The Daily Readings for October 19, 2016

Ecclesiasticus 7:4-14
Do not seek from the Lord high office, or the seat of honor from the king. Do not assert your righteousness before the Lord, or display your wisdom before the king. Do not seek to become a judge, or you may be unable to root out injustice; you may be partial to the powerful, and so mar your integrity. Commit no offense against the public, and do not disgrace yourself among the people. Do not commit a sin twice; not even for one will you go unpunished. Do not say, "He will consider the great number of my gifts, and when I make an offering to the Most High God, he will accept it." Do not grow weary when you pray; do not neglect to give alms. Do not ridicule a person who is embittered in spirit, for there is One who humbles and exalts. Do not devise a lie against your brother, or do the same to a friend. Refuse to utter any lie, for it is a habit that results in no good. Do not babble in the assembly of the elders, and do not repeat yourself when you pray.

Revelation 8:1-13
When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. Another angel with a golden censer came and stood at the altar; he was given a great quantity of incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar that is before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth; and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake. Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets made ready to blow them. The first angel blew his trumpet, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were hurled to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea became blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many died from the water, because it was made bitter. The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light was darkened; a third of the day was kept from shining, and likewise the night. Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew in midheaven, "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!"

Luke 10:17-24
The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!" He said to them, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it."

Morning Psalms

Psalm 38 Domine, ne in furore
1   O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger; do not punish me in your wrath.
2   For your arrows have already pierced me, and your hand presses hard upon me.
3   There is no health in my flesh, because of your indignation; there is no soundness in my body, because of my sin.
4   For my iniquities overwhelm me; like a heavy burden they are too much for me to bear.
5   My wounds stink and fester by reason of my foolishness.
6   I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; I go about in mourning all the day long.
7   My loins are filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body.
8   I am utterly numb and crushed; I wail, because of the groaning of my heart.
9   O Lord, you know all my desires, and my sighing is not hidden from you.
10   My heart is pounding, my strength has failed me, and the brightness of my eyes is gone from me.
11   My friends and companions draw back from my affliction; my neighbors stand afar off.
12   Those who seek after my life lay snares for me; those who strive to hurt me speak of my ruin and plot treachery all the day long.
13   But I am like the deaf who do not hear, like those who are mute and who do not open their mouth.
14   I have become like one who does not hear and from whose mouth comes no defense.
15   For in you, O LORD, have I fixed my hope; you will answer me, O Lord my God.
16   For I said, "Do not let them rejoice at my expense, those who gloat over me when my foot slips."
17   Truly, I am on the verge of falling, and my pain is always with me.
18   I will confess my iniquity and be sorry for my sin.
19   Those who are my enemies without cause are mighty, and many in number are those who wrongfully hate me.
20   Those who repay evil for good slander me, because I follow the course that is right.
21   O LORD, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God.
22   Make haste to help me, O Lord of my salvation.

Evening Psalms

Psalm 119: Daleth Adhæsit pavimento
25    My soul cleaves to the dust; give me life according to your word.
26   I have confessed my ways, and you answered me; instruct me in your statutes.
27   Make me understand the way of your commandments, that I may meditate on your marvelous works.
28   My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
29   Take from me the way of lying; let me find grace through your law.
30   I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set your judgments before me.
31   I hold fast to your decrees; O LORD, let me not be put to shame.
32   I will run the way of your commandments, for you have set my heart at liberty.

Psalm 119: He Legem pone
33   Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end.
34   Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law; I shall keep it with all my heart.
35   Make me go in the path of your commandments, for that is my desire.
36   Incline my heart to your decrees and not to unjust gain.
37   Turn my eyes from watching what is worthless; give me life in your ways.
38   Fulfill your promise to your servant, which you make to those who fear you.
39   Turn away the reproach which I dread, because your judgments are good.
40   Behold, I long for your commandments; in your righteousness preserve my life.

Psalm 119: Waw Et veniat super me
41   Let your loving-kindness come to me, O LORD, and your salvation, according to your promise.
42   Then shall I have a word for those who taunt me, because I trust in your words.
43   Do not take the word of truth out of my mouth, for my hope is in your judgments.
44   I shall continue to keep your law; I shall keep it for ever and ever.
45   I will walk at liberty, because I study your commandments.
46   I will tell of your decrees before kings and will not be ashamed.
47   I delight in your commandments, which I have always loved.
48   I will lift up my hands to your commandments, and I will meditate on your statutes.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The New Revised Standard Version Bible may be quoted and/or reprinted up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without express written permission of the publisher, provided the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible or account for fifty percent (50%) of the total work in which they are quoted.

The Daily Meditation for October 19, 2016

From Forward Day By Day
Written by Scott B. Hayashi

Psalm 38:1-3a (NRSV) O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger; do not punish me in your wrath. For your arrows have already pierced me, and your hand presses hard upon me. There is no health in my flesh, because of your indignation.

I was a patient in a hospital. In the bed next to mine was Cecil. He attended a large nondenominational church. I knew him, as I had attended worship there a number of times. I asked him how he was doing. He said, “I’m not doing very well.” I asked him if he wanted to tell me more. He responded, “I can’t understand why God would do this to me. What did I do to get so sick?”

