Хлеб наш насущный - Живая жертва

Живая жертва

Читать сейчас: Римлянам 12:1-8 | Библия за год: Числа 1-3; Марка 3

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Умоляю вас, братья, милосердием Божиим: представьте тела ваши в жертву живую. — Римлянам 12:1

У моей двоюродной тети была прекрасная работа в рекламном бизнесе. Она часто ездила в Чикаго и Нью-Йорк. Но однажды она отказалась от карьеры в этой сфере из-за любви к родителям. Они жили в Миннесоте и нуждались в уходе. Оба ее брата трагически погибли. Она осталась единственным ребенком в семье. Служение родителям стало для нее выражением веры.

Послание Павла церкви в Риме побуждает христиан предоставить самих себя «в жертву живую, святую, благоугодную Богу» (Рим. 12:1). Апостол надеялся, что верующие будут проявлять друг к другу жертвенную любовь Христа. Еще он просил их не думать о себе больше, чем следует (ст. 3). В случае разногласий им следовало отказаться от амбиций, потому что «мы, многие, составляем одно тело во Христе» (ст. 5). В основании христианского поведения должна быть жертвенная любовь.

Каждый день у нас появляются возможности послужить людям. Например, уступить кому-то место в очереди или позаботиться о больных. Или поделиться собственным опытом, чтобы помочь в принятии решения. Когда мы становимся живой жертвой, то тем самым прославляем Бога.

Господь Иисус Христос, Ты смирил Себя и отдал Свою жизнь, чтобы я мог жить. Не дай мне забыть этот удивительный дар любви и благодати.

* * *

Посмотрите видео «Вместе – лучше».

Когда мы служим людям во имя Христа, это угодно Богу.

автор: Эми Бушер Пай

© 2019 Хлеб Наш Насущный
У моей двоюродной тети была прекрасная работа в рекламном бизнесе. Она часто ездила в Чикаго и Нью-Йорк. Но однажды она отказалась от карьеры в этой сфере из-за любви к родителям. Они жили в Миннесоте и нуждались в уходе. Оба ее брата трагически погибли. Она осталась единственным ребенком в семье. Служение родителям стало для нее выражением веры.

The Daily Lectionary for WEDNESDAY, February 20, 2019

Jesus Denounces Pharisees and Lawyers
Luke 11:37-52

The Daily Lectionary

WEDNESDAY, February 20, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Psalm 120

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

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

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

Jeremiah 22:11-17

Message to the Sons of Josiah
22:11 For thus says the Lord concerning Shallum son of King Josiah of Judah, who succeeded his father Josiah, and who went away from this place: He shall return here no more, 12 but in the place where they have carried him captive he shall die, and he shall never see this land again.

13 Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness,
     and his upper rooms by injustice;
   who makes his neighbors work for nothing,
     and does not give them their wages;
14 who says, “I will build myself a spacious house
     with large upper rooms,”
   and who cuts out windows for it,
     paneling it with cedar,
     and painting it with vermilion.
15 Are you a king
     because you compete in cedar?
   Did not your father eat and drink
     and do justice and righteousness?
     Then it was well with him.
16 He judged the cause of the poor and needy;
     then it was well.
   Is not this to know me?
     says the Lord.
17 But your eyes and heart
     are only on your dishonest gain,
   for shedding innocent blood,
     and for practicing oppression and violence.

Luke 11:37-52

Jesus Denounces Pharisees and Lawyers
11:37 While he was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him; so he went in and took his place at the table. 38 The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not first wash before dinner. 39 Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41 So give for alms those things that are within; and see, everything will be clean for you.

42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds, and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practiced, without neglecting the others. 43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love to have the seat of honor in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces. 44 Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without realizing it.”

45 One of the lawyers answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us too.” 46 And he said, “Woe also to you lawyers! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not lift a finger to ease them. 47 Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your ancestors killed. 48 So you are witnesses and approve of the deeds of your ancestors; for they killed them, and you build their tombs. 49 Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’ 50 so that this generation may be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be charged against this generation. 52 Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”

Optional parts of the readings are set off in square brackets.

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year C. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2019, we will be in Year A. The year which ended at Advent 2018 was Year B. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
Woe to you Pharisees and Lawyers! For you ...

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, February 20, 2019

Proverbs 17:9 (NIV) Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

Read all of Proverbs 17

Listen to Proverbs 17

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Un dia a la Vez - No hagamos conjeturas

No hagamos conjeturas

Siempre deben estar dispuestos a hacer lo bueno: a no hablar mal de nadie, sino a buscar la paz y ser respetuosos, demostrando plena humildad en su trato con todo el mundo.

