The Daily Lectionary for FRIDAY, January 11, 2019

The True Wisdom of God
1 Corinthians 2:1-10

The Daily Lectionary

FRIDAY, January 11, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Psalm 29

The Voice of God in a Great Storm
A Psalm of David.
1  Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
     ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2  Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;
     worship the Lord in holy splendor.

3  The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
     the God of glory thunders,
     the Lord, over mighty waters.
4  The voice of the Lord is powerful;
     the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

5  The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
     the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6  He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
     and Sirion like a young wild ox.

7  The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
8  The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
     the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

9  The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl,
     and strips the forest bare;
     and in his temple all say, “Glory!”

10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
     the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
11 May the Lord give strength to his people!
     May the Lord bless his people with peace!

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

The Futility of Self-Indulgence
2:1 I said to myself, “Come now, I will make a test of pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But again, this also was vanity. 2 I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?” 3 I searched with my mind how to cheer my body with wine—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, until I might see what was good for mortals to do under heaven during the few days of their life. 4 I made great works; I built houses and planted vineyards for myself; 5 I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. 6 I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house; I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. 8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and of the provinces; I got singers, both men and women, and delights of the flesh, and many concubines.

9 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; also my wisdom remained with me. 10 Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them; I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. 11 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had spent in doing it, and again, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

1 Corinthians 2:1-10

Proclaiming Christ Crucified
2:1 When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. 4 My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

The True Wisdom of God
6 Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. 7 But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written,

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the human heart conceived,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—

10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

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 no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him”

The Morning Prayer for FRIDAY, January 11, 2019

Friday Morning Prayer

Lord on this day I am aware of the troubles and darkness in our world. Please come and lead me in prayers for my community, my nation and the world. You are the light that shines in the bleakest times, let your Kingdom be built on earth. May those who suffer be comforted, may those who are at war search for peace, and may those who are in pain find healing.

Though you are worthy of trumpets and the song of angels, you graciously receive our daily prayers of whispered words and mundane habits. Enable us, Lord, to love you with all that we are and in all that we do. Teach us how we might truly pray without ceasing.

Your word, O God, instructs us to be ready to give an answer for the faith that is within us. When that time comes, Lord, make us bold to proclaim that your love surpasses human knowledge. Let our answer be actions that mirror your love.

May Friday be a thoughtful day when Your Spirit leads my prayer. I trust each trouble small and wide, with faith into Your care. Let Friday always prompt my heart to stand upon the truth. Darkness has been overcome the Earth belongs to You.

Amen

Verse of the Day for FRIDAY, January 11, 2019

Psalm 118:5-6 (NIV) When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

Read all of Psalm 118

Listen to Psalm 118

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 - Aeróbicos para el espíritu

Aeróbicos para el espíritu

Por la mañana, Señor, escuchas mi clamor; por la mañana te presento mis ruegos, y quedo a la espera de tu respuesta.

~ Salmo 5:3 (NVI)

La adquisición de sabiduría es una bendición para nuestra vida. Todos los días en las noticias escuchamos la importancia de hacer ejercicios y que debemos caminar por lo menos media hora. Si a eso le sumamos una alimentación balanceada, tendremos una vida de buena calidad.

Lo mismo sucede con nuestra vida espiritual. Debemos ejercitarla mediante la oración, los momentos de intimidad con Dios y al congregarnos. Asimismo, la lectura del Manual de Instrucciones, que es la Biblia, nos da la seguridad de lo que Dios espera de nosotros y cómo debemos actuar ante diferentes situaciones que tengamos que vivir. Y para llegar a esto que llamamos «aeróbicos espirituales», nos hace falta disciplina. Esto es lo que sucede cuando decidimos ir al gimnasio o comenzar una nueva dieta. Todo comienzo es difícil.

Cuando empecé a leer la Biblia por mi cuenta, les confieso que muchas veces no entendía o no lo podía interpretar. Sin embargo, alguien me sugirió que leyera Proverbios, pues hay treinta y un capítulos, que son los días que por lo general trae un mes del año, y fue de mucha bendición. De igual manera orar y asistir a una iglesia te ayudarán a mantenerte conectado con Dios todo el tiempo y, créeme, tu vida será bendecida.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
La adquisición de sabiduría es una bendición para nuestra vida.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - THIS IS GOOD

THIS IS GOOD

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

~ Romans 8:28 (NIV)

A tribal king had a close friend with whom he grew up. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) as well as the lives of others and remarking, “This is good!” He based it on two scriptures: one that says that it is God’s will that we be thankful for ALL circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18); and Romans 8:28 which assures us that God can turn every situation (good or bad) into ultimate good. The king loved his friend’s positive outlook and took him with him wherever he went.