Many people have a need and desire to know why events happen. They believe that there must be an ultimate cause for things—especially the bad things that happen. It is easy to believe we are either being punished or tested by hard times.

You might say to a person who believes this, “I don’t believe that God makes people sick to discipline them or test them. But it sure can feel that way. Why don’t we talk about it together?”

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Girlfriends in God - Will You Pout or Praise?

by Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. (Acts 16:25, NIV)

Friend to Friend

Trials can lead us to a greater dependency on God and a deeper trust in His sovereignty if we let them. I’m reminded that in every situation I come to a crossroad and have a choice: I can pout or I can praise. I can turn away from God because I don’t understand or I can turn toward God in full assurance that His understanding is enough for the both of us – even if it hurts – even if anger lingers – even if doubt looms.

Have you been to these crossroads?

God shows us a powerful example of praise-over-pout behavior in chapter sixteen of the book of Acts. During the Apostle Paul’s second missionary journey, he and his ministry buddy Silas encountered a collision of faith and trouble while in Philippi.

After Paul cast out a demon that was terrorizing a young slave girl, he and Silas were seized by disgruntled Roman citizens and dragged to the marketplace before the rulers. They were then wrongfully accused of public disruption. And later stripped, beaten, and unlawfully jailed without a trial. After the flogging, Paul and Silas were taken to the inner cell of the prison, normally reserved for the most dangerous offenders, and their feet were placed in stocks.

Though they had every reason to sit and stew because of the injustice of their situation, Paul and Silas chose to trust in God's plan and praise their Lord, Jesus Christ. Though they had open wounds and would likely have been in severe physical pain, Paul and Silas chose to glorify the name of God.

After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them (Acts 16: 23-25).

Then God shook the earth and the prison foundations and loosed the chains of the prisoners. In horror, knowing he would be held responsible for the escape of the prisoners, the jailer raised his sword to kill himself – but Paul stopped him. He and Silas hadn’t fled. They stood amidst their dark circumstances and spoke and sang with confidence in their God.

As a result, several people, including the jailer and his family, came to believe in Jesus Christ.

The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all of his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household (Acts 16:29-34).

Though we won’t always rejoice in our circumstances, we are commanded to always rejoice in the Lord.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:4, 6-7).

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance (James 1: 2-3).

When we praise the Lord through, and in spite of, what we face our praise becomes our deliverance through the trial.

We also have joy with our troubles, because we know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope. And this hope will never disappoint us… (Rom. 5:3-5a, NCV).

This world is broken and hardship is unavoidable. But, no matter what difficult times we encounter, God is worthy of our praise.

When we choose to praise instead of pout, we choose to trust God.

When we choose to trust God, the wounded world around us lifts their eyebrows in wonder – just like the Roman jailer.

Yes. Sometimes a sacrifice of praise is required.

Offer it.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, Thank You for being trustworthy and praiseworthy! I ask that You will nudge me to trust You each time I approach crossroads of faith and trouble. In spite of the burdens on my heart and challenges in my path right now, I praise Your name and celebrate that Your hope will never disappoint.
In Jesus’ Name I pray,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Praise that perseveres begins with a determined heart, mind and soul. Scripture tells us to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). Are you standing at the faith/trouble crossroads today?


How would choosing to trust God and praise Him help you deal with your circumstances?

More from the Girlfriends

Portions of today’s post are an excerpt from the book Trusting God by Sharon Jaynes, Gwen Smith, and Mary Southerland.

Gwen Smith is a speaker, worship leader, songwriter, and author of the new book, I Want I ALL, who wants to help you think big thoughts about God – and inspire you toward His grace and truth. Her website is filled with videos, posts, songs and resources that will be a deep well of encouragement to you. (Get a FREE Downloadable “I Want It All” COLORING and JOURNAL book when you sign up to receive her blog!)

Seeking God?

Click here to find out more about

how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

P.O. Box 725

Matthews, NC 28106

info@girlfriendsingod.com

http://www.girlfriendsingod.com

Standing Strong Through the Storm - WHEN HOPE FADES, FAITH EMERGES

We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20

The hope of most female refugees from North Korea fades away shortly after arriving in China. Most do not want to flee to South Korea, because then they lose all contact with their family, and they are not in the position to support them anymore. And if they go to another place in China, it is only a matter of time before they are caught by either the police or human traffickers. And who knows what happens to them then?

So, is all hope lost? “No, there is hope,” says co-worker Kun-so. She picks up a Bible. “And that hope is written in this Book. For in it are profound promises. There is a heaven. Jesus loves you. All tears will be wiped away. No more death, no more pain. The Bible can even be the key to a better life now.

“But we have to bring the hard, difficult, biblical messages to the surface. The Bible says that you have to bless those who persecute you. It means you have to love the husband that abuses you. I have seen improvement when a North Korean woman was able to love instead of hate. And I direct the women to how God feels about them, how precious they are in His eyes, about what Jesus Christ did for them on Calvary. Thanks to His sacrifice there is hope. I can point the women to the day that will come eventually. The day that our Lord will wipe away every tear from their eyes, the day that death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

“After a while, we try to teach the women to forgive their Chinese husbands for their abuse. We tell them Jesus commands us to love our husbands. I know this is not easy to do. But we have seen that some women found the strength to do loving things for their husbands, and as a result slowly the husband started to change.”

