Wednesday, November 6, 2019

The Daily Lectionary for THURSDAY, November 7, 2019

https://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/revised-common-lectionary-semicontinuous/2019/11/07?version=NRSV

The Daily Lectionary
THURSDAY, November 7, 2019
(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

(Great is the Lord)
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.

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.


(God returns to Jerusalem)
Israel Urged to Repent
1:1 In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah son of Iddo, saying: 2 The Lord was very angry with your ancestors. 3 Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. 4 Do not be like your ancestors, to whom the former prophets proclaimed, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.” But they did not hear or heed me, says the Lord. 5 Your ancestors, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? 6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your ancestors? So they repented and said, “The Lord of hosts has dealt with us according to our ways and deeds, just as he planned to do.”

First Vision: The Horsemen
7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah son of Iddo; and Zechariah said, 8 In the night I saw a man riding on a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen; and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses. 9 Then I said, “What are these, my lord?” The angel who talked with me said to me, “I will show you what they are.” 10 So the man who was standing among the myrtle trees answered, “They are those whom the Lord has sent to patrol the earth.” 11 Then they spoke to the angel of the Lord who was standing among the myrtle trees, “We have patrolled the earth, and lo, the whole earth remains at peace.” 12 Then the angel of the Lord said, “O Lord of hosts, how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, with which you have been angry these seventy years?” 13 Then the Lord replied with gracious and comforting words to the angel who talked with me. 14 So the angel who talked with me said to me, Proclaim this message: Thus says the Lord of hosts; I am very jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion. 15 And I am extremely angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was only a little angry, they made the disaster worse. 16 Therefore, thus says the Lord, I have returned to Jerusalem with compassion; my house shall be built in it, says the Lord of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem. 17 Proclaim further: Thus says the Lord of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity; the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.


(Paul confronts religious leaders)
Paul and the Roman Tribune
22:22 Up to this point they listened to him, but then they shouted, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” 23 And while they were shouting, throwing off their cloaks, and tossing dust into the air, 24 the tribune directed that he was to be brought into the barracks, and ordered him to be examined by flogging, to find out the reason for this outcry against him. 25 But when they had tied him up with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who is uncondemned?” 26 When the centurion heard that, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? This man is a Roman citizen.” 27 The tribune came and asked Paul, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” 28 The tribune answered, “It cost me a large sum of money to get my citizenship.” Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.” 29 Immediately those who were about to examine him drew back from him; and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.

Paul before the Council
30 Since he wanted to find out what Paul was being accused of by the Jews, the next day he released him and ordered the chief priests and the entire council to meet. He brought Paul down and had him stand before them.

23:1 While Paul was looking intently at the council he said, “Brothers, up to this day I have lived my life with a clear conscience before God.” 2 Then the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near him to strike him on the mouth. 3 At this Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting there to judge me according to the law, and yet in violation of the law you order me to be struck?” 4 Those standing nearby said, “Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I did not realize, brothers, that he was high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a leader of your people.’”

6 When Paul noticed that some were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he called out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” 7 When he said this, a dissension began between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, or angel, or spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge all three.) 9 Then a great clamor arose, and certain scribes of the Pharisees’ group stood up and contended, “We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 When the dissension became violent, the tribune, fearing that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered the soldiers to go down, take him by force, and bring him into the barracks.

11 That night the Lord stood near him and said, “Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome.”

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
The Daily Lectionary for THURSDAY, November 7, 2019
Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21; Zechariah 1:1-17; Acts 22:22—23:11

The Daily Prayer for THURSDAY, November 7, 2019


The Daily Prayer
THURSDAY, November 7, 2019

A reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2, NIV)

Lord, save us from times of trial, strengthen us to stand firm in the faith, and fill us with joy at your coming. Amen.

Verse of the Day for THURSDAY, November 7, 2019

https://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/verse-of-the-day/2019/11/07?version=NIV

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Read all of 1 Timothy 2

Listen to 1 Timothy 2

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 - Jueves 7 de Noviembre de 2019

https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/un-dia-vez/2019/11/07

La oración vale oro

Pidan, y se les dará; busquen, y encontrarán; llamen, y se les abrirá.
Mateo 7:7 (NVI)

Si Dios nos dice que oremos en todo momento y lugar, es porque sabía que necesitaríamos la oración como una poderosa arma para enfrentar cada una de las situaciones de la vida. Sin duda, a veces tenemos épocas en que activamos esas antenas espirituales y comprobamos que la oración tiene poder. Es en esos momentos que nos damos cuenta que, siempre que oramos y pedimos, Dios contesta y se escuchan hermosos testimonios. Por eso no debemos cortar esa bendición.

