The Daily Bible Readings for THURSDAY, November 19, 2020

 

The Daily Readings
THURSDAY, November 19, 2020
Psalm 100; Genesis 48:15-22; Revelation 14:1-11
The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)

Today’s Verse-of-the-Day:

Psalm 1:1-2

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

The Lord gave Joshua the same command He issued to future Israelite kings in Deuteronomy 17:19—he was to meditate on the Word of God every day. He instructs us to do so as well. Meditation means that we study the Bible, think about what we’ve read, and ask the Lord to help us understand His principles and apply them to our lives. This is absolutely essential if you want to know God and do His will.

Today’s Readings:

Psalm 100
We are the people of God’s pasture

1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Commentary
This song of praise should be considered as a prophecy, and even used as a prayer, for the coming of that time when all people shall know that the Lord he is God, and shall become his worshippers, and the sheep of his pasture. Great encouragement is given us, in worshipping God, to do it cheerfully. If, when we strayed like wandering sheep, he has brought us again to his fold, we have indeed abundant cause to bless his name. The matter of praise, and the motives to it, are very important. Know ye what God is in himself, and what he is to you. Know it; consider and apply it, then you will be more close and constant, more inward and serious, in his worship. The covenant of grace set down in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, with so many rich promises, to strengthen the faith of every weak believer, makes the matter of God's praise and of his people's joys so sure, that how sad soever our spirits may be when we look to ourselves, yet we shall have reason to praise the Lord when we look to his goodness and mercy, and to what he has said in his word for our comfort.

Genesis 48:15-22
God has been Jacob’s shepherd

48:15 And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day,

16 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

17 And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head.

18 And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.

19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.

20 And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.

21 And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.

22 Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.

Commentary
In blessing Joseph's sons, Jacob crossed hands. Joseph was willing to support his first-born, and would have removed his father's hands. But Jacob acted neither by mistake, nor from a partial affection to one more than the other; but from a spirit of prophecy, and by the Divine counsel. God, in bestowing blessings upon his people, gives more to some than to others, more gifts, graces, and comforts, and more of the good things of this life. He often gives most to those that are least likely. He chooses the weak things of the world; he raises the poor out of the dust. Grace observes not the order of nature, nor does God prefer those whom we think fittest to be preferred, but as it pleases him. How poor are they who have no riches but those of this world! How miserable is a death-bed to those who have no well-grounded hope of good, but dreadful apprehensions of evil, and nothing but evil for ever!

Revelation 14:1-11
Fear God and give God glory

14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Commentary
Verses 1-5 — Mount Sion is the gospel church. Christ is with his church, and in the midst of her in all her troubles, therefore she is not consumed. His presence secures perseverance. His people appear honourably. They have the name of God written in their foreheads; they make a bold and open profession of their faith in God and Christ, and this is followed by suitable actings. There were persons in the darkest times, who ventured and laid down their lives for the worship and truth of the gospel of Christ. They kept themselves clean from the wicked abominations of the followers of antichrist. Their hearts were right with God; and they were freely pardoned in Christ; he is glorified in them, and they in him. May it be our prayer, our endeavour, our ambition, to be found in this honourable company. Those who are really sanctified and justified are meant here, for no hypocrite, however plausible, can be accounted to be without fault before God.

Verses 6-11 — The progress of the Reformation appears to be here set forth. The four proclamations are plain in their meaning; that all Christians may be encouraged, in the time of trial, to be faithful to their Lord. The gospel is the great means whereby men are brought to fear God, and to give glory to him. The preaching of the everlasting gospel shakes the foundations of antichrist in the world, and hastens its downfall. If any persist in being subject to the beast, and in promoting his cause, they must expect to be for ever miserable in soul and body.

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 THURSDAY, November 19, 2020
Psalm 100; Genesis 48:15-22; Revelation 14:1-11 (KJV)

Prayer of the Day for THURSDAY, November 19, 2020

 

Prayer of the Day
Thursday, November 19, 2020

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.

— 1 Corinthians 1:27 (RSV)

Lord our God, we come to you poor and yet rich, weak and yet strong, with the prayer that your promise may be fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our dear Lord and Savior. Let the time come when the heavens open and a new light shines over the earth, a time when people will praise and thank you and receive everlasting peace and happiness with you. Remember the many people who come into need these days. Remember our nation and all who work for the good of our country. Bless them and help them. And help the dying, O Lord our God; grant that they come to you, for they are yours. Your help will bring life out of death, joy out of grief and need. May your name be honored, dear Father in heaven, may your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as in heaven. Amen.