Moon lost her child through a forced abortion, only days before her due date. Moon still lives with the Chinese family responsible for killing her child. But she also came into contact with a female co-worker. The worker took care of Moon as best as she could. She befriended her, prayed with her and explained about God and His love for her.

“I will be forever grateful,” shares Moon. “Thanks to you, I came into contact with God. As I learn more and more about Him through your Bible studies, I am grateful that this wonderful Being loves me. China and North Korea have not changed. I am still a person with no rights, and there is always the threat that the police will find me and send me back to North Korea.

“My situation is terrible, humanly speaking. But I feel like I am living in a whole new world, just because I know God. And I know my baby is with Him.”

When hope fades, faith emerges.

RESPONSE: Today I will place my hope in the Lord and trust Him to change the situations around me.

PRAYER: Pray for North Korean refugees—especially women—who suffer severely often losing hope. Pray that they will indeed find hope in the Lord.

Un Dia a la Vez - La ira

«Si se enojan, no pequen». No dejen que el sol se ponga estando aún enojados, ni den cabida al diablo. Efesios 4:26-27

La gente necia «da rienda suelta a su ira», tal y como lo dice Proverbios 29:11.

Entendemos que hay diferentes temperamentos y tenemos visibles reacciones a momentos específicos. Creo que estar de mal humor de vez en cuando es normal, lo que no debemos es ser iracundos. Todo el mundo rechaza a la persona iracunda por ser muy problemática.

¿Quién desea tener un amigo, un cónyuge, un pastor, un médico, un maestro, un hijo o un padre iracundo? ¡Eso es terrible! Una persona explosiva te puede sorprender en cualquier instante y casi siempre termina involucrado en más de un problema. Ni siquiera es aconsejable unirse a personas así, porque terminas lastimado.

Si tu cónyuge se enoja con facilidad, debes orar por un milagro. Claro, mientras no corra peligro tu vida o la vida de tus hijos. Solo Dios puede transformar semejante persona.

También la Biblia les aconseja a los padres que «no hagan enojar a sus hijos» (Efesios 6:4).

Sé que a veces los padres podemos desesperar a nuestros hijos, ya sea controlándolos, lastimándolos o insultándolos, y esta es una advertencia que nos hace Dios.

Tú y yo podemos cambiar y entregarle esta esfera de nuestra vida a Dios, quien puede hacer la obra. Él es el único que puede darnos domino propio y poner en nosotros el querer como el hacer.

Verse of the Day - October 19, 2016

Psalm 37:4 (NIV) Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Read all of Psalm 37

Our Daily Bread - Desert Solitaire

By David Roper

Read: Psalm 136:1–9 | Bible in a Year: Isaiah 56–58; 2 Thessalonians 2

And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:12

Desert Solitaire is Edward Abbey’s personal history of his summers as a park ranger in what is now called Arches National Park in Utah. The book is worth reading if only for Abbey’s bright language and vivid descriptions of the US Southwest.

But Abbey, for all his artistry, was an atheist who could see nothing beyond the surface of the beauty he enjoyed. How sad! He lived his entire life in praise of beauty and missed the point of it all.

Most ancient peoples had theories of origins enshrouded in legend, myth, and song. But Israel’s story of creation was unique: It told of a God who created beauty for our enjoyment and childlike delight. God thought up the cosmos, spoke it into being and pronounced it “beautiful.” (The Hebrew word for good also signifies beauty.) Then, having created a paradise, God in love spoke us into being, placed us in Eden, and told us, “Enjoy!”

Some see and enjoy the beauty of the Creator’s good gifts all around them, but don’t “worship him as God or even give him thanks.” They “think up foolish ideas of what God [is] like. As a result, their minds become dark and confused”  (Rom. 1:21 nlt).

Others see beauty, say “Thank You, God,” and step into His light.

Loving Father, we praise You because You are good. Thank You for infusing Your creation with beauty and purpose and for placing us here to enjoy it as we discover You. Your love endures forever!

All of creation reflects the beauty of God.

© 2016 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Unser Täglich Brot - Juwelen der Wüste

Von David Roper

Lesen: Psalm 136,1-9 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: Jesaja 56–58; 2.Thessalonicher 2

Und Gott sah, dass es gut war. (1.Mose 1,12)

Edward Abbey, ein Parkwächter im heutigen Arches-Nationalpark im amerikanischen Bundesstaat Utah, erzählt in einem Buch mit dem Titel Desert Solitaire, was er bei seinen Einsätzen erlebt hat. Die Lektüre lohnt sich, und sei es nur wegen Abbeys klarer Sprache und den lebendigen Schilderungen aus dem Südwesten der Vereinigten Staaten.

