The Daily Lectionary for THURSDAY, December 6, 2018 - Saint Nicholas's Day

Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel

The Daily Lectionary

THURSDAY, December 6, 2018

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Luke 1:68-79

Zechariah’s Prophecy (Song of Zechariah)
1:68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
    for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.
69 He has raised up a mighty savior for us
    in the house of his servant David,
70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71     that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
72 Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,
    and has remembered his holy covenant,
73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,
    to grant us 74 that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies,
might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness
    before him all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
    by the forgiveness of their sins.
78 By the tender mercy of our God,
    the dawn from on high will break upon us,
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Malachi 3:5-12

3:5 Then I will draw near to you for judgment; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.

6 For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, have not perished. 7 Ever since the days of your ancestors you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, “How shall we return?”

Do Not Rob God
8 Will anyone rob God? Yet you are robbing me! But you say, “How are we robbing you?” In your tithes and offerings! 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me—the whole nation of you! 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. 11 I will rebuke the locust for you, so that it will not destroy the produce of your soil; and your vine in the field shall not be barren, says the Lord of hosts. 12 Then all nations will count you happy, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.

Philippians 1:12-18a

Paul’s Present Circumstances
1:12 I want you to know, beloved, that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ; 14 and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear.

15 Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. 16 These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment. 18 What does it matter?

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.

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year C. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2019, we will be in Year A. The year which ended at Advent 2018 was Year B. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
What has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel ...

The Morning Prayer for THURSDAY, December 6, 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, December 6, 2018

John 10:14-15 (NIV) “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Read all of John 10

Listen to John 10

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

St. Nicholas Day (Feast of St. Nicholas)

St. Nicholas was born around the year 280 A.D. He lived during the latter part of the third century into the first half of the fourth century in Asia Minor which is considered to be part of the modern day Turkey. St. Nicholas Day is held on December 6th, the day in which St. Nicholas, the Bishop Nicholas of Myra, died. The year of his death was 343 AD. During his lifetime, he lived his life as a servant of God. Through his kindness, caring and generosity to all, he became known throughout the world. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of multiple diverse groups including children. In many countries, children await anxiously for the morning of December 6th to see if St. Nicholas visited them during the night.

History

Nicholas was born in a city called Patara or Patras which, at the time of his birth around the year 280 A.D., was located in Asia Minor near the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. As times and nations have changed, Patara is now in the country of Turkey.

The early years of Nicholas are mostly unknown. His parents were Epiphanes and Johane who both led very Christian lives. “From the first the boy Nicholas manifested sign of extreme piety, observing fasting periods even in earliest infancy. The story runs: ‘Then, the first day that he was washed and bained, he addressed himself right up in the bason..and all that he might understand of holy scripture, he executed it in deed and work after his power.'” It is also told that Nicholas was very religious from the day he was born. He would eat only once on Wednesdays and Fridays in the evenings. He studiously followed his parents’ beliefs and those of the church.

After this early time, not much is told about his youthful years. His parents died when Nicholas was a young man. It is known that his parents had wealth. After their death, Nicholas chose to share his wealth with others, especially the sick and the poor, as he wanted to be true to the following of the church.

Nicholas began to travel and as a young man, arrived in the city of Myra. Myra was located on the Mediterranean Sea and is located today in the country of Turkey “where the small town of Kale (Demre) is situated..” It was at this time that the bishop of Myra had died and the town was in need of a new bishop. The other bishops throughout the region were meeting in search of a new bishop. After a day of deliberation, they disbanded for the day. The head bishop went to bed that night and heard “a voice which said to him that, at the hour of matins, he should take heed to the doors of the church, and him that should come first to the church, and have the name of Nicholas they should sacre him bishop.” It was at the hour of matins, a man walked through the doors and this man was Nicholas. He was welcomed as the new Bishop of Myra.

As a young bishop, Nicholas was known for his miracles, generosity and faith. A few of the groups he is considered to be patron saint of include of bakers, children, pawnbrokers, travelers and the countries of Sicily, Russia and Greece. Because of his generosity and kindness towards children, his history has been kept alive in the lives of children throughout the world. On December 6th, many countries celebrate St. Nicholas Day with festivities of different venues.

