LHM Daily Devotions - July 10, 2020 - "Steady Love Through Life's Tremors"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Steady Love Through Life's Tremors"

July 10, 2020

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

— Lamentations 3:22-23

Many people live quietly in desperation—unhappy with their lives, fearful of the future, and yet certain there has to be more to life than what they're experiencing. Even more people have occasional periods of deep depression, where life seems to lose its savor, and it's hard to do even daily tasks.

These periods of depression are not uncommon even for Christians, and they do not automatically signal the loss of one's faith. Some people think Christianity is supposed to quickly solve all our problems. To admit, then, to being downcast or fearful or troubled would be showing great weakness or sin, or so some would think.

This is not so, however. Even mighty figures in Scripture battled depression and despair. Read about Elijah in 1 Kings 19 when he wanted to sit down and die because of loneliness and dismay with his ministry. Listen to the writers of Psalms 6, 38, 88, 102, and elsewhere. They were terribly downcast and speak of their questionings, even to God. Think, too, of the apostle Paul who admits his weaknesses and distresses in 2 Corinthians 11.

We are saints through Jesus Christ, but we are also sinners in a sinful world. The way out of depression and doubt opens up for us only when we admit our weakness and despair—as the biblical writers did. We'll never conquer life's depressions by denying that we have them.

Remember the God you have and the beautiful promises He makes to you. The whole Bible trumpets the fact that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. God reached down into this damaged world for the very purpose of lifting up broken and downcast people. Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead for our future benefit in heaven; He also did it so we might have hope now in this world.

Consider passages like 1 Peter 1:3-5 which speak of the living hope that God has for your future and mine in union with Christ. If God is so confident about us, can we not also press on in faith, no matter how desperate life seems at the moment?

It was this remembering of the love and mighty deeds of God that helped David in his worst times (see Psalms 13:5-6; 25:15-21). Meditating and resting on the promises of God in Christ can be another step out of depression and anguish.

Also remember that you don't have to deal with your problems alone. Jesus promises, "Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28), and He is faithful to His promises.

This is our greatest hope—to entrust our lives to the One who gave His for us, so that we may live in victory over this world. In this, Jeremiah (another biblical figure who endured great hardship) reminds us that God is near—especially in times of trouble: "I called on Your Name, O LORD ... You came near when I called on You; You said, 'Do not fear!'" (Lamentations 3:55a, 57).

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help us when we're full of worries and slipping in our faith to call on You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Do you battle bouts of depression and low feelings?

2. How can it be said that God's mercies are new every morning?

3. Have you ever helped someone who was greatly depressed work through their problems?

From The Lutheran Layman, February 1978 issue, "Depression: A Prescription for You" by Rev. Jim Barton. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Do you battle bouts of depression and low feelings?

Devocional CPTLN del 10 de julio de 2020 - Amor constante ante los temblores de la vida

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Amor constante ante los temblores de la vida

10 de Julio de 2020

Por la misericordia del Señor no hemos sido consumidos; ¡nunca su misericordia se ha agotado! ¡Grande es su fidelidad, y cada mañana se renueva!

— Lamentaciones 2:22-23

Muchas personas viven en silencio, desesperadas, infelices con sus vidas, con ocasionales períodos de depresión, temerosas del futuro y, sin embargo, seguras de que tiene que haber más en la vida de lo que están experimentando.

Los cristianos también podemos sufrir de depresión, y ello no indica automáticamente la pérdida de la fe. Sin embargo, algunos piensan que la fe debe resolver todos nuestros problemas por lo que, el admitir estar abatido, temeroso o con problemas, sería mostrar una gran debilidad o falta de fe.

Pero no es así. En las Escrituras vemos a personas poderosas luchar contra la depresión y la desesperación. En 1 Reyes 19 se nos narra cuando el profeta Elías quería dejarse morir a causa de la soledad y la consternación con su ministerio. Los escritores de los Salmos 6, 38, 88, 102 estaban terriblemente abatidos y planteaban sus cuestionamientos a Dios. Y hasta el apóstol Pablo admite sus debilidades y angustias en 2 Corintios 11.

Somos santos por medio de Jesucristo, pero también somos pecadores viviendo en un mundo pecaminoso. El camino para salir de la depresión y la duda se abre para nosotros solo cuando admitimos nuestra debilidad y desesperación, como lo hicieron los escritores bíblicos. Nunca venceremos las depresiones de la vida negando que las tengamos.

Recuerda al Dios que tienes y las hermosas promesas que te hace. Toda la Biblia anuncia el hecho de que Cristo Jesús vino al mundo para salvar a los pecadores. Dios vino a este mundo dañado con el solo propósito de restaurar personas rotas y abatidas. Cristo murió por nuestros pecados y resucitó de la muerte para nuestro beneficio futuro en el cielo. También lo hizo para que tengamos esperanza ahora, en este mundo.