Doch Abbey war trotz all seinem Sachverstand ein Atheist, der nicht über die Schönheit, die er sah, hinausblickte. Welche Tragik! Sein Leben lang bewunderte er das Schöne, doch der Sinn darin entging ihm ganz.

Die meisten Völker der Antike hatten ihre Schöpfungsmythen und -legenden. Nur der Schöpfungsbericht Israels war anders: Er erzählte von einem Gott, der Schönheit schuf, damit wir uns daran ergötzen und wie Kinder freuen können. Gott hat sich den Kosmos ausgedacht, ins Dasein gesprochen und „schön“ genannt. (Das hebräische Wort für „gut“ bedeutet auch „schön“.) Und nachdem er das Paradies erschaffen hatte, sprach er auch uns ins Dasein, setzte uns in den Garten Eden und sagte: „Freut euch!“

Manche sehen die Schönheit von Gottes guten Gaben und freuen sich daran, aber „haben ihn nicht als Gott gepriesen noch ihm gedankt“. Sie „sind dem Nichtigen verfallen in ihren Gedanken, und ihr unverständiges Herz ist verfinstert“ (Röm. 1,21).

Andere erkennen die Schönheit, sagen „Danke, Gott“ und treten in sein Licht.

Lieber Vater, ich preise dich, weil du gut bist. Danke, dass du Sinn und Schönheit in deine Schöpfung gelegt und uns hineingesetzt hast, damit wir dich darin entdecken. Deine Liebe währt ewig!

Die gesamte Schöpfung ist ein Spiegelbild der Schönheit Gottes.

© 2016 Unser Täglich Brot

Хлеб наш насущный - Уединение

автор: Дэвид Роупер

Читать сейчас: Псалом 135:1-9 | Библия за год: Исаия 56-58; Ефесянам 1

И увидел Бог, что это хорошо. — Бытие 1:12

Роман «Уединение» – это воспоминания Эдварда Эбби о годах, проведенных в месте, которое теперь называется «Национальный парк штата Юта». Книга достойна чтения хотя бы ради красочного языка автора и ярких описаний американского юго-запада.

Но, несмотря на чувство прекрасного, Эбби был атеистом и ничего не видел за внешней стороной того, чем восхищался. Как печально! Он провел жизнь, прославляя красоту, и не разглядел ее смысла.

Многие древние народы имели свои версии происхождения мира, выражая их в легендах, мифах и песнях. Но с Израилем дело обстояло иначе: они верили в Бога, Который сотворил прекрасный мир для светлой, детской радости его обитателей. Он вызвал мироздание к бытию и дал ему высшую оценку: «Хорошо» (еврейское слово «хорошо» также несет в себе идею красоты). Затем, насадив рай, Бог поместил туда человека и благословил его.

К сожалению, многие, видя красоту благих даров Создателя вокруг себя, «не прославили Его как Бога и не возблагодарили, но осуетились в умствованиях своих, и омрачилось несмысленное их сердце» (Рим. 1:21).

Зато другие видят эту красоту, говорят: «Благодарю, Господь» и вступают в Его свет.

Любящий Отец, мы славим Тебя, потому что Ты благ. Благодарим Тебя за прекрасное творение и цель, с которой Ты поместил нас в мир. Твоя любовь пребывает вовек.

Все творение отражает красоту Создателя.

© 2016 Хлеб Наш Насущный

Notre Pain Quotidien - Désert solitaire

par David Roper

Lisez : Psaume 136.1‑9 | La Bible en un an : Ésaïe 56 – 58 et 2 Thessaloniciens 2

Dieu vit que c’était bon. (Genèse 1.12)

Dans Désert solitaire, Edward Abbey raconte les étés où il a travaillé comme garde forestier dans un parc de l’Utah connu aujourd’hui sous le nom d’Arches National Park. Ce livre vaut la peine d’être lu, ne serait‑ce que pour savourer le langage brillant et les descriptions saisissantes qu’Abbey emploie pour dépeindre le sud‑est des États‑Unis.

Reste qu’étant athée, Abbey ne pouvait voir au‑delà de la beauté des choses visibles. Comme c’est triste ! Il a donc passé toute sa vie à louanger la beauté du paysage sans saisir la raison d’être de tant de splendeur.

La plupart des gens de l’Antiquité enveloppaient leurs théories relatives aux origines du monde de légende, de mythe et de folklore. L’histoire de la création selon Israël était toutefois unique, car elle parlait d’un Dieu ayant créé la beauté pour notre plaisir et pour susciter en nous une admiration rappelant celle d’un enfant. Dieu a imaginé le cosmos, l’a créé par sa parole et l’a déclaré « beau ». (Le mot hébreu rendu par bon désigne également la beauté.) Ayant créé un paradis, Dieu nous a ensuite donné la vie par sa parole, nous a installés dans le jardin d’Éden et nous a demandé d’en jouir.

Certains savourent la beauté dont le Créateur les entoure, mais sans l’en glorifier ni l’en remercier. Ils « se sont égarés dans leurs pensées, et leur coeur sans intelligence a été plongé dans les ténèbres » (RO 1.21).

D’autres, à la vue de tant de beauté, lui en rendent grâces et entrent dans sa lumière.