One day the king and his friend were out on a hunting expedition. As the king fired his gun at a pheasant that flew up from the long grass, the rifle backfired and blew off his right thumb. Looking at the king’s bleeding hand; his friend remarked as usual, “This is good!”

The king was angry and replied, “No, this is NOT good!” and proceeded to send his friend to jail for his insensitivity.

About a year later, the king was hunting all alone in an area that he should have known to stay clear of. Cannibals captured him and took him to their village. They tied his hands, stacked some wood, and were going to cook him in a big pot. As they set fire to the wood, they noticed that the king was missing a thumb on his right hand. Being very superstitious, cannibals never eat anyone who is less than perfect. So they released the king.

Walking home he kept staring at his right hand without a thumb. “This IS good!” he said out loud. He was reminded of the event that had taken his thumb and felt remorse for his shabby treatment of his friend. So he went immediately to the jail to speak with his friend.

“You were right,” he said, “it was good that my thumb was blown off.” And he proceeded to tell the friend all that had just happened. “And so, I am very sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It was bad for me to do this.”

“No,” his friend replied as usual, “This is good!” “What do you mean, ‘This is good?’ How could it be good that I put my friend in jail for over a year?” “Well,” replied his friend, “if I had not been here in jail, I would have been out there with you!”

In our SSTS seminars we share this story early in the sessions and for the rest of the time together holding up four fingers on the right hand (with a hidden thumb) communicates clearly the message: THIS IS GOOD!

RESPONSE: Today I will focus by faith on the potential good that God wants to bring out of the negative challenges I face in my life.

PRAYER: Pray that all persecuted Christians will respond to their daily challenges with this faith perspective.

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

Men of the Bible - Noah

Noah

His name means: "To Rest"

His work: We don't know what Noah did for a living before he heard from God, but following that encounter, he became an accomplished carpenter.
His character: Noah was a righteous man, obedient and faithful.
His sorrow: In spite of his admonitions and warnings, Noah was unable to convince his neighbors, friends, and extended family to repent. As a result, they were all drowned in the flood.
His triumph: Noah's obedience saved not only his life but the lives of his wife and children.
Key Scriptures: Genesis 6-7

A Look at the Man

Once in a while a man comes along who's not afraid to obey.

We cannot imagine what it must have been like to be Noah. He lived in a culture that was corrupted by immorality and violence. According to the story, the earth was literally "full" of it.

So reprehensible were people's lives that God regretted having created these divine image-bearers. So much so that he decided to remove every living thing from the face of the earth, like a man clearing a table with the back of his hand. Can you imagine?

But on his way to starting all over again, the Lord looked at Noah. His life was so exemplary that in the middle of all this debauchery, he found favor in God's eyes. This man, Noah, was righteous and blameless among the people of his time. Because of his faithfulness, he was the one man whom the Lord chose not to destroy.

We don't have to look very far to find a lesson in this man's life. Like Noah's culture, the one that surrounds us is drowning in immorality, corruption, and violence. And like Noah, we can choose to quietly capitulate or to stand against it. Once we decide to stand firm—to live in obedience to God—the tricky part comes with trying to understand how. What does submission to him look like? And what should we expect as the result of this obedience?

Tucked away in this story is the secret to Noah's success. Noah walked with God. For Noah, surrender was not a single decision or noteworthy event; it was a process. A routine. A journey. A walk. Obedience was the natural result of this methodical approach. Walking with God meant knowing him. Knowing God meant loving him. Loving meant hearing. Hearing, obeying.

And obeying God meant salvation.

We can imagine that decades of subtle and overt ridicule may have led Noah to question God. There had to have been moments of loneliness and genuine doubt. But taking one step at a time along the path God had laid out for him kept Noah on track.

Noah's obedience led to the preservation of not only his own life, but of the lives of his wife and children. Once the project was complete and everyone around him had rejected the notion that God would actually destroy the earth with a catastrophic flood, Noah and his whole family entered the safety of the ark. Then the Lord shut him in. Noah's obedience not only led to the preservation of his own life but the lives of his wife and children.

In fact, Noah's faithfulness—in the form of a great ark—became one of the early church's symbols for refuge. The interiors of many great cathedrals were built to resemble the inside of a boat—a shelter in the time of storm, a reminder of an obedient man who went before us and was saved.

Reflect On: Genesis 8
Praise God: For using his followers to accomplish his purposes.
Offer Thanks: For God’s mercy toward the human race.
Confess: Any tendency to care more about what the world thinks of you than about what God thinks.
Ask God: To show you what it means, not just to obey a set of laws, but to stay close to him throughout your life—to walk with him.