Considera pasajes como 1 Pedro 1:3-5 que hablan de la esperanza viva que Dios tiene para tu futuro y el mío en unión con Cristo. Si Dios tiene tanta confianza en nosotros, ¿no podemos seguir adelante con fe, sin importar cuán desesperada parezca la vida en este momento? Fue este recuerdo del amor y las grandes obras de Dios lo que ayudó a David en sus peores momentos (ver Salmo 13:5-6; 25:15-21). Meditar y descansar en las promesas de Dios en Cristo puede ser otro paso para salir de la depresión y la angustia.

También recuerda que no tienes que lidiar solo con tus problemas. Jesús promete: "Vengan a mí todos ustedes, los agotados de tanto trabajar, que yo los haré descansar" (Mateo 11:28), y Él es fiel a sus promesas.

Esta es nuestra mayor esperanza: confiar nuestra vida a Aquel que dio la suya por nosotros, para que podamos vivir en la victoria sobre este mundo. Jeremías (otra figura bíblica que soportó grandes dificultades) nos recuerda que Dios está cerca, especialmente en tiempos de problemas: "Invoqué, Señor, tu nombre... el día que te invoqué, viniste a mí y me dijiste: «No tengas miedo.»!" (Lamentaciones 3:55a, 57).

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, ayúdanos cuando las preocupaciones nos hagan dudar de nuestra fe. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén.

The Lutheran Layman, febrero de 1978, Rev. Jim Barton

Para reflexionar:

* ¿Por qué podemos decir que las misericordias de Dios son nuevas cada mañana?

* ¿Alguna vez has ayudado a alguien que estaba muy deprimido a resolver sus problemas?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Por qué podemos decir que las misericordias de Dios son nuevas cada mañana?

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Không Lợi Dụng

Không Lợi Dụng

Đọc: Công Vụ 16:22–34 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Gióp 41–42; Công Vụ 16:22–40

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Chớ làm hại mình! Chúng tôi đều còn cả đây!

— Công Vụ 16:28

Một số tù nhân đang thu gom rác bên đường để giảm án tù thì James, người giám sát của họ ngã quỵ. Họ vội vã tới giúp và nhận ra anh cần được cấp cứu. Một tù nhân mượn điện thoại của James để gọi giúp đỡ. Bộ phận cảnh sát trưởng sau đó cảm ơn các tù nhân vì đã giúp giám sát viên của họ nhanh chóng được chữa trị, đặc biệt khi họ có thể bỏ mặc anh trước mối nguy hại lớn vì bị đột quỵ – hoặc lợi dụng tình huống này để trốn thoát.

Hành động tử tế của các tù nhân cũng giống như Phao-lô và Si-la khi bị cầm tù. Sau khi họ bị lột trần, bị đánh đập và bỏ tù, một trận động đất dữ dội đã xảy ra đến nỗi xiềng của họ rớt ra và các cửa mở tung (Cv. 16:23-26). Khi tỉnh lại, viên cai ngục nghĩ rằng các tù nhân đã bỏ trốn, vì vậy ông định tự sát (lĩnh trước hình phạt vì để tù nhân trốn thoát). Khi Phao-lô kêu lớn: “Chúng tôi đều còn cả đây!” (c.28) viên cai ngục đã rất xúc động bởi hành động lạ thường của những tù nhân – đến nỗi ông tò mò về Đức Chúa Trời mà họ thờ phượng, cuối cùng ông đã tin nhận Ngài (c.29, 34).

Cách chúng ta đối xử với người khác bày tỏ những gì mình tin và coi trọng. Khi chọn làm điều tốt thay vì gây tổn hại, hành động của chúng ta sẽ khiến họ thắc mắc về Chúa mà chúng ta biết và yêu mến.

Bạn từng không lợi dụng để đạt được lợi ích riêng trong tình huống nào? Quyết định đó có ích cho người khác ra sao?

Lạy Chúa kính yêu, xin giúp con đưa ra những lựa chọn khiến người khác muốn biết về Ngài.

bởi Kirsten Holmberg

Chú Giải

Câu chuyện của người cai ngục trong Công Vụ 16:19-34 thật thú vị. Người này có thể là một nô lệ được giao nhiệm vụ canh gác nhà tù. Theo luật pháp La Mã, người cai ngục nào để tù nhân trốn thoát thì phải chịu xử tử (xem 12:19). Rõ ràng là thà tự tử còn hơn bị tử hình. Nhưng Phao-lô đã kịp ngăn cản người cai ngục (16:28). Do đó, người cai ngục hỏi Phao-lô làm thế nào để ông có thể được cứu. Ông và người nhà của mình đã đặt niềm tin nơi Chúa để nhận được sự cứu rỗi và họ đã chịu báp-têm (c.31-34).

