Хліб Наш Насущній — Побачити любов

Побачити любов

Читати: Єремії 31:1-9 | Біблія за рік: Псалми 91–93 ; Римлян 15:1-13

Завантажити MP3

Я вічним коханням тебе покохав. — Єремії 31:3

Хоча Нора була невелика на зріст, вона не злякалася Бріджет, високої войовничої жінки, яка сердито дивилася на неї. Бріджет навіть не могла пояснити, чому зупинилася в центрі кризової вагітності, якщо вона вже твердо вирішила “позбавитися цієї… дитини”. Нора лагідно задавала питання, а Бріджет грубіянила нецензурними словами. Невдовзі Бріджет встала, щоб іти, зухвало заявляючи про свій намір перервати вагітність.

Ставши між Бріджет і дверима, тендітна Нора запитала: “Перед тим, як ви підете, чи можу я вас обійняти і помолитися за вас?” Її ще ніхто ніколи не обнімав, в усякому разі з добрими намірами. Раптом вона неочікувано розплакалася.

Нора чудово відображає серце Бога, Який полюбив Свій народ Ізраїль “вічним коханням” (Єр. 31:3). Народ зазнав тяжких наслідків власної упертої непокори Божим настановам. Однак Господь йому сказав: “Я… милість тобі виявляю! Ще буду тебе будувати” (вв. 3-4).

Історія Бріджет складна (як і в багатьох із нас). Ця жінка вважала, що Бог і Його послідовники можуть лише осудити її, допоки не побачила того дня справжню любов. Нора показала їй дещо інше – Бога, Який не ігноруватиме наш гріх, тому що любить нас безмежно. Він з радістю хоче прийняти нас у Свої обійми. Нам більше не треба ховатися.

Як ви сприймаєте Бога? Наскільки ваш погляд співпадає з тим, що ви прочитали в сьогоднішньому тексті з Біблії?

Подивіться відео “Він чує нас”.

Отче, я часто сприймаю Твою неймовірну любов за належне. Прости і допоможи сьогодні виявити цю любов до когось іншого.

Автор Тім Густавсон

© 2020 Хліб Наш Насущні

Хоча Нора була невелика на зріст, вона не злякалася Бріджет, високої войовничої жінки, яка сердито дивилася на неї.

The Daily Lectionary for FRIDAY, August 14, 2020

The Daily Lectionary

FRIDAY, August 14, 2020

Psalm 133; Genesis 41:37-57; Acts 14:19-28

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

(Semicontinuous Reading Plan)

Psalm 133

How good it is to live in unity

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

Genesis 41:37-57

Joseph’s rise to power

41:37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.

38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:

40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.

42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;

43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.

44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.

45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.

46 And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.

47 And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.

48 And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same.

49 And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.

50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.

51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.

52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

53 And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.

54 And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.

55 And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.

56 And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.

57 And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.

Acts 14:19-28

God opens the door to Gentiles

14:19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.

25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:

26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.

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, King James Version (KJV).

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 FRIDAY, August 14, 2020
Psalm 133; Genesis 41:37-57; Acts 14:19-28

The Daily Prayer for FRIDAY, August 14, 2020

The Daily Prayer

FRIDAY, August 14, 2020

Maximilian Kolbe (1894 — 1941)

Maximilian Kolbe was a Polish priest who provided shelter for thousands of Jews in his friary and was an active voice against the Nazi violence. He was arrested by the German Gestapo and imprisoned at Auschwitz. When a fellow prisoner escaped from the camp, the Nazis selected ten other prisoners to be killed in reprisal. As they were lined up to die, one of the ten began to cry, “My wife! My children! I will never see them again!” At this, Maximilian stepped forward and asked to die in his place. His request was granted, and he led the other men in song and prayer as they awaited their deaths. Maximilian had also lived in Japan and founded a monastery on the outskirts of Nagasaki. Four years after his martyrdom, on August 9, 1945, the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, but his monastery miraculously survived. Maximilian’s feast day, when Christians around the world celebrate his life and sainthood as a hero of the church, falls one week after Nagasaki Day. Each year, we spend the week reflecting on the best and the worst that human beings are capable of.

Maximilian Kolbe had this to say: “These Nazis will not kill our souls, since we prisoners certainly distinguish ourselves quite definitely from our tormentors; they will not be able to deprive us of the dignity of our Catholic belief. We will not give up. And when we die, then we die pure and peaceful, resigned to God in our hearts.”

Lord, we know that you often answer our prayers in mysterious and stunning ways. Make us sensitive to your Spirit that we might recognize your gentle nudge. And help us cultivate lives that are always ready to respond to your call. Form us into people who are truly ready to become the change we want to see. Amen.

Verse of the Day for FRIDAY, August 14, 2020

Revelation 3:14, 20

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Read all of Revelation 3

Listen to Revelation 3

The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV).

LHM Daily Devotions — Permission to Love Yourself

"Permission to Love Yourself"

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.

— 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28

Just about every friend I have is on a diet right now. Even the neighborhood kids aren't eating as many Twinkies, for some reason. I don't know about you, but I feel absolutely starved while watching TV ads for pepperoni pizza, extra-moist desserts, and old-fashioned lemonade. More often than not though, the TV turns right around and makes me feel fat and guilty by touting diet plans and exercise machines.