In America, only a few cities which have a large Eastern European or Dutch descent celebrate St. Nicholas Day along with Christmas Day. Some of these cities include Milwaukee, St. Louis, Minneapolis, and Cincinnati. Other places in America only celebrate Christmas Day as the seasonal holiday.

Throughout the city of Milwaukee and its surrounding areas, children hang stockings on St. Nicholas Eve (December 5th) in hopes that St. Nicholas will visit. On St. Nicholas Day, children awake in hopes of finding good things such as fruit, candy, etc. in their stockings. If, instead, a child finds coal, the child has been bad and has just a few weeks to behave and to do good for others before Christmas Day.

In other countries, St. Nicholas Day is celebrated in a similar fashion except that St. Nicholas Day is the only day gifts are received. Children place shoes, boots, stockings, or some other type of vessel outside their house, window or room on December 5th. The following morning they awake and find candies, fruit, etc. in these vessels or under their pillows.

Legends

There are an abundance of legends (stories) told of the many miracles St. Nicholas performed which are shared through many different versions. A few of the legends follow and are told in only one of the versions. Other versions of the stories can be found throughout Internet sites and through various books.

The Dowerless Maidens. One story told about Nicholas pertains to three dowerless maidens. The three maidens lived with their father who was a nobleman, yet a nobleman who was in poverty. During the times when Nicholas lived, a maiden, when married, needed to have some type of dowry. As the father was poor, the maidens had no dowry and would not be able to marry. The father was about to send the daughters into a sinful life when Nicholas stepped in and decided to help this poor family. During one night, Nicholas secretly threw “into the house of the man a mass of gold wrapped in a cloth. And when the man arose in the morning, he found this mass of gold, and rendered to God therefor great thanksings..” This would be the dowry for the oldest daughter and she was soon married.

Nicholas, again, set out during darkness and threw another wrapped golden mass into the father’s house. The father awoke the next morning and again gave thanks for the gift which was used for the dowry of the second daughter. The second daughter also was soon married. After this second gifting, the father began watching nightly as to find out who was the secret benefactor for his daughters. One night as the father was watching, he heard the gold fall into his house. Quickly he ran outside and saw the cloaked stranger who threw the gift into his house. He followed the stranger and found that the secret benefactor was Nicholas. As Nicholas did not want any notoriety, he only requested the father to keep quiet about the gifts as long as he was alive.

The Miracle of the Wheat. There was a great famine within the province where Bishop Nicholas was presiding. All were hungry and in need of food. The Bishop Nicholas heard there had come into port many ships carrying wheat. He approached the mariners and prayed that they would give to the people in the province at least “an hundred muyes of wheat of every ship. And they said: Father, we dare not, for it is meted and measured, and we must give reckoning thereof in the gamers of the emperor in Alexandria. And the holy man said to them: Do this that I have said to you, and I promise, in the truth of God, that it shall not be lessened or minished when ye shall come to the gamers.” When the ships arrived and unloaded in Alexandria, all the measures of wheat were there. As for the people in the Bishop’s province, every needful man received wheat, enough for two years of selling and sowing.

The Three Schoolboys. A version of one miracle is a story told about three boys who were returning home from school. The three boys were tired and decided to rest at an inn or in some versions, a farmhouse. During the night hours, the innkeeper and his wife murder the boys and place their bodies into casks or barrels. “In the morning St. Nicholas, appears and calls the guilty ones to task. They deny guilt, but are convicted when the saint causes the boys, sound of body and limb, to arise from the casks.” It is through this story that St. Nicholas became the patron saint of all school boys.

Defender of Faith. When St. Nicholas was older, he was in attendance at the Council of Nicaea. One Arian bishop had spoken against the Catholic faith. St. Nicholas, known more for his kindly deeds, surprised everyone by striking the Arian bishop. Because of this act, St. Nicholas “was deprived of the right of wearing bishop’s robes. But, the story adds, in celebrating the mass, he saw angels bearing him the miter and the pallitmi as a sign that heaven had not blamed his wrath.”

