The Daily Bible Readings for WEDNESDAY, October 21, 2020

 

The Daily Readings
WEDNESDAY, October 21, 2020
Psalm 63:1-8; Numbers 13:1-2, 13:17—14:9; Matthew 17:22-27
The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)

Today’s Verse-of-the-Day:

Psalm 40:8

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

God isn’t seeking men and women who will obey Him grudgingly, reluctantly, or resentfully. He desires children who will delight to obey Him, who take pleasure in living out His commands because it pleases Him (NASB Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible Notes).

Today’s Readings:

Psalm 63:1-8
I rejoice in the shadow of your wings

1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.

7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

Commentary
Early will I seek thee. The true Christian devotes to God the morning hour. He opens the eyes of his understanding with those of his body and awakes each morning to righteousness. He arises with a thirst after those comforts which the world cannot give and has immediate recourse by prayer to the Fountain of the water of life. The true believer is convinced that nothing in this sinful world can satisfy his immortal soul's wants and desires; he expects his happiness from God as his portion. When faith and hope are most in exercise, the world appears a weary desert, and the believer longs for the joys of heaven, of which he has some foretastes in the ordinances of God upon the earth.

Even in affliction, we need not want matter for praise. When this is the regular frame of a believer's mind, he values God's loving-kindness more than life. God's loving-kindness is our spiritual life, and that is better than temporal life. We must praise God with joyful lips; we must address ourselves to the duties of religion with cheerfulness, and speak forth the praises of God from a principle of holy joy. Praising lips must be joyful lips. David was in continual danger; care and fear held his eyes waking, and gave him wearisome nights, but he comforted himself with thoughts of God. When called to mind in the night watches, the mercies of God support the soul, making darkness cheerful. How happy will be that last morning, when the believer, waking up after the Divine likeness, shall be satisfied with all the fulness of God, and praise him with joyful lips, where there is no night, and where sorrow and sighing flee away!

Numbers 13:1-2, 13:17—14:9
Scouting the land of Canaan

13:1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

2 Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.

17 And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain:

18 And see the land, what it is, and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many;

19 And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds;

20 And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes.

21 So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath.

22 And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

23 And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs.

24 The place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence.

25 And they returned from searching of the land after forty days.

26 And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.

27 And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.

28 Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.

29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.

30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

31 But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

32 And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.

33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

14:1 And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.

2 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!

3 And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?

4 And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.

5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.

6 And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:

7 And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.

8 If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.

9 Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.

Commentary
A memorable and melancholy history is related in this and the following chapter of Israel's turning back from Canaan's borders and the sentencing them to wander and perish in the wilderness, for their unbelief and murmuring. It appears, Deuteronomy 1:22, that the motion to search out the land came from the people. They had a better opinion of their own policy than of God's wisdom. Thus we ruin ourselves by believing the reports and representations of sense rather than Divine revelation. We walk by sight, not by faith. Moses gave the spies this charge, Be of good courage. It was not only a great undertaking they were put upon, which required good management and resolution, but a great trust was reposed in them, requiring that they be faithful. Courage in such circumstances can only spring from strong faith, which Caleb and Joshua alone possessed.

The searchers of the land brought a bunch of grapes with them, and other fruits, as proofs of the goodness of the country; which was to Israel both the earnest and the specimen of all the fruits of Canaan. Such is the present comforts we have in communion with God, foretastes of the fulness of joy we expect in the heavenly Canaan. We may see by them what heaven is.

We may wonder that the people of Israel stayed forty days for the return of their spies when they were ready to enter Canaan, under all the assurances of success they could have from the Divine power. The miracles that had hitherto attended them. But they distrusted God's power and promise. How much we stand in our own light by our unbelief! At length, the messengers returned; but the greater part discouraged the people from going forward to Canaan. Justly are the Israelites left to this temptation, for putting confidence in the judgment of men, when they had the word of God to trust in. Though they had found the land as good as God had said, yet they would not believe it to be as sure as he had said, but despaired of having it, though Eternal Truth had engaged it to them. This was the representation of the evil spies. Caleb, however, encouraged them to go forward, though seconded by Joshua only. He does not say, Let us go up and conquer it; but, Let us go and possess it. Difficulties in the way of salvation dwindle and vanish before a lively, active faith in God's power and promise. All things are possible, if they are promised, to him that believes, but carnal sense and carnal professors are not to be trusted. Unbelief overlooks the promises and power of God, magnifies every danger and difficulty, and fills the heart with discouragement. May the Lord help us to believe! We shall then find all things possible.