Today's reading is a brief excerpt from Men of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Men in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Robert Wolgemuth (Zondervan). © 2010 by Ann Spangler. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Enjoy the complete book by purchasing your own copy at the Bible Gateway Store. The book's title must be included when sharing the above content on social media.
Once in a while a man comes along who's not afraid to obey.

Girlfriends in God - Notice Others in a Selfie World

Notice Others in a Selfie World

Arlene Pellicane

Today’s Truth

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.

~ Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

My daughter Noelle and I were sightseeing in New York City.  One highlight was rocketing up 102 stories in a mere 47 seconds inside the elevator of the Freedom Tower.  Once at the top, we looked for a good spot to take in the glorious view.  I couldn’t help but notice two teenage girls taking up a large space in the very front.

The problem was they were not even looking at the city below.  They were posing for selfies – lots of them!  They laid on the floor and posed.  They struck different standing poses and snapped.  I walked around and returned to that same spot about ten minutes later.  They were still there! Posing in pursuit of the perfect selfie with New York City in the background.

I doubt they noticed the other people who would have liked to snap a picture where they had set up camp.  I wondered why they didn’t turn around and enjoy the panoramic view with their God given eyes instead of the phone screen.  With screens taking center stage, women can be obsessed with capturing the perfect photo to show the world.

Yet Philippians 2:3-4 tells us to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.”  Selfish ambition is a work of the flesh, not of the Holy Spirit.  Galatians 5:26 (NIV) instructs, “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each another.”

Does that mean it’s wrong to pose for a selfie?  No – it can be a perfectly appropriate way to capture a moment. But there is cause for concern if you find that…

-You are overly concerned with portraying yourself a certain way to impress others

-You take numerous photos of the same pose to get it just right

-You compare your selfie to others and take mental notes on how you can improve yours

-You feel conceited when you see how favorable you look compared to others

-You are more interested in taking a selfie than meeting someone new or talking with an acquaintance

The Bible tells us to value others above ourselves.  When we place the lens of our focus on the needs of others (instead of our own interests), we are having the same mindset as Jesus Christ.  Popular culture fights against this notion.  “Selfie” wasn’t even a word in the dictionary until 2013 but it’s commonplace today.  The constant tracking of self can lead to a growing indifference towards others.

The bigger we become inside the frame, the smaller everyone else becomes.

When you walk into a room, do you take the attitude of “Here I am!” or do you step in the doorway and think, “Ah, there you are!” Turning our “selfie” focus into an “others” focus takes practice and intention.  God calls us to be “There you are!” people, women who are genuinely interested in others.  But we live in a selfie world that caters to our natural instinct to preserve and exalt ourselves.

It’s time to switch things up.  Instead of spending too much time preparing the perfect selfie, let’s quickly snap a picture of ourselves and then spend the bulk of our time focused on others.  That view is much more meaningful.

Remember the teenage girls from the Freedom Tower?  They walked out with some great selfies, but they never really took the time to take in the view.  They missed out.  Don’t miss the amazing people and things happening around you because you’re focused on your phone.  Make it your daily practice to notice others in a selfie world.

Let’s Pray

Dear Jesus, I am weary of keeping up with my phone and trying to portray myself in a positive light.  Please help me to put my phone in the proper place.  I want to notice others more readily and most importantly; I want to notice You.  Show me Your hand in my life at work today.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

What do your loved ones say about your phone use? Do they ever feel like they are not as important as what is happening on your phone?

Make a point of putting your phone down and pivoting towards your friend or family member instead of staring at your phone today.

More from the Girlfriends

If you need some help taming your technology, Arlene’s book Calm, Cool, and Connected: 5 Digital Habits for a More Balanced Life is the perfect resource to introduce new, healthy habits to improve your relationships.

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

Here I am!

LHM Daily Devotions - What! Me Hurry!?

"What! Me Hurry!?"

Jan. 11, 2019

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

~ 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)

A friend once told us the following story: it seems that Satan and three of his cohorts were lounging around after dinner one evening, discussing what might be done to win people's hearts for hell.

One junior tempter exclaimed eagerly, "I've got it! I've got it! Let's tell people there is no God!"

Satan looked at him with disdain and replied, "That's ridiculous. The knowledge of God is written into people's hearts; you'll never get away with a lie like that."

Then another young devil chimed in, "I know! I know! We'll tell people there is no heaven; there is no hell."

To which Satan responded, "You fool! Everyone knows that there's often no justice in life. You'll never convince more than a very few that there is no justice in eternity."

Finally, the tempter leapt to his feet. "I have it!" he shouted. "We'll not say there is no God, no heaven, no hell. We'll just say there is no hurry."

