LHM Daily Devotion - November 2, 2017 "What You Need This Christmas"

It's the second of November, and I have to ask your pardon for not...

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

"What You Need This Christmas"

November 2, 2017

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

~ Romans 5:1 (ESV)

It's the second of November, and I have to ask your pardon for not reporting on Christmas shopping. The problem is at my age I am no longer part of the demographic targeted by advertisers. That honor is reserved for my children and grandchildren. Between now and December 25, they will have to run a commercial gauntlet prepared by highly paid experts who will tell them what products they need to buy so their lives may have purpose and they will be loved. Years ago,

• a word from the world's sponsors had parents trampling each other to adopt a Cabbage Patch doll, which now sits orphaned on the closet shelf; 
• a word from the world's sponsors motivated parents to beg, borrow, and steal the Tickle Me Elmo, who has finally stopped laughing because no one has held him in years; 
• a word from the world's sponsors had parents embark on a jihad to obtain Furbee, the fuzzy friend whose batteries now have been pulled to shut him up.

This year as the merchants of the world gear up for the traditional make-or-break Christmas season, I can't guess what the latest word from our sponsor will tell children and adults they need.

The closer it gets to Christmas, the worse it becomes.

Through the use of smooth talk and blatant flattery, the world's sponsors manipulate us. It doesn't make any difference if we know what they're doing. We still buy. We still think somewhere, somehow, their product will make us more popular, more powerful, more influential, more appreciated, applauded, and adored.

Forget keeping up with the Joneses: you have to keep up with yourself.

Now, this is the point where I, the minister, am supposed to launch into a tirade against the commercialism of Christmas. That's what I'm supposed to do, but that's not what I'm going to do.

Instead, I would like to give you a few words from my sponsor, who also happens to be your sponsor.

I would like you to listen to what He has to say. I would like you to listen, my friends, because this Sponsor has Good News of great joy for you. This Sponsor wants to tell you about that which can bring you everlasting happiness and joy. And most amazingly of all, there is not a single false or exaggerated claim, in anything He says. He says,

• "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15). 
• "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:17-18).

So, my friends, this Christmas our Heavenly Father says we need one thing; we need the Savior.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, as we approach the celebration of the Savior's birth, may nothing worldly usurp Him. May we always realize He is the One thing who is needful. In His Name. Amen.

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).

CPTLN Devocional de 02 de Noviembre de 2017 - ¿A quién creer?

Alimento Diario

¿A quién creer?

02 de Noviembre 2017

Santifícalos en tu verdad; tu palabra es verdad.

~ Juan 17:17 (RVC)

A veces es difícil discernir la verdad. Preste atención a la siguiente historia.

Esta es la versión que el Sr. Espósito dio de la verdad: cuando llegó a su restaurante en Campaña, Italia, encontró a dos monjas y un sacerdote destruyendo los muebles y la vajilla. Al tratar de detenerlos, el sacerdote lo golpeó con una silla y, cuando estaba en el piso, las monjas lo patearon. El Sr. Espósito dice que fue golpeado por negarse a hacer negocios ilegales.

Esta es la versión de la verdad dada por el sacerdote y las monjas: el sacerdote y las monjas fueron a visitar una propiedad perteneciente al convento, y se encontraron con que el Sr. Espósito se había apoderado de ella, había tirado abajo una pared y había puesto sillas. Cuando el Sr. Espósito llegó, ellos estaban sacando las sillas. No saben cómo fue que el Sr. Espósito se lastimó, pero las monjas de 83 años aseguraron que ellas no lo habían hecho.

¿Quién está diciendo la verdad? No lo sé. Probablemente nunca lo vaya a saber, y después de terminar esta devoción quizás no piense más en ello.

Pero hay momentos en los que es sumamente importante saber si alguien está diciendo la verdad.

Cuando el Salvador dice que él es el camino... cuando la Biblia dice que Jesús es el único que puede salvarnos... es importante que estén diciendo la verdad.

