The Daily Lectionary for MONDAY, February 18, 2019

The Daily Lectionary

MONDAY, February 18, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Psalm 120

Prayer for Deliverance from Slanderers
A Song of Ascents.
1  In my distress I cry to the Lord,
     that he may answer me:
2  “Deliver me, O Lord,
     from lying lips,
     from a deceitful tongue.”

3  What shall be given to you?
     And what more shall be done to you,
     you deceitful tongue?
4  A warrior’s sharp arrows,
     with glowing coals of the broom tree!

5  Woe is me, that I am an alien in Meshech,
     that I must live among the tents of Kedar.
6  Too long have I had my dwelling
     among those who hate peace.
7  I am for peace;
     but when I speak,
     they are for war.

2 Kings 24:18—25:21

Zedekiah Reigns over Judah
24:18 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign; he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 19 He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, just as Jehoiakim had done. 20 Indeed, Jerusalem and Judah so angered the Lord that he expelled them from his presence.

The Fall and Captivity of Judah
Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. 25:1 And in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came with all his army against Jerusalem, and laid siege to it; they built siegeworks against it all around. 2 So the city was besieged until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah. 3 On the ninth day of the fourth month the famine became so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land. 4 Then a breach was made in the city wall; the king with all the soldiers fled by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, by the king’s garden, though the Chaldeans were all around the city. They went in the direction of the Arabah. 5 But the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho; all his army was scattered, deserting him. 6 Then they captured the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, who passed sentence on him. 7 They slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, then put out the eyes of Zedekiah; they bound him in fetters and took him to Babylon.

8 In the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month—which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon—Nebuzaradan, the captain of the bodyguard, a servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. 9 He burned the house of the Lord, the king’s house, and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned down. 10 All the army of the Chaldeans who were with the captain of the guard broke down the walls around Jerusalem. 11 Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried into exile the rest of the people who were left in the city and the deserters who had defected to the king of Babylon—all the rest of the population. 12 But the captain of the guard left some of the poorest people of the land to be vinedressers and tillers of the soil.

13 The bronze pillars that were in the house of the Lord, as well as the stands and the bronze sea that were in the house of the Lord, the Chaldeans broke in pieces, and carried the bronze to Babylon. 14 They took away the pots, the shovels, the snuffers, the dishes for incense, and all the bronze vessels used in the temple service, 15 as well as the firepans and the basins. What was made of gold the captain of the guard took away for the gold, and what was made of silver, for the silver. 16 As for the two pillars, the one sea, and the stands, which Solomon had made for the house of the Lord, the bronze of all these vessels was beyond weighing. 17 The height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits, and on it was a bronze capital; the height of the capital was three cubits; latticework and pomegranates, all of bronze, were on the capital all around. The second pillar had the same, with the latticework.

18 The captain of the guard took the chief priest Seraiah, the second priest Zephaniah, and the three guardians of the threshold; 19 from the city he took an officer who had been in command of the soldiers, and five men of the king’s council who were found in the city; the secretary who was the commander of the army who mustered the people of the land; and sixty men of the people of the land who were found in the city. 20 Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took them, and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah. 21 The king of Babylon struck them down and put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah went into exile out of its land.

1 Corinthians 15:20-34

15:20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. 21 For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; 22 for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is plain that this does not include the one who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all.

29 Otherwise, what will those people do who receive baptism on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?

30 And why are we putting ourselves in danger every hour? 31 I die every day! That is as certain, brothers and sisters, as my boasting of you—a boast that I make in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If with merely human hopes I fought with wild animals at Ephesus, what would I have gained by it? If the dead are not raised,

   “Let us eat and drink,
     for tomorrow we die.”

33 Do not be deceived:

   “Bad company ruins good morals.”

34 Come to a sober and right mind, and sin no more; for some people have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

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
For as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ.

Verse of the Day for MONDAY, February 18, 2019

Romans 8:38-39 (NIV) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Read all of Romans 8

Listen to Romans 8

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 - Todo es nuevo

Todo es nuevo

De cierto, de cierto os digo: El que cree en mí, tiene vida eterna.

