The Daily Lectionary for MONDAY, January 21, 2019

Marks of the True Christian
Romans 12:9-21

The Daily Lectionary

MONDAY, January 21, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Psalm 145

The Greatness and the Goodness of God
Praise. Of David.
1  I will extol you, my God and King,
     and bless your name forever and ever.
2  Every day I will bless you,
     and praise your name forever and ever.
3  Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
     his greatness is unsearchable.

4  One generation shall laud your works to another,
     and shall declare your mighty acts.
5  On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
     and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6  The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,
     and I will declare your greatness.
7  They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,
     and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

8  The Lord is gracious and merciful,
     slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9  The Lord is good to all,
     and his compassion is over all that he has made.

10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
     and all your faithful shall bless you.
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,
     and tell of your power,
12 to make known to all people your mighty deeds,
     and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
     and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

   The Lord is faithful in all his words,
     and gracious in all his deeds.
14 The Lord upholds all who are falling,
     and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
     and you give them their food in due season.
16 You open your hand,
     satisfying the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is just in all his ways,
     and kind in all his doings.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
     to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desire of all who fear him;
     he also hears their cry, and saves them.
20 The Lord watches over all who love him,
     but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
     and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.

Isaiah 54:1-8

The Eternal Covenant of Peace
1  Sing, O barren one who did not bear;
     burst into song and shout,
     you who have not been in labor!
   For the children of the desolate woman will be more
     than the children of her that is married, says the Lord.
2  Enlarge the site of your tent,
     and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out;
   do not hold back; lengthen your cords
     and strengthen your stakes.
3  For you will spread out to the right and to the left,
     and your descendants will possess the nations
     and will settle the desolate towns.

4  Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed;
     do not be discouraged, for you will not suffer disgrace;
   for you will forget the shame of your youth,
     and the disgrace of your widowhood you will remember no more.
5  For your Maker is your husband,
     the Lord of hosts is his name;
   the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer,
     the God of the whole earth he is called.
6  For the Lord has called you
     like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit,
   like the wife of a man’s youth when she is cast off,
     says your God.
7  For a brief moment I abandoned you,
     but with great compassion I will gather you.
8  In overflowing wrath for a moment
     I hid my face from you,
   but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,
     says the Lord, your Redeemer.

Romans 12:9-21

Marks of the True Christian
12:9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

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
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;

The Morning Prayer for MONDAY, January 21, 2019

Monday morning prayer

Lord,

Sometimes, Monday can be a hard day. Dreaded on Sunday and fled from on a Friday. Yet why Lord as Monday could be the beginning of a work adventure, the new challenge of a week filled with potential? So I pray you would help me to embrace this day.

Enlighten the eyes of our hearts, O Lord, so we may not only see and receive your mercy but also notice the places in our world where you call us to extend mercy.

Let it be a new day and a wonder day. Help me to see not the clouds but the sunrise, not the rain but the ripples of falling drops. Show me the joy of the embrace with loved ones, not the tensions and troubles. Monday need not be the grudge day to be endured but the fun day to be embraced.

This day, help me to turn my eyes towards your Kingdom, of love, hope and new beginnings.

Amen

Verse of the Day for MONDAY, January 21, 2019

Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV) Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Read all of Galatians 6

Listen to Galatians 6

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 - Días difíciles

Días difíciles

Jesús dijo: Vengan a mí todos ustedes que están cansados y agobiados, y yo les daré descanso.

~ Mateo 11:28 (NVI)

Sé que levantarse y encontrarse con un día lleno de situaciones, problemas familiares, quizá hasta problemas de dinero o la incertidumbre de estar un día más sin trabajo te puede frustrar y llevar a renegar y pelear contra Dios. Mi consejo es que no pelees contra Él. Como hijo de Dios, tienes todo el derecho de decirle cómo te sientes, pero no cuestionarlo y mucho menos maldecir tu vida.