Julie Schwab

© 2020 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày
Một số tù nhân đang thu gom rác bên đường để giảm án tù thì James, người giám sát của họ ngã quỵ.

The Daily Lectionary for THURSDAY, July 9, 2020

The Daily Lectionary

THURSDAY, July 9, 2020

Psalm 119:105-112; Exodus 3:1-6; Romans 2:12-16

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Psalm 119:105-112

Your word is a lamp to my feet

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
       a light on my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
       that I will follow your righteous laws.
107 I have suffered much;
       preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
       and teach me your laws.
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
       I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
       but I have not strayed from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
       they are the joy of my heart.
112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees
       to the very end.

Exodus 3:1-6

The God of Abraham Isaac Jacob

3:1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”

4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”

And Moses said, “Here I am.”

5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

Romans 2:12-16

God judges the secret thoughts

2:12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

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

The Daily Lectionary is a three-year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2020, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2019 was Year C. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Lectionary for THURSDAY, July 9, 2020
Psalm 119:105-112; Exodus 3:1-6; Romans 2:12-16

The Daily Prayer for THURSDAY, July 9, 2020

The Daily Prayer

THURSDAY, July 9, 2020

On July 9, 2004, the International Court of Justice ruled that the wall being built by the Israeli government in the contested Palestinian territories is illegal and should be taken down. This historic Holy Land continues to be some of the most troubled and segregated land in the world and has been called the site of “the most sophisticated apartheid system in the world.”

Second-century Christian thinker Athenagoras wrote, “Our life does not consist in making up beautiful phrases but in performing beautiful deeds.”

Lord God, we rejoice in your resurrection and in your promise to return. Help us live today as people who await the fulfillment of your kingdom. Bend our knees to the hard work of prayer, worship, repentance, and intercession. Amen.

Verse of the Day for THURSDAY, July 9, 2020

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Read all of Ephesians 3

Listen to Ephesians 3

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

Un dia a la Vez - Jueves 09 julio 2020

Semana de pacto con Dios: El corazón

Por sobre todas las cosas cuida tu corazón, porque de él mana la 
vida.

— Proverbios 4:23

El corazón es el órgano más importante del cuerpo. Diría que es el motor para que tú y yo estemos vivos. Bombea sangre todo el día y trabaja de manera incansable. Aunque tiene sus funciones bien establecidas, a veces falla.

Antiguamente decía, al igual que muchos: «Hagamos lo que diga el corazón». Esto era como dejarse llevar por lo que dictara el corazón y vivir lo que nos ofreciera el mundo. Entonces, cuando empecé a conocer más de cerca al Señor y a leer su Palabra, descubrí que era todo lo contrario: No debo tomar decisiones porque lo dicte mi corazón y que no hay nada más engañoso que nuestro propio corazón. Dios quiere que busquemos sabiduría, pero no en sí del corazón, donde se mueven todas las emociones.

En varias ocasiones, el Manual de Instrucciones habla de no dejarse corromper, de no contaminarse, porque del corazón salen los malos pensamientos, los adulterios, las fornicaciones, los homicidios, solo por mencionar algunas cosas.

Por eso hoy es otra oportunidad para decirle a Dios que queremos cuidar nuestro corazón y deseamos hacer su voluntad.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Aunque tiene sus funciones bien establecidas, a veces falla.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Thursday, July 9, 2020

TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

— 1 Corinthians 9:25

A young Romanian Christian was called into the secret police for interrogation. He had dreaded this moment. Fear gripped him throughout and he was unable to give a categorical rejection to the police offers of good treatment and security if he would only inform on his fellow-believers. He did not accept the offer either, but his inability to reject it unquestioningly brought personal agony.

He could not sleep that night because of his fear and guilt. The next morning led by the Holy Spirit, an older Christian came to visit the family. He was unaware of the young man’s dilemma. Being a former prisoner for his faith, he was able to counsel the young man from Scripture about his situation. He built up the young man in fellowship, training him for the next ordeal.

It came the same afternoon when the youth was taken in for his second interrogation. The same thing happened and the young man was still upset by his answers. Again the older believer came to encourage him.

Three days of more interrogations passed. Eventually, the young man was able to reject the police offer completely. With no further hold on him, the police let him go. Counsel, prayer, and patient caring had brought him through and trained him in righteousness.

To maintain biblical integrity, let us consider training as a prescribed course in righteousness in which each individual is disciplined through practice to be obedient to God’s direction for mankind and able to withstand the schemes of the devil.

People who commit themselves for a cause have a right to expect training in the job for which they have been selected. In some of the trades, this is called “apprenticeship.” In medicine, it is known as “internship.” In the military, it is referred to as “basic training.” In scripture, it is referred to as “discipleship.” However, in our modern-day, training is often bypassed due to the pressures of time, need and a low value placed upon the office to be filled. This was not the case with Jesus in His selection and training of His disciples.