~ Tito 3:1-2 (NVI)

Hace tan solo unos meses recibí un correo electrónico en el que una de mis oyentes me pedía una información que di en el programa. Recibí este correo y saqué el tiempo para buscar lo que necesitaba y de paso agradecerle por ser fiel oyente de la radio. Cuando recibió mi mensaje, no podía creer que le hubiera contestado.

En su siguiente correo me dijo: «Estoy asombrada de que me respondiera una persona tan ocupada como tú. Ya había dicho: “Olvídalo, Claudia nunca leerá tu correo”».

Me pidió perdón y me dijo que cuando pudiera hacer una enseñanza de esto, no dudara en hacerlo. Necesitamos aprender a no hacer conjeturas.

Es una historia corta y sencilla a la vez, pero nos deja varias cosas para aprender: No nos debemos rendir antes de tiempo, no nos declaremos derrotados cuando aún no hemos peleado la batalla. Por lo general, las conjeturas nos van a meter en conflictos con nuestra pareja o con nuestros seres queridos.

Las conjeturas nos llevan a dudar de lo que esperamos obtener a cambio. Y si lo miramos desde una perspectiva espiritual, no es un principio de sabiduría. Cuando nos formamos un juicio de algo, de inmediato tenemos que atenernos a las consecuencias por los hechos, como le sucedió a la oyente que me escribió.

Sin embargo, lo que siempre debemos dar por sentado es que Dios nos ama de manera incondicional y que Él nunca falla.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Hace tan solo unos meses recibí un correo electrónico en el que una de mis oyentes me pedía una información que di en el programa. Recibí este correo y saqué el tiempo para buscar lo que necesitaba y de paso agradecerle por ser fiel oyente de la radio. Cuando recibió mi mensaje, no podía creer que le hubiera contestado.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.

~ John 15:18-21 (NIV)

Ron Boyd-MacMillian concludes his two-part analysis of religious freedom in our country:

It was a persecuted Christian in the Middle East who gave me the eyes to see that religious freedom always needs protecting, wherever one is.

“Freedom is fragile,” she said. “Religious freedom is not about having the right laws to protect belief—that’s a myth put out by the human rights community. No, religious freedom is protected not by laws, but by a climate of respect and openness that ensures the laws are correctly applied. A toleration law, for example, can be used for or against Christians. Christians always have to fight to ensure the climate is tolerant.”

She added, “I don’t care what country or state you live in, you also live in a culture that hates Christ. That’s your fight, and every Christian on the earth has the same fight, whether you belong to a so-called Christian society or not.”

She was right. A climate of prejudice against Christians has crept up by stealth in western cultures, even in apparently Christian ones. We are in a battle in our own backyard. Thank you, persecuted church, for awakening me to the fight!

As Ron writes, we are in a battle even at home. It doesn’t take much insight—or even imagination—to assess the direction of the moral slide in our free societies, especially in the Western world. Biblical values are disappearing and secular philosophies with a pseudo-biblical aura are fast taking their place.

As I’ve traveled and spoken in western countries, it is not uncommon to have folk share with me how they lost their employment because of their faith. They had not been obnoxious nor spending company time witnessing. They had simply expressed their support for biblical principles that were being violated. Jesus warns in our scripture today that this treatment is because of His name. Let’s make sure that it is not because we refuse to be His salt and light.

RESPONSE: Today I will walk with my eyes open to the reality of anti-Christian prejudice. And I will retaliate with the only weapon Jesus authorized: love for all others—even my perceived enemies.

PRAYER: Lord, I know that because of Your life in me I am bound to generate negative reactions. Help me to respond in a truly loving manner as You exemplified and be Your salt and light in a darkening world.

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

Girlfriends in God - Especially In Scary Places

Especially In Scary Places

Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

“This God, our God forever and ever— he will always lead us.”

~ Psalm 48:14 (CSB)

Friend to Friend

I couldn’t help but notice the flying shoes. Strewn across power lines all over El Salvador was pair after pair of dirty, old tennis shoes that had been tied together and strung over the wires that lined the streets. On the bus, our guide pointed them out. Telling the story that those tennis shoes serve as territory markers for the violent gangs and drug cartels.

They establish boundaries and stake claim to who runs what in particular parts of town.

My heart sifted through the language, economic and cultural barriers that separated me from them. I was stirred to understand more deeply. Distressed by the implications and evil. Moved to do something. To help. To protect.

As we got off the bus in each area, the guide gave specific instructions about what we could eat and drink, the time we had for the stop, the dangers of the area and the challenges the locals were facing. I was grateful for his direction and knowledge. It helped me know what to do and how to respond. Made me feel more confident. More safe. With the guide, the trip was far better than it would’ve been had I tried to explore the region on my own. 