Conclusion

St. Nicholas, from birth, was dedicated to the church through his kindness and giving. “His role was not in general that of the apostle extending the boundaries of Christendom nor that of the expounder of creed. His fame rests on his kindly acts.” By celebrating St. Nicholas Day, people throughout the world hold a special place in their heart for this caring saint through their kindnesses performed.

Un dia a la Vez - Cuida tu milagro

Cuida tu milagro

Testificando Dios juntamente con ellos, con señales y prodigios y diversos milagros y repartimientos del Espíritu Santo según su voluntad.

~ Hebreos 2:4 (RV-60)

La primera vez que escuché la frase «Cuida tu milagro», me llamó mucho la atención. ¿Cuidar mi milagro? ¿Cómo? ¿Por qué? Bueno, estas son preguntas que quizá surjan y tienen muchísimo sentido.

Nosotros oramos por un milagro, ya sea por restauración del matrimonio o por salud o cualquier necesidad. Entonces Dios, que es un Dios de milagros, lo hace para demostrarnos su poder sobrenatural y para que le reconozcamos y honremos. No obstante, una vez que lo hace, nosotros somos los encargados de cuidar ese milagro.

Cuando Dios nos bendice con un milagro, que humanamente es imposible, es cuando más debemos cuidarlo. Nuestra naturaleza tiende al olvido y a la ingratitud y, a la larga, se descuida ese regalo.

En mi caso, fui una tonta en este aspecto, pues una vez que me sanó Dios, empecé a descuidarme en mis comidas. Las consecuencias no fueron otras que varias recaídas que terminaban en el hospital y muy enferma. La cosa siguió así hasta que en uno de esos tantos retrocesos, estando en el hospital, Dios me mostró que ya me había sanado, pero que yo no cuidaba mi milagro. Fue súper fuerte cuando lo comprendí y no me quedó más remedio que humillarme y pedirle perdón a mi Dios.

¡Cuida tu milagro, honra a Dios y da testimonio de su poder!

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
La primera vez que escuché la frase «Cuida tu milagro», me llamó mucho la atención.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - FULFILLING THE FIVE FUNCTIONS OF THE CHURCH

FULFILLING THE FIVE FUNCTIONS OF THE CHURCH

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

~ Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

In the summer of 2010, I led an excellent team of Open Doors staff and supporters on a visit to North Korea. We were allowed to pray publicly in the areas we visited and of course were presented with a formal church service on Sunday morning at one of the three churches functioning in Pyongyang. It was a well-executed performance–especially the choir. On its website, the Korean Christian Federation claims that there are ten thousand Protestant Christians in North Korea meeting at five hundred designated centers. In reality, Christians in the country experience tremendous challenges in worshiping publicly.

Brother Simon, the leader of the Open Doors work in North Korea, says that the true church must operate underground in the country. “They can’t simply go to church to sing and to listen to the sermon. It is clear that being a Christian in North Korea is a lonely business.”

Simon’s thoughts turn to Sundays in North Korea. “It happens only sporadically that Christians consider themselves safe enough to meet together in small groups. Usually gatherings consist of only two people. For example, a Christian goes and sits on a bench in the park. Another Christian comes and sits next to him. Sometimes it’s dangerous even to speak to one another, but they know they are both Christians, and at such a time, this is enough. If there is no one around, they may be able to share a Bible verse which they have learned off by heart and briefly say something about it. They also share prayer topics with each other. Then they leave one another and go and look for a Christian in some other part of their town or village. This continues throughout the Sunday. A cell group usually consists of fewer than twenty Christians, who encourage and strengthen one another, plus one-to-one meetings in people’s homes.

“Only if the whole family has turned to Christ is it possible to have something like a real fellowship gathering, as long as you keep your faith hidden from the neighbors. Besides this, it is sometimes possible to hold a meeting in remote areas with a group of ten to twenty people. Very occasionally, it is possible for Christians to go unobtrusively into the mountains and to hold a ‘service’ at a secret location like a cave. Then it may be the case that there are as many as sixty or seventy North Korean Christians gathered together.”

In spite of severe limitations, believers can fulfill all five biblical functions of the church.

RESPONSE: I will thankfully take my place in the assembly of believers to fulfill the church’s functions.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the faithfulness of Your church in North Korea against all obstacles.