Tal vez te parezca repetitivo, pero es cierto. Este es el día que Dios creó para ti, y algo que alegra el corazón de Dios es que a pesar de tu situación, de tu problema, puedas alegrarte y gozarte en el día que te levantas hoy. Recuerda que no eres el único. Todos tenemos días de angustia, pero no todos tenemos la misma actitud ante la adversidad. De modo que nuestra actitud y nuestra fe sí cambian por completo el panorama.

Descansa en Él y dile: «Señor, aunque no entiendo lo que estoy viviendo, quiero decirte que me alegraré y me gozaré este día. Y esperaré confiadamente en ti. Amén».

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Sé que levantarse y encontrarse con un día lleno de situaciones, problemas familiares, quizá hasta problemas de dinero o la incertidumbre de estar un día más sin trabajo te puede frustrar y llevar a renegar y pelear contra Dios. Mi consejo es que no pelees contra Él.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - ENDURE HARDSHIP AS DISCIPLINE

ENDURE HARDSHIP AS DISCIPLINE

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?...No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

~ Hebrews 12: 7-11 (NIV)

As we see in Hebrews chapter twelve, once we “keep our eyes fixed on Jesus,” we will be aware of how we should then live. Now he teaches us about the value of hardships and discipline that does not seem helpful but in the end produces a harvest of righteousness and peace.

Alexander was on his first research trip to Cuba for Open Doors. He asked a Cuban pastor what his needs were. He expected the response to itemize the many material needs that the churches in Cuba obviously lacked.

“The first thing we need is your prayers,” he replied, “to know the Body of Christ is with us.” Then he went on to list their tremendous need for Bibles, teaching aids, Sunday school materials and printing supplies. Then he concluded with the statement that they could use anything and everything. “If you send us just a bar of soap, we’ll be grateful,” he confessed. “We'll praise God for it!”

Alexander says, “I felt a big lump in my throat as I thought of all the Bibles, literature and freedoms I enjoyed. Yet even with all my blessings, my testimony was not as strong. So I struggled to articulate my feelings. ‘Pastor,’ I said, ‘I can only begin to sense and imagine the difficulties you have encountered.’”

The pastor’s eyes became misty and he softly responded, “Oh yes brother, we have been through the most difficult years. Yet we don’t fear persecution. As a matter of fact, we welcome it because it purifies us!”

Freddie Sun spent years in prison in China because of his Christian faith. Prison was literally a trial of fire for him. He worked in a factory making tee-joints from pig iron. Every day he loaded and unloaded the furnace which fired up to 2700 degrees Fahrenheit. In the midst of this hell on earth, God spoke to him. “I have put you in this high-temperature furnace. Don’t worry—you won’t melt. But your impurities will be removed so you can become a useful tee-joint!”

RESPONSE: Today I will receive God’s discipline with the awareness that it is refining me to be more like Jesus.

PRAYER: Lord help me to accept hardship as Your discipline for my life. I look forward to the harvest of righteousness and peace.

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

Women of the Bible - Lot's Wife

Lot's Wife

Her character: She was a prosperous woman who may have been more attached to the good life than was good for her. Though there is no indication she participated in the sin of Sodom, her story implies she had learned to tolerate it and that her heart had become divided as a result.
Her sorrow: That her heart's choice led to judgment rather than mercy, and that she ultimately refused God's attempts to save her.
Key Scriptures: Genesis 18:16-19:29; Luke 17:28-33

Her Story

Lot's wife had only hours to live, though she never suspected it. She must have gone about her business as usual, tidying the house, cooking and kibitzing with the neighbors, unaware of the tragedy about to overtake her.

Years earlier she had married Abraham's nephew, and the two had amassed a fortune in land and livestock. Eventually, they settled in Sodom, uncomfortably comfortable in a city so wicked that heaven itself dispatched angels to investigate the allegations against it.

Lot, it so happened, was at the city gate at the very moment the angels arrived. Greeting the strangers, he quickly implored them to spend the night in his home, anxious about what might happen to them once night had fallen.