Verse of the Day for THURSDAY, November 19, 2020

 

Verse of the Day
THURSDAY, November 19, 2020

Psalm 1:1-2

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

The Lord gave Joshua the same command He issued to future Israelite kings in Deuteronomy 17:19—he was to meditate on the Word of God every day. He instructs us to do so as well. Meditation means that we study the Bible, think about what we’ve read, and ask the Lord to help us understand His principles and apply them to our lives. This is absolutely essential if you want to know God and do His will.

Read all of Psalm 1

Listen to Psalm 1

The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)

Ichthus Ministries Daily Devotions — What About Hell?

 

What About Hell?

(Jesus said) "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. Before Him will be gathered all the nations, and He will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And He will place the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed Me, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you visited Me, I was in prison and you came to Me.'" ... "Then He will say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.'"

— Matthew 25:31-36, 41

When my son was little, he went through a phase where he was very worried about hell. I didn't know where that came from—our family always emphasized Jesus' love and forgiveness. Still, here was my child, asking a million questions about hell. What is it? Where is it? How do you get there? What is it like on the inside? I could see his anxiety going up, and I couldn't stop it. I finally snapped one day and said, "Why do you keep asking me what hell is like? You're never going to go there anyway, so why do you even care?"

That was pretty much the end of the questions. He went back to his Legos, all happy and reassured, and I went back to washing dishes.

A lot of people have a sneaking fear that they may wind up in hell—because of an old guilt they still carry, because of a sense that they aren't good enough for God, because of a worry that maybe God doesn't, couldn't, really love them or want them to be His forever. And this worry poisons their lives and causes them to live without the joy Jesus wants them to have.

But in today's parable, Jesus says one thing which can comfort us: He calls hell "the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." Pay attention to those words. Hell was not made for human beings; that was never its purpose. Hell was intended as a prison house for the devil. Any human being who winds up there is in the wrong place, is absolutely not where God wants him or her to be.

Where are human beings supposed to be, then? Jesus' own words give us the answer: "Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." God made us for heaven—for paradise—for His own kingdom. That is what He has been planning since the world began. All of our sin cannot change that fact. God planned this before Adam and Eve sinned, and certainly before you and I did. He intends to bring us home.

That is why Jesus came to us, became a human baby, and grew up to be our Savior. That is why He suffered and died for us—only to rise from the dead three days later. He came to bring us home. Hell is not your destination. Jesus is calling you to Himself, to belong to Him forever. He has a place all ready for you. Won't you come with Him?

Lord Jesus, let me be with You forever in Your kingdom. Amen.

Dr. Kari Vo

Reflection Questions:

1. When you were a child, did you ever worry about hell?

2. Why is it so hard to believe that God forgives us and wants us?

3. What reminds you that God really does love you and has made you His child?

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
When my son was little, he went through a phase where he was very worried about hell. I didn't know where that came from—our family always emphasized Jesus' love and forgiveness.

Standing Strong Through the Storm — POURED OUT LIKE A DRINK OFFERING

 

POURED OUT LIKE A DRINK OFFERING

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.

— 2 Timothy 4:6

On the last day of an Open Doors seminar in South Africa, students shared how they thought the church should prepare for persecution. One man shared his son’s story and its impact:

It was at the time when the pupils rioted, burning schools, churches, shopping centers, town councilors’ houses, and mercilessly attacking anyone whom they regarded as a ‘sell-out.’

Each morning his sturdy, neatly dressed, thirteen-year-old Christian son wound his way through the mounds of rubble towards school, amidst the mocking of other youths wandering the smoke-filled streets. Later he would walk home while the teachers, frightened by the threatening mobs, locked themselves in their homes.

One particular morning, after the family devotions, his parents watched as he walked off to school. At the school grounds, a mob blocked the gate. He walked undeterred through the gate and greeted them with a nod and a friendly smile.

He was in the center of the mob when they closed in around him, blocking any further progress. One older gang leader, tall and powerfully built, grabbed the strap of his school bag and pulled him to a standstill. He glared at him and growled, “As a Christian, you have always been on time for school, never late, never missing a day. You have always been praised by those ‘sell-out’ teachers for knowing and doing your schoolwork in spite of our revolutionary slogan, ‘liberation now, education later.’ Today, you will have to decide for our revolution or else.”