Those who do not trust God continually vex themselves. The sorrow of the world worketh death. The Israelites murmured against Moses and Aaron, and in them reproached the Lord. They look back with causeless discontent. See the madness of unbridled passions, which makes men prodigal of what nature accounts most dear, life itself. They wish rather to die criminals under God's justice than to live conquerors in his favor.

At last, they resolve that, instead of going forward to Canaan, they would go back to Egypt. Those who walk not in God's counsels seek their own ruin. Could they expect that God's cloud would lead them, or his manna attend them? Suppose the difficulties of conquering Canaan were as they imagined, those of returning to Egypt were much greater. We complain of our place and lot, and we would change; but is there any place or condition in this world, that has not something in it to make us uneasy, if we are disposed to be so? The way to better our condition is to get our spirits in a better frame. See the folly of turning from the ways of God. But men run on the certain fatal consequences of a sinful course.

Moses and Aaron were astonished to see people throw away their own mercies. Caleb and Joshua assured the people of the goodness of the land. They made nothing of the difficulties in the way of their gaining it. If men were convinced of the desirableness of the gains of religion, they would not stick at the services of it. Though the Canaanites dwell in walled cities, their defense was departed from them. The other spies took notice of their strength, but these of their wickedness. No people can be safe when they have provoked God to leave them. Though Israel dwells in tents, they are fortified. While we have the presence of God with us, we need not fear the most powerful force against us. Their own rebellion ruins sinners. But those who, like Caleb and Joshua, faithfully expose themselves for God, are sure to be taken under his special protection and shall be hidden from the rage of men, either under heaven or in heaven.

Matthew 17:22-27
Jesus pays the temple tax

17:22 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:

23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.

24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.

27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Commentary
Christ perfectly knew all things that should befall him, yet undertook the work of our redemption, which strongly shows his love, what outward debasement and Divine glory was the life of the Redeemer! And all his humiliation ended in his exaltation. Let us learn to endure the cross, despise riches and worldly honors, and be content with his will.

Peter felt sure that his Master was ready to do what was right. Christ spoke first to give him proof that no thought can be withholden from him. We must never decline our duty for fear of offending, but we must sometimes deny ourselves in our worldly interests, rather than give offense. However, the money was lodged in the fish, He who knows all things alone could understand it, and only almighty power could bring it to Peter's hook. The power and the poverty of Christ should be mentioned together. If called by providence to be poor, like our Lord, let us trust in his power, and our God shall supply all our need, according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. In the way of obedience, in the course, perhaps, of our usual calling, as he helped Peter, so he will help us. And if any sudden call should occur, which we are not prepared to meet, let us not apply to others, till we first seek Christ.

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV).

Commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible.

The Daily Bible Readings are selected from the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, a three-year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2020, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2019 was Year C. 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 what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Readings for WEDNESDAY, October 21, 2020
Psalm 63:1-8; Numbers 13:1-2, 13:17—14:9; Matthew 17:22-27 (KJV)

Prayer of the Day for WEDNESDAY, October 21, 2020

 

Prayer of the Day
WEDNESDAY, October 21, 2020

Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.

— Revelation 8:3–4 (NIV)

Lord God, we come before you and ask you to turn our hearts and minds to you alone, to you who have power over the whole world and who can do everything in our hearts according to your will. Let there be light in our time. Hear and answer the many prayers that have already come to you, rising for centuries before your throne, prayers for your kingdom and for your will on earth. This earth has become the prey of evil. We are poor and needy, and you alone can help us. Help us, O Lord, our God and Father. After this misery let your day come, your great day over all the world and over all peoples. Amen.

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, October 21, 2020

 

Psalm 40:8

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

Read all of Psalm 40

Listen to Psalm 40

The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)

Ichthus Ministries Daily Devotions — Off the Hook

 

Off the Hook

Now we know that whatever the Law says it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the Law no human being will be justified in His sight, since through the Law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the Law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over former sins. It was to show His righteousness at the present time, so that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.