¿La están diciendo? Podemos estar totalmente seguros de que así es. En las Escrituras hay registradas más de 100 profecías que fueron cumplidas muchísimos años más tarde, en la vida de Jesús. Las Escrituras hablan de cómo Jesús hizo cosas que solamente Dios puede hacer. Más importante aún, la tumba vacía del domingo de resurrección nos dice que Jesús es único. Él es todo lo que dijo ser. Él es nuestro Salvador.

En Jesús podemos confiar total y absolutamente y esa es una gran noticia, porque no hay otro lugar donde podamos ir y recibir perdón, salvación, esperanza y vida eterna.

ORACIÓN: Querido Salvador, te doy gracias por ser la Verdad y compartir tu historia de salvación a través de tu santa e inspirada Palabra. Ayúdame a vivir y caminar siempre en tu verdad. Amén.

© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. ¡Utilice estas devociones en sus boletines! Usado con permiso. Todos los derechos reservados por la Int'l LLL.

The Daily Readings for WEDNESDAY, November 1, 2017 - All Saint's Day

Daily Readings

Revelation 7:9-17

After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!" And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen." Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?" I said to him, "Sir, you are the one that knows." Then he said to me, "These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Psalm 34:1-10, 22

1   I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall ever be in my mouth.
2   I will glory in the LORD; let the humble hear and rejoice.
3   Proclaim with me the greatness of the LORD; let us exalt his Name together.
4   I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me out of all my terror.
5   Look upon him and be radiant, and let not your faces be ashamed.
6   I called in my affliction and the LORD heard me and saved me from all my troubles.
7   The angel of the LORD encompasses those who fear him, and he will deliver them.
8   Taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are they who trust in him!
9   Fear the LORD, you that are his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.
10   The young lions lack and suffer hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack nothing that is good.
22   The LORD ransoms the life of his servants, and none will be punished who trust in him.

1 John 3:1-3

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Matthew 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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

All Saint's Day

Today the church remembers All Saints.

All Saints' Day, also known as All Hallows' Day, Hallowmas, Feast of All Saints, or Solemnity of All Saints, is a Christian festival celebrated in honour of all the saints, known and unknown. In Western Christianity, it is celebrated on 1 November by the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, the Methodist Church, the Lutheran Church, and other Protestant churches.

Our English word "saint," derived from the Latin sanctus, is used in a variety of ways. Literally it means holy, set apart for God, consecrated, or dedicated. In the New Testament, hagios, the Greek word for saint, is used to refer to all baptized Christians, many of whom were far from exemplary. Paul sometimes scolded the saints for their corrupt and decadent ways.

When we use the word saint in the context of All Saints's Day, we refer especially to those Christians who have lived such hallowed lives, yielding so fully to the Holy Spirit, showing such love for God and his human creatures, that their examples are treasured and emulated. These individuals are the champions of Christ and his church and the heroes of the faithful.

Christian celebration of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day stems from a belief that there is a powerful spiritual bond between those in heaven (the "Church triumphant"), and the living (the "Church militant"). In Catholic theology, the day commemorates all those who have attained the beatific vision in Heaven. It is a national holiday in many historically Catholic countries. In Methodist theology, All Saints Day revolves around "giving God solemn thanks for the lives and deaths of his saints", including those who are "famous or obscure". As such, individuals throughout the Church Universal are honoured, such as Paul the Apostle, Augustine of Hippo and John Wesley, in addition to individuals who have personally led one to faith in Jesus, such as one's grandmother or friend.

Help us to take seriously our own vocation as saints, as the holy ones of God. Amen.

Read the Wikipedia article here.

Prayer of the Day for WEDNESDAY, November 1, 2017 - All Saint's Day

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting.