Toute la création reflète la beauté de Dieu.

© 2016 Ministères NPQ

Night Light for Couples - The Line of Respect

“Show proper respect to everyone.” 1 Peter 2:17

Conflict can often play a positive role in marriage—especially when it helps maintain lines of respect. Suppose I (jcd) work at my office two hours later than usual on a particular night. I know that Shirley is preparing a candlelight dinner, yet I don’t call to let her know I’ll be late. As the evening wears on, Shirley wraps the cold food in foil and puts it in the refrigerator. When I finally get home, I don’t apologize. Instead, I sit down with the newspaper and abruptly tell Shirley to get my dinner ready. You can bet there would be fireworks in the Dobson household that night! Shirley would rightfully interpret my insensitive behavior as insulting and would move to defend the “line of respect” between us. Her strong feelings would be totally justified.

Let’s put the shoe on the other foot. Suppose Shirley knows I need the car at 2:00 P.M. for some important purpose, but she deliberately keeps me waiting. Perhaps she sits in a restaurant with a friend, drinking coffee and talking. Meanwhile, I’m pacing the floor at home wondering where she is. It is very likely that she will hear about my dissatisfaction when she gets home. Even though the offense was minor, the line of respect has been violated.

Some things are worth defending. At the top of the list is the “line of respect” between husbands and wives.

Just between us…

• When was the last time we had a fight that was good for our relationship?
• Have I crossed your line of respect recently?
• How will upholding the line of respect improve our marriage?

Dear Lord, we want to show respect for each other, but we confess that we’re too often self-centered and insensitive. Forgive us, Lord. Grant us Your grace as we defend the mutual rights that are the foundation of our affection. Amen.

• From Night Light For Couples, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson
  Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.

Huguenot History

TODAY we remember the seminal event in Huguenot History. On the 18th of October in 1685 the Edict of Nantes was revoked by Louis the XIV. The largest persecution of Protestant Christians in France began. Over 400,000 fled to other countries, creating a Protestant Diaspora. Many fled to British and other Colonies around the globe, to be able to practice their religion freely. We honor and remember those who lost their lives, and who made the perilous trip to unknown lands in the quest for freedom.

Read more about the History and Meaning of the Huguenot Cross.

The Daily Readings for October 18, 2016

Ecclesiasticus 38:1-4, 6-10, 12-14
Honor physicians for their services, for the Lord created them; for their gift of healing comes from the Most High, and they are rewarded by the king. The skill of physicians makes them distinguished, and in the presence of the great they are admired. The Lord created medicines out of the earth, and the sensible will not despise them. And he gave skill to human beings that he might be glorified in his marvelous works. By them the physician heals and takes away pain; the pharmacist makes a mixture from them. God's works will never be finished; and from him health spreads over all the earth. My child, when you are ill, do not delay, but pray to the Lord, and he will heal you. Give up your faults and direct your hands rightly, and cleanse your heart from all sin. Then give the physician his place, for the Lord created him; do not let him leave you, for you need him. There may come a time when recovery lies in the hands of physicians, for they too pray to the Lord that he grant them success in diagnosis and in healing, for the sake of preserving life.

Psalm 147 Laudate Dominum
1   Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God! how pleasant it is to honor him with praise!
2   The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel.
3   He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
4   He counts the number of the stars and calls them all by their names.
5   Great is our LORD and mighty in power; there is no limit to his wisdom.
6   The LORD lifts up the lowly, but casts the wicked to the ground.
7   Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music to our God upon the harp.
8   He covers the heavens with clouds and prepares rain for the earth;
9   He makes grass to grow upon the mountains and green plants to serve mankind.
10   He provides food for flocks and herds and for the young ravens when they cry.
11   He is not impressed by the might of a horse; he has no pleasure in the strength of a man;
12   But the LORD has pleasure in those who fear him, in those who await his gracious favor.
13   Worship the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion;
14   For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; he has blessed your children within you.
15   He has established peace on your borders; he satisfies you with the finest wheat.
16   He sends out his command to the earth, and his word runs very swiftly.
17   He gives snow like wool; he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
18   He scatters his hail like bread crumbs; who can stand against his cold?
19   He sends forth his word and melts them; he blows with his wind, and the waters flow.
20   He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and his judgments to Israel.
21   He has not done so to any other nation; to them he has not revealed his judgments. Hallelujah!

2 Timothy 4:5-13
As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully. As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing. Do your best to come to me soon, for Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful in my ministry. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.

Luke 4:14-21
Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The New Revised Standard Version Bible may be quoted and/or reprinted up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without express written permission of the publisher, provided the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible or account for fifty percent (50%) of the total work in which they are quoted.

The Liturgical Calendar: Saint Luke the Evangelist

Today the church remembers Saint Luke the Evangelist.

Luke was a Gentile and a physician. He was probably a slave, since most physicians were in those days. He was a Christian convert and a frequent companion of Paul. He probably ministered medically to Paul. In Christian literature he is most often referred to as "The Beloved Physician."