Psalm 48 celebrates God’s presence and showcases Him as our Security, Defender and Guide.

 A good guide knows his stuff. He’s got the backstory on places you go and is able to answer the questions that come up along the journey.

A good guide stays with you, even in the scary places, and helps you see and understand the history, significance and culture as you pass through new places.

A good guide welcomes your questions, warns you of danger and points out tennis shoes on power lines.

It’s easy to feel lost and trapped by barriers of life that keep us from understanding or knowing which way to go. “For this is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.” (Psalm 48:14, NIV)

As I read Psalm 48:14, I breathe in a fresh confidence. God is not just a good guide, but the one and only perfect Guide.

He’s the Guide I need. The Guide that walks with me along the path, offering protection and direction. Our security and peace are amplified when we listen to and heed God’s instructions.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord,
In Your presence I find joy and security. Thanks for being my Defender and Guide. Thank You for offering me access to Your endless protection and direction. Please help me know what to do with ____________________.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read Psalm 143:8, “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.”

What two requests does the psalmist make? What’s the chosen response? Will you make the same request and response today? What do you need to trust Him with?

More from the Girlfriends

SPECIAL OFFER: If today’s message is where you are and you need more practical help, we have a resource called Trusting God. Gwen is offering a 20% OFF discount on the Trusting God book from her site when you use the coupon code: 20OFF. Click here to get yours now.

PSST!If you’re on Instagram, Gwen would love to connect with you! Follow here.

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

Strewn across power lines all over El Salvador was pair after pair of dirty, old tennis shoes that had been tied together and strung over the wires that lined the streets. On the bus, our guide pointed them out.

LHM Daily Devotions - A Promise Made Good

"A Promise Made Good"

Feb. 20, 2019

For as by a man came death, by a Man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

~ 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 (ESV)

It appears we have God to thank for raising Jesus from the dead.

While the old man, Adam, bestowed on us the gift of death, that was not to be our final lot. God, who made man in His own image (see Genesis 1:27), would not have death be the concluding statement of His creation. Instead, He promised a Savior (see Genesis 3:15), who would war against the ancient and vile serpent, the crafty deceiver, the harbinger of death.

In the promise of a Deliverer that God made to Adam and Eve, He gave us Jesus and, in so doing, He gave us life. But we still have the here and now to grapple with. Though Satan's end is sealed (see Revelation 20:10), his dreadful infection of this world continues on. And sadly, its effect is not far from any of us.

The struggle with sin in our lives is all too familiar and far too real to dismiss as some sort of flawed character trait that we can rid ourselves of, given enough time and therapy. It's the old man, the native sinner, who lives within each of us. And how close he is, too, goading us with a bony finger with some petty grievance or favorite sin we can't get past. And we won't either, get past it, until we turn it over to God and His Word, so a true cleansing can take place.

Indeed, by one man came death, and the soul cancer his action brought infects us all.

But by another Man (see Galatians 4:4); a Man sent from God (see 1 John 4:9); a Man who upheld the Law of God and sinned not (see Matthew 5:17-18); a Man who gave His all for us (see Philippians 2:5-8); that Man—Jesus, the Christ—has made new life possible for each and every one of us (see 2 Corinthians 5:17).

Scripture has given us ample testimony of who God is, of what our condition is before Him, and of what He has done on our behalf: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him" (John 3:16-17).

Lest there be any doubt, Paul spells out our predicament—and God's righteous solution—for us all.

"Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one Man's obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the Law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 5:18-21).

Thanks be to God. He has delivered us and made us whole.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, though we sin and fall short every day, by grace we are saved. Renew us as Your new creations, born anew to share Your message of love with others. In Your Name I pray. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Paul Schreiber. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
It appears we have God to thank for raising Jesus from the dead.

Devocional de la CPTLN del 20 de Febrero de 2019 - Promesa cumplida

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Promesa cumplida

20 de Febrero de 2019

Porque así como la muerte vino por medio de un solo hombre, también por medio de un solo hombre vino la resurrección de los muertos. Pues así como en Adán todos mueren, también en Cristo todos serán vivificados.

~ 1 Corintios 15:21-22 (RVC)

Pareciera que tenemos que agradecer a Dios por haber resucitado a Jesús de entre los muertos.

Si bien el viejo hombre, Adán, nos otorgó el regalo de la muerte, ese no iba a ser nuestro destino final. Dios, quien hizo al hombre a su propia imagen (ver Génesis 1:27), no iba a permitir que la muerte fuera la declaración final de su creación. Para ello prometió un Salvador (ver Génesis 3:15), que le haría la guerra a la serpiente vil, al engañador astuto, al heraldo de la muerte.