Satan's face lit up as he rubbed his hands in glee. "Excellent!" he responded. "The perfect lie. With it we'll win the world."

Time and again, in spiritual conversations with people, talking about the relationship with the Lord Jesus, we encounter people who seem receptive. They aren't belligerent. They don't close the door in our faces. Yet, they ignore the invitation of God's grace. They might tell us, "This fall when the kids are in school, we can start making it to church. Or they might say, "After Christmas when things calm down -- that's our resolution for the New Year." Or sometimes we hear, "This spring when the weather is better, and it's not such a hassle getting around."

After all, what's the hurry? We'll get there.

Sadder still are Christ's own people who believe, or at least act as though they believe, Satan's "No hurry" lie. They put off sharing their faith, waiting for some golden opportunity when the stars align, the weather's just right, when they're all studied up on the Bible to speak about Jesus. That, as we may expect, may never happen. In the end, sadly, Christians trot out many of the same excuses used by unbelievers for not responding to God's Gospel invitation.

The fields are white now, Jesus says in Matthew 9:35-38, the harvest is ready now. The laborers are ... us. If we have failed in the past, we can begin again, and again, if we have to -- and we will have to. Because -- no surprise here -- failing is what we do. Thankfully, our Lord Jesus forgives us and empowers us by that forgiveness to go and tell His story to a world that needs to hear some really good news now.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, it's easy to think there's always tomorrow to do what we can do today. We seek the Holy Spirit's help to listen when necessary and to speak when we should so that others can know about Jesus' love. In His Name. we pray. Amen.

From The Lutheran Layman, October 1981 issue, "There Is No Hurry," by Jane Fryar. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
A friend once told us the following story: ...

Devocional del CPTLN de 11 de Enero de 2019 - ¡Qué! ¿Qué me apure?

ALIMENTO DIARIO

¡Qué! ¿Qué me apure?

11 de Enero de 2019

Sean prudentes y manténganse atentos, porque su enemigo es el diablo, y él anda como un león rugiente, buscando a quien devorar.

~ 1 Pedro 5:8 (RVC)

Un amigo nos contó una historia que ha estado dando vueltas entre los grupos de evangelismo. Parece que Satanás y tres de sus compañeros una noche estaban descansando después de la cena, conversando sobre qué se podría hacer para ganar más personas para el infierno.

Un tentador joven exclamó con entusiasmo: "¡Ya sé! Vamos a decirles que no hay Dios."

Satanás lo miró con desdén y respondió: "Eso es ridículo. El conocimiento de Dios está escrito en el corazón de las personas; nunca tendrás éxito con una mentira así."

Entonces otro joven demonio intervino: "¡Yo sé! Les diremos que no hay ni cielo ni justicia."

A esto Satanás respondió: "¡Necio! Todos saben que muchas veces no hay justicia en la vida. Nunca convencerás más que a unos pocos de que no hay justicia en la eternidad."

Finalmente, el tentador se levantó de un salto. "¡Ya sé!" Gritó. "No diremos que no hay Dios, ni cielo, ni infierno. Solo diremos que no hay prisa."

La cara de Satanás se iluminó mientras alegremente se frotaba las manos. "¡Excelente!" respondió. "La mentira perfecta. Con ella ganaremos el mundo."

Y procedió a hacer precisamente eso.

Una y otra vez, en el trabajo evangelístico, al hablar con las personas sobre la relación con el Señor Jesús, nos encontramos con familias enteras que parecen receptivas. No se resisten. No nos cierran la puerta en la cara. Sin embargo, ignoran la invitación de la gracia de Dios. Puede que nos digan: "Después de las vacaciones, cuando los niños vuelvan a la escuela podemos comenzar a asistir a la iglesia." O: "Después de Navidad, cuando las cosas se calmen un poco, esa será nuestra resolución del Año Nuevo." O: "Esta primavera, cuando tengamos mejor clima y no sea una molestia moverse."

Después de todo, ¿cuál es la prisa? Ya vamos a llegar.

Más triste aún es que el pueblo de Cristo cree la mentira de Satanás, o al menos actúa como si creyera que "no hay prisa". No tiene urgencia en compartir su fe, por lo que espera alguna oportunidad de oro cuando las estrellas se alineen, el clima sea el adecuado y todos tengan el conocimiento suficiente de la Biblia para hablar de Jesús. Eso, como es de esperar, nunca sucederá. Al final, tristemente, los cristianos a menudo usamos las mismas excusas que usan los incrédulos para no responder a la invitación del evangelio.