~ Juan 6:47, rv-60

Si hiciste esta oración de fe, quiero que sepas que has comenzado una nueva etapa en tu vida. Empezarás a experimentar cambios, pero no temas, todos los cambios que tendrás son para bien. De repente, volverás la vista atrás y dirás: «¡Increíble, cómo he cambiado! Lo que antes me gustaba, ahora no lo disfruto». Además, muchos de esos cambios serán radicales. Cuando Jesucristo está en tu corazón, significa que tienes un Salvador. Significa que pasaste a tener la vida eterna. Entonces, cuando partas de este mundo, tendrás la seguridad de que llegarás a la presencia de Dios.

Quiero que sepas que tener a Cristo en tu corazón es una garantía de que ya no estás solo. De modo que ahora tienes a alguien que intercede por ti, se preocupa por tus necesidades y llena todo vacío que nadie podía llenar.

Dios es tu Padre y promete estar contigo aunque te abandone el tuyo.

Dios es tu Amigo fiel, pues Él nunca cambia.

Dios es tu Sanador.

Dios es tu Redentor.

¡Dios es tu TODO!

Celebra tu decisión y permite que Dios moldee tu corazón, sane tus heridas y puedas ser feliz en verdad.

Te felicito porque fuiste valiente. Yo recibí a mi Jesús hace más de trece años y te puedo dar fe y testimonio que ha sido lo mejor que me ha pasado. Le doy gracias a Dios por la persona que utilizó para mostrarme esa hermosa verdad y cambiar mi vida y la de mis hijas.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Si hiciste esta oración de fe, quiero que sepas que has comenzado una nueva etapa en tu vida. Empezarás a experimentar cambios, pero no temas, todos los cambios que tendrás son para bien.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - GOD IS GOOD – ALL THE TIME

GOD IS GOOD – ALL THE TIME

…But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

~ 2 Corinthians 1:9b (NIV)

Over the past three days, we have seen that we need to watch and listen diligently for God’s eternal story of deliverance. God is at work behind life’s miseries and mysteries.

Today I want to share with you a personal testimony from our Standing Strong Through the Storm (SSTS) seminars of this wonderful principle at work.

In 2004, Jim Cunningham and I were invited by our Central Asia Director to hold SSTS seminars in several countries of that needy region where persecution is often severe for the many believers from Muslim background. The first two seminars in one country went extremely well due to young interpreters (we sometimes refer to such as “interrupters”) who were very fluent. Before we finished mentioning a scriptural reference, they would be immediately quoting it in Russian (the colonial language of the area frequently used).

The third and final seminar was to be held in a neighboring country. After significant travel challenges to arrive at the location, we were greeted by our host with the news that there was no one to translate us into the local language, so they had hired Svetlana (not her real name) who reportedly was fluent in English and Russian. They could easily understand the latter.

The three-day seminar took place at a Christian camp ground very suitable for such training and where accommodations were excellent and private. Many of the forty assembled believers had not met before, so the three days were filled with great fellowship, music and worship.

But the seminar itself was a disaster! Svetlana was not a believer and not familiar with the Bible. Secondly, her English vocabulary was extremely limited. She did not understand even simple words like “grace” and “forgiveness.” We spent three frustrating days trying to explain biblical terms and principles to her and despairing that the group understood anything we had come to share. I left that event considering it had been a waste of time and effort.

In December 2010, Jim and I were back in the region working with SSTS trainers from all the five or so countries of the area. A young man approached us and said, “You don’t know me, but you know my mother, Svetlana. She was your interpreter in my country six years ago.”

I smiled sardonically. How could I ever forget Svetlana! But he continued with an almost unbelievable tale. After the SSTS seminar, his mother began reading her Russian Bible and ultimately gave her life to Jesus. Then she led her whole family to faith in Him. And now her son, standing before us, was selected to be here for training as an SSTS teacher in that particular country where I had thought our efforts were such a waste! God is good—all the time!

RESPONSE: Today I will serve God knowing that He is at work behind all life’s miseries and mysteries.

PRAYER: Lord, today I will rely on Your strength and power to accomplish Your good purposes.