En la promesa del libertador que Dios les hizo a Adán y Eva, nos dio a Jesús y, al hacerlo, nos dio vida. Pero todavía tenemos que lidiar con el aquí y el ahora. Aunque el fin de Satanás está marcado (ver Apocalipsis 20:10), su terrible infección en este mundo continúa. Y lamentablemente, su efecto no está lejos de ninguno de nosotros.

La lucha contra el pecado en nuestras vidas es demasiado conocida y real como para descartarla como un rasgo de carácter del que podríamos deshacernos si tuviéramos suficiente tiempo e hiciéramos terapia. Es el viejo hombre, el pecador que vive dentro de cada uno de nosotros. Y qué cerca que está, provocándonos con alguna queja mezquina o pecado favorito que no podemos superar. Nosotros tampoco podremos vencerlo hasta que se lo entreguemos a Dios y su Palabra, para que pueda llevarse a cabo una verdadera limpieza.

Verdaderamente, por un hombre llegó la muerte, y el cáncer de alma que produjo su acción nos contagia a todos.

Pero por otro hombre (ver Gálatas 4:4), un hombre enviado por Dios (ver 1 Juan 4:9), un hombre que cumplió la ley de Dios y no pecó (ver Mateo 5:17-18), un hombre que lo dio todo por nosotros (ver Filipenses 2:5-8), Jesús, el Cristo, Dios ha hecho posible una nueva vida para todos y cada uno de nosotros (ver 2 Corintios 5:17).

Las Escrituras nos dan un extenso testimonio de quién es Dios, de cuál es nuestra condición ante él y de lo que él ha hecho por nosotros: "Porque de tal manera amó Dios al mundo, que ha dado a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo aquel que en él cree no se pierda, sino que tenga vida eterna. Porque Dios no envió a su Hijo al mundo para condenar al mundo, sino para que el mundo sea salvo por él" (Juan 3:16-17).

Para que no haya dudas, Pablo explica nuestra situación y la solución justa de Dios para todos nosotros:

"Así que, como por la transgresión de uno solo vino la condenación a todos los hombres, de la misma manera por la justicia de uno solo vino la justificación de vida a todos los hombres. Porque así como por la desobediencia de un solo hombre muchos fueron constituidos pecadores, así también por la obediencia de uno solo muchos serán constituidos justos. La ley se introdujo para que abundara el pecado; pero cuando el pecado abundó, sobreabundó la gracia; para que así como el pecado reinó para traer muerte, también la gracia reine por la justicia para darnos vida eterna mediante Jesucristo, nuestro Señor" (Romanos 5:18-21).

Gracias a Dios. Él nos ha liberado y nos ha dado plenitud.

ORACIÓN: Querido Señor Jesús, aunque cada día pecamos, por gracia somos salvos. Renuévanos como criaturas nacidas de nuevo para compartir tu mensaje de amor con los demás. En tu nombre. Amén.

Paul Schreiber

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
Pareciera que tenemos que agradecer a Dios por haber resucitado a Jesús de entre los muertos.

Ministérios Pão Diário - Árvore do rio

Árvore do rio

Leia: Jeremias 17:5-10
 | A Bíblia em um ano: Levítico 26–27; Marcos 2


Baixe a versão MP3

Porque ele é como a árvore plantada junto às águas… v.8


Esta árvore era digna de inveja. Crescendo na propriedade ribeirinha, não precisava se preocupar com boletins meteorológicos, temperaturas devastadoras, ou um futuro incerto. Nutrida e resfriada pelo rio, passou os seus dias levantando seus ramos para o sol, sedimentando a terra com as suas raízes, limpando o ar com suas folhas e oferecendo sombra a todos os que precisavam refugiar-se do sol.
Em contraste a isso, o profeta Jeremias apontou para um arbusto (17:6). Quando as chuvas pararam e o sol do verão transformou o chão em poeira, o mato murchou, não oferecendo sombra ou fruta para ninguém.

Por que o profeta compararia uma frondosa árvore a um arbusto murcho? Ele queria que o seu povo se lembrasse do que tinha acontecido desde o seu resgate milagroso dos campos de escravidão do Egito. Por 40 anos no deserto, eles viveram como a árvore plantada junto a um rio (2:4-6). No entanto, na prosperidade de sua Terra Prometida eles esqueceram a sua própria história; confiaram em si mesmos e em deuses que eles mesmo criaram (v.8), até ao ponto de voltar ao Egito em busca de ajuda (42:14).