Lot's wife must have welcomed the strangers warmly, too, for hospitality was a sacred trust in the ancient world. Then, just before bedtime, she would have heard the voices. At first a few muffled words and then echoing laughter and finally an ugly clamor as a noose of men tightened around the house. Rough voices shouted for her husband to open the door and surrender his guests to their pleasure.

"No, my friends. Don't do this wicked thing!" Lot screamed back. But the crowd was furious for its own way. Then he attempted an appalling bargain. "Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don't do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof." But the men of Sodom would not be thwarted and rushed the door to force their way in.

Suddenly, the angels reached out, pulled Lot back into the house, and struck the men at the door blind. Then they turned to Lot, urging him, "Do you have anyone else here—sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, because we are going to destroy this place."

But Lot's sons-in-law thought he was joking and refused to leave.

At dawn the angels again urged Lot to hurry lest he and his wife and daughters perish with the rest of the city. Still, the family hesitated until the angels finally grabbed their hands and dragged them out, urging, "Flee for your lives! Don't look back, and don't stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!"

By the time Lot and his family reached the small city of Zoar, the sun had risen over the land and everything in Sodom was engulfed in burning sulfur. Men, women, children, and livestock were all obliterated. A terrible judgment for terrible sin.

But the judgment was even worse than either Lot or his daughters first realized. Safe at last, they must have turned to each other in relief at their escape and then turned again in shock, realizing one of their number was missing. They would have searched, hoping against hope, until they finally caught sight of the white salt pillar, silhouetted against the sky, a lonely monument in the shape of a woman turning around toward Sodom.

If you have ever seen pictures of ancient Pompeii, destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in ad 79, where human shapes are preserved to this day by the lava that stopped them dead in their tracks, you might imagine the disaster that overtook Lot's wife.

Why did she turn, despite the angel's clear warning? Was her heart still attached to everything she left behind in the city—a life of comfort, ease, and pleasure? Did she still have family trapped in the city? Or was she fascinated by the tragic spectacle taking place behind her, like a gawking motorist at the scene of a bloody accident? Perhaps all these things combined were a glue that caused her feet to slow, her head to turn, and her body to be overtaken by the punishment God had meant to spare her. By her own choice—her very last choice—she cast her lot with judgment rather than with mercy.

Jesus urged his followers to remember Lot's wife: "It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day no one who is on the roof of his house, with his goods inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot's wife! Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it" (Luke 17:30-33). Sobering words recalling a sobering story. Words meant to lead us away from the compelling illusions of wickedness and safe into the arms of mercy.

Her Promise

Earlier, God had promised Abraham he would spare the city of Sodom if he could find only ten righteous people in it, but not even ten could be found. So God sent his angels to Sodom to rescue Lot and his family (Genesis 18) from the coming destruction. Hesitant to the last minute, the angels had to take Lot, his wife, and his two daughters by the hand and lead them out of the city.

Did God know Abraham was thinking of Lot when he begged for the cities to be spared if fifty, forty-five, thirty, twenty, only ten righteous people could be found? Was God's mercy extended to Lot for love of Lot or for love of Abraham? We don't know. But we do know God's mercy was available for Lot and his family. And his mercy is available to you as well, even in the worst of times, the most difficult situations, the hardest of circumstances. He's there, stretching out his hand to lead you to safety.

This devotional is drawn from Women of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda. Used with permission.
Lot's wife had only hours to live, though she never suspected it. She must have gone about her business as usual, tidying the house, cooking and kibitzing with the neighbors, unaware of the tragedy about to overtake her.

Girlfriends in God - The Gift of Forgiveness

The Gift of Forgiveness

Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

He (God) is so rich in kindness that he purchased our freedom through the blood of His Son, and our sins are forgiven.

~ Ephesians 1:7 (NLT)

Friend to Friend

The holidays have a way of resurrecting old hurts. One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves is the choice to forgive those who have hurt us.

Forgiveness is not easy – but it is necessary if we want to experience peace and joy.

Part of forgiveness is releasing the person from the debt we think they owe us. Refusing to do so extinguishes our joy.