Amen

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, November 1, 2017

Ephesians 1:18 (NIV) I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,

Read all of Ephesians 1

Listen to Ephesians 1

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

Morning Devotions with Cap'n Kenny - Obey with the Best Heart You Have

Obey with the Best Heart You Have

Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

~ Romans 1:5

Pray that Christ will give you what Scripture calls “an honest and good heart,” or “a perfect heart,” and, without waiting, begin at once to obey him with the best heart you have. Any obedience is better than none. Any profession which is disjoined from obedience, is a mere pretence and deceit. Any religion which does not bring you nearer to God is of the world. You have to seek his face; obedience is the only way of seeking him. All your duties are obediences.

If you are to believe the truths he has revealed, to regulate yourselves by his precepts, to be frequent in his ordinances, to adhere to his church and people, why is it, except because he has bid you? And to do what he bids is to obey him, and to obey him is to approach him. Every act of obedience is an approach – an approach to him who is not far off, though he seems so, but close behind this visible screen of things which hides him from us. He is behind this material framework. Earth and sky are but a veil going between him and us. The day will come when he will rend that veil, and show himself to us. And then, according as we have waited for him, will he recompense us.

If we have forgotten him, he will not know us. But “blessed are those servants whom the Lord, when he comes, shall find watching... He shall gird himself, and make them sit down to eat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants” (Luke 12:37, 38). May this be the portion of every one of us! It is hard to attain it; but it is woeful to fail. Life is short; death is certain; and the world to come is everlasting.

Lord Christ, give me the gift of obedience in all that I do. Amen

~ John Henry Newman, 1801-1890

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny


Seeking God?
Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ.

Pray that Christ will give you what Scripture calls “an honest and good heart”.

Un Dia a la Vez - Jesús y el ayuno

Jesús y el ayuno

Cuando ores, entra en tu aposento, y cerrada la puerta, ora a tu Padre que está en secreto; y tu Padre que ve en lo secreto te recompensará en público.

~ Mateo 6:6 (RV-60)

Comenzamos un nuevo mes y una enseñanza más de nuestros veintiún días en los que recordamos lo que Dios dejó escrito en su Palabra para que lo entendamos y le podamos obedecer.

Tanto con la oración como con la ofrenda, Jesús nos hace la misma observación. Nos pide que lo hagamos en privado, sin ser llamativos y escandalosos, pues lo que hacemos es para el Señor y no para los hombres.

El ayuno es una oportunidad que tenemos para estar en verdadera comunión con Dios. Además, tiene poder y un gran valor para nuestro Padre celestial. En esos días de ayuno casi siempre hay peticiones específicas que ponemos delante de Dios y es impresionante cómo responde Él. Esto lo comprobamos en los testimonios que son poderosos de verdad.

Sin embargo, el día que ayunes, lo único que te pide Dios es que no lo estés divulgando. Porque si lo haces, te considerarán un hipócrita. ¿Sabes? Con solo de imaginarme que Dios piense de mí que soy una hipócrita, ya me hace ser obediente. Por eso quiero y trato de agradarle.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón

Standing Strong Through the Storm - IN CHAINS FOR CHRIST

IN CHAINS FOR CHRIST

As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

~ Philippians 1:13 (NIV)

Authorities in Afghanistan arrested Said Musa on May 31, 2010, days after the local TV station broadcast images of Afghan Christians being baptised and worshipping the Lord. A Christian for eight years, he is married and the father of six. Before release from prison he wrote:

Hello my dear brothers and sisters, lovely and strong in faith. On Saturday I went to court, but my session was not held. I met then two persons. I became very happy when they introduced themselves [as my] defence attorneys…I immediately felt joy in my heart, like somebody gave me comfort, like stars, like lights. I one hundred percent believe it was the Holy Spirit healing my heart.