After calling His men to be with Him, he challenged them to commit themselves to follow after Him—to be “fishers of men.” Jesus then began to train them to become His kind of “fishers of men.”

RESPONSE: I want to be a trained disciple of Jesus Christ. I will submit to His guidance and discipline.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to realize and accept Your “training” process as I follow You today.

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

Men's Devotional Bible - Thursday, July 9, 2020

A Glorious Preview

Exodus 34:29–35

Recommended Reading: Matthew 17:1–8; 2 Corinthians 3:7–18; Revelation 21:22—22:6

The lights in the theater dim and a deep, mysterious voice booms ominously through the speakers. On the screen, a sequence of scenes quickly establishes the setting, introduces the main characters and teases about the plot. Of course, you’re watching a preview for Hollywood’s next blockbuster flick.

However, since the film’s producers want you to plop down the bucks to watch the entire movie, they give you only a sketchy outline to pique your interest. So the preview suggests a lot more than it shows.

If a theatrical preview exists in the Bible, the episode about Moses’ radiant face provides a great teaser. We catch a glimpse of God’s glory, but the preview suggests a lot more than it actually shows. Instead of a detailed description, we only read that God’s glory made Moses’ face shine. Still, the effect was so powerful that it triggered fear in the Israelites, so much so that Moses had to cover his face.

God provided another preview of his glory in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ and the new covenant he established. The apostle Paul connects these two previews: “Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?” (2 Corinthians 3:7–8).

Amazingly, the full picture of God’s glory still lies ahead. Even more incredibly, we’re not just audience members watching a preview. God gives us a starring role! “We all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Are you ready for your close-up?

To Take Away

• Do you long for God’s glory more than anything else? In what ways does your life show this to be true?
• What qualities and actions in Jesus’ life revealed God’s glory? How can you obtain a greater thirst for a “close-up” of God’s glory?
• Pray that God will show you smaller evidences of his glory in your everyday life.

The lights in the theater dim and a deep, mysterious voice booms ominously through the speakers. On the screen, a sequence of scenes quickly establishes the setting, introduces the main characters and teases about the plot.

LHM Daily Devotions - July 9, 2020 - "Got Roots?"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Got Roots?"

July 9, 2020

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about Him, so that He got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And He told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow. And as He sowed, some seeds ... fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. ... As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the Word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the Word, immediately he falls away."

— Matthew 13:1-4a, 5b-6, 20-21

Some years ago, my husband bought me a beautiful gardenia in a pot for Valentine's Day. The white flowers glowed. I was enchanted, but I was also afraid. How would I keep it alive? I learned as much as I could about caring for the plant, and I watered it faithfully. Still, my fears came true. The gardenia died, and I felt terribly guilty.

I decided to recycle the pot, so I went to lift the dead plant out. Then I got a big surprise! The plant had absolutely no roots. As far as I could tell, it never had had roots, at least in that pot. Someone had cut a flowering branch off a bigger bush and shoved it into the soil to make it appear like a normal plant. We had been cheated.

I was angry, but I was also relieved. It wasn't my fault the plant died! Without roots, nobody could save it. It could not take in water or the nutrients in the soil. It was doomed.

Jesus makes a similar point about people who hear the Gospel message. A lot of people will say they believe and seem very excited about their new faith. They may even throw themselves into things like church attendance and Bible study. But not all of these people stick. Some of them quickly vanish—and when you hear of them next, they have stopped being Christians. They had no root. Everything looked fine on the surface, but when trouble came or they had to deal with suffering, they were out.

How about you—have you got roots? When times of suffering come—and they will come—will you stick?

The problem with the plants in Jesus' story was that they didn't have enough soil. They couldn't develop any roots in an inch or two of dirt overlying solid rock. In the same way, a heart like a rock isn't going to be a place where the Gospel can grow deep roots.

But ground can be changed—with a huge amount of effort, it's true, but still. It is possible to break up rock or to remove it altogether. It is possible to break up stony hearts and to transform them into places where the Gospel can grow and thrive. No human being can do this, yet the Holy Spirit can.

If you are concerned, ask the Holy Spirit for help! He is the One who makes faith grow in our hearts, and He can deal with the conditions of your heart, no matter what they are. Let Him have His way with you. Then the good seed of the Gospel will grow in your life and produce thirty, sixty, or even a hundredfold harvest for Jesus.

THE PRAYER: Lord Holy Spirit, work in my heart to make me good ground for the Gospel. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Did you ever plant a garden? What was easiest to grow, and why?

2. What was hardest to grow, and why?

3. In what area of your life would you like to ask God to help you grow better and be more fruitful?

This Daily Devotion was written Dr. Kari Vo. This Daily Devotion was written Dr. Kari Vo. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Did you ever plant a garden? What was easiest to grow, and why?