If all of us were satisfied with ourselves, it probably wouldn't take long until diet products passed out of our lives forever. But most of us are not satisfied with ourselves. Maybe it's because all kinds of people are only too glad to tell us what we're doing wrong. Sometimes the advice is free. Often we pay $14.95 for the privilege of reading a book listing our faults and telling us how to get rid of our hang-ups.

"Assert yourself!" "Vegetarians have more fun!" "Learn to say no!" "Learn to say yes!" "Jog your way to nirvana for fun and profit!" Yep, we've heard them all before, more than a few hundred times.

Are you satisfied with yourself? I hope so, because God made only one of you. You are very precious to Him. "What you are is God's gift to you," as the modern proverb goes, and God's gifts are always worthwhile (see James 1:17).

The adage ends, of course, with "What you make of yourself is your gift to God." While our culture is fixated on outward appearances, I seem to have a case of terminal acne. I may not exit adolescence until I'm 40. If we let ourselves become paralyzed by society's demands though, we won't have much time to work on making ourselves gifts to God.

Loving yourself doesn't mean "anything goes," and letting yourself go with it. Setting goals for both the short and long term helps me assert self-discipline and makes for better days ahead. Also, in deciding upon goals, it's good to keep in mind that God sees not as man sees. As it is written in 1 Samuel: "For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7b).

What would you like your life to be like? Do you love yourself enough to make change possible? Jesus calls us to Himself, so we can live our best life possible. He has told us, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep" (John 10:10b-11).

By Jesus' loving work on my behalf—living, dying, and rising from the grave to new life—He has made all who trust in Him by faith victorious over life, with all its demands and expectations. Jesus loves me, and because He loves me, I can love me, too.

Heavenly Father, we are all made in Your image. Teach us to love ourselves, even when we feel unlovely. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Jane Fryar

Reflection Questions:

1. Has your image of self changed since pandemic restrictions have begun?

2. How does God keep us blameless until the coming of Jesus?

3. How do you try to be the best you can be for God?

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved.
Has your image of self changed since pandemic restrictions have begun?

Standing Strong Through the Storm — SELFLESSNESS

SELFLESSNESS

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

— Philippians 2:3-4

Brother Andrew loves to tell this parable from the Middle East:

A certain man had two sons. One was rich and the other was poor. The rich son had no children while the poor son was blessed with many sons and many daughters. In time, the father fell ill. He was sure he would not live through the week, so on Saturday he called his sons to his side and gave each of them half of his land for their inheritance. Then he died. Before sundown the sons buried their father with respect.

That night the rich son could not sleep. He said to himself, “What my father did was not just. I am rich and my brother is poor. I have plenty of bread while my brother’s children eat one day and trust God for the next. I must move the landmark which our father has set in the middle of the land so that my brother will have the greater share. Ah—but he must not see me; if he sees me, he will be shamed. I must arise early in the morning before it is dawn and move the landmark!” With this he fell asleep and his sleep was secure and peaceful.

Meanwhile, the poor brother could not sleep. As he lay restless on his bed, he said to himself, “What my father did was not just. Here I am surrounded by the joy of many sons and daughters while my brother daily faces the shame of having no sons to carry on his name and no daughters to comfort him in his old age. He should have the land of our fathers. Perhaps this will in part compensate him for his indescribable poverty. Ah—but if I give it to him, he will be shamed. I must awake early in the morning before it is dawn and move the landmark which our father has set!” With this he went to sleep and his sleep was secure and peaceful.

On the first day of the week—very early in the morning, a long time before it was day, the two brothers met at the ancient land marker.

They fell with tears into each other’s arms. And on that spot was built the New Jerusalem.

RESPONSE: Today I will focus on the needs and interests of others rather than on my own.

PRAYER: Pray that this biblical attitude of love, humility and selflessness will pervade the church of Jesus Christ in the Middle East today and around the world.

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

Men of the Bible — Isaiah

Isaiah

His name means: "The Lord Has Saved"

His work: An eighth-century BC prophet, Isaiah's message was primarily directed toward Judah and Jerusalem, warning God's people of coming judgment on their sins.
His character: He was a learned man of principle and integrity and of deep humility.
His sorrow: Isaiah was grieved that God's people were unwilling to repent.
His triumph: Isaiah had a vision of God that profoundly shaped his long prophetic ministry.
Key Scriptures: Isaiah 6

A Look at the Man

The people noticed the difference in Isaiah. Rumor had spread that he had seen a vision in the temple that day. No one knew exactly what—or whom—he had seen, but whatever had happened, Isaiah was a changed man.

What Isaiah had experienced in the temple was one of history's most profound commissioning ceremonies, and because of its power, Isaiah's course was changed like a flood tearing down a riverbank.

Isaiah had grown up on the right side of the tracks. His family was from the royal tribe of Judah. His pedigree and command of the language marked his stature and his message. After the vision in the temple, for almost sixty years his assignment included ministry in the courts of the kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. So naturally Isaiah might have been tempted to place himself above the people to whom he preached. But because of the temple visitation, the preacher never forgot that he too was counted among the sinners. Just because he had been gifted and called to deliver God's message didn't excuse him from the need for repentance.