— Romans 3:19-28

Have you ever been let off the hook for something? Maybe you received an officer's warning and not a ticket for that broken rear tail light—the one you meant to get fixed. Perhaps the business meeting you were nervously preparing a speech for was cancelled. And then there's everybody's favorite: the medical test results you dreaded to hear about all came back negative.

It's a major relief when the bad thing you thought was going to happen—doesn't.

In reality, Paul's words above are God's way of saying, "You've been let off the hook" to sinners. But this freedom from the Law's judgment came at a price—the one Jesus paid on Calvary. Imagine Paul's joy when he learned the truth of how God in His grace and mercy had forgiven every vile sin he was ever guilty of—and there were many. You may recall Paul's persecution of the earliest Christians—rounding them up and herding them off to the religious authorities in Jerusalem for some nasty interrogations and prison time (see Acts 8-9).

By anybody's standard, Paul was a first-rate sinner—but in the end, none worse than all the rest. "For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith."

Now we too have been let off the hook, absolved of our blame. The same grace and mercy that Paul experienced is generously offered to us today. As Paul writes later in Romans, "For the Scripture says, 'Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.' For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on all who call on Him. For 'everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved'" (Romans 10:11-13).

Heavenly Father, cleanse us of our sins and lead us in the way everlasting. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Paul Schreiber

Reflection Questions:

1. What's the biggest thing you've been let off the hook for? Care to share?

2. Why did God the Father have to have His Son die for us to be free from the Law?

3. Do you know anyone who feels he or she is firmly on the hook for something they've done? How could Romans 3:19-28 be of comfort to them?

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Have you ever been let off the hook for something? Maybe you received an officer's warning and not a ticket for that broken rear tail light—the one you meant to get fixed. Perhaps the business meeting you were nervously preparing a speech for was cancelled. And then there's everybody's favorite: the medical test results you dreaded to hear about all came back negative.

Standing Strong Through the Storm — THE GLORY OF HEAVEN

 

THE GLORY OF HEAVEN

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

— Romans 8:17-18

Suffering and persecution turn our hearts and minds to the glory that will be ours in heaven. Jesus promises a great reward in heaven to those who suffer (Matthew 5:12). Paul says above that the present sufferings are not worthy of being compared with the future’s glory, and Peter agreed (I Peter 1:6, 7; 4:13; 5:1-10). When I was growing up, a Christian song says, “It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus.” Those that are living today as spiritual “refugees” look longingly toward the eternal home.

Hebrews chapter eleven helps us to understand the history of this. In the first part of the chapter, which is the “hall of faith,” we see faith examples of power, life, and vitality. Then in verse thirty-five, the list changes to those who lost their lives—some through horrendous persecution. Yet all were commended for their faith.

In his book The Barbarian Way, Erwin McManus comments about this:

All of them chose and walked the barbarian way, and they were blessed because they did not fall away on account of Jesus. They trusted Jesus with their lives, and they lost their lives on the journey. However, if you could interview any one of them, each would insist that even in the midst of suffering and hardship, he was most fully alive. They were not disappointed in God because they did not misunderstand who He was. They understood His call, and they chose it willingly. John the Baptist would join their number. Some barbarians survive the night in the lion’s den; others experience their darkest night and wake in eternity.[1]

RESPONSE: Today, I will rejoice in the glory of heaven that awaits and makes my suffering insignificant.

PRAYER: Help me, Lord, to remember that eternity with You is infinitely better during the challenges I face here.

1. Erwin McManus, The Barbarian Way (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2005), p. 41.

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.
Suffering and persecution turn our hearts and minds to the glory that will be ours in heaven.

John Piper Devotional — The Mystery of Marriage

 

The Mystery of Marriage

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

— Genesis 2:24

When God engaged to create man and woman and to ordain the union of marriage, he didn’t roll the dice or draw straws or flip a coin as to how they might be related to each other. He patterned marriage very purposefully after the relationship between his Son and the church, which he had planned from all eternity.

Therefore, marriage is a mystery—it contains and conceals a meaning far greater than what we see on the outside. God created man male and female and ordained marriage so that the eternal covenant relationship between Christ and his church would be imaged forth in the marriage union.