La oración es parte fundamental de nuestra vida espiritual. Además, nosotros estamos creados para tener una relación y una comunicación directa con nuestro Padre.

Es evidente que deseamos milagros y respuestas de parte de Dios. No obstante, ¿cuándo sacamos esos minutos para orar y escuchar la voz de Dios?

Convierte en un estilo de vida el versículo que dice: «Oren sin cesar» (1 Tesalonicenses 5:17). Con esto en mente, acostúmbrate a orar por tu familia y por tus hijos, pues la oración tiene poder.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Si Dios nos dice que oremos en todo momento y lugar, es porque sabía que necesitaríamos la oración como una poderosa arma para enfrentar cada una de las situaciones de la vida.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Thursday, November 7, 2019

https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/standing-strong-through-the-storm/2019/11/07
CHOOSING LOVE OVER HATE

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:14 (NIV)

At the early age of eleven, Sam was living a pious Muslim life in the southern Philippines. He prayed at mosques on Fridays and fasted during Ramadan. Sam was the only one of his siblings sent to school where he excelled both in classroom and sports. He was everybody’s favorite, popular and well-loved.

But everything changed one afternoon. After school, Sam passed by his grandfather’s house who happened to be a Christian. He saw a maroon book with ‘Kitab Injil’ (The Gospel) written on the cover. He opened it and started reading. “I was drawn to Jesus because his teachings were so different...Help the needy, obey and respect parents, do not be a false witness...they were not taught in Islam. Before that, I only knew to repay evil with evil.”

So Sam committed his life to following Jesus and His teachings in the Bible. He was just a fifth grader then. Although he was the only Christian in his family, Sam’s parents and siblings respected his new faith. But outside his home, among his friends, it was a different story. “You’re a kafir (infidel)! You are not my friend anymore.”

It was very painful for Sam to be deserted by his friend. His classmates at grade school kept a good distance from him. Some mocked him, calling him kafir. There were times during classes when kids would throw their shoes at him. They bullied him by writing stuffs on his uniform, filling his bag with sand, and even punching him.

One day, a friend-turned-enemy yelled at him. “You Christians are filthy! Christians are garbage!” Sam cried and ran home. There were times when he was tempted to fight back, but he remembered the words of Jesus to love the enemies, to bless and not curse. In his heart, he prayed for those who bullied him and repaid them with a kind smile instead.

Sam, now seventeen, has endured physical harassment, insults, and discrimination from friends and school mates for boldly telling them that he is a Christian.

After Sam joined the Open Doors’ discipleship program for MBB youths, he has become even bolder in seizing every opportunity to share his faith in Jesus. Sam knows that doing so might cost him his life someday.

“When I think of my friends, my heart breaks. I lost them, and though they turned out to be my enemies, I don’t hate them. Instead, I pray for them that one day they will meet my Lord Jesus and be changed.”

RESPONSE: Jesus wants me to not repay evil with evil but rather love, bless and pray for those who are my enemies.

PRAYER: Help me Lord to live among those who oppose me with the character of Jesus and respond to them with love and not hate.

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

Men's Devotional Bible - Thursday, November 7, 2019

https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/mens-devotional-bible/2019/11/07
The Best Policy

Psalm 130:1–8
Recommended Reading: Psalm 89:1–52; 123:1–4; Colossians 1:15–23

Have you ever noticed the boldness of David and of other composers of psalms? They courageously questioned God (see Psalm 89:46) and went so far as to boldly outline for him what in their view he needed to do (see Psalm 123:3). As people well versed in Israel’s history, the songwriters, we might expect, would have kept silent when it came to questioning God’s ways.

However, the psalmists “got away” with what they said because they expressed their feelings with honesty. They knew their own weaknesses and limitations and understood God’s strength and power and majesty. They knew who they were and where they were. But they also knew God.