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 - Tamar, Daughter-in-Law of Judah

Tamar, Daughter-in-Law of Judah

Her name means: "Date Tree" or "Palm Tree"

Her character: Driven by one overwhelming need, she sacrificed her reputation and nearly her life to achieve her goals.
Her sorrow: That the men in her life failed to fulfill their responsibility, leaving her a childless widow.
Her joy: That her daring behavior resulted, not in ruin, but in the fulfillment of her hopes to bear children.
Key Scriptures: Genesis 38; Matthew 1:3

Her Story

Genealogies hardly make compelling reading at bedtime—or at any other time, for that matter. Perhaps you welcome them with a yawn, or skip over them entirely as you read through the Bible. But even long lists of bewildering names can reveal interesting insights into God's mysterious plan. That's the way the Scriptures work, yielding hidden riches on every page.

Take the genealogy in the first chapter of Matthew, for instance. It lists a grand total of forty-one male ancestors of Jesus, beginning with Abraham, and a mere five female ancestors, three of whose stories (those of Tamar, Rahab, and Bathsheba) are colored by such distasteful details as incest, prostitution, fornication, adultery, and murder.

Jesus, the perfect Son of the perfect Father, had plenty of imperfect branches in his family tree and enough colorful characters to populate a modern romance novel. That women should be mentioned at all in his genealogy is surprising, let alone that four of the five got pregnant out of wedlock. In addition, at least three of the women were foreigners, not Israelites.

Tamar fell into both categories. Her father-in-law, Judah (son of Jacob and Leah), had arranged for her to marry his firstborn, Er. Half Canaanite and half Hebrew, Er was a wicked man, whom God killed for his sins. That's all we know of him.

After Er came Onan, Judah's second son. As was the custom of the time, Judah gave Onan to the widowed Tamar, instructing him to sleep with her so that she could have children to carry on Er's line. But Onan was far too crafty for his own good. He slept with Tamar, but then "spilled his semen on the ground," thus ensuring Tamar's barrenness. That way he would not be saddled with the responsibility for children who would carry on his brother's line rather than his own. But God took note, and Onan, too, died for his wickedness.

Already Judah had lost two sons to Tamar. Should he risk a third? Shelah was his only remaining son, not yet fully grown. To placate his daughter-in-law, Judah instructed Tamar to return to her father's house and live as a widow until Shelah was of marriageable age. But time passed like a sluggish river, and Tamar continued to wear her widow's garments as Selah grew up.

After Judah's wife died, he set out one day for Timnah to shear his sheep. Hearing the news of her father-in-law's journey, Tamar decided to take desperate and dramatic action. If Judah would not give her his youngest son in marriage, she would do her best to propagate the family name in her own way. Shedding her widow's black, she disguised herself in a veil, impersonating a prostitute, and sat down beside the road to Timnah. Judah slept with her and gave her his personal seal and cord along with his staff in pledge of future payment.

About three months later, Judah learned that Tamar was pregnant, little realizing he was responsible for her condition. Outraged that she had prostituted herself, he ordered her burned to death. But before the sentence could be carried out, Tamar sent him a stunning message: "I am pregnant by the man who owns these. See if you recognize whose seal and cord and staff these are."

The man who had so quickly passed judgment, little heeding his own secret tryst with a prostitute, was suddenly taken up short. To his credit, he told the truth, saying, "She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn't give her to my son Shelah."

Six months later, Tamar gave birth to twins. Once again, as with Jacob and Esau, the children struggled in her womb. A tiny hand came out and then disappeared, but not before being tied with a scarlet thread by the midwife. Then a small, slippery body emerged, but with no trace of the red thread. They named the first boy Perez (meaning "Breaking Out"). Then the little one with the scarlet ribbon was born and they named him Zerah (meaning "Scarlet"). Perez was recognized as the firstborn. From his line would come King David and finally, hundreds of years later, Jesus of Nazareth.

Judah had shown little concern regarding the continuance of his line. Instead, God used a woman, shamed by her own barrenness and determined to overcome it, to ensure that the tribe of Judah would not only survive but that it would one day bear the world's Messiah.

