que he escuchado, y hasta repetido: «¡Ah! Esa persona salió por la puerta grande». También se dice: «Quisiera salir por la puerta grande». Estas frases las usamos cuando queremos salir de un trabajo y quedar bien con todo el mundo. Cuando se va a cambiar de trabajo o de iglesia, a veces decimos: «Hay que dejar la puerta abierta», que también significa quedar bien con nuestros pastores, jefes o compañeros, ya que si algún día Dios nos lleva al mismo trabajo, estaremos preparados.

Al leer hoy este pasaje de la Biblia en Mateo, la puerta grande no se interpreta de la misma manera. Por el contrario, Dios dice que entremos por la puerta estrecha que nos lleva a la vida eterna, pues la puerta ancha, por ser más espaciosa, conduce a la perdición. En otras palabras, es más fácil perderse que guardarse.

Por eso debemos entender que aunque a veces el camino es difícil, angosto y hasta espinoso, si está bajo la voluntad de Dios, nos lleva a la bendición. Lo que es fácil, demasiado llamativo, tentador o sospechoso, no siempre está Dios de por medio. Recordemos que el enemigo nos pone a la vista cosas atractivas a fin de distraernos y apartarnos de la voluntad de nuestro Padre.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Me llamó mucho la atención encontrar dentro de las cosas que Dios espera de nosotros algo que he escuchado, y hasta repetido ...

Standing Strong Through the Storm - FAITH IN THE MIDST OF ASHES

FAITH IN THE MIDST OF ASHES

But now, this is what the LORD says…“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

~ Isaiah 43:1-2 (NIV)

Twenty-eight-year-old evangelist Wako Halekie works in the town of Tuka Argiso in the border area between Ethiopia and Kenya. This small town is mostly inhabited by Borena livestock herders and is effectively divided between Oromia and Somali regional states. As a result both states are claiming ownership over Tuka Argiso. The federal government tried to hold a referendum to resolve the dispute, but they were unsuccessful.

Three years ago, Wako Halekie was assigned by his church to work as a missionary among the livestock herders in Tuka-Argiso. Despite their nomadic existence, Wako was able to plant three churches with an average of fifty members in each congregation. He attributes the positive growth to God’s blessing on the ministry. But Islamic presence in Tuka-Argiso is growing progressively. Muslim missionaries from neighboring villages are determined to Islamize all Borenas which rouses concern in the Christian community.

Wako says, “They regard my activities as an obstacle to their mission. I was alerted by some villagers about their antagonistic feelings towards me. Recently the Muslim missionaries criticized the Christian faith openly and tried to confuse our members.”

On March 30th, 2011, Wako left home for a routine visit to new Christian converts. In the early morning hours of March 31st, one of the three houses at his residence was set afire. The fire spread to the second and third house where his wife, newborn baby and their two older children were sleeping. Both the first and second house burnt to the ground. By the grace of God neighbors managed to rescue Wako’s family from the blaze just in time before the third house’s roof crashed in. None of their belongings were spared.

Mrs. Haleki said, “I heard a distant noise but thought I was dreaming. The next thing I knew, people broke through the door and dragged me and the children from the smoke. I was shocked and speechless.” She was still recovering from the birth of their third child a week before.

Wako says, “I know the purpose of this fire was to destroy me and my family. But God intervened and saved my wife and children. God is faithful to His words! As it was written in the book of Isaiah 43:1-3; we will not fear their threats. God is our Redeemer. They thought I would leave the village, but I will not wave from the calling God bestowed on me. I took my wife’s hands and together we stood in the midst of the ashes and gave thanks to the name of the Lord. By His grace I will continue serving Him right here in this village until the day He has helped me reach the entire village.”

RESPONSE: Today I will trust God to fulfill His promises even when going through fire and flood.

PRAYER: Pray for Evangelist Wako and his family working in difficult circumstances and pressures.

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 - The Best Policy

The Best Policy

Psalm 130:1–8
Recommended Reading: Psalm 89:1–52; 123:1–4; Colossians 1:15–23

Have you ever noticed the boldness of David and of other composers of psalms? They courageously questioned God (see Psalm 89:46) and went so far as to boldly outline for him what in their view he needed to do (see Psalm 123:3). As people well versed in Israel’s history, the songwriters, we might expect, would have kept silent when it came to questioning God’s ways.