Devocional CPTLN del 09 de julio de 2020 - ¿Tienes raíces?

ALIMENTO DIARIO

¿Tienes raíces?

09 de Julio de 2020

Aquel día, Jesús salió de la casa y se sentó a la orilla del lago. Como mucha gente se le acercó, él se subió a una barca y se sentó, mientras que la gente se quedó en la playa. Entonces les habló por parábolas de muchas cosas. Les dijo: «El sembrador salió a sembrar. Al sembrar, una parte de las semillas cayó junto al camino, y vinieron las aves y se la comieron. Otra parte cayó entre las piedras, donde no había mucha tierra, y pronto brotó, porque la tierra no era profunda; pero en cuanto salió el sol, se quemó y se secó, porque no tenía raíz... El que oye la palabra es la semilla sembrada entre las piedras, que en ese momento la recibe con gozo, pero su gozo dura poco por tener poca raíz; al venir la aflicción o la persecución por causa de la palabra, se malogra.

— Mateo 13:1-6, 20-21

Hace algunos años, para el Día de San Valentín mi esposo me compró un hermoso jazmín en una maceta. Las flores blancas brillaban. Estaba encantada, pero también tenía miedo. ¿Cómo lo mantendría vivo? Aprendí todo lo que pude sobre el cuidado de la planta, y la regué fielmente. Pero incluso así, mis miedos se hicieron realidad: el jazmín se murió y me sentí terriblemente culpable.

Como quería conservar la maceta, fui a quitar la planta muerta. Entonces me encontré con una gran sorpresa: la planta no tenía ninguna raíz; es más, nunca había tenido raíces, al menos en esa maceta. Alguien había cortado una rama con flores de un arbusto más grande y la había metido en la tierra de tal manera que pareciera una planta normal. Habíamos sido engañados.

Estaba enojada, pero también estaba aliviada. ¡No había sido mi culpa que la planta se muriera! Sin raíces no podía vivir, pues no podía absorber agua ni los nutrientes del suelo. Estaba condenada.

Jesús dice algo similar con respecto a las personas que escuchan el mensaje del Evangelio. Muchos dicen que creen y parecen muy entusiasmados con su nueva fe, participando de las actividades de la iglesia y estudiando la Biblia. Pero no todos se quedan. Algunos de ellos desaparecen rápidamente y dejan de lado la fe. ¿Qué pasó? No tenían raíz. Todo lucía bien en la superficie, pero ni bien surgió un problema o tuvieron que enfrentar un sufrimiento, la dejaban de lado.

¿Y tú? ¿Tienes raíces? Cuando lleguen los momentos de sufrimiento, que por cierto llegarán, ¿te quedarás en la fe? El problema con las semillas en la historia de Jesús era que no tenían suficiente tierra para desarrollar raíces. De la misma manera, un corazón duro como una roca no será un lugar donde el Evangelio pueda enraizarse profundamente.

Pero no todo está perdido. Con esfuerzo, el terreno se puede cambiar. Es posible romper la roca o eliminarla por completo. Es posible romper corazones pedregosos y transformarlos en tierra fértil donde el Evangelio pueda crecer y prosperar. Ningún ser humano puede hacer esto, pero el Espíritu Santo sí puede hacerlo.

Pídele al Espíritu Santo que te ayude. Él es quien hace crecer la fe en nuestros corazones. Permítele obrar en ti, para que la buena semilla del Evangelio crezca en tu vida y produzca treinta, sesenta, o incluso cien veces la cosecha para Jesús.

ORACIÓN: Espíritu Santo, crea en mi corazón un terreno fértil para el Evangelio. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

* ¿Alguna vez tuviste una huerta? ¿Qué fue más difícil de cultivar y por qué?

* ¿En qué área de tu vida te gustaría pedirle a Dios que te ayude a crecer y a ser más fructífero?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Alguna vez tuviste una huerta? ¿Qué fue más difícil de cultivar y por qué?

Хлеб наш насущный - Безумие новой жизни

Безумие новой жизни

Читать сейчас: 1 Коринфянам 1:20-31 | Библия за год: Иов 38-40; Деяния 16:1-21

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Слово о кресте для погибающих юродство есть, а для нас, спасаемых, – сила Божия.

— 1 Коринфянам 1:18

Некоторые вещи невозможно понять, пока не прочувствуешь. Во время первой беременности я прочла множество книг и выслушала десятки женских историй на тему схваток и родов. Но так и не смогла в достаточной мере представить, как это будет. То, что предстояло пережить, казалось невозможным!

Павел пишет в Первом послании к коринфянам, что рождение в Божье Царство, спасение, которое Бог дарует нам через Христа, тоже кажется непостижимым для тех, кто его не пережил. Для них выглядит «безумием» утверждение, что спасение приходит через крест – мучительную и унизительную смерть. Однако именно это «безумие» Павел проповедовал как средство спасения!