Her Promise

The story in Genesis 38 reveals nothing about Tamar's knowledge of God's hand in the events of her life. More than likely, she was totally unaware of the power of God at work. But he was at work nevertheless, bringing good out of tragedy and blessing out of less than honorable events.

That's the beauty of this story. God's power to bring positive things from the negative, even sinful, events of our lives is just as much at work now as in Tamar's day. We may not see it today or tomorrow—or perhaps ever—but we can trust the God we love to do what he loves: bring blessing to us in spite of ourselves.

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.
Driven by one overwhelming need, she sacrificed her reputation and nearly her life to achieve her goals.

Girlfriends in God - The One Day That’s Hers

The One Day That’s Hers

Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

In colorful garments she is led to the king. (Psalm 45:14, CSB)

Friend to Friend

Rarely do I see more beauty on the face of a woman than on the day of her wedding. She’s the belle of the ball and she knows it. Her eyes twinkle as she walks down the aisle toward her groom and her smile speaks to the confidence she feels.

And she’s J Lo on the dance floor. Unhindered. Exuberant in celebration of her big day.

Brides are often consumed with the details of wedding planning. They reach out to best friends, family, co-workers and loved ones. They invite others to share in the big day.

There are showers and parties and cake-tastings.

There are presents to buy and dresses to try on, menus to peruse, and tuxes to rent.

Brides know their wedding day is special. They know this is their day for the spotlight. Their day to shine. A bride laughs, smiles, glows with love…

… and she dances! She celebrates this one day that is HER day!

Royal weddings don’t happen every day. They’re special, grand occasions full of fancy, opulent indulgences that dance elegantly in the dreams of little girls.

All the feels are happening here! Psalm 45 invites us to an extravagant wedding.

(v13) The bride is beautiful within, filled with light, love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, goodness and self-control. Darkness, hatred and evil have no place in her…

No matter our earthly experiences with grooms, we, the church, are the Bride of Christ. And He is the perfect gentleman. Royal by all accounts. King of kings! But more down to earth and intimate as the closest of earthly friends.

Stand tall, royal Bride.

Your groom adores you, cherishes your love and sees you as beautiful.

Let’s Pray

My Heavenly King, My Love,
You are the embodiment of excellence, splendor, majesty, truth, humility and justice… surely worthy of all praise! Thank You for seeing me as Your beautiful, cherished bride. Please lead my heart to a fresh place of loyalty and royalty today as I celebrate the blessings found in Your eternal love.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read Psalm 45. How does this stir you toward preparation of Christ’s return?

Read Rev 19:6-10, then close your eyes and imagine the splendor of that day! Worship in response. Write a prayer in your journal or on the wall of my blog.

More from the Girlfriends

If you want to read and study the Bible, but don’t know where to start, this is for you! Girlfriends in God co-founder Gwen Smith has several online Bible Study options that will guide you on a personal journey with the Lord as you read, record, reflect on and respond to His Word. These studies will help you know what God says about tender topics like forgiveness, healing, fear, depression, relationships and hope. Each study can be done in the comfort of your home and in a time frame that fits with your personal schedule. Visit www.GwenSmith.net/BibleStudy to learn more.

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

Rarely do I see more beauty on the face of a woman than on the day of her wedding. She’s the belle of the ball and she knows it.

LHM Daily Devotions - "Forgiveness Has Two Faces"

"Forgiveness Has Two Faces"

Feb. 18, 2019

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases."

~ Psalm 103:2-3 (ESV)

I cherish this psalm as one of the most beautiful passages about the true nature of God's forgiveness, straight from David's heart. Not only does the Lord forgive and heal, He crowns our life with goodness and strength, renewing our daily steps as with the wings of eagles. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, slow to scolding. He does not keep score nor repay our backslidings and lack of fidelity as we deserve. Our sins are removed from our lives as high as the heavens are above the earth, the east from the west, and tossed behind His back into the depths of the sea, never to be heard from again (see Isaiah 38:17; Micah 7:19). Merciful, gracious, compassionate, long-suffering, steadfast in love is our God! Without God's forgiveness, there is no life, no salvation. With His forgiveness, the doors of paradise are open wide, but forgiveness has two faces: from God to you and from you to your neighbor.