Sometimes we just need to let go and cut our losses instead of allowing the weight of an unpaid debt deplete our mental and emotional energy. In other words, we can forgive the debt and set ourselves free.

Years ago, Dan and I decided it was time to sell one of our old junky cars. We had several from which to choose, but one was junkier than the rest. A man who worked for the church said he could fix up the car and decided to buy it.

The man agreed to make monthly payments for one year. No papers were signed because it was a business agreement between two ministers. I know. Some lessons are learned the hard way.

Dan gave the man the car title and car keys. The man gave us nothing. Not one penny.

Dan talked with him several times. “I will make a payment soon,” the man promised. “Soon” never came.

I was furious – not so much because of the money, although it would have come in very handy, but because this man was taking advantage of my husband’s giving heart … and ticking me off in the process. I ranted and fumed for several days until Dan said, “Honey, I have decided to forgive the debt on that old car.” Well, I decided not to, and my anger grew.

A few weeks later, the man quit his job at the church and went to work for a nearby grocery store – my grocery store. Almost every time I went to the store, the man was there. And every time I saw him, my anger grew. I finally realized that this whole car situation was robbing my life of joy.

I decided to give him the car. It was the only thing I could do if I wanted peace.

I created a mental scene in which I drove to the grocery store, handed the car keys to the man, and said, “Merry Christmas!”

The plan worked. I forgave the debt and let it go. The most amazing thing happened. I was the one set free. Not one thing about my circumstances had changed. But my heart had.

From that day on, every time I saw the man, I waved and smiled. He began avoiding me, unable to look me in the eyes. God really does have a sense of humor. A few weeks later, I saw the man driving a different car and learned from one of his co-workers that “his old car just up and died.” Enough said.

Forgiveness is a deliberate choice – not an emotion or a feeling. Feelings may or may not follow that choice, but God’s favor certainly will. Honestly, when it comes to forgiveness, feelings are irrelevant, but obedience is crucial. Do not base the validity of what you are doing on how you feel.

If we make the choice to forgive, God will supply the forgiveness.

There should be no limit to our forgiveness because there is no limit to His.

Forgiveness is our greatest need and God’s greatest gift.

Let’s Pray

Father, I praise You for the love and forgiveness You so freely offer. I don’t understand how You can love me when I am so unworthy of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. To think that He died for me rocks my world. Please give me the wisdom and strength to forgive those who have hurt me. I want my life to be a living illustration of Your unconditional love and unending forgiveness.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Make a list of the sins in your life that need the forgiveness of God. Ask God to forgive you for each one. Is there someone you need to forgive? Is there someone who needs your forgiveness? Choose now to step out in obedience and give the gift of forgiveness.

More from the Girlfriends

One of the most powerful illustrations of God’s love and forgiveness is found in the lives of Hosea and Gomer. Hear their story in my MP3 download … Love That Never Fails.

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

The holidays have a way of resurrecting old hurts. One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves is the choice to forgive those who have hurt us.

LHM Daily Devotions - Who Do We Think We Are?

"Who Do We Think We Are?"

Jan. 21, 2019

Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless and innocent of great transgression.

~ Psalm 19:12-13 (ESV)

"Who do you think you are?" can be a stated as a gentle psychological probe in the hands of an astute counselor, or "Who do you think you are?" can be an accusation of arrogance by someone offended by your behavior or speech. Arrogance presumes entitlement as if to say, "I'm entitled to favoritism because of my great contributions to society! I'm a cut above prime, smarter than the average bear!" Such souls believe the world owes them a favor, and the size of that favor is proportionate to the arrogance they possess. Perhaps you know those whose arrogance strains your ability to be civil in their presence. Even their saccharine humility rubs you the wrong way. It reminds me of a quote attributed to Golda Meir, former prime minister of Israel, who once said to a visiting dignitary, "Don't be so humble; you're not that great."

Are we guilty of similar haughtiness? Does it derail our witness to others?

"Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins," pleads the psalmist. What are "presumptuous sins"? This speaks to our insistence on sinning, believing that God will forgive us in the long run and that in the meantime all is well with our souls. Lutherans, oddly enough, may be particularly susceptible to this kind of sinning.