However, the psalmists “got away” with what they said because they expressed their feelings with honesty. They knew their own weaknesses and limitations and understood God’s strength and power and majesty. They knew who they were and where they were. But they also knew God.

Here, the songwriter acknowledges his own state as being in “the depths” (Psalm 130:1). Whether this refers to a physical, emotional or spiritual place doesn’t matter. He’s honest enough to recognize his desperate situation and to cry out to God for help. Simply acknowledging our need is the first step down the pathway of redemption.

But what does the songwriter need? He realizes that if God were to keep a record of sin, the psalmist would certainly be lost. With his rhetorical question “Who could stand?” (Psalm 130:3), he anticipates the words of the New Testament: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). In almost the same breath as his admission of sinfulness, the songwriter honestly expresses who God is. With God “there is forgiveness … unfailing love … full redemption” (Psalm 130:4,7). Finally, the songwriter acknowledges God’s promise that “he himself will redeem Israel from all their sins” (verse 8).

Perhaps the apostle Paul had the words of Psalm 130 in mind hundreds of years later when he wrote to the church at Colosse, “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in [Jesus], and through him to reconcile to himself all things” (Colossians 1:19–20).

Because of Christ we can be honest with ourselves: God comes to where we are to redeem who we are because of who he is.

To Take Away

• Do you think you’re honest about where you are, who you are and who God is? How can you be sure?
• When was the last time you thanked God for his forgiveness?
• In what ways does your life show that you are forgiven and accepted by God?

Do you think you’re honest about where you are, who you are and who God is? How can you be sure?

Girlfriends in God - Princess Problems

Princess Problems

Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

Do everything without grumbling or arguing.

~ Philippians 2:14 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

My friend Ellen is a preschool teacher who regularly contends with entitled toddlers and privileged preschoolers who know how to major on some minors and throw down some serious tantrums.

I want the red crayon, but Tommy has it!

I’m not eating this because it has white cheese. I only like yellow cheese.

I want to go first!

I’m allowed. You’re not my boss.

Miss Ellen calls these little escapades “princess problems,” and she does her best to lovingly redirect the heart of each young complainer toward the reality of his or her blessings and toward the virtue of patience, selflessness, kindness, sharing, etc..

Hardly a day goes by that the kingdom of her kiddie classroom isn’t inundated with princess problems. The outbursts are common. Most are simple issues to address, but occasionally they can become a minefield of messy mayhem that disrupts a special moment.

As I reflect on this, it occurs to me that even though I’m adult I’ve got my own fair share of princess problems. At times I throw myself in a tizzy and worry about things that don't need to be given a second thought. I make a big deal out of situations that do not have eternal consequences just because I might be temporarily inconvenienced or offended.

I can’t believe I have to go to the grocery store again. This is the third time this week!

It took them over an hour to change the oil in my car today. Over an hour!

The pastor’s sermon was way too long and the music was loud.

In the Old Testament, Daniel could’ve complained about his problems. But he didn’t. Not even as he faced impending death when he was thrown in a den of lions. Instead, he remained devoted to God and honored the Lord while humbly serving the king who brutally destroyed his hometown and took he, and his friends, captive to Babylon.

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul endured extreme hardships during his missionary journeys. He was attacked by murderous mobs, beaten, betrayed, flogged, arrested, starved, shipwrecked three times, and bitten by a viper… all while serving God! Nice, right? Though he had every earthly reason to whine about the stuff he went through, Paul didn’t. To the contrary, he wrote a letter about joy and perseverance to encourage the believers in the church of Philippi from prison. He encouraged others instead of griping about the mess he’d been through, and in spite of the limitations he was constrained by.

Ah! Perspective.

Yes. I am a daughter of the Most High, King of kings. A noble princess in God’s kingdom with an endless and enchanting inheritance. I am not, however, entitled to grumble and complain about pithy little annoyances. Not even about big things!