Your neighbor is not only the guy who lives down the street but also includes your closest "neighbors": your spouse, your children, your fellow employees, your fellow-saints who sit in the pew next to you. A heart that is melted by the love of God is a heart smitten by the blood and pain of Jesus upon His cross. Such a heart will always stand ready to forgive those closest to us who often bring us the most pain in life. Can't forgive your spouse, can't forgive your son, your daughter, your neighbor, or that irritating saint from your church? Then turn your face to God and think of Christ first—His brutal, bloody cross. He is the only reason God forgives you, your backsliding, your lack of fidelity. Then, turn your face to your neighbor and see the same cross standing between you both. Forgive, as Paul says in Ephesians 4:32—forgive, even as God in Christ has already forgiven you.

God's forgiveness is not conditional. He did not seek your opinion nor ask for a demonstration to prove you are worth the sacrifice when He sent Christ Jesus into the world to save our souls. Our feeble attempts to amend our sinful lives are dwarfed by the immensity of God's grand forgiveness. Forgiveness isn't free. It came with a priceless price tag, the cross of Christ, and a sacred obligation.

The ancient Romans used the Greek gods for their own religious purposes. The Roman god Janus was the exception. He was uniquely Roman. Janus was the god of the doorway, the god of entering and exiting, a two-faced god, looking forward and looking backward. For the Romans, January, the month dedicated to Janus, inaugurated new beginnings and marked out old departures. Janus, the two-faced Roman god, looked both ways.

Your God, O Christian, He is infinitely greater. His eyes see the whole sweep of your life, backwards and forwards. The Lord looks upon your life and in Christ Jesus forgives all. Such unconditional forgiveness comes with a sacred obligation because God's forgiveness has two faces. Forgive others, just as you have been forgiven at the cross of Christ.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, whenever I find it most difficult to forgive others the wrongs they have done to me, lift my eyes to the cross, and I will learn to forgive once again. 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).
I cherish this psalm as one of the most beautiful passages about the true nature of God's forgiveness, straight from David's heart.

Devocional de la CPTLN del 18 de Febrero de 2019 - El perdón tiene dos caras

ALIMENTO DIARIO

El perdón tiene dos caras

18 de Febrero de 2019

¡Bendice, alma mía, al Señor, y no olvides ninguna de sus bendiciones! El Señor perdona todas tus maldades, y sana todas tus dolencias.

~ Salmo 103:2-3 (RVC)

Aprecio este salmo como uno de los pasajes más hermosos del corazón de David sobre la verdadera naturaleza del perdón de Dios. El Señor no solo perdona y sana, sino que corona nuestra vida con bienes y fortaleza, renovando diariamente nuestros pasos con su poder. El Señor es misericordioso, lento para la ira, lento para reprender. Él no lleva la cuenta ni paga nuestras reincidencias y falta de fidelidad como merecemos. Nuestros pecados son removidos de nuestras vidas, separados de nosotros como los cielos están de la tierra y el este del oeste y arrojados a las profundidades del mar para que nunca más sepamos de ellos (ver Isaías 38:17; Miqueas 7:19). ¡Misericordioso, lleno de gracia, compasivo, sufrido, constante en el amor es nuestro Dios! Sin el perdón de Dios no hay vida ni salvación, pero con su perdón, las puertas del paraíso están abiertas de par en par. Pero el perdón tiene dos facetas: viene de Dios a ti, y va de ti a tu prójimo.

Tu prójimo no solo es tu vecino, sino también las personas más cercanas: tu cónyuge, tus hijos, tus padres, tus compañeros de trabajo, quienes se sientan al lado tuyo en la iglesia. Un corazón tocado por el amor de Dios en Jesucristo estará siempre dispuesto a perdonar a quienes lo rodean, que a menudo causan el mayor dolor en la vida. ¿No puedes perdonar a tu cónyuge, a tu hijo, a tu amigo o a ese compañero de trabajo? Entonces, vuelve tu rostro a Dios y recuerda la cruz brutal y sangrienta de Cristo: él es la única razón por la que Dios te perdona tus reincidencias y tu falta de fidelidad. Luego, mira a tu prójimo y verás que esa misma cruz está entre tú y él. Entonces, perdona así como Dios en Cristo te ha perdonado (ver Efesios 4:32).

