The Daily Lectionary Readings for THURSDAYDAY, November 22, 2018 - Thanksgiving Day

The Coming of the Kingdom
Luke 17:20-37

The Daily Lectionary Readings

THURSDAYDAY, November 22, 2018

(Year Two)

Old Testament

Malachi 2:1-16
2:1 And now, O priests, this command is for you. 2 If you will not listen, if you will not lay it to heart to give glory to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse on you and I will curse your blessings; indeed I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart. 3 I will rebuke your offspring, and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and I will put you out of my presence.

4 Know, then, that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may hold, says the Lord of hosts. 5 My covenant with him was a covenant of life and well-being, which I gave him; this called for reverence, and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. 6 True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in integrity and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. 7 For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. 8 But you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by your instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts, 9 and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you have not kept my ways but have shown partiality in your instruction.

The Covenant Profaned by Judah
10 Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our ancestors? 11 Judah has been faithless, and abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the Lord, which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god. 12 May the Lord cut off from the tents of Jacob anyone who does this—any to witness or answer, or to bring an offering to the Lord of hosts.

13 And this you do as well: You cover the Lord’s altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor at your hand. 14 You ask, “Why does he not?” Because the Lord was a witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. 15 Did not one God make her? Both flesh and spirit are his. And what does the one God desire? Godly offspring. So look to yourselves, and do not let anyone be faithless to the wife of his youth. 16 For I hate divorce, says the Lord, the God of Israel, and covering one’s garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So take heed to yourselves and do not be faithless.

The Epistle

James 4:13-5:6
Boasting about Tomorrow
4:13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town and spend a year there, doing business and making money.” 14 Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. 17 Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin.

Warning to Rich Oppressors
5:1 Come now, you rich people, weep and wail for the miseries that are coming to you. 2 Your riches have rotted, and your clothes are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you, and it will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days. 4 Listen! The wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous one, who does not resist you.

The Gospel

Luke 17:20-37
The Coming of the Kingdom
17:20 Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.”

22 Then he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 They will say to you, ‘Look there!’ or ‘Look here!’ Do not go, do not set off in pursuit. 24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. 25 But first he must endure much suffering and be rejected by this generation. 26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so too it will be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 They were eating and drinking, and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed all of them. 28 Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, 29 but on the day that Lot left Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed all of them 30 —it will be like that on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day, anyone on the housetop who has belongings in the house must not come down to take them away; and likewise anyone in the field must not turn back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it. 34 I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35 There will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken and the other left.” 37 Then they asked him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”

Optional parts of the readings are set off in square brackets.

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.
Jesus answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.”

The Morning Prayer for THURSDAYDAY, November 22, 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 THURSDAYDAY, November 22, 2018

Colossians 3:15 (NIV) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Read all of Colossians 3

Listen to Colossians 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 - A Thanksgiving Prayer

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Most of us here in the United States will be celebrating the upcoming national holiday of Thanksgiving today, November 22nd, 2018. For many it's a day of feast to share with family and friends with a holiday turkey and an afternoon of watching sports on TV. For many it will be a day of loneliness for those who have no one to share this holiday with or a day to remember a loved one that they used to share this holiday with. For some it will be a day to give to our communities and help feed those who otherwise might go hungry this day. For many it's a day to remember and give thanks for our achievements this past year. For many it's the day to get a jump-start on their Christmas shopping. And for many it's a day to give Thanks to God for all He has done for us and the blessings that we have received from Him.

Today I share this Thanksgiving prayer with everyone. You may copy it and share it with your friends and family and may even use it as a prayer of grace for your Thanksgiving feast.

God bless and have a happy and safe Thanksgiving day.

Dear Lord,

We come with hearts of gratitude today to bless Your name and to ask that Your hand of blessing would be upon us. THANK YOU, Father, for loving us with an eternal love that stands firm, even when we are unlovable. THANK YOU for being faithful, righteous, holy and just, yet willing to see us, Your children, through divine eyes of compassion, mercy, forgiveness and grace. THANK YOU for being a God of restoration and renewal in the midst of a broken, pain-filled world. THANK YOU for providing for our needs, directing our paths, and establishing our steps.