Assim Deus, por intermédio de Jeremias, exortou, amorosamente, os filhos esquecidos de Israel para esperar e confiar no Senhor e ser como a árvore e não como o arbusto.

Vamos lembrar em tempos bons 
o que aprendemos em dias de angústia.

por Mart De Haan

© 2019 Ministérios Pão Diário
Esta árvore era digna de inveja. Crescendo na propriedade ribeirinha, não precisava se preocupar com boletins meteorológicos, temperaturas devastadoras, ou um futuro incerto.

The Daily Lectionary for TUESDAY, February 19, 2019

The Daily Lectionary

TUESDAY, February 19, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Psalm 120

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

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

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

Ezra 1:1-11

End of the Babylonian Captivity
1:1 In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, in order that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the Lord stirred up the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia so that he sent a herald throughout all his kingdom, and also in a written edict declared:

2 “Thus says King Cyrus of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. 3 Any of those among you who are of his people—may their God be with them!—are now permitted to go up to Jerusalem in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem; 4 and let all survivors, in whatever place they reside, be assisted by the people of their place with silver and gold, with goods and with animals, besides freewill offerings for the house of God in Jerusalem.”

5 The heads of the families of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites—everyone whose spirit God had stirred—got ready to go up and rebuild the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. 6 All their neighbors aided them with silver vessels, with gold, with goods, with animals, and with valuable gifts, besides all that was freely offered. 7 King Cyrus himself brought out the vessels of the house of the Lord that Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and placed in the house of his gods. 8 King Cyrus of Persia had them released into the charge of Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah. 9 And this was the inventory: gold basins, thirty; silver basins, one thousand; knives, twenty-nine; 10 gold bowls, thirty; other silver bowls, four hundred ten; other vessels, one thousand; 11 the total of the gold and silver vessels was five thousand four hundred. All these Sheshbazzar brought up, when the exiles were brought up from Babylonia to Jerusalem.

2 Corinthians 1:12-19

The Postponement of Paul’s Visit
1:12 Indeed, this is our boast, the testimony of our conscience: we have behaved in the world with frankness and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God—and all the more toward you. 13 For we write you nothing other than what you can read and also understand; I hope you will understand until the end— 14 as you have already understood us in part—that on the day of the Lord Jesus we are your boast even as you are our boast.

15 Since I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a double favor; 16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on to Judea. 17 Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to ordinary human standards, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? 18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been “Yes and No.” 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not “Yes and No”; but in him it is always “Yes.”

Optional parts of the readings are set off in square brackets.

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year C. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2019, we will be in Year A. The year which ended at Advent 2018 was Year B. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org

Verse of the Day for TUESDAY, February 19, 2019

1 John 4:11-12 (NIV) Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Read all of 1 John 4

Listen to 1 John 4

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Un dia a la Vez - ¿Quién soy yo?

¿Quién soy yo?

Porque el Señor es bueno y su gran amor es eterno; su fidelidad permanece para siempre.

~ Salmo 100:5 (NVI)

La gran ventaja de poder declarar que somos hijos de Dios es entender que nuestra identidad debe estar en Él.

Dios es el Rey, y si somos sus hijos, no solo somos hijos del Rey, sino que debemos aprender a vernos como tales. Muchos que hacen este cambio se acercan muchísimo a Dios, pero se sienten muy pobres. ¿Crees que por ser cristiano debas tener escasez y mendigar? De seguro olvidas que tienes privilegios.

No importa la idea que te vendieron en tu niñez. Si te maltrataron, o fuiste la oveja negra de la familia, o si vienes de una iglesia legalista, Dios te recibe en sus brazos de amor. La prueba de que Dios nos lleva de su mano es que sentirás su presencia. Experimentarás cómo te concede las peticiones más profundas de tu corazón de una manera única.

Así que mi recomendación es que consigas una Biblia y una iglesia. ¡Esto es clave para alimentarte bien! También busca las más de tres mil promesas que Dios nos ofrece en su Palabra a cada uno de nosotros.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
La gran ventaja de poder declarar que somos hijos de Dios es entender que nuestra identidad debe estar en Él.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - RELGIOUS LIBERTY

RELGIOUS LIBERTY

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

~ John 8:36 (NIV)

Ron Boyd MacMillan is a perceptive communicator. He writes for the next two days:

As my plane touched down after a trip to the Middle East, I breathed a big sigh of relief. I was back where I did not have to watch my back, be careful what I said, or where I went. Whew. I was back in a country that had religious freedom. I prayed to God, “Thank you for the men and women who fought to bring me this freedom. Thank God they won.”