Here, the songwriter acknowledges his own state as being in “the depths” (Psalm 130:1). Whether this refers to a physical, emotional or spiritual place doesn’t matter. He’s honest enough to recognize his desperate situation and to cry out to God for help. Simply acknowledging our need is the first step down the pathway of redemption.

But what does the songwriter need? He realizes that if God were to keep a record of sin, the psalmist would certainly be lost. With his rhetorical question “Who could stand?” (Psalm 130:3), he anticipates the words of the New Testament: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). In almost the same breath as his admission of sinfulness, the songwriter honestly expresses who God is. With God “there is forgiveness … unfailing love … full redemption” (Psalm 130:4,7). Finally, the songwriter acknowledges God’s promise that “he himself will redeem Israel from all their sins” (verse 8).

Perhaps the apostle Paul had the words of Psalm 130 in mind hundreds of years later when he wrote to the church at Colosse, “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in [Jesus], and through him to reconcile to himself all things” (Colossians 1:19–20).

Because of Christ we can be honest with ourselves: God comes to where we are to redeem who we are because of who he is.

To Take Away
  • Do you think you’re honest about where you are, who you are and who God is? How can you be sure?
  • When was the last time you thanked God for his forgiveness?
  • In what ways does your life show that you are forgiven and accepted by God?
Do you think you’re honest about where you are, who you are and who God is?

LHM Daily Devotions - November 7, 2019 - A Strange Grammar Lesson

https://www.lhm.org/dailydevotions/default.asp?date=20191107

"A Strange Grammar Lesson"

Nov. 7, 2019

There came to Him (Jesus) some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, and they asked Him a question, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children. And the second and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. Afterward the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife." And Jesus said to them, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Now He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to Him." Then some of the scribes answered, "Teacher, you have spoken well." For they no longer dared to ask Him any question.
Luke 20:27-40 (ESV)

There is a question that can haunt you after someone you love dies. Where are they now? We may know where their bodies lie, but what about the rest of them—the mind, the heart, the spirit? Where are they? Do they still exist at all? Or have they vanished, like breath on the wind?

We are Christians. We know the correct answers. But human is human, and grief is grief, and it is not surprising when these kinds of doubts arise in our minds. Jesus does not blame us for it. Instead, He provides us with an answer—and from a really strange place.

Jesus is having a—well, let's be polite and call it a "discussion" with the Sadducees. This was a Jewish religious group that didn't believe in the resurrection or in any real kind of life after death, unlike other Jews of Jesus' time. They try to trap Jesus with a ridiculous story based on a technical point of Moses' Law. Jesus does answer them—but He does much better for us—He answers the real concern behind the silly story—do the dead still exist?

And He does it by appealing to a really mundane detail—one of God's favorite names for Himself in the Old Testament. God says to Moses, "I AM the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (Exodus 3:6a).

Now that only makes sense if Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob still exist. Otherwise God would have said "I was the God of Abraham," and so forth. God and Abraham are still in relationship—even 2,000 years after Abraham's death.

You may be grieving for someone you love right now. I am. And it's hard to anchor your mind and heart when you think of the person you love but cannot imagine what they are doing right now—where they are, what their surroundings look like. Jesus gives us an anchor. "I am the God of insert name here," He says. That person still exists, and is in God's hands. We can be sure, because as Jesus says, "Now He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to Him."

THE PRAYER: Lord, help me entrust the people I love into Your hands while they live and when they die. Amen.

Reflection Questions:
  • Do you like to learn about grammar? Why or why not?
  • Are you grieving for someone right now? Who?
  • How do you talk to God when you are grieving? How does He strengthen you?

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Do you like to learn about grammar?