“I have decided to have nothing to do with your revolution,” the boy replied unwaveringly. He remembered what his father taught on compromise in times of persecution.

With a curse, the bully pushed him backwards into the mob. Blows rained on him, and he tried in vain to ward it off, then a knife flashed in the sun, a second, and a third. Hours later, a policeman knocked on the door of his parent’s home.

The father still lives in that house and preaches the love of Christ to the same community. Peace has returned to the township, but hardly a day passes without a passer-by or a message scribbled on the garden wall, reminding him of that day.

The father says, “I greet them and smile at them in the hope that the testimony of my life and my willingness to forgive will eventually carry the light of Christ into their hearts, replacing the spirit of bitterness darkening their lives. I know by going back there to train the church leaders, I am at risk of my life being ‘poured out like a drink offering’ just like the apostle Paul.”

RESPONSE: Today, I will not live in fear nor compromise my faith no matter what Satan throws at me.

PRAYER: Pray for courage for those whose lives today may be poured out like a drink offering.

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.
On the last day of an Open Doors seminar in South Africa, students shared how they thought the church should prepare for persecution.

Men's Devotional Bible — The Way God Intended

 

The Way God Intended

Song of Songs 8:6–7

Recommended Reading: Genesis 2:18–25; Matthew 19:1–9; Hebrews 13:4

This passage, perhaps as powerfully as any other in the entire Bible, defines and describes for modern readers God’s intentions when he invented and defined the institution of marriage.

Marriage as a concept lies deep within our collective psyche. Preschoolers role-play the family unit as part of their playground fun. Preteen girls dream of the day when they’ll walk down the aisle in a flowing white gown. Matchmaking businesses and Websites thrive as people look for that elusive one perfect person to know and love for the rest of their lives. The vast majority of adults who live in Western cultures either are, have been, or someday intend to be married. Such hopefulness in the face of a consistent 50 percent divorce rate! And yet, despite the well-publicized antics of the Hollywood set, marriage remains one of the key building blocks of family life and society as a whole.

And that’s just what God intended. The language in this passage is powerful as it speaks to the implications of marriage. One scholar has said that this passage “characterizes marital love as the strongest, most unyielding and invincible force in human experience.” Now that’s saying something! Despite the failure of individuals, the bar of God’s expectations for marriage is set sky-high. And note the implications of the last part of verse 7: True, lasting marital love involves deep integrity on the part of both parties. To paraphrase: “Money can’t buy me love.”

The power of marriage lies in the power of a promise, sealed with God’s stamp of approval that one man makes to one woman. The promise to love another person “until death do you part” is as deep a commitment as one can make in this life. As one pastor put it, “The power to make and keep a promise is one of the strongest in the world, for it brings the promise maker within a millimeter of what it means to be like God, who makes and keeps his promises to his people.”

True, enduring, lifelong commitment is God’s expectation for marriage, and it has been since the Garden of Eden. That’s not to say that God expects us to be perfect as we relate to one another; we are, after all, still living under the effects of sin. But despite our failures, the goal for the respect we are to show toward the institution remains the same, “for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave” (Song of Songs 8:6).

To Take Away

• Are you married? If you answered yes, how does your marriage stack up to God’s expectations for the institution?
• If you’ve never been married, what is your perspective on what this passage could mean for your future?
• If you’re not married now but have been in the past, how can this passage influence your opinions and actions?

This passage, perhaps as powerfully as any other in the entire Bible, defines and describes for modern readers God’s intentions when he invented and defined the institution of marriage.

John Piper Devotional — We All Need Help

 

We All Need Help

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

— Hebrews 4:16

Every one of us needs help. We are not God. We have needs. We have weaknesses. We have confusion. We have limitations of all kinds. We need help.

But every one of us has something else: we have sins. Therefore, at the bottom of our hearts, we know that we do not deserve the help we need. And so we feel trapped.

I need help to live my life and to handle death and to cope with eternity—help with my family, my spouse, my children, my loneliness, my job, my health, my finances. I need help. But I don’t deserve the help I need.

So what can I do? I can try to deny it all and be a superman who doesn’t need any help. Or I can try to drown it all and throw my life into a pool of sensual pleasures. Or I can simply give way to the paralysis of despair.