Isaiah had witnessed something very few mortals have seen before his time or since. He was allowed the privilege of seeing a glimpse of God's glory. The experience tore away any shroud of pride that may have covered him, replacing it with a sense of wonder and humility. It was as though the living God was saying to the prophet, "Don't forget who you're talking about, Isaiah. Never forget whom you serve."

And there was the searing heat of the burning ember. Why couldn't God have just told me of my forgiveness? Why the coal? Why this pain? Isaiah must have wondered over the succeeding weeks as the scabs on his lips slowly healed. But God had a purpose in this, too. He wanted Isaiah to remember the pain of repentance, the agony of confession. And he touched the part of Isaiah's body that he was using to represent the Holy One of Israel: his mouth. No doubt it was several weeks, perhaps months, before Isaiah could speak without physical pain. God's mission had been perfectly accomplished.

And now Isaiah's message of the people's sinfulness included the promise of redemption in the coming of the Savior: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

The sparkle in Isaiah's eyes didn't come from a strident preacher who delighted in shouting condemnation, but in the words of deliverance through the Son of God who would come to save the people from their sins—including the sins of the woeful prophet.

Reflect On: Isaiah 25:1–5
Praise God: For his sovereignty and power, for his mercy and his grace.
Offer Thanks: For calling us to repentance and for providing a Savior.
Confess: Our casual attitude about being in his holy presence in worship and our cavalier attitude about our own sin.
Ask God: To give you a glimpse of his glory—an understanding of what Isaiah must have experienced that day in the temple. Tell him that you’re willing to be sent, to be his ambassador, his mouthpiece.

Today's reading is a brief excerpt from Men of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Men in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Robert Wolgemuth (Zondervan). © 2010 by Ann Spangler. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Enjoy the complete book by purchasing your own copy at the Bible Gateway Store. The book's title must be included when sharing the above content on social media.
An eighth-century BC prophet, Isaiah's message was primarily directed toward Judah and Jerusalem, warning God's people of coming judgment on their sins.

John Piper Devotional — God Forgives and Is Still Fair

God Forgives and Is Still Fair

The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child who is born to you shall die.

— 2 Samuel 12:13–14

This is outrageous. Uriah is dead. Bathsheba is raped. The baby will die. And Nathan says, “The Lord has put away your sin.”

Just like that? David committed adultery. He ordered murder. He lied. He “despised the word of the Lord.” He “scorned God.” And the Lord “put away [his] sin.”

What kind of a righteous judge is God? You don’t just pass over rape and murder and lying. Righteous judges don’t do that.

Here is what Paul said in Romans 3:25–26:

God put [Christ] forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

In other words, the outrage that we feel when God seems to simply pass over David’s sin would be good outrage if God were simply sweeping David’s sin under the rug. He is not.

God sees from the time of David down the centuries to the death of his Son, Jesus Christ, who would die in David’s place, so that David’s faith in God’s mercy and God’s future redeeming work unites David with Christ. And in God’s all-knowing mind, David’s sins are counted as Christ’s sins and Christ’s righteousness is counted as his righteousness, and God justly passes over David’s sin.

The death of the Son of God is outrageous enough, and the glory of God that it upholds is great enough, that God is vindicated in passing over David’s adultery and murder and lying.

And so God maintains his perfect righteousness and justice while at the same time showing mercy to those who have faith in Jesus, no matter how many or how monstrous their sins. This is good news.
God maintains his perfect righteousness and justice while at the same time showing mercy to those who have faith in Jesus.

Un dia a la Vez — Recojamos los estragos (segunda parte)

Recojamos los estragos (segunda parte)

En su angustia clamaron al Señor, y él los salvó de su aflicción. Los sacó de las sombras tenebrosas y rompió en pedazos sus cadenas.

— Salmo 107:13-14

En estos días estamos reflexionando acerca de las cosas negativas que les permitimos llegar a nuestra vida y a las que les llamo «vientos». Quizá esto se deba a que, por estar en temporada de huracanes, deseara establecer el paralelo con nuestra vida.

Muchos de esos impactos que vivimos los ocasionamos nosotros mismos. Tomamos malas decisiones, no escuchamos a tiempo los consejos y hacemos lo que bien nos parece. En algunos casos, esto nos lleva a quedar literalmente en «zona de desastre». Entonces, una vez más, el nombre de Dios viene a nuestros labios y pensamientos. Volvemos a orar con tanta intensidad como no lo hacíamos por mucho tiempo. Después nos arrepentimos y le pedimos a Dios una nueva oportunidad.

La buena noticia es que nuestro Padre siempre está dispuesto a recibirnos y a recogernos, así sea que estemos hecho pedazos o que seamos solo escombros. Con su infinita misericordia nos empieza a sanar y a reconstruir hasta dejarnos una vez más en pie.

Lo más importante de todo, mis queridos amigos, es que aunque Dios nos perdona y olvida nuestras faltas, siempre viviremos las consecuencias de nuestros actos.