CPTLN devocional del 07 de Noviembre de 2019 - Jesús nos da un ancla


ALIMENTO DIARIO

Jesús nos da un ancla

07 de Noviembre de 2019

Algunos de los saduceos, que decían que no hay resurrección, le preguntaron: «Maestro, Moisés nos escribió: "Si el hermano de alguien tiene esposa y muere sin tener hijos, el hermano del difunto debe casarse con la viuda y darle descendencia a su hermano muerto." Pues bien, se dio el caso de siete hermanos, y el primero de ellos se casó, y murió sin tener hijos. El segundo se casó con la viuda, pero también murió sin tener hijos. El tercero también se casó con ella, y así todos los siete, y todos murieron sin dejar descendencia. Finalmente, murió también la mujer. Así que, en la resurrección, ¿esposa de cuál de ellos será la viuda, ya que los siete estuvieron casados con ella?» Entonces Jesús les dijo: «La gente de este mundo se casa, y se da en casamiento, pero los que sean considerados dignos de alcanzar el mundo venidero y la resurrección de entre los muertos, no se casarán ni se darán en casamiento, porque ya no podrán morir, sino que serán semejantes a los ángeles, y son hijos de Dios por ser hijos de la resurrección. Pero en cuanto a que los muertos han de resucitar, aun Moisés lo enseñó en el pasaje de la zarza, pues llama al Señor, "Dios de Abrahán, Dios de Isaac y Dios de Jacob". Porque Dios no es Dios de muertos, sino de vivos, pues para él todos viven.» Algunos de los escribas le respondieron: «Maestro, has dicho bien.» Y no se atrevieron a preguntarle nada más.
Lucas 20:27-40 (RVC)

Hay una pregunta que puede perseguirte después de que alguien que amas muere. ¿Dónde está ahora? Podemos saber dónde se encuentra su cuerpo, pero ¿qué pasa con el resto: su mente, su corazón, su espíritu? ¿Dónde está? ¿Sigue existiendo? ¿O se ha desvanecido, como aliento en el viento?

Como cristianos conocemos la respuesta correcta. Pero como seres humanos sentimos dolor, así que no nos debe sorprender cuando surgen este tipo de dudas en nuestra mente. Jesús no nos culpa por eso; al contrario, nos da una respuesta, un ancla.

Jesús está teniendo una discusión con los saduceos. Este era un grupo religioso judío que no creía en la resurrección ni en ningún tipo de vida después de la muerte, a diferencia de otros judíos de la época de Jesús. Ellos estaban tendiéndole una trampa a Jesús con una historia ridícula basada en un punto técnico de la Ley de Moisés. Jesús les da una respuesta a ellos y a nosotros también. Él responde a la verdadera preocupación interna detrás de la tonta historia: ¿los muertos dejan de existir?

Jesús responde apelando a un detalle simple, uno de los nombres favoritos de Dios para sí mismo en el Antiguo Testamento. Dios le dice a Moisés: "Yo soy el Dios de tu padre. Soy el Dios de Abrahán, el Dios de Isaac y el Dios de Jacob" (Éxodo 3:6a).

Eso solo tiene sentido porque Abraham, Isaac y Jacob todavía existen. De lo contrario, Dios habría dicho "Yo era el Dios de Abraham", y así sucesivamente. Dios y Abraham todavía tienen una relación, incluso 2.000 años después de la muerte de Abraham.

Quizá estás llorando en este momento por haber perdido a alguien que amas. Yo lo estoy. Y es difícil anclar tu mente y tu corazón en terreno firme cuando piensas en la persona que amas y no puedes saber lo que están haciendo en este momento ni dónde están, ni cómo es el "lugar" donde están. Pero Jesús nos da un ancla: "Yo soy el Dios de_________ (pon su nombre aquí)". Esa persona todavía existe y está en las manos de Dios. Podemos estar seguros, porque Jesús nos dice: "Dios no es Dios de muertos, sino de vivos, pues para él todos viven".

ORACIÓN: Señor, ayúdame a confiar que las personas que amo y que mueren en ti, estarán en tus manos cuando mueran. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:
  • ¿Estás llorando por alguien en este momento? ¿Quién?
  • ¿Cómo le hablas a Dios cuando estás afligido? ¿De qué forma te fortalece?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Estás llorando por alguien en este momento?

Хлеб наш насущный - Люблю тебя, сильно-сильно!

https://russian-odb.org/2019/11/07/%d0%bb%d1%8e%d0%b1%d0%bb%d1%8e-%d1%82%d0%b5%d0%b1%d1%8f-%d1%81%d0%b8%d0%bb%d1%8c%d0%bd%d0%be-%d1%81%d0%b8%d0%bb%d1%8c%d0%bd%d0%be/

Люблю тебя, сильно-сильно!