Никто и представить не мог ничего подобного. Одни считали, что спасение должно прийти через сильного политического деятеля или благодаря сверхъестественному вмешательству. Другие думали, что спасением для них станут их умственные или философские достижения (1 Кор. 1:22). Но Бог удивил всех. Он открыл путь спасения в таком виде, который имеет смысл только для тех, кто уверовал и пережил его на собственном опыте.

Бог взял нечто позорное – смерть на кресте – и сделал его основанием силы и мудрости. Он совершает невообразимое: избирает немощное и неразумное мира, чтобы посрамить мудрое (ст. 27).

И Его удивительные, непредсказуемые пути всегда самые лучшие.

Как Бог удивляет вас сегодня? Почему Божьи пути лучше ваших?

Боже, вместе с Исаией я повторяю, что как небо выше земли, так Твои пути выше путей моих и Твои мысли выше моих мыслей.

автор: Эми Петерсон

© 2020 Хлеб Наш Насущный
То, что предстояло пережить, казалось невозможным!

The Daily Lectionary for WEDNESDAY, July 8, 2020

The Daily Lectionary

WEDNESDAY, July 8, 2020

Song of Solomon 2:8-13; Genesis 29:31-35; John 13:1-17

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Song of Solomon 2:8-13

Song of love

8  Listen! My beloved!
     Look! Here he comes,
   leaping across the mountains,
     bounding over the hills.
9  My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag.
     Look! There he stands behind our wall,
   gazing through the windows,
     peering through the lattice.
10 My beloved spoke and said to me,
     “Arise, my darling,
     my beautiful one, come with me.
11 See! The winter is past;
     the rains are over and gone.
12 Flowers appear on the earth;
     the season of singing has come,
   the cooing of doves
     is heard in our land.
13 The fig tree forms its early fruit;
     the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
   Arise, come, my darling;
     my beautiful one, come with me.”

Genesis 29:31-35

Birth of Jacob and Leah’s children

29:31 When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless. 32 Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, “It is because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.”

33 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Because the Lord heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too.” So she named him Simeon.

34 Again she conceived, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi.

35 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” So she named him Judah. Then she stopped having children.

John 13:1-17

Jesus washes the disciples’ feet

13:1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

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

The Daily Lectionary is a three-year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2020, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2019 was Year C. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Lectionary for WEDNESDAY, July 8, 2020
Song of Solomon 2:8-13; Genesis 29:31-35; John 13:1-17

The Daily Prayer for WEDNESDAY, July 8, 2020

The Daily Prayer

WEDNESDAY, July 8, 2020

Hear these words of church father Augustine of Hippo: “In affliction, then, we do not know what it is right to pray for. Because affliction is difficult, troublesome and against the grain for us, weak as we are, we do what every human would do. We pray that it may be taken away from us. However, if he does not take it away, we must not imagine that he has forgotten us. In this way, power shines forth more perfectly in weakness.”

Lord, throughout history you have used the seemingly weak to nurture justice, to fight poverty, and to walk bravely toward human thrones of power proclaiming another way. Help us find comfort and hope in our afflictions, knowing that you are able to use all things for good. Amen.

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, July 8, 2020

Psalm 138:2

I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame.

Read all of Psalm 138

Listen to Psalm 138

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 - Miércoles 08 de julio de 2020

Semana de pacto con Dios: Nuestra boca

De la abundancia del corazón habla la boca.

— Mateo 12:34

La boca, aparte de que sirve de entrada a la cavidad bucal, tiene varias funciones. Dios la creó para ingerir los alimentos, salivar, para tener sentido del gusto, pero quizá hablar sea lo más importante.

Dios la diseñó perfecta y muchos la usamos mal. Entonces, ¿has pensado en las cosas indebidas que se puede hacer con ella? Aunque se puede usar para fumar, drogarse, hablar mal y chismear, también se puede usar, en muchos casos, para bendecir y hablar cosas que agradan a Dios y a la familia.

¡Qué mal ejemplo les damos a nuestros hijos y compañeros de trabajo cuando somos malhablados! ¡Eso es terrible! Cuando conocemos una persona, nos puede dar una clara impresión al abrir su boca y expresarse.

Por eso hoy la idea es que podamos cortar todo lo malo que está saliendo de nuestra boca. ¿Eres de bendición o una persona grosera al expresarte?

La oportunidad para ti este día es que puedas reconocer y comprometerte con Dios de que dejarás atrás las groserías y las malas palabras, y que te comprometerás a guardar tu boca para honrarlo a Él.

Quiero que recuerdes algo de lo que dice la Biblia respecto a la boca y es que «de una misma boca salen bendición y maldición» (Santiago 3:10).