Then two incidents happened one after the other that made me think again.

I was at an art exhibition and looking at a painting entitled, Man startled on a horse. I sought out the artist and said, “Was that the Apostle Paul on the Damascus road you were depicting?” I thought he would be pleased I had figured it out.

But he looked horrified, and glancing around he hissed, “For goodness sake keep quiet. Do you want me to get labeled as a religious artist? I’d never sell another painting if that happened.”

Then I was talking to a priest in charge of a large church in my city. His church had just received a large sum of money from the state for the refurbishment of a church hall. Then he said, “Well, we had to sign an agreement that the church would be available for everyone of any religion, and that we would not try to convert anyone. But we were happy to do that. We just want to be a community resource.”

Suddenly I became aware that I had to fight for religious liberty in my own country. I had thought that because certain toleration laws were in place, I was safe.

But no, it was clear from the artist that to admit one’s Christian faith in a public context was professional suicide.

How did my society suddenly get so prejudiced?

And look at the priest blithely giving up his right to evangelize, without a thought to the long-term cost. Who was asking him to refrain from evangelizing? And how could he be so unaware of the freedom he just signed away?

RESPONSE: Today I will not assume that freedom is automatic. I will stand up for the truth of God’s Word and be truly free.

PRAYER: Lord, may I never take the free expression of my faith for granted. Help me to understand the challenges that representing Your truth will bring.

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

Girlfriends in God - Looking for Those in Pain

Looking for Those in Pain

Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others.

~ 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

Hamburgers are a regular item on the Southerland summer menu … for several reasons.

Hamburgers are inexpensive, easy to prepare, and scrumptious.

Hamburgers can be cooked outside. We live in Kansas where the summer heat can be brutal. Why add to the rising temperature outside by turning on an oven inside?

On one particular hamburger-kind-of night, my husband offered to do the grilling, but he had just gotten home from work and looked like he needed a nap more than he needed to grill anything.

Being the wonderful wife that I am, I said, “Honey, why don’t you take a quick nap while I grill the hamburgers?” Being the wonderful husband that he is, Dan responded, “I will be glad to do that for you. It really is hot outside.”

I should have taken him up on his offer.

I didn’t want to be in the scorching heat one minute longer than I had to be, so I quickly seasoned the hamburger patties, slapped them on the grill, and headed back inside.

Our daughter met me at the door with our grandson who was looking for his Mimi. That’s me.

When Justus saw me, he smiled and stretched out his chubby little arms for me to hold him. I immediately accepted his invitation and promptly forgot about the hamburgers sizzling on the grill – until Danna asked what we were having for dinner.

As visions of charred hamburger patties danced through my head, I made a mad dash to rescue our meal.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that the hamburgers were still edible – barely – but a little charcoal is a healthy addition to any diet – right?

I quickly transferred the hamburgers to a plate, closed the lid on the grill, and turned to head inside. My foot caught on the leg of a patio chair. I stumbled, juggling the plate of meat in my hand.

I was not about to give up those hamburgers without a fight!

Instinctively, I reached out for something to break my fall … and found the grill – with three fingers.

Have you ever had an accident that seemed to happen in slow motion? I could feel the searing heat followed by the temporary numbness that accompanies second- and third-degree burns.

Ice! I needed ice and water!

I raced into the house, dropped the plate of burgers on the dinner table, and said, “Let’s eat!” Leaning over the kitchen sink, I turned the cold water on full blast, hoping it would ease the growing pain. It didn’t.

We tried every pain reliever we had, and finally resorted to soaking the injured fingers in a small bowl of ice water – which really did help – but when large blisters began to appear, Dan and I headed to Urgent Care.

As the doctor applied a burn cream, I asked, “Will it stop the pain?” The nurse had taken my bowl of ice water, and I couldn’t believe how badly those three fingers hurt! “It won’t actually stop the pain, but it will help the burns heal and prevent infection. I’ll give you a painkiller for the next couple of days,” she explained. When she handed me the prescription, I was surprised. It was the same pain medication I had once taken after major surgery.

I am not a doctor but taking pain medication that affects the whole body seems like overkill when only three fingers are in pain. But as the hours passed, I was very thankful for each little pill. Every part of my body was screaming, “Pay attention to the fingers! We hurt!”

The Body of Christ should function the same way.

Instead, we often shoot our wounded and leave them lying in the dirt to find help on their own.

The problem is not always that we are unwilling to help someone in pain. We are simply blind to the fact that they exist. We overlook hurting people because we are in a hurry or because we don’t want to deal with the mess of a broken life.