Luke exhibited a sense of history, unique among the evangelists. He was not an eyewitness to the events of Jesus's life, but tried to present an accurate and orderly account of those events which he had heard about from his sources. His writings, The Gospel of Luke and The Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament, give us an historical narrative which remains altogether appealing, even to modern ears. Luke has given us the familiar Christmas story and the parable of the Good Samaritan that the other evangelists omit.

According to tradition, Luke lived to an old age. Unlike so many of the leaders of the early church, he seems to have died quite peacefully of natural causes.

Almighty God, who inspired your servant Luke the physician to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of your Son: Graciously continue in your Church this love and power to heal, to the praise and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Read the Wikipedia article here.

Almighty God, who inspired your servant Luke the physician to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of your Son: Graciously continue in your Church this love and power to heal, to the praise and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Daily Meditation for October 18, 2016

From Forward Day By Day
Written by Scott B. Hayashi

Luke 4:18a (NRSV) The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.

Today, we celebrate Saint Luke and recall that he is believed to have been a physician. A doctor’s life and work, like the life and ministry of Jesus, are outwardly focused. This is as true today as it was in the time of Jesus. In the gospel reading for today, Jesus identifies himself as the one who is bringing good news to the poor, freeing captives, and restoring sight to the blind.

The Church exists for the benefit of those who are not in the pews. Our work as the Church is meant to be outwardly focused. We must hold fast to the great call of being the Church.

Almighty God, who inspired your servant Luke the physician to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of your Son: Graciously continue in your Church this love and power to heal, to the praise and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Girlfriends in God - Possession Obsession

by Kathi Lipp

Today’s Truth

Jesus replied, ‘Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?’ Then He said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions’ (Luke 12:14-15, NIV).

Friend to Friend

Oh, it starts innocently enough.

It’s that small (or not so small) obsession with shoes. A little time on Zappos.com never hurt anyone.

Or the collection of books that seems to be growing by the nightstand (because Amazon 1-click makes it just that easy…)

It’s that drawer of gadgets, full of tools that will save you oh-so-much time in the kitchen or at work.

I’ve been there so many times – when I’ve been buying too much. More than I need or could really even use. Amazon becomes dangerous. Going to the mall becomes a mind battle. And don’t even get me started on darkening the doors of a Barnes & Noble. I’ve caught myself too many times in the grips of wanting to have All. The. Things.

This is a familiar place for me. I didn’t recognize it when it all first started to happen, but now I understand the signs: when I feel like I’m not enough, when I feel like I don’t have enough.

And that’s when I truly understand that all the forms of greed: buying too many possessions, not wanting to share with others, not giving money to the poor, are warnings - not just because they hurt others - but because they are truly outward indicators of an inward problem.

That feeling starts to creep in – that feeling of being stressed to impress. When I spend time worrying about how others will perceive me, when I’m thinking about friends coming over and what they will think of my house. When I’m meeting someone new for work and I’m overly concerned about what I’m wearing, I know my heart is tangled up in the world.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21) nails it.

Yes, an accurate indicator of where my heart is can be determined by where my wallet is. Am I opening my wallet for the poor, the needy? To support ministries and causes I know God cherishes? Or do I pour out my wallet at Target and Home Goods and Amazon? Is my heart set on heavenly things, or on the third set of decorator pillows I’ve bought that will finally “tie the room together.” Because alas, the room being together does not mean that I’m together.

These ideas should not be met with guilt – they should be embraced with hope. Maybe you too have been caught in the cycle of possession obsession and have been looking for a way out. Jesus is clear – if you want your treasure to be in Him, your heart needs to be in Him. By increasing our time and attention, and yes, even our finances towards the direction of heaven, we can reposition where our heart hangs out.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, Help me to free myself from the desire to possess. Help me manage my money, possessions and resources well so that when people see what I have, they know whose I am and what my priority is – only You.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Is there an area of your spending where God has been nudging you? Pray about that area today to see what better plans God has for you.

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Standing Strong Through the Storm - TRAINING A COLONY OF ANTS

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1Timothy 4:8

Discipleship training is a significant part of the ministry of Open Doors. Today a report from one of those involved in receiving training in the house churches of Iran:

“I am proud to be an Iranian, but I have to say that daily life has not become easier lately. Three weeks ago I had a small talk with a Muslim in a park near a main street splitting Tehran north and south. We talked in veiled terms about religion and politics. At the end, the Muslim told me, ‘It feels like a big prison, to be living here.’ I agreed, but didn’t dare to say so. I glanced away, thinking of my Christian friend arrested in December 2010 who is still in prison now.

“I realized that I have more freedom than many of my Christian brothers and sisters who are in jail. But after talking with this Muslim, I also realized that since I became Christian, I have even more freedom than he does! Even the Christians in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison have more freedom than Muslims do. It filled me with a feeling of sympathy and I thought about the lessons we had been learning. It’s part of our discipleship training.

“That training really helped our house group. Together with my wife, we are the leaders of this house church, and every week we get together for at least one meeting. We rotate places and days but it is always in the evening. We study parts of the Bible, talk about the paragraphs that we like or don’t understand, and then we try to apply this to our daily life.