On Thursday some high officials came from the Attorney General’s office. They asked me, “What is your name?” I introduced myself to them. After that they asked me, “Are you truly a Christian?” I replied to them, I am one hundred percent Christian. I believe in the Son of God Almighty, He is my Savior and Lord. I told them the only way to come to God is to have faith in Jesus Christ, He’s the way, He’s eternal life, He’s truth, He’s love, He’s really God.

After that they asked me, “What is wrong with being a Muslim that you converted to the Christian religion?” I told them, it’s the plan of God. God chose his people to complete his work on the earth. Muslim is not bad. The Christian people are never against any religion in the world. Our fight is just with Satan. We love our enemies, like ourselves. They joked and mocked me. “You want to make us Christians now?”

Today a new person came. He asked me, “Why do you not accept Islam; why is this religion better?” I replied to him, the golden thing is this; love your enemy as yourself. In which religion do you find this word? Just in Christianity.

He told me, “You know your punishment. It’s death.” I told him, I am one hundred percent ready for the sake of my faith. My Saviour gave his life for me. I am not afraid of a human; he just kills my body, but does not hurt my soul. I am afraid of my Lord and Savior; He will be able to punish my soul too. I told him I am holding on to my faith. I will never betray my faith. Without Jesus, what does the life in this world or the afterlife mean? Nothing!

RESPONSE: Today I will pray for those like Said Musa who are truly in prison for their faith.

PRAYER: Lord, may I have the strength and courage to confess You even under severe pressure.

Girlfriends in God - Living in God’s Yes and Best

Living in God’s Yes and Best

Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth

“I can do everything through him [Jesus] who gives me strength,”.

~ Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

Several years ago, my husband and I decided to go zip lining on the island of Kauai. After being jostled and tossed like ragdolls in the back of a retired army jeep, we finally made it to the top of the mountain from which we were going to zip down—risking life and limb I might add.

After watching my husband fly through the trees, I climbed up onto a wooden platform and surrendered to Jack, a jovial, burly Hawaiian, who strapped me into a harness and placed a helmet on my head. With a simple click of a metal buckle, he attached my harnessed body onto a seemingly flimsy steel cable.

As I stood on the edge of the platform eyeing the disappearing earth below, I had a choice. I could say, “no thanks” and ask to be released from the cable, or I could jump.

I chose to jump. My body flew over the treetops and the stunningly beautiful gorge. I was Tarzan’s Jane and this was my jungle. Airborne. Exhilarating. Risky.

Jacob was with us that day. He was a stranger among our little band of adventurers. Jacob was alone. No friends. No spouse. No family.

“Jacob, what brings you up to this mountain today?” I asked.

“I’m afraid of heights,” he answered.

I then noticed the thin line of perspiration beading over his upper lip. The slight tremble in his voice. The mechanical one-foot-in-front-of-the-other halted gait up the hill.

“You’re afraid of heights?” I asked. “Then why are you here?”

“I’m going to conquer it today,” he determinedly answered.

I was struck. We were here to have fun. He was here for a totally different reason. When Jacob stood on that platform, I prayed for my new friend. For Jacob this was not just a joy ride…or just maybe it was.

I’m not saying that God told Jacob to go to the top of a mountain, attach his body to a flimsy cable, and fly over the gorge at the risk of life and limb. But I am saying that obedience often requires a leap of faith that feels just like it.

Too often we say “yes” to God, but live the “no” because of fear. We stand at the precipice of belief and have to make a decision. Am I going to trust God or not?

Am I going to attach my heart to the cable of His love and take a leap of faith, or am I going to freeze in fear because I don’t trust that He has my best interests in mind?

Am I going to settle for safety and miss the thrill of seeing God work through me? Or am I going to live the “yes” and experience life to the full?

As we live and move and have our being in Jesus, God will take us to some amazing places. And there will always be a choice. Will we jump headlong into the adventurous journey of His perfect plan, or will we hang back for lack of faith?

Jacob stood on the platform, took a deep breath, and jumped. He flew over the treetops, careened over the river, and landed safely on the other side of his greatest fear.