Por favor, que no se nos olvide el dolor por el que pasamos y de dónde nos sacó Dios.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
En estos días estamos reflexionando acerca de las cosas negativas que les permitimos llegar a nuestra vida y a las que les llamo «vientos». Quizá esto se deba a que, por estar en temporada de huracanes, deseara establecer el paralelo con nuestra vida.

Devocional CPTLN del 14 de agosto de 2020 — Permiso para amarte

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Permiso para amarte

Que el mismo Dios de paz los santifique por completo; y que guarde irreprensible todo su ser, espíritu, alma y cuerpo, para la venida de nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Aquel que los llama es fiel, y cumplirá todo esto.

— 1 Tesalonicenses 5:23-24

Casi todos los amigos que tengo están a dieta en este momento. No sé cómo es contigo, pero a mí me da hambre cuando veo los anuncios de pizza y helados en la televisión... pero también me siento gorda y culpable cuando veo los anuncios promocionando planes de dieta y aparatos para hacer ejercicio.

Si estuviéramos satisfechos con nosotros mismos, probablemente no pasaría mucho tiempo hasta que los productos dietéticos desaparecieran para siempre. Pero la mayoría de nosotros no estamos satisfechos con nosotros mismos. Tal vez sea porque son muchas las personas a quienes les alegra decirnos qué estamos haciendo mal. A veces el consejo es gratis, pero a menudo pagamos $14.95 por el privilegio de leer un libro que enumera nuestras fallas y nos dice cómo deshacernos de nuestros problemas.

"¡Tú vales!" "¡Los vegetarianos se divierten más!" "¡Aprende a decir no!" "¡Aprende a decir sí!" "¡Ábrete camino hacia la diversión y el éxito!" Sí, los hemos escuchado antes, más de unos cientos de veces.

¿Estás satisfecho contigo mismo? Eso espero, porque Dios solo hizo uno como tú y para él eres muy valioso. "Lo que eres es el regalo de Dios para ti", dice el proverbio moderno, y los regalos de Dios siempre valen la pena (ver Santiago 1:17). El proverbio termina diciendo: "Lo que haces de ti mismo es tu regalo a Dios". Sin embargo, si nos dejamos paralizar por las demandas de la sociedad, no tendremos mucho tiempo para trabajar en hacernos regalos para Dios.

Amarte a ti mismo no significa que "todo vale". Establecer objetivos a corto y largo plazo ayuda a afirmar la autodisciplina y a tener mejores días por delante. Además, al decidir los objetivos, es bueno tener en cuenta que Dios no ve como el hombre ve. Como está escrito en 1 Samuel: "Yo soy el Señor, y veo más allá de lo que el hombre ve. El hombre mira lo que está delante de sus ojos, pero yo miro el corazón" (1 Samuel 16:7b).

¿Cómo te gustaría que fuera tu vida? ¿Te amas lo suficiente como para hacer posible el cambio? Jesús nos llama a sí mismo para que podamos vivir de la mejor manera posible. Él nos dijo: "Yo he venido para que tengan vida, y para que la tengan en abundancia. Yo soy el buen pastor; el buen pastor da su vida por las ovejas" (Juan 10:10b-11).

Por el amoroso trabajo de Jesús en mi nombre, viviendo, muriendo y resucitando de la tumba a una vida nueva, él ha hecho que todos los que confían en él por fe sean victoriosos sobre la vida, con todas sus demandas y expectativas. Jesús te ama, y porque él te ama, tú también puedes amarte.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, todos estamos hechos a tu imagen. Enséñanos a amarnos a nosotros mismos, incluso cuando nos sintamos mal. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén.

Jane Fryar

Para reflexionar:

* ¿Ha cambiado tu imagen de ti mismo desde que comenzaron las restricciones por la pandemia?

* ¿Qué haces para tratar de ser lo mejor que puedes ser para Dios?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Ha cambiado tu imagen de ti mismo desde que comenzaron las restricciones por la pandemia?

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Hy Vọng Chớm Nở

Hy Vọng Chớm Nở

Đọc: Ê-sai 35:1-4 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Thi Thiên 89-90; Rô-ma 14

Download MP3

Đồng hoang sẽ mừng rỡ và trổ hoa như hoa thủy tiên.

— Ê-sai 35:1

Tại thành phố Philadelphia, khi những bãi đất trống đầy cỏ được dọn dẹp và trở nên tươi sáng với hoa và cây cảnh, thì đời sống tinh thần của những cư dân gần đó cũng vui tươi hơn. Điều này đặc biệt đúng với những ai đang gặp khó khăn về kinh tế.

Tiến sĩ Eugenia South cho biết: “Ngày càng có nhiều bằng chứng cho thấy không gian xanh có thể tác động đến sức khỏe tinh thần, và điều đó đặc biệt đúng với những người sống trong các khu dân cư nghèo”. Tiến sĩ South, thành viên của Trường Y Khoa Perelman thuộc Đại Học Pennsylvania, là đồng tác giả của bản nghiên cứu về đề tài này.