“This sounds good maybe, but I often wonder if this is the right way to do it. How should I know? I became a believer six years ago, when I was seventeen. I don’t feel qualified to call myself a leader. What do I know about the role of the Holy Spirit, about a Christian marriage, about explaining the Bible or studying the Bible in the right way? But others came to faith later, so I am the most ‘experienced’ of our group.

“The training helps us enormously to grow in our own leadership roles, but also motivates us to hand down the important things we learned to others. Now we know we have to stay close to the Word of God. Because it is easy to ascribe our own thoughts to the Holy Spirit, we learned how to test them against the Bible. The training also helped us open up and discuss untouched topics, like relationships in marriage and being a servant leader like Jesus was.

“Through this discipleship training, we’ve been so encouraged to know that people all over the world know about us and pray for us. This helps groups like ours to stay spiritually healthy, and grow in numbers, too.

“Even though believers in house groups like ours have to stay hidden and face a lot of difficulties, I think the church of Iran is like a colony of ants: most of them you don’t see!”

RESPONSE: Today I want to see new believers I know discipled in the scriptures. I will do everything possible to teach and model God’s Word.

PRAYER: Pray for the discipleship training in Iran and other Islamic nations. Pray that house groups will continue to grow in their faith and reach out to others around them.

Un Dia a la Vez - La risa alegra tu vida

Nuestra boca se llenó de risas; nuestra lengua, de canciones jubilosas. Salmo 126:2

Si supiéramos a ciencia cierta lo que ocasiona la risa en nuestro cuerpo, los muchos músculos de la cara que se activan y el beneficio que hace en el alma, creo que reiríamos más a menudo.

Yo me considero una persona muy feliz y muy alegre. Me fascina reírme y sé que esa alegría se contagia a otras personas que viven tristes por sus problemas. Además, tengo el privilegio y el hermoso trabajo en la radio de llevar positivismo y motivación a mis oyentes.

Tú también puedes hacer lo mismo que yo. Puedes alegrarte y llenarte de júbilo, como dice la Palabra, pues Dios te da la fortaleza para ver tus problemas de otra manera. No en vano la Biblia dice que «el corazón alegre hermosea el rostro» (Proverbios 15:13, RV-60).

Si hablamos del amor de Dios, no debemos destilar amargura, odio, mal genio, ni tampoco soberbia. Hay personas que su misma frustración les roba la sonrisa de sus labios. Tampoco es justo contigo mismo consumirte en la tristeza y el dolor.

Sé que hay tiempo de llorar y tiempo de reír, pero es obvio que no debemos llevarlo a los extremos. También hay un cierto tipo de risa burlona que hace daño y la Palabra le llama a esto «vanidad».

Dios es Dios de nuevos comienzos. Así que hoy Él quiere devolverte la alegría y endulzar tu vida. ¡No pases por alto esta oportunidad!

Verse of the Day - October 18, 2016

Psalm 27:14 (NIV) Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Read all of Psalm 27

Our Daily Bread - From the Heart

By David McCasland

Read: Joel 2:12–17 | Bible in a Year: Isaiah 53–55; 2 Thessalonians 1

Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate. Joel 2:13

In many cultures, loud weeping, wailing, and the tearing of clothing are accepted ways of lamenting personal sorrow or a great national calamity. For the people of Old Testament Israel, similar outward actions expressed deep mourning and repentance for turning away from the Lord.

An outward demonstration of repentance can be a powerful process when it comes from our heart. But without a sincere inward response to God, we may simply be going through the motions, even in our communities of faith.

After a plague of locusts devastated the land of Judah, God, through the prophet Joel, called the people to sincere repentance to avoid His further judgment. “ ‘Even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning’ ” (Joel 2:12).

Then Joel called for a response from deep inside: “Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity” (v. 13). True repentance comes from the heart.

The Lord longs for us to confess our sins to Him and receive His forgiveness so we can love and serve Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Whatever you need to tell the Lord today, just say it—from the heart.

Lord, please give me a heart of repentance to see myself as You do. Give me the grace to respond to Your merciful call for change.

God wants to hear your heart.

© 2016 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Unser Täglich Brot - Von Herzen

Von David McCasland

Lesen: Joel 2,12-17 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: Jesaja 53–55; 2.Thessalonicher 1

Zerreißt eure Herzen und nicht eure Kleider und bekehrt euch zu dem Herrn, eurem Gott! (Joel 2,13)

In vielen Kulturen gelten lautes Weinen, Klagen und Zerreißen der Kleider als Zeichen der Trauer bei persönlichen oder nationalen Tragödien. Die Menschen Israels im Alten Testament brachten mit ähnlichen äußerlichen Verhaltensweisen ihr tiefes Bedauern über die Abkehr von ihrem Herrn zum Ausdruck.

Ein äußeres Zeichen der Reue kann große Wirkung haben, wenn es tatsächlich von Herzen kommt. Aber ohne innere Hinwendung zu Gott bleibt es, selbst in unseren Gemeinden, womöglich bloß eine Gemütsbewegung.