We acknowledge Your sovereignty, Lord, and freshly submit to Your will today. We ask Your BLESSING and GUIDANCE over our children, grandchildren, marriages, families, and loved ones. We ask Your BLESSING and GUIDANCE over our country, president, governors, senators, representatives, and local officials. We ask Your BLESSING and GUIDANCE over our communities, churches, schools, work places, decisions, and opportunities. Please FILL US with the presence of Your joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, and self control today. HELP US to see as You see and to love as You love. HELP US to serve others humbly for the sake of Your name. HELP US to be light that shines in the darkness. HELP US to follow Your ways and continually seek Your leading.

You are our hope and our strength, Lord. We give you THANKS in all of this and ask for the fullness of Your BLESSING in all these things, according to the power of Jesus Christ who is at work within us through Your Holy Spirit.

Amen

Un dia a la Vez - Digamos «NO» al divorcio (segunda parte)

Digamos «NO» al divorcio

(segunda parte)

Esposas, sométanse a sus esposos, como conviene en el Señor. Esposos, amen a sus esposas y no sean duros con ellas.

~ Colosenses 3:18-19 (NVI)

Las mujeres, al igual que los hombres, tenemos funciones específicas que Dios nos dejó en su Palabra para tener un matrimonio según sus mandamientos. Dios dijo:

• «Esposas, sométanse a sus esposos» (1 Pedro 3:1). Esto no es otra cosa que honrar y respetar al esposo, darle la posición adecuada en la casa, ya que es la cabeza de la familia. Sé que muchas mujeres no viven este principio por necias, rebeldes o porque el hombre no tiene el carácter para llevar las riendas de la casa, así que la mujer asume esa posición.
• «Que la esposa respete a su esposo» (Efesios 5:33). Dios diseñó al hombre para que los respetemos. Esa es la manera en que se siente amado.
• «La mujer pendenciera es gotera constante» (Proverbios 19:13). Aquí Dios nos compara como esa gotera que cae sin cesar, y tiene razón. Muchas de nosotras, quizá por temperamento, somos peleonas, regañonas y complicadas. Todos los problemas del hogar los volvemos una tragedia y cansamos a nuestros esposos.
• «La mujer sabia edifica su casa» (Proverbios 14:1). Dios nos llamó a que edificáramos la casa. Así que tenemos la gran responsabilidad de formar un hogar con bases sanas y respeto, siendo fieles y sabias.

Si eres una fiera, vives siempre con mal genio, por todo te irritas, ¿qué crees que consigues con esto? Estás espantando a tu esposo de la casa y lo que menos va a querer es llegar a su hogar con tal de no enfrascarse en una pelea.

Únete a esta campaña y digamos «NO» al divorcio.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Las mujeres, al igual que los hombres, tenemos funciones específicas que Dios nos dejó en su Palabra para tener un matrimonio según sus mandamientos. Dios dijo: ...

Standing Strong Through the Storm - STAND FIRM AND STAND TOGETHER

STAND FIRM AND STAND TOGETHER

But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.

~ 1 Corinthians 12:24b-25 (NIV)

As members of the same family we have the responsibility to come to the aid of another member who is suffering. The body of Christ is strong when each part is closely knit together. When one part suffers, all the other members suffer (1 Corinthians 12:20–27).

Members of the persecuted church who have been helped by others around the world have made comments like those of young Salamat Masih in Pakistan. He was charged with writing blasphemies against the Prophet Mohammed—even though he was illiterate. He was on death row until finally exonerated. After receiving cards from all over the world assuring him of prayers, Salamat said: “I never realized that I had so many brothers and sisters around the world.”

A pastor who was attacked and hurt in Indonesia was so traumatized that he and the family left the area and the ministry. Before we judge him, perhaps we should ask if this pastor ever received enough encouragement and help from other churches and believers. Could it be that he felt so alone because there were not enough other people who cared for him?

Another believer from Hindu background in eastern Indonesia was led to the Lord by a doctor who prayed for him regarding his incurable disease and God healed him. He lost no time in joining a local church.

He said, “At that time, a lot of people accepted Jesus in my village, but they were afraid of the threats from their families. When they convert, village officials come to interrogate them. I, myself, have been interrogated many times after my conversion, and warned me not to convert others. But I was not afraid. I chose to keep my faith in Him no matter what happened.” He experienced severe opposition and persecution from everyone he knew but he held fast to his faith. Open Doors then connected him with a group of other believers from Hindu background.