Những người Giu-đa và Y-sơ-ra-ên bị áp bức đã tìm thấy niềm hy vọng tươi mới qua khải tượng của tiên tri Ê-sai về sự phục hồi đẹp đẽ mà Chúa dành cho họ. Giữa mọi lời kết tội và phán xét mà Ê-sai đã báo trước, thì lời hứa tươi sáng này thật chắc chắn: “Đồng hoang sẽ mừng rỡ và trổ hoa như hoa thủy tiên. Nó sẽ trổ nhiều hoa và vui mừng, hớn hở trỗi tiếng hát ca” (Ês. 35:1-2).

Cho dù hoàn cảnh hiện giờ có ra sao, chúng ta cũng có thể vui mừng bởi những cách đẹp đẽ mà Cha Thiên Thượng đã dùng để phục hồi trong chúng ta niềm hy vọng tươi mới, kể cả qua tạo vật của Ngài. Khi cảm thấy chán nản, việc suy ngẫm về sự vinh hiển của Ngài sẽ nâng đỡ chúng ta. Ê-sai khích lệ: “Hãy làm cho mạnh mẽ những bàn tay yếu ớt, làm cho vững vàng những đầu gối run rẩy!” (c.3).

Liệu một vài bông hoa có thể nhen lại niềm hy vọng trong chúng ta không? Một vị tiên tri đã nói là có. Và Đức Chúa Trời – Đấng ban hy vọng cho chúng ta cũng phán như vậy.

Khi thấy tuyệt vọng, bạn thường phản ứng như thế nào? Việc dành thời gian ở bên ngoài với tạo vật của Chúa có thể biến nỗi tuyệt vọng của bạn thành hy vọng tươi mới trong Chúa như thế nào?

Lạy Chúa, cảm ơn Ngài vì công trình sáng tạo uy nghi cho con thấy được sự vinh hiển của Chúa, và làm sống lại trong con niềm hy vọng nơi Ngài.

bởi Patricia Raybon

Chú Giải

Ê-sai 34 và 35 tóm tắt về sự đoán phạt và ban phước được mô tả ở nửa đầu của sách. Chương 34 mô tả sự đoán phạt “mọi nước” (c.1-2), sau đó tập trung vào dân Ê-đôm (c.5), kẻ thù của dân Y-sơ-ra-ên, là đại diện cho tất cả các dân tộc. Hai chương được kết nối bằng lời cảnh báo về sự báo thù của Đức Chúa Trời “vì cớ Si-ôn” (34:8) và để giải cứu Si-ôn (35:4). Sự phục hồi Y-sơ-ra-ên, hoặc Si-ôn, được mô tả là liên quan đến việc khôi phục đất đai và con người. Hoang mạc và đất khô sẽ nở hoa (c.1), dân Y-sơ-ra-ên sẽ được chữa lành (c.5-6), được an toàn (c.7, 9) và tràn ngập niềm vui (c.10).

Julie Schwab

© 2020 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày
Điều này đặc biệt đúng với những ai đang gặp khó khăn về kinh tế.

The Daily Lectionary for THURSDAY, August 13, 2020

The Daily Lectionary

THURSDAY, August 13, 2020

Psalm 133; Genesis 41:14-36; Revelation 15:1-4

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

(Semicontinuous Reading Plan)

Psalm 133

How good it is to live in unity

1  How good and pleasant it is
     when God’s people live together in unity!

2  It is like precious oil poured on the head,
     running down on the beard,
   running down on Aaron’s beard,
     down on the collar of his robe.
3  It is as if the dew of Hermon
     were falling on Mount Zion.
   For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
     even life forevermore.

Genesis 41:14-36

Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams

41:14 So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.

15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”

16 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile, 18 when out of the river there came up seven cows, fat and sleek, and they grazed among the reeds. 19 After them, seven other cows came up—scrawny and very ugly and lean. I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt. 20 The lean, ugly cows ate up the seven fat cows that came up first. 21 But even after they ate them, no one could tell that they had done so; they looked just as ugly as before. Then I woke up.

22 “In my dream I saw seven heads of grain, full and good, growing on a single stalk. 23 After them, seven other heads sprouted—withered and thin and scorched by the east wind. 24 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads. I told this to the magicians, but none of them could explain it to me.”

25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. 27 The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.

28 “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, 30 but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. 31 The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. 32 The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.

33 “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35 They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. 36 This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”

Revelation 15:1-4

All nations will worship God

15:1 I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. 2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God 3 and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb:

   “Great and marvelous are your deeds,
     Lord God Almighty.
   Just and true are your ways,
     King of the nations.
4  Who will not fear you, Lord,
     and bring glory to your name?
   For you alone are holy.
   All nations will come
     and worship before you,
   for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

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, August 13, 2020
Psalm 133; Genesis 41:14-36; Revelation 15:1-4

The Daily Prayer for THURSDAY, August 13, 2020

The Daily Prayer

THURSDAY, August 13, 2020

In 1957, following the Supreme Court’s decision against racial segregation in Brown v. Board of Education, African-American students in Arkansas were admitted to Little Rock High School for the first time.