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 - A Scar Shaped Like Your Picture

A Scar Shaped Like Your Picture

Isaiah 49:8–18
Recommended Reading: Psalm 13:1–6; John 20:24–28; Romans 8:35–39

For whatever reason, from the time they’re little boys guys like to show off their scars. A polite conversation with any average group of guys can suddenly turn into some bizarre, male-bonding ritual. First someone tells a story about crashing his mountain bike and the resulting scar on his knee. Then another guy regales the group about the scar left from his shoulder surgery. Another points out the scar on his hand and tells about his hunting-knife accident. Before you know it, the whole group is showing off their scars and relating the incidents behind the wounds.

Today’s passage tells us that God likes to do this as well—not to one-up anyone else with another great story but to reassure us of his devotion to his people.

In truth, there is something interesting about scars: They follow us wherever we go, and the stories behind them remind us of significant people and events in our lives.

The people of Israel had certainly wandered all over the place—both physically and spiritually. After the nation had faced devastation, occupation and deportation by King Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian armies, the people of Israel wondered, “God, have you forgotten us?” God answered through the prophet Isaiah: “I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:15–16).

Did you know that God bears a scar on his hand in the shape of your picture? Of course, because God is a spirit, he doesn’t have a literal hand. But you’re so present on God’s mind that it’s as though he has engraved your image on the palms of his hands.

Perhaps the fury of whatever storm you’re facing dims God’s voice and blurs his presence. You might ask, “God, have you forgotten me?” How can he be present in the midst of your turmoil? But regardless of the storm’s intensity, you remain in the forefront of God’s thoughts. He’s thinking of you, sustaining you, comforting you, giving you strength. He doesn’t mentally check out. Whatever challenge you’re facing isn’t the worst thing that could happen to you. The worst that could happen would be for God to forget about you.

But he hasn’t yet, and he never will.

To Take Away

• Do you find it hard to accept that God knows your needs and cares for you to the extent that you’re always on his mind? Why?
• What events in your life have caused you to ask, “God, have you forgotten me?”
• How can you foster a deeper and more constant trust in the reality that God is always present with you?

Do you find it hard to accept that God knows your needs and cares for you to the extent that you’re always on his mind?

Girlfriends in God - Green with Envy

Green with Envy

Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

~ Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

We all know what it is like to be green with envy. We all struggle with jealousy at some point in life. Let’s be honest. How often do we look at another person and covet their success? How many of us are not content to serve God with the gifts He has given us while whining about the fact that others have the gifts we want. We convince ourselves that our longing for a bigger platform is to further the Kingdom when, in reality, that longing is for self-promotion, fame and recognition. Ugly, isn’t it? Jealousy is one of the most dangerous emotions because it is one of the most destructive.

“Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but who can survive the destructiveness of jealousy?” (Proverbs 27:4).

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” (James 3:13-16).

James asks, “Who is wise and understanding among you?” The word “wise” describes one with moral insight and/or skill in the practical issues of life. The word “understanding” means “intellectual perception.” James asks these pointed questions and then calls for a spiritual “Show and Tell” when he says, “Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”

James is sending us a strong message that wisdom and understanding are not measured by degrees, but by deeds. It is not how much we know that counts, but how much we are living that matters. We can talk a great spiritual game, but if we have a jealous heart, if we harbor envy, allowing it to creep into our lives, and taking up residence, then we have no wisdom and are living a lie.

James defines jealousy as “bitter envy and selfish ambition” (James 3:14). “Bitter envy” means, “a nasty jealousy” while “selfish ambition” refers to “a contentious selfishness” or “a hostile ego.” “Selfish ambition” can also be translated as a “party spirit,” and was a term used by the Greeks to describe a dishonest politician who works the crowd, using every opportunity and every method to draw attention to himself in an effort to win votes. James is painting an ugly picture of jealousy.
“You are still not spiritual. You have jealousy and arguing among you. This shows that you are not spiritual. You are acting like people of the world” (1 Corinthians 3:3).

People of the world secretly cheer when their enemy fails.

People of the world are driven by ego.
People of the world are suspicious of everyone, trusting no one.
People of the world are taught by envy and jealousy to take care of self above all others.