Why? Because our pious confession and absolution of sins which inaugurates every worship service can give one the idea that God forgives sins weekly regardless of our intent to amend our lives. "Let them (those presumptuous sins) not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless and innocent of great transgression," begs David the psalmist. Presumptuous sinning is a "great" transgression because it possesses the ability to dominate and ruin the sanctified life in Christ.

Consider the author of this psalm: David the King, the sweet psalmist of Israel; David the victor, over all God's enemies from his youth on up; David blessed with wealth, wives, and children in abundance; David, God's right-hand man on earth, specifically chosen above his brothers to lead all Israel; David, surely, David must have felt special, set-apart, and favored by God. With this shower of heavenly blessings, David presumed God would always be gracious to him despite the wanderings of his own heart. Such presumption mistakenly believes the merit for God's graciousness belongs entirely to David and not to God.

Then along came Bathsheba: David's presumptuous sin.

We know the rest of the story: trouble everywhere. It never left David's house. The lesson here? Be wise, fear God, turn away and spare yourself the inevitable chastisement that will follow. Yes, God's grace in Christ Jesus is unconditional, eternal, and greater than our presumptuous sinning, but when temptation strikes, look at the cross! Count the cost and declare, "How can I sin presumptuously in the face of such love? Who do I think I am? How can I deliberately sin first and presume His forgiveness later?

Instead, let us seek God in His Word, repentant of our errors, earnestly entreating Him for grace and the forgiveness which is only available through His Son Jesus.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, the next time before I intend to sin and presume upon Your forgiveness point my heart to the cross of Christ and grant me true repentance. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Mark Schreiber. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Who do you think you are?

Devocional del CPTLN de 21 de Enero de 2019 - ¿Quiénes creemos que somos?

ALIMENTO DIARIO

¿Quiénes creemos que somos?

21 de Enero de 2019

¿Quién puede discernir sus propios errores? Absuélveme de los que me son ocultos. Guarda también a tu siervo de pecados de soberbia; que no se enseñoreen de mí. Entonces seré íntegro, y seré absuelto de gran transgresión.

~ Salmo 19:12-13 (LBLA)

"¿Quién te crees que eres?" puede ser dicho como una suave instigación en manos de un consejero astuto, o puede ser una acusación de arrogancia por parte de alguien ofendido por tu comportamiento o palabras. La arrogancia presupone el derecho a decir: "¡Tengo derecho al favoritismo por mis grandes contribuciones a la sociedad! ¡Estoy por encima de todos y soy más inteligente que todos!" Tales personas creen que el mundo les debe un favor, y el tamaño de ese favor es proporcional a la arrogancia que poseen. Tal vez conozcas a alguien cuya excesiva arrogancia inhibe tu capacidad de ser educado en su presencia. Hasta su supuesta humildad es irritante. Me recuerda una cita atribuida a Golda Meir, ex primera ministra de Israel, quien una vez dijo a un dignatario VIP visitante: "No seas tan humilde; no eres tan genial".

¿Somos culpables de una arrogancia similar? ¿Obstaculiza ella nuestro testimonio?

"Guarda a tu siervo de los pecados de soberbia", suplica el salmista. ¿Qué son los "pecados de soberbia"? Esto habla de nuestra insistencia en pecar, creyendo que Dios al final nos va a perdonar y que, mientras tanto, todo va bien con nuestras almas. Los luteranos, por extraño que parezca, pueden ser particularmente susceptibles a este tipo de pecado.

¿Por qué? Porque nuestra piadosa confesión y absolución de pecados, con la que comenzamos cada servicio de adoración, puede darle a uno la idea de que Dios perdona los pecados semanalmente, independientemente de nuestra intención de enmendar nuestras vidas. "... que [los pecados de soberbia] no se enseñoreen de mí. Entonces seré íntegro, y seré absuelto de gran transgresión", suplica el salmista David. El pecado de soberbia es una transgresión "grande" porque posee la capacidad de dominar y arruinar la vida santificada en Cristo.