This is a prayer of Charles de Foucauld: “Father, I abandon myself into your hands. Do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I will thank you. I am ready for all; I accept all. Let only your will be done in me, as in all your creatures. And I’ll ask nothing else, my Lord.”

Lord, you came as a child to lead us toward your kingdom. We thank you for the dreams of the young. Fill us with wonder and give us a childlike audacity, even in the face of trials and persecution, to believe in another world despite the evidence around us, and to watch the evidence change. Amen.

Verse of the Day for THURSDAY, August 13, 2020

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Read all of Ephesians 2

Listen to Ephesians 2

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

LHM Daily Devotions — The Hidden Heart of God

The Hidden Heart of God

And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon." But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and begged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying out after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before Him, saying, "Lord, help me." And He answered, "It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.

— Matthew 15:21-28

Let's face it. This is a weird story. Here comes a Canaanite woman, asking for help—just like everybody else in Jesus' life. But Jesus doesn't say a single word! That's not like Him. He doesn't usually ignore people.

Maybe that's the reason why His disciples felt comfortable saying the rude thing they did. They said, "Send her away, for she is crying out after us." They didn't say, "Lord, please help her," even though that would have gotten rid of her just as quickly. But she was a Gentile, and maybe they didn't feel the need to be kind to her.

And Jesus keeps saying strange things. He says, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel," and after she keeps begging, He says, "It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." I can't believe it! Is this Jesus talking? If He said this to me, I would probably run home in tears.

Not this lady! She has a little girl to take care of. As long as Jesus doesn't say straight out no, she's going to keep begging Him.

I wonder if that's the kind of faith Jesus was looking for? It didn't matter what test He set before her, she just kept coming. And Jesus rewarded that. "O woman, great is your faith!" And He healed her daughter.

Sometimes it seems like God's heart is hidden from us. We know from the Bible that He is kind and loving, but the circumstances of our lives seem to be saying exactly the opposite. We pray and cry out, and things just get worse. We are tempted to give up—to stop praying—even to leave the faith.

Let's not do that! Let's keep crying out to God—begging Him—harassing Him, even, until He helps us. Isaiah encouraged people to do that, too. He said, "You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest" (Isaiah 62:6b-7a, NIV). Again, He said, "I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in Him" (Isaiah 8:17).

We know what the heart of God is like. It is the heart of Jesus, who loved us so much that He became a human being like us, and lived among us. It is the heart of someone who would do anything, even suffer and die, to rescue His people. It is the heart of someone who gives good gifts, even everlasting life, to those who trust in Him.

Is God hiding His face from you? Call out to Him anyway—because you know His heart in Jesus.

Lord, hear my cry for help, and let me always trust in You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever had a friend or relative behave in a way you didn't understand?

2. Have you ever felt that God was hiding from you?

3. What do you do when you feel like God is hiding or not listening?

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved.
Have you ever had a friend or relative behave in a way you didn't understand?

Standing Strong Through the Storm — ENCOURAGEMENT

ENCOURAGEMENT

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

— Romans 15:4

In Eritrea, Helen Berhane, with more than twenty other young women, was imprisoned in a shipping container that held only eighteen people. In her book, Song of the Nightingale, she shares what happened:

“When [the guard] had locked us in and left, many of the women were furious and upset and began to complain and cry. I tried to find ways to encourage them and to make our situation more bearable. I encouraged everyone to sit on the floor in a circle, and I began to speak to them.

‘Remember that the walls of Jericho came down because of praises. If we keep complaining, we cannot win. Instead, we must continue to pray, praise, and sing. Satan wants to use discouraging words as a weapon against us, so we must continue to praise God in all circumstances.’

I could see some of the women nodding.

I continued, ‘When the Israelites were approaching the Promised Land, they sent spies ahead. Many of them returned, saying that the people were so huge the Israelites could not hope to beat them, and so they cried all night. But crying and complaining cannot solve our problems. Let us be like Caleb and Joshua. The larger our enemies are, the more of a feast they will make for us! Just think about the woman who suffered from bleeding and who believed that if she only touched the hem of Jesus’ robe, she would be healed. In the crowd, she was the one who had faith, and it was rewarded. We should not be like these people endlessly fighting amongst themselves. We should just reach out to Jesus and have faith.’

This helped us to feel more accepting of our situation, and so we got into the habit of talking about the Bible, praying, and singing in the container every day.”[1]
RESPONSE: Today I will pray, sing, and talk about the Bible rather than focus on my discouraging situations and relationships.

PRAYER: Lord, may I use Your Word as an encouragement to endure with hope in You.

1. Helen Berhane, Song of the Nightingale (Colorado Springs: Authentic Media, 2009), pp. 38-39.

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 — Trashed Potential

Trashed Potential

Judges 16:1–31

Recommended Reading: Proverbs 29:23; Romans 6:12–14; Ephesians 6:11–18

You knew that guy in high school—the guy with all the money, the looks, the clothes, and the fastest car. He was the popular one, the guy everyone liked to hang out with, the one who was a lock for being voted “Most Likely to Succeed.” But instead of taking advantage of all these advantages, he decided to spend his time chasing girls and partying, to the dismay of his parents and the ruin of his GPA.