In November 2010, he and his family met a different kind of opposition that tested their faith. Mount Bromo erupted, covering hundreds of hectares of farmlands and plantations with volcanic ash. “Our livestock died, and we could not work on the farm…People around me ask why I can still smile and be happy. I just tell them that although I am poor and I face a lot of difficulties, I have Jesus. He gives me joy in my heart…Being with other believers reminds me that I am not alone. I am encouraged all the more to share the gospel with my people.”

RESPONSE: Today I will remember that I am part of a large body…a family that deeply cares for me.

PRAYER: Pray for isolated believers that God will show them the reality of standing strong together.

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 Way God Intended

The Way God Intended

Song of Songs 8:6–7
Recommended Reading: Genesis 2:18–25; Matthew 19:1–9; Hebrews 13:4

This passage, perhaps as powerfully as any other in the entire Bible, defines and describes for modern readers God’s intentions when he invented and defined the institution of marriage.

Marriage as a concept lies deep within our collective psyche. Preschoolers role-play the family unit as part of their playground fun. Preteen girls dream of the day when they’ll walk down the aisle in a flowing white gown. Matchmaking businesses and Web sites thrive as people look for that elusive one perfect person to know and love for the rest of their lives. The vast majority of adults who live in Western cultures either are, have been or someday intend to be married. Such hopefulness in the face of a consistent 50 percent divorce rate! And yet, despite the well-publicized antics of the Hollywood set, marriage remains one of the key building blocks of family life and society as a whole.

And that’s just what God intended. The language in this passage is powerful as it speaks to the implications of marriage. One scholar has said that this passage “characterizes marital love as the strongest, most unyielding and invincible force in human experience.” Now that’s saying something! Despite the failure of individuals, the bar of God’s expectations for marriage is set sky-high. And note the implications of the last part of verse 7: True, lasting marital love involves deep integrity on the part of both parties. To paraphrase: “Money can’t buy me love.”

The power of marriage lies in the power of a promise, sealed with God’s stamp of approval, that one man makes to one woman. The promise to love another person “until death do you part” is as deep a commitment as one can make in this life. As one pastor put it, “The power to make and keep a promise is one of the strongest in the world, for it brings the promise maker within a millimeter of what it means to be like God, who makes and keeps his promises to his people.”

True, enduring, lifelong commitment is God’s expectation for marriage, and it has been since the Garden of Eden. That’s not to say that God expects us to be perfect as we relate to one another; we are, after all, still living under the effects of sin. But despite our failures, the goal for the respect we are to show toward the institution remains the same, “for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave” (Song of Songs 8:6).

To Take Away

• Are you married? If you answered yes, how does your marriage stack up to God’s expectations for the institution?
• If you’ve never been married, what is your perspective on what this passage could mean for your future?
• If you’re not married now but have been in the past, how can this passage influence your opinions and actions?

This passage, perhaps as powerfully as any other in the entire Bible, defines and describes for modern readers God’s intentions when he invented and defined the institution of marriage.

Girlfriends in God - Thank God for My Dirty Floor

Thank God for My Dirty Floor

Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

~ Romans 1:21 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

A friend told me of sitting with his father discussing the distribution of his “worldly goods,” when the time came to do so. “My dad had very little joy in his life,” Mike explained. “As we sat there discussing who was going to get what when he died, I saw a pride in him I had never noticed before. ‘I did all this,’ he said as he waved his hand around the room like Vanna White. ‘I worked hard and earned it all.’”

“In his mind, he had earned it; he had done it all. Never once did he give thanks to God for all his blessings or acknowledge God’s goodness. There was no gratitude, no thanksgiving, and certainly no joy. His things had become shiny shackles that kept joy at bay all his life. His things. How sad.”

As Mike told me the story, I thought of Henry War Beecher’s words: “Pride slays thanksgiving…a proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.” Eyes shut tight to God’s glory.

I am reminded of an old saying that stirs and stings: “Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” Always enough. Jesus thanked God for the two loaves and five fish…and there was more than enough to go around (John 6:1-13).

Gratitude can change your perspective on the simplest of mundane tasks and transform them into moments of sudden glory. One day I was mopping the kitchen floor and my mood was anything but grateful. I grumbled with each push of the mop. Complained with each dip in the bucket. 

Here I am mopping this floor again and no one even appreciates it. I feel like this housework is never finished. Clean today. Dirty tomorrow. Why do I even bother? 

Then right in the middle of the kitchen, God showed up. Actually, He was there all along, but my grumbling blinded the eyes of my heart to recognize His presence. New thoughts began to emerge as I pushed the mop across the linoleum floor. I believe God put them there.