Period.

Princess problems don’t fly with God. There’s no loophole.

Paul wrote about this very thing in that letter he sent to the Philippians.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing,so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the skyas you hold firmly to the word of life. (Philippians 2:14-16)

Imagine what our loved ones and co-workers would think if you and I actually live these verses out. If we stop complaining. If we choose to be blameless and pure worshipers who trust God’s sovereignty in the inconvenient, uncomfortable, and even the worst of times.

What would it look like for you and I to hold firmly to the word of life … to sparkle instead of spew?

Let’s make a deal. You and me. The next time we get shipwrecked in our own imaginations and begin to drown in the petty dramas of our own making, let’s straighten our crooked tiaras and ask God to adjust our crooked attitudes. In doing so we’ll move forward in the strength, dignity, and joy of Jesus.

In His grace, Jesus quiets our princess problems and purifies us to shine like stars in the sky for the glory of God.

Let’s Pray

Holy Father, Please forgive me for the times I get flustered and freaked out over things that don't matter. Forgive me, also, when I fail to trust You with heavy and hard trials. I want to be a woman who lives with the strength, joy, and dignity of Jesus. Help me shine for You today, Lord.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read Philippians 4:1-9. Take note of the peace available to believers who exercise faith and choose to think and behave as we are instructed to think and behave.

Pray about specific stresses in your heart that might be knocking your tiara off balance.

More from the Girlfriends

Ready for more strength, dignity, and joy in your life? The GRACEOLOGY with Gwen Smith podcast will help you get there! Hang out with Gwen and friends on your commute to and from work, 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.

Are you an INSTAGRAM girl? Connect with Gwen there! (Her Insta stories are fun!)

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

My friend Ellen is a preschool teacher who regularly contends with entitled toddlers and privileged preschoolers who know how to ma...

LHM Daily Devotions - Giving When There's Nothing Left

"Giving When There's Nothing Left"

Nov. 8, 2018

And He (Jesus) sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And He called His disciples to Him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."

~ Mark 12:41-44 (ESV)

This passage concludes a busy day for Jesus and His disciples at the Jerusalem temple. Earlier in Mark 12, Jesus tells a parable about the vineyard owner and his unruly tenants. That's followed up with Him getting grilled by some Pharisees and Herodians about paying taxes to Caesar, then another question about the resurrection from a group of Sadducees, and another from an earnest teacher of the law who wanted to know which Commandment was the greatest: "Which commandment is the most important of all?" (Mark 12:28b)

After this, Jesus sits down by Himself and watches the crowd dropping in their coins at the temple treasury. Some 13 offering boxes were set up in the court of women to receive these gifts from those worshipping at the temple. Jesus sees those passing by. His eye goes to woman, a widow, a poor widow, who drops in two tiny Greek coins of copper. This contribution was virtually nothing-1/64th of a day's wage for a common laborer which, in itself, was a paltry sum.

Yet, Jesus knows the heart behind the giving, doesn't He? After being questioned (annoyingly interrogated is probably closer to it) by religious leaders and supposedly those in the know about matters spiritual, what plays out is a simple scene they (and we) can all learn from. This woman, fending for herself without a husband in a harsh society and barely getting by, honors God mightily with her sacrificial gift.

Then Jesus has a word with His disciples. He speaks to the irony of value in respect to this woman's meager, yet costly, gift when viewed against the deep pockets of those who had plenty to live on. She gives from her need; they give from their surplus. Her giving from the heart and her love for God makes her living situation even more desperate (one would think), but there seems to be no other option for her: she is compelled to give. She does this in devotion to God and, stepping out in faith, she trusts Him with her life.

If only we could all approach God with such a simple, trusting faith.

THE PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, You abundantly provide for us. Teach us to give of ourselves and our resources, remembering that You supply our every need according to Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Paul Schreiber. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
This passage concludes a busy day for Jesus and His disciples at the Jerusalem temple.

Devocional del CPTLN de 08 de Noviembre de 2018 - Moldéame

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Moldéame

08 de Noviembre de 2018

Pero tú, Señor, eres nuestro padre; nosotros somos el barro y tú eres quien nos da forma; todos nosotros somos obra de tus manos.