The inference Paul draws from this mystery is that the roles of husband and wife in marriage are not arbitrarily assigned, but are rooted in the distinctive roles of Christ and his church.

Those of us who are married need to ponder again and again how mysterious and wonderful it is that God grants us in marriage the privilege to image forth stupendous divine realities infinitely bigger and greater than ourselves.

This is the foundation of the pattern of love that Paul describes for marriage. It is not enough to say that each spouse should pursue his or her own joy in the joy of the other. It is also important to say that husbands and wives should consciously copy the relationship God intended for Christ and the church.

I hope you will take this seriously, whether you are single or married, old or young. The revelation of the covenant-keeping Christ and his covenant-keeping church hangs on it.
When God engaged to create man and woman and to ordain the union of marriage, he didn’t roll the dice or draw straws or flip a coin as to how they might be related to each other. He patterned marriage very purposefully after the relationship between his Son and the church, which he had planned from all eternity.

Un dia a la Vez — Los deseos de Dios

 

Los deseos de Dios

Ante ti, Señor, están todos mis deseos; no te son un secreto mis anhelos.

— Salmo 38:9

Dicen que en veintiún días algo que hacemos se convierte en hábito. Así que al buscar palabra que Dios pusiera en mi corazón para cada uno de nosotros este año, encontré veintiún deseos específicos, o principios de vida, que Dios espera de nosotros. Muchos de estos los hemos escuchado, repetido y practicado. Sin embargo, lo más importante es que cada uno de los que amamos a Dios queremos conocerle, agradarle y hacer su voluntad.

Durante los próximos veintiún días reflexionaremos en esos deseos y principios de vida y estoy segura que Dios abrirá nuestro entendimiento a fin de que logremos comprender mejor su Palabra y su corazón.

Dios mío, ayúdanos a comprender tu Palabra. Danos sabiduría y permite que cada uno de nosotros reciba la instrucción y la preparación de modo que seamos capaces de vivir como tú esperas. Que con palabras sencillas comprendamos la bendición de ser obedientes.

Señor Jesús, entregamos en tus manos estos próximos días que combinaremos con oración y ayuno.

Amén y amén.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Dicen que en veintiún días algo que hacemos se convierte en hábito. Así que al buscar palabra que Dios pusiera en mi corazón para cada uno de nosotros este año, encontré veintiún deseos específicos, o principios de vida, que Dios espera de nosotros.

Devocional CPTLN — Liberados

 

Liberados

Pero sabemos que todo lo que dice la ley, se lo dice a los que están bajo la ley, para que todos callen y caigan bajo el juicio de Dios, ya que nadie será justificado delante de Dios por hacer las cosas que la ley exige, pues la ley sirve para reconocer el pecado. Pero ahora, aparte de la ley, se ha manifestado la justicia de Dios, y de ello dan testimonio la ley y los profetas. La justicia de Dios, por medio de la fe en Jesucristo, es para todos los que creen en él. Pues no hay diferencia alguna, por cuanto todos pecaron y están destituidos de la gloria de Dios; pero son justificados gratuitamente por su gracia, mediante la redención que proveyó Cristo Jesús, a quien Dios puso como sacrificio de expiación por medio de la fe en su sangre. Esto lo hizo Dios para manifestar su justicia, pues en su paciencia ha pasado por alto los pecados pasados, para manifestar su justicia en este tiempo, a fin de que él sea el justo y, al mismo tiempo, el que justifica al que tiene fe en Jesús. Entonces, ¿dónde está la jactancia? Queda excluida. ¿Por cuál ley? ¿Por la de las obras? No, sino por la ley de la fe. Por lo tanto, llegamos a la conclusión de que el hombre es justificado por la fe, sin las obras de la ley.

— Romanos 3:19-28

¿Alguna vez te has liberado de algo? Tal vez te dieron una advertencia en vez de una multa por ir un poco más rápido de lo permitido, o quizás la reunión de negocios que te tenía tan nervioso fue cancelada, o las pruebas médicas que tanto temías dieron negativo. Cuando algo así sucede, sentimos un gran alivio.