Trust Fund Babies. College playboys. Frat-house social committee chairmen. To direct these terms at other guys is to accuse them of riding Daddy’s coattails and to call into question their work ethic and the seriousness with which they take life. Those who have less in the world can only scratch their heads and wonder what they could do with the same perks.

Now, this is a stereotype, to be sure. A few bad apples don’t spoil the whole barrel in this case. But as we can’t think back on that one guy and not wonder what happened, so also we can’t read the story of Samson and not wonder what went haywire.

Mighty Samson, who has never lost a battle, is captured by a woman, tortured by his enemies, and enslaved until his death. The mighty warrior who has killed scores of his enemies with rudimentary tools and with his bare hands trips up on the most obvious of ploys. The one who was to be dedicated to God’s service for the purpose of saving his people ends up in bondage to the very people he was intended to conquer.

What was he thinking? How could he have subjected himself to this kind of trickery? Didn’t Delilah ask him repeatedly about the secret of his strength, and couldn’t he see where this was leading? Did he forget that the Philistines had come into her house and tried to capture him on a number of occasions? Or did he just enjoy playing this game, knowing he couldn’t lose?

The sad fact is that Samson was just as human as you and I. He allowed his eyes to lead him astray, and he allowed his pride to strategize for him. In some sense he was a victim of his own success—and he learned the hard way that even a slugger with a perfect batting average can strike out when it matters most.

So what can we learn from Samson’s story today? Were you the one in high school who squandered your advantages and made foolish choices? Can you think back on times when you deliberately disobeyed what you knew to be God’s will for your life—and paid the price? If so, gain encouragement from the end of Samson’s story. God gave him a second chance to show that he was God’s man, and Samson struck a crippling blow to his enemies. God also gives us more chances than we can count to return to him and rededicate ourselves to his mission in the world.

To Take Away

• Why was it so easy for Samson to ignore his greatest weaknesses?
• How would you describe your greatest weakness?
• How could God help you turn your weakness into a quality he can use in his great strength?

You knew that guy in high school—the guy with all the money, the looks, the clothes and the fastest car. He was the popular one, the guy everyone liked to hang out with, the one who was a lock for being voted “Most Likely to Succeed.” But instead of taking advantage of all these advantages, he decided to…

Un dia a la Vez — Recojamos los estragos (primera parte)

Recojamos los estragos (primera parte)

Alaba, alma mía, al Señor, y no olvides ninguno de sus beneficios. Él perdona todos tus pecados y sana todas tus dolencias.

— Salmo 103:2-3

Al igual que los fuertes vientos derriban árboles, rompen techos y desordenan el lugar por donde pasan, lo mismo sucede con nosotros. A veces permitimos que lleguen a nuestra vida los vientos representados por malos hábitos, amistades que no nos aportan nada positivo y decisiones que destruyen lo que nos ha dado Dios y lo que Él construyó con tanto amor. Además, puede ser que en muchos casos veamos y experimentemos los vientos de poca intensidad y que creamos que no corremos peligro, pero esos también hacen daño y dejan consecuencias.

Recuerda que nosotros no tenemos el control de nuestra vida. Somos seres humanos que nos dejamos llevar por las circunstancias. Así que cuando queremos apartarnos del problema, estamos en pleno torbellino.

Incluso, hay vientos que nos golpean tan fuerte que no nos dan la oportunidad de refugiarnos, ya que hemos permitido que impacte nuestra vida de frente. Entonces, cuando pasa esa tempestad de pruebas y desolación, nos damos cuenta de lo que hicimos y solo vemos los estragos y la destrucción. Esto nos duele en el alma, pues no evitamos lo que estamos viviendo. Ante eso nos preguntamos: «¿Quién podrá ayudarnos? ¿Acaso será Dios?».

Sin duda, hay esperanza aun en medio de las pruebas y nos podremos levantar con la ayuda y la dirección del Señor.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Al igual que los fuertes vientos derriban árboles, rompen techos y desordenan el lugar por donde pasan, lo mismo sucede con nosotros.

Devocional CPTLN del 13 de agosto de 2020 — El corazón escondido de Dios

ALIMENTO DIARIO

El corazón escondido de Dios

13 de Agosto de 2020

Cuando Jesús salió de allí, se fue a la región de Tiro y de Sidón. De pronto salió una mujer cananea de aquella región, y a gritos le decía: «¡Señor, Hijo de David, ten misericordia de mí! ¡A mi hija la atormenta un demonio!» Pero Jesús no le dijo una sola palabra. Entonces sus discípulos se acercaron a él y le rogaron: «Despídela, pues viene gritando detrás de nosotros.» Él respondió: «Yo no fui enviado sino a las ovejas perdidas de la casa de Israel.» Entonces ella vino, se postró ante él, y le dijo: «¡Señor, ayúdame!» Él le dijo: «No está bien tomar el pan que es de los hijos, y echarlo a los perritos.» Ella respondió: «Cierto, Señor. Pero aun los perritos comen de las migajas que caen de la mesa de sus amos.» Entonces, Jesús le dijo: «¡Ah, mujer, tienes mucha fe! ¡Que se haga contigo tal y como quieres!» Y desde ese mismo instante su hija quedó sana.