Señor, hoy me comprometo a guardar mi boca y honrarte con mis palabras.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
La boca, aparte de que sirve de entrada a la cavidad bucal, tiene varias funciones.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Wednesday, July 8, 2020

SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO SUFFER

At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.

— 2 Timothy 4:16

The Apostle Paul knew exactly what it was like to be alone, to be deserted by all who called themselves “brothers” and “sisters.” A former colleague who has done considerable travel among the persecuted says, “It is hard to believe that Christians are the largest persecuted group in the world today. But it is even more difficult to believe that this is so seldom mentioned in our gatherings and church services. More Christians know the names of their favorite actors than their fellow believers who are in prison.”

He continues, “With every trip, something in my heart breaks as I hear the echoes of suffering:

• I remember the echoes of an Egyptian mother as she shared how her young boy was stuck in a haystack because she refused to deny Jesus.
• I remember the sounds of weeping as fellow students in Indonesia shared how Sariman, their co-student, was hacked to death.
• I remember the cries of anguish as we walked from church to church that was burned to the ground on the island of Lombok.
• I remember the tears of Rebecca in Iran as she showed the picture of her father who was stabbed to death for sharing the gospel.
• I remember the voice of Pastor Daniel in Vietnam as he shared how he was chained to the ground for six months.
• I remember the fear of Grace from Sudan as she shared how her church was attacked and her friend was shot through the head.
• Oh, I remember the cries of Caleb in Eritrea as he shared with tears how two dear friends were executed in front of him because of their faith.
• And I remember the tears of Joy in the southern Philippines as she shared how her fiancé was shot to death in their church in Mindanao.
• But, most all, I remember the deafening sounds of silence every time I return home.

RESPONSE: How can I be silent today? How can I not speak on behalf of those who suffer? How can I desert those that belong to the same body that I belong to and who desperately need the encouragement of my intervention on their behalf?

PRAYER: Lord, broaden my awareness of the needs of my suffering brothers and sisters. May I not be known for my silence.

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

LHM Daily Devotions July 8, 2020 - "Now, Sons and Daughters!"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Now, Sons and Daughters!"

July 8, 2020

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.

— Romans 8:12-17

The apostle Paul tells us that while we are indeed debtors, we owe nothing to the flesh. The flesh is a brutal taskmaster, denouncing us as sinners and leaving us spiritually dead on arrival before God. But as believers in Jesus' saving grace, the flesh is powerless over us. Because the damning power of our sinful nature before God's righteous Law has been conquered by the blood of Jesus.

Paul writes, "For God has done what the Law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:3-4). Because of Jesus we are made clean and acceptable to God.

How wonderful that God welcomes us into His family through the gift of faith! (See Ephesians 2:1-10). This welcome isn't some kind of "slave with benefits" designation. It's the prodigal's undeserved second chance after scorning his father and blowing everything. It's God's gracious mercy and forgiveness. It's full adoption into His family. "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'"

In Christ we are adopted members of God's family, His own children, eternal "heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ." God's Spirit inside us is the guarantor of our salvation. He bears witness with our spirit that we belong to God. As we go forth in faith, the Spirit is there to guide us in our lives, sustain us in our sufferings, and lead us into all truth about Jesus (see John 16:13).

And it's by the Spirit of God that we can draw close to God the Father, speaking to Him in a personal way, "Abba! Father!" With God we find love and acceptance—not for who we are but for who He has made into—His very own sons and daughters, redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, when we're struggling in this world, remind us that we are Your adopted children. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever felt as if you were bound by a "spirit of slavery" in any way?

2. What does it mean to suffer with Christ?

3. Have you ever thought about God the Father as your "papa" or "daddy," before? Does it change the way you see Him?

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).
Have you ever felt as if you were bound by a "spirit of slavery" in any way?

Devocional CPTLN del 08 de julio de 2020 - ¡Ahora somos hijos!

ALIMENTO DIARIO

¡Ahora somos hijos!

08 de Julio de 2020

Así que, hermanos, tenemos una deuda pendiente, pero no es la de vivir en conformidad con la carne, porque si ustedes viven en conformidad con la carne, morirán; pero si dan muerte a las obras de la carne por medio del Espíritu, entonces vivirán. Porque los hijos de Dios son todos aquellos que son guiados por el Espíritu de Dios. Pues ustedes no han recibido un espíritu que los esclavice nuevamente al miedo, sino que han recibido el espíritu de adopción, por el cual clamamos: ¡Abba, Padre! El Espíritu mismo da testimonio a nuestro espíritu, de que somos hijos de Dios. Y si somos hijos, somos también herederos; herederos de Dios y coherederos con Cristo, si es que padecemos juntamente con él, para que juntamente con él seamos glorificados.