Suppose you were blind and you couldn’t see the beautiful patterns on the linoleum floor or the spilled juice by the refrigerator door. Suppose you were deaf and you couldn’t hear the soothing sound of the soap bubbles dissolving in the scrub bucket or the rhythmic sound of the mop being pushed back and forth across the floor’s hard surface. Suppose you were in a wheel chair and you weren’t strong enough to stand upright and grasp the wooden handle in your nimble hands to erase the muddy footprints and make the floor shiny and clean again. Suppose you didn’t have a home or a family to clean up after.

Suddenly, my grumbling turned into a song of praise and gratitude. “Thank You, Lord, for the privilege of mopping this dirty floor. Thank You for the health and strength to hold this mop in my strong hands and to wrap my agile fingers around its handle. Thank You for the sight to see the crumbs, the dirt, and the spilled juice. Thank You for the sense of smell to enjoy the clean fresh scent of the soap in my bucket. Thank You for the many precious feet that will walk through this room and dirty it all up again. And Lord, thank You for the privilege of having a floor to mop and a family to clean up after.

Let’s Pray

Lord, the words of Romans one strike me to the core. May I never forget to give thanks to You. Everything I have is because of Your grace in my life. Forgive me when I complain. Forgive me when I am discontent. Thank You for Your many blessings.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read Romans chapter one today.

The words of Romans chapter one are daunting. They reflect our culture in so many ways. And while it is easy to point out all the ways that “other people” fit into some of the less desirable categories being described, these words are right there among them: For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him.

What does that tell you about how important it is to thank God?

Thank God for all the ways that He has blessed you today.

More from the Girlfriends

Do you long for something more in your relationship with God? Do you have a “glory ache” - a hunger to experience God’s presence on a daily basis? The good news is that God wants that even more than you do. Right smack dab in the spin of the laundry and the sizzle of the bacon - as you live and move and have your being in Him. This summer, take some time to “be still and know”—to hear His still small voice - to dust for His fingerprints on the pages of your everyday life. My book, A Sudden Glory: God’s Lavish Response to Your Ache for Something More will show you how. It also includes a study guide and free online Bible study videos.

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

A friend told me of sitting with his father discussing the distribution of his “worldly goods,” when the time came to ...

LHM Daily Devotions - Surprise!

"Surprise!"

Nov. 22, 2018

(Jesus said) "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come."

~ Mark 13:32-33 (ESV)

It is an old joke that mothers say to their children: "Make sure you have clean underwear on. What if you got hit by a bus? Would you want the paramedics to see you in that?" The joke is semi-serious, though; we all have things we do on the principle of "What if?" What if I have a car accident? Better wear my seat belt. What if my child gets sick at school? I'd better carry my phone. What if that friendly person in the breakroom turns out to be a major gossip? I'd better not tell him all the details about my family problems. I don't want them to be all over the office tomorrow.

Now we don't usually obsess about these things. We consider the possibilities; we decide what is the wise thing to do; and then we head back to the underwear drawer -- or we buckle our seatbelts -- or we change the subject at the lunch table. Then we move on. The same is true for Jesus' return. He has not called us to be continually upset, worrying every day about His possible return, and never able to focus on our work or our families or our recreation. No, rather, we take wise precautions, and we go on with our lives.

What are those precautions? Well, the big one has to do with our faith: as in where we stand with Jesus. Do we know and trust Him as our Savior, the God who loves us so much He suffered and died -- and rose again! for our sake? If so, His return will be a great thing for us -- the best thing that ever was -- something we can look forward to with joy. Because we trust in Him, our sins are forgiven, and our shame is covered up. We don't need to fear His coming. We can rejoice in it, as we should.

But there are naturally other things we want to do, too. If you know your favorite relative is coming to stay, you clean the house, right? You mow the lawn, wash the car, or get those tickets for the big game you plan to see together. In the same way, we prepare for Jesus' coming. When He comes, I want Him to find me doing the work He gave me: my work as a parent, as a spouse, as a neighbor, as someone who has a job to do right. I will be happy if He catches me praying or cooking for my family or helping a child with her homework. It will be fine if He catches me changing the oil in someone's car, walking their dog, or packing up furniture to donate to a refugee. If He catches me doing something that glorifies God and loves my neighbor, that will be just fine.

What would you like Him to catch you doing?