Considera al autor de este salmo: el rey David, el dulce salmista de Israel; David el vencedor sobre todos los enemigos de Dios desde su juventud; David, bendecido con riquezas, esposas e hijos en abundancia; David, la mano derecha de Dios en la tierra, específicamente elegido por encima de sus hermanos para dirigir a todo Israel; seguramente, David debe haberse sentido especial, apartado y favorecido por Dios. Con esta lluvia de bendiciones celestiales, David supuso que Dios siempre sería misericordioso con él, a pesar de los deambulaciones de su propio corazón. Tal presunción cree erróneamente que el mérito de la gracia de Dios le pertenece completamente a David y no a Dios.

Luego apareció Betsabé: el pecado de soberbia de David.

Conocemos el resto de la historia: problemas por todas partes. Nunca salieron de la casa de David. ¿La lección? Sé sabio, teme a Dios, aléjate y ahórrate el castigo inevitable que seguirá. Sí, la gracia de Dios en Cristo Jesús es incondicional, eterna y más grande que nuestro pecado de soberbia. Pero cuando la tentación golpee, ¡mira a la cruz! Cuenta el costo y declara: "¿Cómo puedo tener la soberbia de pecar ante tal amor? ¿Quién creo que soy? ¿Cómo puedo pecar deliberadamente primero y suponer su perdón más tarde?

En vez de ello, busquemos a Dios en su Palabra, arrepintiéndonos por nuestros errores, rogándole seriamente por la gracia y el perdón que solo están disponibles a través de su Hijo Jesús.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, la próxima vez que pretenda pecar y presumir de tu perdón, dirige mi corazón a la cruz de Cristo y concédeme el verdadero arrepentimiento. Amén.

Dr. Mark Schreiber

© Copyright 2018 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Quién te crees que eres?

Notre Pain Quotidien - Le chant de la création

Le chant de la création

Lisez : Psaume 19.1-7

La Bible en un an : Exode 1 – 3 ; Matthieu 14.1-21

Les cieux racontent la gloire de Dieu, et l’étendue manifeste l’œuvre de ses mains. V. 2

Au moyen de l’astronomie acoustique, des scientifiques peuvent observer et écouter les sons et les pulsations de l’espace. Ils ont découvert que les astres n’orbitent pas en silence dans le mystérieux ciel nocturne, mais créent plutôt une musique. Comme les sons qu’émet la baleine à bosse, la résonnance des astres s’exprime selon des ondes ou des fréquences que l’oreille humaine ne peut capter. Il n’en reste pas moins que la musique combinée des astres, des baleines et d’autres créatures produit une symphonie proclamant la grandeur de Dieu.

Voici ce que dit le Psaume 19 à ce sujet : « Les cieux racontent la gloire de Dieu, et l’étendue manifeste l’œuvre de ses mains. Le jour en instruit un autre jour, la nuit en donne connaissance à une autre nuit. Ce n’est pas un langage, ce ne sont pas des paroles dont le son ne soit point entendu : Leur retentissement parcourt toute la terre, leurs accents vont aux extrémités du monde » (V. 2-5).

Dans le Nouveau Testament, l’apôtre Paul nous révèle qu’en Jésus « ont été créées toutes les choses qui sont dans les cieux et sur la terre, les visibles et les invisibles […] Tout a été créé par lui et pour lui » (COL 1.16). En réponse, les hauteurs et les profondeurs du monde naturel louent le Créateur. Puissions-nous nous joindre à la création pour chanter la grandeur de celui qui a « pris les dimensions des cieux avec la paume » (ÉS 40.12).

Louons l’Éternel, car il nous a créés sur son ordre. PS 148.5

par Remi Oyedele

© 2019 Ministères NPQ
Au moyen de l’astronomie acoustique, des scientifiques peuvent observer et écouter les sons et les pulsations de l’espace. Ils ont découvert que les astres n’orbitent pas en silence dans le mystérieux ciel nocturne, mais créent plutôt une musique.