— Mateo 15:21-28

Seamos sinceros. Esta es una historia rara. Aparece una mujer cananea pidiendo ayuda, como todos los demás en la vida de Jesús, ¡pero Jesús no dice una sola palabra! Él no es así, no suele ignorar a las personas. Quizás esa es la razón por la cual sus discípulos se sintieron cómodos diciendo lo grosero que dijeron: "Despídela, pues viene gritando detrás de nosotros". No le dijeron: "Señor, por favor, ayúdala", a pesar de que con eso se habrían librado de ella con la misma rapidez.

Jesús también dice cosas extrañas: "Yo no fui enviado sino a las ovejas perdidas de la casa de Israel", y después de que ella sigue rogando, "No está bien tomar el pan que es de los hijos, y echarlo a los perritos". ¡Es de no creer! ¿Es Jesús quien está hablando? Si me dijera a mí algo así, probablemente saldría corriendo a casa llorando. ¡Pero no esta mujer! Ella tiene una niña que cuidar, así que mientras Jesús no diga directamente que no, seguirá rogándole.

Me pregunto si ese es el tipo de fe que Jesús estaba buscando. Por más impedimentos que él le pusiera, ella seguía insistiendo. Y Jesús la recompensó eso. "¡Ah, mujer, tienes mucha fe!" Y sanó a su hija.

A veces parece que el corazón de Dios está escondido de nosotros. Sabemos por la Biblia que Él es amable y amoroso, pero las cosas que nos pasan parecen decir lo contrario. Oramos y lloramos, pero las cosas empeoran. Estamos tentados a rendirnos, a dejar de orar, incluso a abandonar la fe.

¡No hagamos eso! Sigamos clamando a Dios, rogándole, acosándolo incluso hasta que nos ayude. Isaías alentó a la gente a hacerlo cuando dijo: "Ustedes, los que invocan al Señor, no se den descanso ni tampoco lo dejen descansar" (Isaías 62:6b-7a). Y también dijo: "Yo esperaré al Señor, que escondió su rostro de la casa de Jacob. En él confiaré" (Isaías 8:17).

Sabemos cómo es el corazón de Dios: nos amó tanto, que se hizo hombre y vivió entre nosotros. Es el corazón de alguien que haría cualquier cosa, incluso sufrir y morir, para rescatar a su pueblo. Es el corazón de alguien que da buenos regalos, incluso la vida eterna, a quienes confían en él.

¿Está Dios escondiendo su rostro de ti? Llámalo de todos modos, porque en Jesús conoces su corazón.

ORACIÓN: Señor, escucha mi grito de auxilio y enséñame a confiar siempre en ti. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

* ¿Alguna vez has sentido que Dios se estaba escondiendo de ti?

* ¿Qué haces cuando sientes que Dios se esconde o no te escucha?

© 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 has sentido que Dios se estaba escondiendo de ti?

Хлеб наш насущный - Большое дело

Большое дело

Читать сейчас: Неемии 6:1-4 | Библия за год: Псалтирь 86-87; 1 Иоанна 3

Скачать MP3

«Я занят большим делом, не могу сойти; дело остановилось бы, если бы я оставил его и сошел к вам».

— Неемии 6:3

Сотрудник службы охраны нашел и оторвал кусочек клейкой ленты, не позволявшей двери закрываться со щелчком. Через некоторое время он решил проверить дверь и обнаружил, что лента снова наклеена. Он позвонил в полицию, которая по прибытии арестовала пятерых взломщиков.

Работая в здании Уотергейт в Вашингтоне, где размещалась штаб-квартира крупной политической партии, молодой охранник содействовал раскрытию самого большого политического преступления того времени просто благодаря тому, что серьезно относился к своей работе и хорошо ее исполнял.

Неемия начал восстанавливать стену вокруг Иерусалима – задача, к которой он отнесся в высшей степени серьезно. Когда работа приближалась к завершению, противники предложили ему встретиться в близлежащей деревне. За дружелюбным приглашением скрывалась коварная ловушка (Неем. 6:1-2). Ответ Неемии показывает глубину его убеждений: «Я занят большим делом, не могу сойти; дело остановилось бы, если бы я оставил его и сошел к вам» (ст. 3).

Хоть Неемия и обладал авторитетом, он едва ли мог считаться великим героем. Он не был ни сильным воином, ни поэтом или пророком, ни царем или мудрецом. Он был виночерпием, которого назначили наместником. Но он верил, что делает важное дело для Бога. Давайте будем серьезно относиться к делу, которое Он нам поручил, и исполнять его хорошо. А Господь даст нам силу и пошлет все необходимое.

К какому труду призвал вас Бог? Почему важно относиться к нему серьезно и считать «большим делом»?

Боже, помоги мне сосредоточиться на том большом деле, которое Ты мне поручил, и довести его до конца.

автор: Гленн Пакиам

© 2020 Хлеб Наш Насущный
Сотрудник службы охраны нашел и оторвал кусочек клейкой ленты, не позволявшей двери закрываться со щелчком. Через некоторое время он решил проверить дверь и обнаружил, что лента снова наклеена.