~ Isaías 64:8 (RVC)

No hace mucho estaba manejando por una carretera rural muy accidentada, cuando divisé una bolsa de cemento que aparentemente había caído de un camión de reparto debido a los muchos baches del camino.

Para evitar que se desperdiciara, me detuve para recogerla. Pero, cuando traté de levantarla, me fue imposible.

Es que el contenido ya no era un polvo suave y suelto, sino que la lluvia lo había solidificado, convirtiéndolo en un bloque sólido de cemento.

En el transcurso de mi vida he conocido muchas personas que se han transformado, así como esa bolsa de cemento. Originalmente, Dios las había diseñado para que se convirtieran en algo bello y útil.

Pero la vida las había llevado por otro camino y lentamente se habían convertido en algo duro e inflexible.

Eso no es lo que el Señor quiere para usted. Él no quiere que su vida se convierta en una bolsa de cemento.

Por eso es que hoy le da la oportunidad de cambiar y disfrutar la felicidad que Jesús tan deseosamente quiere darle.

Dios puede cambiarlo con su amor y su poder. Hoy usted puede ser diferente de lo que era ayer. Dios quiere llenar su día con alegría. La alegría de pecados perdonados; la alegría de posibilidades; la alegría que viene de tener a Jesús a su lado.

Por el milagro de su amor, Dios quiere transformar su vida para que tenga un magnífico propósito.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, doy gracias porque Jesús ha perdonado mis pecados y transformado mi vida. Ayúdame con tu Espíritu Santo para que, en los momentos en que me estoy endureciendo por la oscuridad de nuestros días, me recuerde del amor que Jesús me ha dado. En su nombre. Amén.

De una devoción escrita originalmente para "By the Way"

© Copyright 2018 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
No hace mucho estaba manejando por una carretera rural muy accidentada, cuando divisé una bolsa de cemento que aparentemente había caído de un camión de reparto debido a los muchos baches del camino.

Хлеб наш насущный - Отцы и дети

Отцы и дети

Читать сейчас: Ефесянам 4:31-32 | Библия за год: Иеремии 43-45; 2 Фессалоникийцам 1

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Он обратит сердца отцов к детям и сердца детей к отцам их. — Малахии 4:6

Мой отец был хорошим отцом. А я по большей части был ответственным сыном. Но моему отцу не хватало того, что я мог дать ему в достаточном количестве, – меня самого.

Он был тихим человеком. Я тоже в основном молчал. Мы часами работали рука об руку, не говоря ни слова или перекидываясь редкими фразами. Он никогда не спрашивал, а я никогда не рассказывал ему о своих желаниях и мечтах, надеждах и страхах.

Со временем я осознал свое упущение. Наверное, впервые это произошло, когда у меня родился сын или, может быть, когда дети один за другим начали жить собственной жизнью. Теперь я жалею, что так мало был сыном для своего отца.

Я думаю обо всем, что мог сказать ему. И обо всем, что мог сказать мне он. На его похоронах я стоял у гроба и пытался разобраться в собственных чувствах. «Слишком поздно», – тихо сказала мне жена. «Да, именно так».

Но мое утешение в том, что однажды в небесах мы сможем все исправить. Разве не будут там отерты с глаз все наши слезы? (Откр. 21:4).

Для верующих во Христа смерть – не конец, а начало вечной жизни, в которой больше не будет недопониманий. Отношения восстановятся, и любовь будет вечно расти. Там сердца сыновей обратятся к отцам, а сердца отцов – к сыновьям (Мал. 4:6).

Небесный Отец, спасибо, что Ты простил меня и вернул в общение с Тобой. Помоги мне искать мира и искренних отношений со своими ближними, ожидая их полноты в Твоем присутствии.

В Божьей силе и любви сближайтесь с другими, пока есть время.

автор: Дэвид Роупер

© 2018 Хлеб Наш Насущный
Мой отец был хорошим отцом. А я по большей части был ответственным сыном. Но моему отцу не хватало того, что я мог дать ему в достаточном количестве ...