THE PRAYER: Lord, make my heart ready for Your coming. 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).
It is an old joke that mothers say to their children: ...

Devocional del CPTLN de 22 de Noviembre de 2018 - Gracias

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Gracias

22 de Noviembre de 2018

Señor y Dios nuestro, ¡sálvanos! ¡haz que regresemos de entre las naciones para que alabemos tu santo nombre, y alegres te cantemos alabanzas! ¡Bendito seas Señor, Dios de Israel, desde siempre y hasta siempre! Que todo el pueblo diga: «¡Amén!» ¡Aleluya!

~ Salmo 106:47-48 (RVC)

Un reservista de la Armada fue asaltado en la ciudad de Milwaukee. El informe policial dijo que, apuntándolo con una pistola en el cuello, fue forzado a tirarse al suelo. Así tuvo que permanecer mientras cuatro ladrones robaron su billetera, sus llaves, su celular y dieciseis dólares.

Cuando uno de los ladrones vio la identificación de la Armada en su billetera, ordenó a los demás a devolver todo lo robado diciendo que debían respetar a los militares. Luego le dio gracias al soldado por su servicio al país, se disculpó por el inconveniente y desapareció en la oscuridad de la noche junto con los demás.

En pocos minutos el reservista se levantó... dando gracias porque no le había pasado nada de lo que podía haberle pasado.

Esta historia me recuerda una vieja anécdota acerca de Matthew Henry, el famoso estudioso de la Biblia.

Al igual que al reservista de nuestra historia, al Rev. Henry también le robaron y lo dejaron ileso. Esa noche, antes de irse a la cama, escribió en su diario lo siguiente:

"Amado Dios, Quiero agradecerte:

• primero, porque nunca antes me habían robado;

• segundo, porque aunque tomaron mi billetera, respetaron mi vida;

• tercero, porque aunque tomaron todo lo que tenía, no era mucho, y

• cuarto, porque yo fui robado y no fui yo quien robó."

Al celebrar el Día de Acción de Gracias, me pregunto si todos podremos decir una oración como esa.

ORACIÓN: Amado Señor, muchos hemos pasado por momentos difíciles, pero no imposibles. Hemos pasado por momentos de soledad, pero contrarestados por la presencia de nuestro eterno Salvador. Hemos cargado cruces, pero con Jesús a nuestro lado no nos han quebrantado. Señor, te damos gracias por el dolor que no hemos sufrido, las heridas que no hemos tenido, las pérdidas que nunca ocurrieron. Y te damos gracias por tu dádiva de gracia y libertad de la tiranía espiritual y terrenal. 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.
Un reservista de la Armada fue asaltado en la ciudad de Milwaukee.

Хлеб наш насущный - Что у нас есть

Что у нас есть

Читать сейчас: 2 Коринфянам 8:1-12 | Библия за год: Иезекииля 18-19; Титу 2

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Ибо если есть усердие, то оно принимается, смотря по тому, кто что имеет, а не по тому, чего не имеет. — 2 Коринфянам 8:12

Моя подруга решила собрать родных и друзей на праздник в своем доме. Ожидая радостной встречи, каждый из гостей хотел со своей стороны помочь в подготовке угощения. Одни вызвались купить хлеб, другие – приготовить салат или десерт. А у одной из приглашенных было совсем туго с деньгами. Она не могла себе позволить купить даже небольшое угощение, поэтому предложила прибраться в доме перед праздником.

Ее с радостью приняли бы и безо всякого участия. Но ей очень хотелось сделать то, что было в ее силах. Мне кажется, такое же отношение можно увидеть в словах Павла в главе 8 Второго послания к коринфянам. Коринфяне хотели оказать помощь нуждающимся христианам, и Павел побуждает их воплотить это желание в жизнь. Он хвалит их за желание послужить и говорит, что их готовность жертвовать делает любой взнос угодным Богу (2 Кор. 8:12).

Мы часто оцениваем жертвенность количеством денег, особенно если люди имеют достаток, а дают не так много, как мы от них ожидаем. Но Бог смотрит на это по-другому. Он любит искренность сердца и жертвование от души.

Господь, помоги мне ценить то, что Ты мне дал, даже если по земным меркам это немного. И помоги щедро жертвовать для помощи другим.

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Чтобы поразмышлять на эту тему, посмотрите видео

«Малое тоже важно».

Бог любит искреннее жертвование в любом количестве.

автор: Кирстен Холмберг

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