Jesus Christ willingly gave up Heaven and came to Earth as a man … and went straight for the messiest lives, those in the greatest pain … the losers and the misfits.

Jesus felt every pain we have ever felt or ever will feel.

Jesus was misunderstood and slandered.

Jesus was beaten, tortured, and then crucified to pay for our sin.

It must break the heart of God when we so easily toss aside what cost Him so very much … the chance to help one of His broken lambs.

Look around you! Someone needs you to see them – to really feel their pain and then be willing to do something about it.

Let’s Pray

Father, forgive me for the times I could have made a difference in the life of someone who was hurting, but didn’t because I was too busy or just didn’t care enough. Break my heart for what breaks Yours. Teach me to recognize the wounded hearts You send my way.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read Matthew 28:19-20. These verses are commonly referred to as “The Great Commission.” What would it look like if you really applied these truths to your daily life?

More from the Girlfriends

So many women have told me that they really want to study the Bible, but they just don't know how. The Word of God is our blueprint for life. If we want to discover and live out God’s plan, we must know the Word of God. Mary’s book, How To Study The Bible is a simple and effective guide to get God's Word into your life.

Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website and connect with Mary through E-mail, Twitter, Instagram, Shopify, or on Facebook.

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

Hamburgers are a regular item on the Southerland summer menu … for several reasons.

LHM Daily Devotions - Why Did This Happen?

"Why Did This Happen?"

Feb. 19, 2019

So Joseph said to His brothers, "Come near to me, please." And they came near. And he said, "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors."

~ Genesis 45:4-7 (ESV)

It's a question that every Christian faces if we live long enough—"Why did this terrible thing happen to me?" Theologians call this the problem of evil. How can a good, loving, all-powerful God let horrible things happen?

I'm going to be honest and say right now that there is no truly satisfactory answer to that question this side of heaven. We go on as Christians, not because we understand God, but because we see His true heart in Jesus our Savior. In spite of evil, we know God is good—because we see Jesus. We know He loves us—because Jesus died and rose for us. We continue to walk, even through darkness, because of Jesus. There is no other answer.

But there is another question. And that question might be phrased this way: "What can God do with this evil? What new, good thing can God create using this terrible thing?"

That is the question Joseph was dealing with. Many years before, his jealous brothers had sold him as a slave in far-away Egypt. There Joseph learned what it meant to suffer. He worked hard and was treated badly. He was even falsely accused and thrown into prison. He had every reason (humanly speaking) to stop trusting God. Who could blame him?

Joseph must have been tempted to lose faith. And yet, in our passage today, he is victorious. At last, he sees one very good thing that God has brought out of all his suffering. Joseph's family will live through the famine—they will do more than that, they will prosper! Because long ago, Joseph was sold as a slave into Egypt, today he is in a position to offer them a home with all the food they could ever need.

This doesn't make what Joseph's brothers did to him any less evil. Kidnapping is kidnapping; selling your brother as a slave will never be on the list of good, moral examples to imitate. And yet God used that great evil to bring about salvation for nearly a hundred people. From those people eventually came the whole nation of Israel—and from Israel, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

God can bring good out of our own evils as well. We may not see how He can do this right now; we may never see it in this world. And that is hard. But in the end, it's okay—because we know God's true heart toward us as we see it in the life, death, and resurrection of our dear Lord Jesus Christ. God is for us. He loves us. And He will redeem all our evils.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, please hold on to me when I suffer evil, and keep my trust in Jesus my Savior. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
How can a good, loving, all-powerful God let horrible things happen?

Devocional de la CPTLN del 19 de Febrero de 2019 - ¿Porqué sucedió esto?

ALIMENTO DIARIO

¿Porqué sucedió esto?

19 de Febrero de 2019

Entonces José les dijo: "Acérquense a mí". Ellos se acercaron, y él les dijo: "Yo soy José, su hermano, el que ustedes vendieron a Egipto. Pero no se pongan tristes, ni lamenten el haberme vendido, porque Dios me envío aquí, delante de ustedes, para preservarles la vida. Ya ha habido dos años de hambre en todo el país, y aún faltan cinco más, en los que no habrá quien are la tierra ni quien coseche nada. Pero Dios me envió delante de ustedes, para preservar su descendencia en la tierra y para darles vida mediante una gran liberación.

~ Génesis 45:4-7 (RVC)

"¿Por qué me tuvo que suceder esto?" Los cristianos nos hacemos esta pregunta más de una vez. Los teólogos llaman a esto el problema del mal. ¿Cómo puede un Dios bueno, amoroso y todopoderoso permitir que sucedan cosas malas?