But God declares over this hopeless conclusion: Jesus Christ became a High Priest to shatter that despair with hope and to humble that superman or superwoman and to rescue that drowning wretch.

Yes, we all need help. Yes, none of us deserves the help we need. But no to despair and pride and lechery. Look at what God says. Because we have a great High Priest, the throne of God is a throne of grace. And the help we get at that throne is mercy and grace to help in time of need. Grace to help! Not deserved help, gracious help.

You are not trapped. Say no to that lie. We need help. We don’t deserve it. But we can have it. You can have it right now and forever. If you will receive and trust in your High Priest, Jesus the Son of God, and draw near to God through him.
Every one of us needs help. We are not God. We have needs. We have weaknesses. We have confusion. We have limitations of all kinds. We need help.

Un dia a la Vez — El gozo del Señor

 

El gozo del Señor

No estén tristes, pues el gozo del Señor es nuestra fortaleza.

— Nehemías 8:10

Sin duda, recuerdas que hemos hablado que el gozo del Señor es nuestra fortaleza. Eso significa que si permanezco alegre, eso será lo que les transmitiré a los demás.

Sin embargo, quizá este no sea tu caso. Es posible que las deudas te estén ahogando, que tu hogar esté destruido o que tu hijo esté involucrado en las drogas. Entonces, quizá me digas: «Bueno, ¿cómo voy a tener gozo cuando tengo tantos problemas?».

La respuesta no la tengo yo, sino que la tiene el Dios de los imposibles. Aunque las cosas para ti no sean para nada fáciles, Él desea verte con gozo.

Si nos dejamos llevar por la tristeza o por el dolor, ¿cómo serían nuestros días y cómo testificaríamos de un Dios que nos ama? Es una bendición poder aprender y poner en práctica la vida con gozo a pesar de los pesares.

Si lo analizamos, podemos decir que el gozo es una decisión. Eso lo determiné hace ya varios años. Después de mi crisis de salud, aprendí a valorar más las cosas, a vivir feliz y a no dejar que me despojaran de las bendiciones de mi Padre. Por eso, mi oración diaria es por fortaleza para seguir mi vida con entusiasmo.

¿Y tú? No permitas que nada ni nadie te roben el gozo del Señor.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Sin duda, recuerdas que hemos hablado que el gozo del Señor es nuestra fortaleza.

Devocional CPTLN — ¿Y qué del infierno?

 

¿Y qué del infierno?

[Jesús dijo] "Cuando el Hijo del Hombre venga en su gloria, y todos los santos ángeles con él, se sentará en su trono de gloria, y todas las naciones serán reunidas ante él. Entonces él apartará a los unos de los otros, como aparta el pastor a las ovejas de los cabritos. Pondrá las ovejas a su derecha, y los cabritos a su izquierda, y entonces el Rey dirá a los de su derecha: "Vengan, benditos de mi Padre, y hereden el reino preparado para ustedes desde la fundación del mundo. Porque tuve hambre, y ustedes me dieron de comer; tuve sed, y me dieron de beber; fui forastero, y me recibieron; estuve desnudo, y me cubrieron; estuve enfermo, y me visitaron; estuve en la cárcel, y vinieron a visitarme... Entonces dirá también a los de la izquierda: "¡Apártense de mí, malditos! ¡Vayan al fuego eterno, preparado para el diablo y sus ángeles!"

— Mateo 25:31-36, 41

Cuando mi hijo era pequeño, pasó por una fase en la que el tema del infierno le preocupaba mucho y nosotros no sabíamos por qué, ya que nuestra familia siempre enfatizó el amor y el perdón de Jesús. Aun así, él nos hacía un millón de preguntas sobre el infierno. ¿Qué es? ¿Dónde está? ¿Cómo se llega allí? ¿Cómo es por dentro? Su ansiedad aumentaba y no podíamos detenerla. Finalmente, un día le pregunté: "¿Por qué preguntas tanto acerca del infierno, si nunca vas a ir allí? Ese fue el final de esas preguntas. Volvió a sus Legos feliz y tranquilo, y yo volví a hacer mis cosas.

Muchas personas tienen miedo de terminar en el infierno, ya sea porque cargan con una vieja culpa, o creen que no son lo suficientemente buenos para Dios, o piensan que tal vez Dios no pueda o quiera amarlos para siempre. Y esa preocupación envenena sus vidas y las hace vivir sin el gozo que Jesús quiere que tengan.