En realidad, las palabras de Pablo para hoy son la manera en que Dios nos dice: "Has sido liberado". Pero esta liberación del juicio de la Ley divina tuvo un precio: el que Jesús pagó en el Calvario. ¡Imagina el gozo de Pablo cuando descubrió cómo Dios, en Su gracia y misericordia, había perdonado todos sus pecados! Tal vez recuerdes cómo Pablo persiguió a los primeros cristianos, llevándolos a las autoridades religiosas en Jerusalén para ser interrogados y puestos en prisión (ver Hechos 8-9).

Ante los ojos humanos, Pablo era un pecador de primer orden; sin embargo, no fue peor que nadie. "Pues no hay diferencia alguna, por cuanto todos pecaron y están destituidos de la gloria de Dios; pero son justificados gratuitamente por su gracia, mediante la redención que proveyó Cristo Jesús, a quien Dios puso como sacrificio de expiación por medio de la fe en su sangre."

Nosotros también hemos sido liberados, absueltos de nuestra culpa. Hoy se nos ofrece generosamente la misma gracia y misericordia que Pablo experimentó. Como escribe Pablo más adelante en Romanos, "Pues la Escritura dice: «Todo aquel que cree en él, no será defraudado.» Porque no hay diferencia entre el que es judío y el que no lo es, pues el mismo que es Señor de todos, es rico para con todos los que lo invocan, porque todo el que invoque el nombre del Señor será salvo" (Romanos 10:11-13).

ORACIÓN: Padre Celestial, límpianos de nuestros pecados y condúcenos por el camino eterno. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén.

Paul Schreiber

Para reflexionar:

* ¿Por qué Dios el Padre tuvo que hacer morir a su Hijo para que pudiéramos ser libres de la Ley?
* ¿Conoce a alguien que se sienta culpable por algo que ha hecho? ¿Cómo podría serles de consuelo Romanos 3:19-28?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Alguna vez te has liberado de algo? Tal vez te dieron una advertencia en vez de una multa por ir un poco más rápido de lo permitido, o quizás la reunión de negocios que te tenía tan nervioso fue cancelada, o las pruebas médicas que tanto temías dieron negativo. Cuando algo así sucede, sentimos un gran alivio.

Ministérios Pão Diário — Minha verdadeira face

 

Minha verdadeira face

Escritura de hoje: 1 Timóteo 1:12-17

Bíblia em um ano: Isaías 62–64; 1 Timóteo 1

Agradeço àquele que me deu forças […] que me considerou digno de confiança e me designou para servi-lo.

—  1 Timóteo 1:12

Durante anos, a sensação de indignação e vergonha do meu passado pouco santo impactou negativamente todos os aspectos da minha vida. E se descobrissem as nódoas de minha reputação? Quando Deus me deu coragem para convidar uma líder de ministério para almoçar, lutei para parecer perfeita. Limpei a casa, preparei uma bela refeição e vesti minha melhor roupa.

Corri para desligar os irrigadores do jardim, mas ao torcer o bico da mangueira, ele se soltou e gritei quando um jato de água me ensopou. Com o cabelo na toalha e a maquiagem manchada, vesti um moletom e camiseta… em tempo de ouvir a campainha. Frustrada, contei tudo à minha nova amiga, que também falou sobre suas lutas com o medo e a insegurança que eram os resultados de suas falhas passadas. Depois de orarmos, ela me acolheu em sua equipe de servas imperfeitas de Deus.

Paulo aceitou sua nova vida em Cristo sem negar o passado nem permitir que isto o impedisse de servir o Senhor. Ele reconhecia que a obra de Jesus o salvara e o transformara, portanto, louvava a Deus e incentivava os outros a honrá-lo e obedecer-lhe (vv.12-17).

Quando aceitamos a graça e o perdão de Deus, somos libertos do passado. Falhos mas amados, não temos por que nos envergonhar da nossa verdadeira face ao servi-lo com os dons que dele recebemos.

Por:  Xochitl Dixon

Refletir & Orar

Senhor, obrigado por permitires que te sirvamos apesar de 
como éramos antes de te conhecermos.
Deus nos aceita como somos e nos transforma 
à medida que o servimos em amor.


© 2020 Ministérios Pão Diário
Durante anos, a sensação de indignação e vergonha do meu passado pouco santo impactou negativamente todos os aspectos da minha vida. E se descobrissem as nódoas de minha reputação?