Читать сейчас: 1 Иоанна 4:7-19 | Библия за год: Иеремии 40-42; 1 Фессалоникийцам 5

Бог есть любовь, и пребывающий в любви пребывает в Боге, и Бог в нем. — 1 Иоанна 4:16

У моей трехлетней племянницы Джинны есть выражение, от которого у меня всегда тает сердце. Если ей что-то нравится, будь то бананово-сливочный пирог, прыжки на батуте или броски фрисби, она заявляет: «Люблю, сильно-сильно!» (слова «сильно-сильно» сопровождаются театральным взмахом рук).

Иногда я задумываюсь: «Когда в последний раз я осмеливалась так любить? Не сдерживаясь, совершенно не боясь?»

«Бог есть любовь», – несколько раз пишет Иоанн (1 Ин. 4:8, 16). Истину о том, что Божья любовь (а не наш гнев, страх или стыд) – основа всего, взрослым трудно постичь. Мир разделяется на группы исходя из того, чего люди боятся. И мы слишком часто просто присоединяемся к одной из них, игнорируя или осуждая мнение, которое противоречит привычному образу мыслей.

И все же среди обмана и борьбы за власть (1 Ин. 4:5-6) истина о Божьей любви остается светом, который сияет во тьме, призывая нас научиться смирению, доверию и любви (1 Ин. 1:7-9; 3:18). Потому что независимо от того, какие неприглядные стороны раскрывает свет, мы можем быть уверены, что по-прежнему любимы (1 Ин. 4:10, 18; Рим. 8:1).

Когда Джинна наклоняется и шепчет мне: «Люблю тебя, сильно-сильно!», я шепчу в ответ: «Люблю тебя, сильно-сильно!» И я благодарна за это напоминание, что каждое мгновение меня поддерживает безграничная любовь и благодать.
Когда вы ощущаете, что страх больше любви? Как могли бы измениться ваши отношения с другими, если бы вы верили, что не нужно бояться?
Господь, спасибо за Твою любовь. Помоги нам доверять и следовать Твоему свету и любви, даже когда путь темнеет.


© 2019 Хлеб Наш Насущный
У моей трехлетней племянницы Джинны есть выражение, от которого у меня всегда тает сердце.

Хлеб наш насущный - Круги готовности

https://russian-odb.org/2019/11/14/%d0%ba%d1%80%d1%83%d0%b3%d0%b8-%d0%b3%d0%be%d1%82%d0%be%d0%b2%d0%bd%d0%be%d1%81%d1%82%d0%b8/

Круги готовности

Читать сейчас: Евреям 10:19-25 | Библия за год: Плач Иеремии 3-5; 1 Тимофею 4

Увещайте друг друга и назидайте один другого. — 1 Фессалоникийцам 5:11

Отдыхая в саванне, африканские газели инстинктивно формируют «круги готовности». Они собираются в группы, где каждое животное смотрит наружу в определенном направлении. Это позволяет им просматривать горизонт на 360° и оповещать остальных о приближающейся опасности или, наоборот, о возможностях.

Вместо того чтобы думать только о себе, члены группы заботятся о других. Такова Божья мудрость и для последователей Христа. Библия побуждает: «Будем внимательны друг к другу, поощряя к любви и добрым делам. Не будем оставлять собрания своего» (Евр. 10:24-25).
Автор Послания к евреям объясняет, что христиане не должны справляться с трудностями в одиночку. Вместе мы сильнее. Мы можем «увещевать друг друга» (ст. 25), «утешать находящихся во всякой скорби тем утешением, которым Бог утешает нас самих» (2 Кор. 1:4), и помогать другим быть готовыми к нападениям нашего врага дьявола, который «ходит, как рыкающий лев, ища кого поглотить» (1 Пет. 5:8).

Цель такой взаимной заботы не просто выживание. Она в том, чтобы сделать нас похожими на Христа: любящими и эффективными Божьими служителями, людьми, которые вместе уверенно смотрят в будущее, видя надежду Его грядущего Царства. Нам всем нужна поддержка, и Бог даст нам силу помогать друг другу и вместе приближаться к Нему.
Как вы получаете подкрепление и помощь от других верующих? Кого вы можете поддержать Божьей любовью?
Спасибо за Твою верность, любящий Бог. Помоги мне сегодня вдохновлять других смотреть вперед, на Тебя.


© 2019 Хлеб Наш Насущный
Отдыхая в саванне, африканские газели инстинктивно формируют «круги готовности».