Pero en la parábola de hoy, Jesús dice algo respecto al infierno que puede consolarnos: es "el fuego eterno preparado para el diablo y sus ángeles". Presta atención a esas palabras. El infierno no fue hecho para seres humanos; ese nunca fue su propósito. El infierno fue pensado como una prisión para el diablo. Cualquier ser humano que termina allí está en el lugar equivocado, no está en absoluto donde Dios quiere que esté.

Entonces, ¿dónde se supone que deben estar los seres humanos? Las propias palabras de Jesús nos dan la respuesta: "Vengan, benditos de mi Padre, y hereden el reino preparado para ustedes desde la fundación del mundo". Dios nos hizo para el cielo, para el paraíso, para su propio reino. Eso es lo que planeó desde que comenzó el mundo. Todo nuestro pecado no puede cambiar ese hecho. Dios planeó esto antes de que Adán y Eva pecaran, y ciertamente antes que tú y yo lo hiciéramos. Él tiene la intención de llevarnos a casa.

Es por eso que Jesús vino a nosotros como ser humano: para ser nuestro Salvador. Y por eso sufrió y murió por nosotros: para resucitar de entre los muertos tres días después. Jesús vino para llevarnos a casa. El infierno no es tu destino. Jesús te está llamando a sí mismo, para pertenecerle para siempre. Él tiene un lugar listo para ti. ¿Irás con él?

ORACIÓN: Señor Jesús, déjame estar contigo para siempre en tu reino. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

1. ¿Por qué es tan difícil creer que Dios nos perdona y nos quiere?

2. ¿Qué te recuerda que Dios te ama y te ha hecho Su hijo?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
Cuando mi hijo era pequeño, pasó por una fase en la que el tema del infierno le preocupaba mucho y nosotros no sabíamos por qué, ya que nuestra familia siempre enfatizó el amor y el perdón de Jesús.

Хлеб наш насущный — Отважные поступки

 

Отважные поступки

Читать сейчас: Иоанна 10:7-18 | Библия за год: Иезекииля 11-13; 2 Тимофею 3

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«Я – Пастырь добрый и знаю Моих, и Мои знают Меня. Как Отец знает Меня, так и Я знаю Отца; и жизнь Мою полагаю за овец».

— Иоанна 10:14-15

Джон Харпер не имел ни малейшего представления о том, что вскоре произойдет, когда вместе с шестилетней дочерью поднимался на борт «Титаника». Но одно он знал точно: он любил Христа и страстно желал, чтобы другие тоже Его узнали. Когда корабль столкнулся с айсбергом и вода стала поступать внутрь, вдовец Харпер посадил свою девочку в спасательную шлюпку, а сам ринулся во всеобщую сумятицу, чтобы спасти как можно больше людей. Раздавая спасательные жилеты, он, как рассказывали, кричал: «Пустите женщин, детей и неверующих в шлюпки!» До последнего дыхания Харпер говорил о Христе всем, кто был рядом. Он пожертвовал собой, чтобы другие могли жить.

Две тысячи лет назад жил еще один Человек, Который пожертвовал Собой, чтобы вы и я могли жить не только на земле, но и в вечности. Иисус Христос не просто однажды проснулся и решил, что Своей смертью заплатит за грех человечества. Это была цель всей Его жизни. Однажды, разговаривая с религиозными иудеями, Он несколько раз сказал: «Я отдаю жизнь Мою» (Ин. 10:11, 15, 17-18). Он не просто произнес эти слова, но и исполнил их, приняв мучительную смерть на кресте. Он пришел, чтобы фарисеи, Джон Харпер и мы с вами «имели жизнь, и имели с избытком» (ст. 10).

Как я показываю окружающим, что действительно их люблю? Как я могу сегодня открыть кому-то любовь Иисуса своими поступками?

Господь Иисус, нет подходящих слов, чтобы отблагодарить Тебя за величайший подвиг любви, который Ты совершил. Помоги мне показывать Твою любовь людям, чего бы это мне ни стоило.

автор: Эстера Пироска Эскобар

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Джон Харпер не имел ни малейшего представления о том, что вскоре произойдет, когда вместе с шестилетней дочерью поднимался на борт «Титаника».