John and Dave were hiking when they spotted a mountain lion staring at them. John froze in his tracks, but Dave sat down on a log, tore off his hiking boots, pulled a pair of running shoes from his backpack and quickly put them on. John looked at him in amazement! “You can’t outrun a mountain lion!” he said. Dave shrugged and responded, “I don’t have to! I just have to outrun you!” I am so glad that God’s people are not like that, aren’t you? Actually, Paul is writing to God’s people, warning them that jealousy is deadly to the unity of the church. Jealousy springs from a heart of insecurity and bubbles out in self-centered actions, arrogant words and divisive attitudes. We must realize that jealousy and envy are in direct opposition to the very nature of Jesus Christ and as a result, produce ungodly results in our lives.

• 
  

Jealousy is a spiritual cancer that will invade and destroy whatever it touches. Everything we do from the motive of jealousy is empty and does not count in Kingdom work. We need to brutally and honestly examine every heart motive and choose against anything or anyone who promotes jealousy and envy.

• 
  

Let’s Pray

Lord, forgive me for allowing jealousy to be present in my life. I confess it to You as sin. Please strengthen me and help me guard my heart against any kind of envy. I love You, Father. You are all I need. Teach me to walk in Your ways and fill my heart with Your love and kindness.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Are any of the following characteristics or behaviors present in your life? If so, can you identify its source? What steps do you need to take in order to find victory in each area? Record your answers in your journal.

• Pride _____________________________________
• Denial ____________________________________
• Chaos _____________________________________
• Sinful habits_________________________________

More from the Girlfriends

At the very heart of greed and jealousy is a lack of contentment. Need help? Check out Mary’s MP3 download, The Secret of Contentment. In this message, Mary explores the life of Paul who wrote, “I have learned the secret of being content.”

Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website and connect with Mary through E-mail, Twitter, Instagram, Shopify, or on Facebook.

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

We all know what it is like to be green with envy.

LHM Daily Devotions - A STRANGE TURN OF PHRASE

"A STRANGE TURN OF PHRASE"

Dec. 6, 2018

... And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah ...

~ Matthew 1:6b (ESV)

"By the wife of Uriah." Why not just call her by name—Bathsheba? Why use a description instead? For that matter, why not just write "David was the father of Solomon" and end the statement there, as with most of the other steps in this genealogy? Why even bring up the matter at all?

As it stands, the text forces us to remember that David committed a great sin—he committed adultery with another man's wife, and then had that man murdered to cover up his own crime. The great King David made himself an adulterer and a murderer. What a story to find in the middle of Jesus' genealogy!

And yet, what better place to find it could there be? David's story reminds us that among Jesus' ancestors were some of the worst sinners imaginable—people guilty of murder, adultery, prostitution, sacrilege, and child sacrifice, among others. Jesus carried their DNA. Their bodies furnished the basis for His. The sinless Savior of the world had an ancestry teeming with sinful people.

How can this be? When God called Jesus Immanuel, which means "God-with-us," He meant it. Jesus is truly with us in the most intimate, personal ways. He does not stand aloof from us in our sins. He comes to us, even in the darkest, most shameful depths. He shines His light into our lives. He cleanses us with His own blood, shed on the cross. He lifts us out of the mud and makes us God's own people, washed clean and pure by His mercy. This is what Jesus was born to do.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, draw me close to You and cleanse me from all my sin. Thank You for loving me so much. Amen.

The Coming King REFLECTION QUESTIONS!
Do you have a notorious or embarrassing ancestor? If so, tell about him or her (but don't identify the person if he or she lived recently enough that it would cause trouble).

What does it mean to you personally when you hear Jesus called "God-with-us," Immanuel?

Is there one sin that is especially troubling to you at this time? If so, take time to ask Jesus to be with you and bring His cleansing forgiveness to you now.

Advent Devotions were 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).
"By the wife of Uriah." Why not just call her by name?

Devocional del CPTLN de 06 de Diciembre de 2018 - Un giro extraño de la frase

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Un giro extraño de la frase

06 de Diciembre de 2018

... y con la que fue mujer de Urías el rey David engendró a Salomón.