Nachdem eine Heuschreckenplage das Land Juda vernichtet hatte, rief Gott das Volk durch den Propheten Joel zu echter Buße auf, damit er sie nicht noch mehr strafen musste: „Doch auch jetzt noch, spricht der Herr, bekehrt euch zu mir von ganzem Herzen mit Fasten, mit Weinen, mit Klagen!“ (Joel 2,12).

Dann rief Joel zu einer inneren Umkehr auf: „Zerreißt eure Herzen und nicht eure Kleider und bekehrt euch zu dem Herrn, eurem Gott! Denn er ist gnädig, barmherzig, geduldig und von großer Güte, und es gereut ihn bald die Strafe“ (V.13). Echte Reue kommt von Herzen.

Der Herr wartet darauf, dass wir ihm unsere Sünden bekennen und seine Vergebung empfangen, damit wir ihn lieben und ihm von ganzem Herzen, ganzer Seele, ganzem Gemüt und mit aller Kraft dienen können.

Egal, was du Gott heute zu sagen hast, sag es—von Herzen.

Herr, schenke mir ein Herz der Reue, damit ich mich so sehe, wie du mich siehst. Schenke mir die Gnade, auf deinen barmherzigen Ruf zur Umkehr zu reagieren.

Gott möchte hören, was aus deinem Herzen kommt.

© 2016 Unser Täglich Brot

Хлеб наш насущный - От сердца

автор: Дэвид Маккасланд

Читать сейчас: Иоиль 2:12-17 | Библия за год: Исаия 53-55; Галатам 6

Раздирайте сердца ваши, а не одежды ваши и обратитесь к Господу, Богу вашему; ибо Он благ и милосерден. — Иоиль 2:13

Во многих культурах громкие вопли, плач и раздирание одежд – общепринятый способ выражения скорби. Для ветхозаветного Израиля эти действия, кроме прочего, означали глубокое раскаяние в отступлении от Господа.

Внешние проявления покаяния могут быть действительно драматичными, если проистекают из искреннего сердца. Если же внутри ничего не происходит, внешние действия превращаются в бессмысленный обряд.

Когда нашествие саранчи опустошило землю, Бог через пророка Иоиля призвал людей к искреннему покаянию, чтобы избежать еще большего осуждения. «Но и ныне еще говорит Господь: “Обратитесь ко Мне всем сердцем своим в посте, плаче и рыдании”» (Иоиль 2:12).

Затем пророк побуждает слушателей к глубокому сердечному отклику: «Раздирайте сердца ваши, а не одежды ваши и обратитесь к Господу, Богу вашему; ибо Он благ и милосерден, долготерпелив и многомилостив и сожалеет о бедствии» (Иоиль 2:13). Истинное покаяние рождается в сердце.

Господь желает, чтобы мы исповедовали перед Ним свои грехи и получали прощение, чтобы любить Его и служить Ему всем сердцем, душой, разумением и крепостью. Что бы вы ни говорили Господу, пусть это будет от сердца.

Господи, даруй мне покаянное сердце, чтобы видеть себя так, как видишь Ты. Даруй мне благодать откликнуться на Твой благой призыв к переменам.

Бог желает слышать голос сердца.

© 2016 Хлеб Наш Насущный

Notre Pain Quotidien - D’un coeur sincère

par David McCasland

Lisez : Joël 2.12‑17 | La Bible en un an : Ésaïe 53 – 55 et 2 Thessaloniciens 1

Déchirez vos coeurs et non vos vêtements, et revenez à l’Éternel, votre Dieu ; car il est compatissant et miséricordieux. (Jean 11.25)

Dans nombre de cultures, il est courant que les gens pleurent d’une voix forte, gémissent et déchirent leurs vêtements lors d’un drame personnel ou d’une grande tragédie nationale. C’est d’ailleurs ainsi que les Israélites de l’Ancien Testament extériorisaient la tristesse et la repentance profondes que leur inspirait le fait d’avoir tourné le dos au Seigneur.

Une démonstration extérieure de repentance provenant d’un coeur sincère peut procurer une grande libération. Autrement, nous risquons de faire semblant au sein de notre communauté de foi.

Après qu’un fléau de sauterelles a ravagé le pays de Juda, Dieu, par la bouche du prophète Joël, a appelé le peuple à se repentir sincèrement afin de s’éviter un autre jugement divin : « Maintenant encore, dit l’Éternel, revenez à moi de tout votre coeur, avec des jeûnes, avec des pleurs et des lamentations ! » (JOË 2.12.)

Puis Joël a sollicité une réponse bien sentie : « Déchirez vos coeurs et non vos vêtements, et revenez à l’Éternel, votre Dieu ; car il est compatissant et miséricordieux, lent à la colère et riche en bonté, et il se repent des maux qu’il envoie » (V. 13). La vraie repentance provient du coeur.

Dieu désire ardemment que nous lui confessions nos péchés et que nous recevions son pardon de sorte que nous l’aimions et le servions de tout notre coeur, de toute notre âme, de tout notre esprit et de toute notre force.

Confiez donc vos besoins à Dieu d’un coeur sincère.

Dieu désire entendre parler votre coeur.

© 2016 Ministères NPQ