Los campos están blancos. La cosecha está lista. Los trabajadores... somos nosotros (ver Mateo 9:35-38). Si hemos fallado en el pasado, podemos comenzar de nuevo e intentarlo nuevamente una y otra vez si es necesario. ¡Y tendremos que hacerlo! porque—y esto no nos debe extrañar—muchas veces fallamos en lo que hacemos. Gracias a Dios, nuestro Señor Jesús nos perdona, y mediante ese perdón nos da el poder para contar su historia a un mundo que necesita escuchar noticias realmente buenas.

Por la gracia de Dios, esta puede ser nuestra resolución de Año Nuevo.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, con facilidad pensamos que siempre habrá un mañana para hacer lo que debemos hacer hoy. Te pedimos que nos ayudes a través de tu Espíritu Santo, para que hablemos cuando sea necesario para que otros puedan conocer el amor de Jesús. En su nombre oramos. Amén.

Tomado de The Lutheran Layman, octubre de 1981, "No hay prisa", Jane L. Fryar

© Copyright 2018 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
Un amigo nos contó una historia que ha estado dando vueltas entre los grupos de evangelismo...

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Những Chiều Kích Vô Hạn

Những Chiều Kích Vô Hạn

Đọc: Ê-phê-sô 3:16–21 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Sáng thế ký 27–28; Ma-thi-ơ 8:18–34

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Tôi cũng cầu nguyện để... anh em có thể thấu hiểu chiều rộng, chiều dài, chiều cao, chiều sâu của tình yêu... của Đấng Christ. Ê-phê-sô 3:17–18

Tôi vẫn nằm trên bàn chụp và hít thở theo hiệu lệnh trong lúc cái máy chạy ro ro và lách cách. Tôi biết nhiều người đã từng trải qua các đợt chẩn đoán hình ảnh MRI, nhưng đối với người mắc chứng sợ không gian hẹp như tôi, trải nghiệm đó đòi hỏi tôi phải tập trung vào điều gì đó—Một Ai Đó—vĩ đại hơn chính tôi.

Trong tâm trí tôi, câu Kinh Thánh – “chiều rộng, chiều dài, chiều cao, chiều sâu của tình yêu… của Đấng Christ” (Êph. 3:18) – cứ hiện ra theo nhịp của tiếng máy chạy. Trong lời cầu nguyện của sứ đồ Phao-lô cho hội thánh Ê-phê-sô, ông mô tả bốn chiều kích trong tình yêu của Chúa nhằm nhấn mạnh tình yêu vô hạn và sự hiện diện không ngừng của Ngài.

Chỗ nằm của tôi trong máy MRI đã cung cấp một hình ảnh mới mẻ cho sự hiểu biết của tôi. Chiều rộng: mỗi bên 15 cm tính từ cánh tay khép chặt vào hai bên sườn, bên trong ống. Chiều dài: khoảng cách từ hai đầu ống trụ, kéo dài từ đỉnh đầu đến gót chân. Chiều cao: 15 cm tính từ chóp mũi của tôi đến “trần” ống. Chiều sâu: hệ thống ống gắn chặt vào nền nhà bên dưới, nâng đỡ thân tôi. Bốn chiều không gian minh họa cho sự hiện diện của Chúa xung quanh tôi, giữ tôi trong ống MRI và trong mọi hoàn cảnh của cuộc sống.

Tình yêu của Chúa luôn bao phủ chúng ta. Chiều rộng: Ngài dang rộng vòng tay Ngài để vươn tới mọi người ở mọi nơi. Chiều dài: Tình yêu Ngài không bao giờ vơi cạn. Chiều cao: Ngài nâng chúng ta lên. Chiều sâu: Ngài hạ xuống, giữ chặt chúng ta trong mọi hoàn cảnh. Không gì có thể chia cắt chúng ta khỏi Ngài! (Rô. 8:38–39).

Lạy Chúa, xin giúp chúng con dừng lại để suy ngẫm về tình yêu toàn diện của Ngài dành cho chúng con!

Đâu là những hoàn cảnh khiến bạn nghi ngờ tình yêu của Chúa? Bạn sẽ chọn tin cậy Ngài thế nào?

bởi Elisa Morgan

© 2019 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày
Tôi vẫn nằm trên bàn chụp và hít thở theo hiệu lệnh trong lúc cái máy chạy ro ro và lách cách. Tôi biết nhiều người đã từng trải qua các đợt chẩn đoán hình ảnh MRI, nhưng đối với người mắc chứng sợ không gian hẹp như tôi, trải nghiệm đó đòi hỏi tôi phải tập trung vào điều gì đó—Một Ai Đó—vĩ đại hơn chính tôi.