El perdón de Dios no es condicional: él no requirió pruebas que demostraran que merecíamos el sacrificio de Cristo. El perdón tampoco no es gratis; llegó con un precio muy alto: la cruz de Cristo y una obligación sagrada.

Los antiguos romanos usaban a los dioses griegos para sus propios propósitos religiosos. El dios romano Jano, exclusivamente romano, fue la excepción. Jano era el dios de la puerta, un dios de dos caras que miraba hacia adelante y hacia atrás. Para los romanos, enero era el mes dedicado a Jano ya que inauguraba nuevos comienzos y marcaba antiguas salidas.

Tu Dios, hermano cristiano, es infinitamente mayor. Sus ojos ven toda tu vida, tu pasado y tu futuro. El Señor mira tu vida y en Cristo Jesús te perdona todo. Tal perdón incondicional viene con una obligación sagrada, porque el perdón de Dios tiene dos caras: perdona a los demás, así como has sido perdonado en la cruz de Cristo.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, cuando me resulte difícil perdonar a otros los males que me han hecho, levanta mis ojos hacia la cruz, y aprenderé a perdonar una vez más. Amén.

Dr. Mark Schreiber

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
Aprecio este salmo como uno de los pasajes más hermosos del corazón de David sobre la verdadera naturaleza del perdón de Dios.

Notre Pain Quotidien - Prier et grandir

Prier et grandir

Lisez : Jonas 4

La Bible en un an : Lévitique 23 – 24 ; Marc 1.1-22

Et quoi que vous fassiez, en parole ou en œuvre, faites tout au nom du Seigneur Jésus, en rendant par lui des actions de grâces à Dieu le Père. Colossiens 3.17

Quand on a diagnostiqué la maladie d’Alzheimer chez la femme de mon ami David, les changements qui ont bouleversé sa vie l’ont rendu amer. Il a dû prendre une retraite anticipée pour la soigner ; et à mesure que la maladie s’aggravait, sa femme a requis de plus en plus de soins.

Il m’a avoué : « J’en voulais tellement à Dieu, mais plus je priais pour cette situation, plus le Seigneur me faisait voir l’état de mon cœur et combien je m’étais montré égoïste durant la majeure partie de notre mariage. » En sanglots, David a confessé : « Il y a dix ans qu’elle est malade, mais Dieu m’a aidé à voir les choses autrement. Tout ce que je fais maintenant par amour pour elle, je le fais aussi pour Jésus. Prendre soin d’elle est devenu le plus grand privilège de ma vie. »

Dieu exauce parfois nos prières non pas en nous donnant ce que nous voulons, mais en nous poussant à changer. Le prophète Jonas s’est mis en colère contre Dieu pour avoir épargné à Ninive d’être détruite. Puis Dieu a fait pousser une plante pour protéger Jonas d’un soleil cuisant (JON 4.6), avant de la faire périr. Quand Jonas s’en est plaint, Dieu lui a dit : « Fais-tu bien de t’irriter à cause du ricin ? » (V. 7-9.) Jonas, qui ne se souciait que de son propre bien, a été alors forcé de penser aux autres avec compassion.

Il arrive parfois que Dieu se serve de nos prières de manière inattendue pour nous aider à apprendre et à grandir. Il agit de la sorte dans le but de nous transformer par son amour.

Quand nous lui consacrons de notre temps, Dieu nous fait grandir.

par James Banks

© 2019 Ministères NPQ
Quand on a diagnostiqué la maladie d’Alzheimer chez la femme de mon ami David, les changements qui ont bouleversé sa vie l’ont rendu amer. Il a dû prendre une retraite anticipée pour la soigner ; et à mesure que la maladie s’aggravait, sa femme a requis de plus en plus de soins.