— Romanos 8:12-17

El apóstol Pablo nos dice que si bien somos deudores, no le debemos nada a la carne. La carne es un capataz brutal que nos denuncia como pecadores y nos deja espiritualmente muertos ante Dios. Pero como creyentes en la gracia salvadora de Jesús, la carne no tiene poder sobre nosotros. Porque el poder represivo de nuestra naturaleza pecaminosa ante la Ley justa de Dios ha sido conquistado por la sangre de Jesús.

Pablo escribe: "Porque Dios ha hecho lo que para la ley era imposible hacer, debido a que era débil por su naturaleza pecaminosa: por causa del pecado envió a su Hijo en una condición semejante a la del hombre pecador, y de esa manera condenó al pecado en la carne, para que la justicia de la ley se cumpliera en nosotros, que no seguimos los pasos de nuestra carne, sino los del Espíritu" (Romanos 8:3-4). Gracias a Jesús somos hechos limpios y aceptables para Dios.

¡Qué maravilloso que Dios nos reciba en su familia a través del don de la fe! (ver Efesios 2:1-10). Esta bienvenida no es una especie de designación de "esclavo con beneficios". Es la segunda oportunidad inmerecida del hijo pródigo después de despreciar a su padre y arruinarlo todo. Es la misericordia y el perdón de Dios. Es la adopción total en su familia. "Pues ustedes no han recibido un espíritu que los esclavice nuevamente al miedo, sino que han recibido el espíritu de adopción, por el cual clamamos: ¡Abba, Padre!"

En Cristo somos miembros adoptivos de la familia de Dios, sus propios hijos, eternos "herederos de Dios y coherederos con Cristo". El Espíritu de Dios dentro de nosotros es el garante de nuestra salvación. Él da testimonio con nuestro espíritu de que pertenecemos a Dios. A medida que avanzamos en fe, el Espíritu está allí para guiarnos en la vida, sostenernos en nuestros sufrimientos y guiarnos a toda la verdad sobre Jesús (ver Juan 16:13).

Y es por el Espíritu de Dios que podemos acercarnos a Dios Padre, hablándole de manera personal: "¡Abba! ¡Padre!" En Dios encontramos amor y aceptación no por lo que somos, sino por lo que Él ha hecho. Ahora somos sus hijos redimidos por la preciosa sangre de Jesucristo.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, cuando estamos luchando en este mundo, recuérdanos que somos tus hijos adoptivos. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén.

Paul Schreiber

Para reflexionar:

* ¿Qué significa para ti sufrir con Cristo?

* ¿Alguna vez has pensado en Dios Padre como tu "papá"? ¿Cambia esto tu forma de verlo?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Qué significa para ti sufrir con Cristo?

Ministérios Pão Diário - Muitos dons, um propósito

Muitos dons, um propósito

Muitos dons, um propósito

Escritura de hoje: 1 Coríntios 12:4-14
Bíblia em um ano: Jó 36–37; Atos 15:22-41

O corpo humano tem muitas partes, mas elas formam um só corpo. O mesmo acontece com relação a Cristo.

— 1 Coríntios 12:12

No México, meu país natal, o milho é o alimento básico. Há muitos tipos diferentes: espigas amarelas, marrons, vermelhas e pretas, e até algumas com lindos padrões salpicados. Mas, nas cidades, as pessoas normalmente não comem as espigas manchadas. Amado Ramírez, chef e pesquisador explica que as pessoas acreditam que a uniformidade é sinônimo de qualidade. Ainda assim, as espigas manchadas são saborosas e fazem ótimas tortilhas.

A Igreja de Cristo assemelha-se mais a uma espiga de milho de cores diversas, do que aquela de cor única. Paulo usou a imagem de um corpo para descrevê-la porque, embora sejamos um só Corpo, e tenhamos o mesmo Deus, cada um recebeu um dom diferente. Ele escreveu: “Existem tipos diferentes de serviço, mas o Senhor a quem servimos é o mesmo. Deus trabalha de maneiras diferentes, mas é o mesmo Deus que opera em todos nós” (vv.5,6). A diversidade de formas como ajudamos uns aos outros demonstra a generosidade e a criatividade de Deus.

Ao embraçarmos nossa diversidade, vamos nos esforçar para manter nossa unidade em fé e propósito. Sim, temos habilidades e experiências distintas, falamos idiomas diferentes e viemos de países diversos. Mas temos o mesmo Deus maravilhoso, o Criador que se deleita com tamanha variedade.

Por:  rebekawerner

Refletir & Orar

Pai, que possamos fazer todos os esforços para sermos um, respeitando e valorizando uns aos outros, bem como os nossos variados dons e talentos.

Precisamos uns dos outros para ser o que Deus quer que sejamos.

© 2020 Ministérios Pão Diário
Pessoas acreditam que a uniformidade é sinônimo de qualidade.