Voy a ser honesta: para esta pregunta no hay una respuesta verdaderamente satisfactoria de este lado del cielo. Sin embargo, seguimos siendo cristianos; pero no porque comprendemos a Dios, sino porque en Jesús, nuestro Salvador, vemos su corazón. A pesar del mal que vemos y vivimos, sabemos que Dios es bueno y que nos ama porque envió a su hijo Jesús a morir y resucitar por nosotros. Y es gracias a Jesús que seguimos caminando, incluso a través de la oscuridad. No hay otra respuesta.

Pero hay más preguntas. ¿Qué puede hacer Dios con el mal? ¿Qué cosa nueva y buena puede crear Dios a partir de lo malo que nos ocurre?

Esa fue la pregunta con la que José tuvo que lidiar. Muchos años antes, sus celosos hermanos lo habían vendido como esclavo al lejano Egipto. Allí José aprendió lo que significaba sufrir. Trabajó duro y fue maltratado, e incluso fue falsamente acusado y encarcelado. Tenía todas las razones (humanamente hablando) para dejar de confiar en Dios. ¿Quién podría culparlo?

Seguramente estuvo tentado a renunciar a la fe; sin embargo, el texto bíblico nos dice que salió victorioso y por fin vio cómo Dios produjo algo muy bueno a partir de todo su sufrimiento: la familia de José habría de sobrevivir el hambre y, más aún, ¡habría de prosperar! Gracias a que mucho tiempo atrás él había sido vendido como esclavo a Egipto, en el momento de necesidad estuvo en condiciones de ofrecerles un hogar y toda la ayuda que necesitaban.

Esto no hace menos malvado lo que los hermanos de José le hicieron. El secuestro es secuestro; vender a tu hermano como esclavo nunca estará en la lista de buenos ejemplos morales para imitar. Sin embargo, Dios usó ese gran mal para lograr la salvación de casi cien personas. De esas personas surgió la nación de Israel y, de Israel, nuestro Salvador Jesucristo.

Dios también puede hacer algo bueno de nuestros males. Quizás no lo veamos ahora mismo o en este mundo. Pero igual está bien, porque conocemos el corazón de Dios demostrado en la vida, muerte y resurrección de nuestro querido Señor Jesucristo. Dios está a nuestro favor. Él nos ama y redimirá todos nuestros males.

ORACIÓN: Querido Señor, sostenme cuando sufro el mal, y mantén mi confianza en Jesús, mi Salvador. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo.

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Cómo puede un Dios bueno, amoroso y todopoderoso permitir que sucedan cosas malas?

Nuestro Pan Diario - Archívalos y sigue avanzando

Archívalos y sigue avanzando


Leer: Proverbios 15:30-33
 | La Biblia en un año: Levítico 25 Marcos 1:23-45


Descargar MP3

El oído que escucha las amonestaciones de la vida, entre los sabios morará (v. 31).


Recuerdo un consejo sabio que me dio una vez un amigo que era locutor de radio. Al principio de su carrera, mientras luchaba por saber cómo manejar tanto las críticas como los elogios, sintió que Dios lo instaba a archivar ambas cosas. ¿Cuál es la esencia de lo que aprendió? Aprender lo que se pueda de la crítica y aceptar los elogios. Luego, archivar ambas cosas y seguir avanzando humildemente en la gracia y el poder de Dios.


Las críticas y los elogios despiertan en nosotros emociones intensas que, si no se controlan, pueden llevarnos a detestarnos o a aumentar nuestro ego. En Proverbios, leemos sobre los beneficios del estímulo y del consejo sabio: «la buena nueva conforta los huesos. El oído que escucha las amonestaciones de la vida, entre los sabios morará. El que tiene en poco la disciplina menosprecia su alma; mas el que escucha la corrección tiene entendimiento» (15:30-32).


Si somos el blanco de una reprimenda, decidamos que eso nos sirva de ayuda. Si somos bendecidos con palabras de elogio, que nos sintamos renovados y llenos de agradecimiento. A medida que caminamos humildemente con Dios, Él puede ayudarnos a aprender de las críticas y los elogios, a archivarlos y seguir avanzando en su amor (v. 33).

Señor, ayúdame a crecer y mejorar 
mediante las críticas y los elogios.

Aprende de los elogios y de las críticas; 
luego, archívalos y sigue avanzando.

Por ros

© 2019 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario
Recuerdo un consejo sabio que me dio una vez un amigo que era locutor de radio. Al principio de su carrera, mientras luchaba por saber cómo manejar tanto las críticas como los elogios, sintió que Dios lo instaba a archivar ambas cosas.