~ Mateo 1:6b (RVC)

¿Por qué no escribir simplemente 'David fue el padre de Salomón' y terminar la declaración allí, como con la mayoría de los otros pasos en esta genealogía? ¿Por qué siquiera mencionar el asunto?

Por la forma en que está escrito, el texto nos obliga a recordar que David cometió un gran pecado: cometió adulterio con la esposa de otro hombre y luego lo asesinó para encubrir su propio crimen. El gran Rey David fue adúltero y asesino. ¡Qué historia para encontrar en medio de la genealogía de Jesús!

Y, sin embargo, ¿qué mejor lugar podría haber para encontrarla? La historia de David nos recuerda que entre los antepasados de Jesús se encontraban algunos de los peores pecadores imaginables: personas culpables de asesinato, adulterio, prostitución, sacrilegio y sacrificio de niños, entre otros. Jesús compartía su ADN. Sus cuerpos sirvieron de base para el suyo. La genealogía del inmaculado Salvador del mundo estaba repleta de personas pecadoras.

¿Cómo puede ser esto? Cuando Dios llamó a Jesús Emanuel, que significa "Dios con nosotros", lo dijo en serio. Jesús está verdaderamente con nosotros de la manera más íntima y personal. Él no se aleja de nosotros cuando pecamos; al contrario, viene a nosotros, incluso a nuestras profundidades más oscuras y vergonzosas, brilla su luz en nuestras vidas, nos limpia con su sangre derramada en la cruz, nos levanta del fango y nos hace hijos de Dios, lavados y puros con su misericordia. Jesús nació para hacer esto.

ORACIÓN: Señor Jesús, mantenme cerca de ti y límpiame de todos mis pecados. Gracias por amarme tanto. Amén.

PREGUNTAS DE REFLEXIÓN:

¿Qué significa para ti personalmente que Jesús sea llamado Emanuel, "Dios-con-nosotros"?

Si estás cargando un pecado que te perturba, pídele a Jesús que te otorgue su perdón.

© Copyright 2018 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Por qué no escribir simplemente 'David fue el padre de Salomón' y terminar la declaración allí, como con la mayoría de los otros pasos en esta genealogía?

Хлеб наш насущный - Одинокое Рождество

Одинокое Рождество

Читать сейчас: Псалом 24:14-22 | Библия за год: Даниила 3-4; Евреям 11:1-19

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Очи мои всегда к Господу. — Псалом 24:15

Самое одинокое Рождество в своей жизни я праздновал в доме дедушки на севере Ганы. Мне было пятнадцать. Родители, братья и сестры находились в тысяче километров от нас. Раньше я всегда отмечал Рождество с ними и со своими деревенскими друзьями. Это был веселый, запоминающийся праздник. А это Рождество было тихим и скучным. Рано утром я лежал на циновке, когда мне на память пришла местная песенка: «Вот, к концу подходит год, людям праздник Бог дает. В мир пришел Иисус Христос, свет и радость Он принес». Я вполголоса снова и снова ее повторял.

Подошла бабушка и спросила: «Что это за песня?» Ни она, ни дедушка ничего не знали ни про Рождество, ни про Христа. Поэтому я рассказал им, что знал, о Рождестве. Это рассеяло мое одиночество.

Пастушок Давид тоже бывал одиноким, когда среди ночи стерег овец. Впрочем, не только тогда. Много лет спустя он писал: «Я одинок и угнетен» (Пс. 24:16). Но Давид не позволял одиночеству приводить его в отчаяние. Вместо этого он пел: «Я на Тебя надеюсь» (Пс. 24:21).

Время от времени мы все переживаем одиночество. Как бы вы ни праздновали Рождество в этом году, одни или в большой компании, празднуйте его вместе со Христом.

Господь, спасибо, что с Тобой я не одинок, даже если рядом никого нет. В это Рождество помоги мне радоваться общению с Тобой и сближаться с людьми.

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Чтобы поразмышлять на эту тему, посмотрите видео «Не одиноки».

С Иисусом Христом Рождество не бывает одиноким.

автор: Лоуренс Дармани

© 2018 Хлеб Наш Насущный
Самое одинокое Рождество в своей жизни я праздновал в доме дедушки на севере Ганы.