We clapped and cheered. Jacob took a bow. God smiled.

In Him we live and move and have our being…and sometimes we soar.

Let’s Pray

Lord, sometimes I’m just flat out afraid. Afraid I’ll fail. Afraid I’ll be rejected. Afraid I won’t be good enough. Forgive me for focusing on my weaknesses rather than Your strength. Today, I’m believing that I can do all things that You call me to do because I know that You will give me the strength I need.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Is there anything in your life that God has called you to do that you haven’t done?

What’s holding you back?

What are you afraid of?

Who are you afraid of?

Consider memorizing today’s truth.

More from the Girlfriends

Have you been asking God, “What do you want from me?” If so, you’re asking the wrong question. It’s not what God wants from you, but for you! He wants you to experience His presence on a daily basis…right in the middle of your busy, messy day. Open your eyes to see God’s fingerprints and hear His voice as you learn about God’s lavish response to your ache for something more. A Sudden Glory is all about how to experience an intimate relationship and sacred romance with Jesus as never before. (Includes a Bible study guide.)

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

LHM Daily Devotion - November 1, 2017 "God's Protection"

As far as I can tell, there are two kinds of guardian angels. The first..

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

"God's Protection"

November 1, 2017

For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

~ Psalm 91:11 (ESV)

As far as I can tell, there are two kinds of guardian angels.

The first kind of guardian angel is the kind spoken of in the Bible. You have the familiar verse from Psalm 91, which I just read. But, there's more than that. Jesus spoke of the children's guardian angels when He said, "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 18:10).

We dare not forget Exodus 23, which says there was a guardian angel assigned to the children of Israel: "Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared" (Exodus 23:20 ). And Daniel, freshly rescued from the den of death, reports: "My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths" (Daniel 6:22a).

And the second type of guardian angel? Well, this type of GA is a special human being who shows up and, often, quite unexpectedly, does the Lord's work.

Recently, St. Louis saw the work of a guardian angel. Here's what happened: a man was being pushed by his wife in a wheelchair. They made it as far as the railroad tracks in Kirkwood, Missouri, where the man's chair got stuck on the tracks. The wife couldn't move forward or backward, which was a problem because a train was coming, and it was coming fast.

Julie and Chandler Flanders were watching from their car when a lady came out of nowhere and ran to the fellow in the chair. The woman picked up the man and his chair and moved them to safety. By the time Julie and her brother made it to the man, the train was half way through the crossing-and the woman who lifted the chair-bound man to safety? Nobody got her name, and she was gone.

The work of a guardian angel? Most definitely! Earthly or heavenly? Who can tell?

My friends, the truth is you have a Lord who loves you very much. His Son's life, suffering, death, and resurrection are proof of how much He is concerned about your eternity. But, we make a great mistake if we think the Lord's care and compassion is reserved only for the hereafter. The Triune God cares for you, and your guardian angel is just the way He shows His concern.

What, you've never seen your guardian angel? I'm not surprised. Most prefer to work anonymously.

But let me ask, have you ever almost been in an accident, but somehow, someway, managed to be spared? Now it is possible you avoided that accident because of your lightning-fast reflexes and tremendous skill behind the wheel. But maybe not. Here's another: please list all the times you haven't tripped, all the illnesses you didn't catch, all the friends who didn't betray you, all the jobs from which you weren't fired. You can't do it, can you? That's because those things never happened.

Was it luck or fate? That's what some would say. Me, I know the Lord gives His holy angels charge over us to keep us in all our ways.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, for all Your blessings, including all the bad things of life from which I have been spared, I thank You. May I rejoice in these things, and the Savior who is with me always. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).

CPTLN Devocional de 01 de Noviembre de 2017 - ¿Cómo es Dios?

Alimento Diario

¿Cómo es Dios?

01 de Noviembre 2017

Amados, amémonos unos a otros, porque el amor es de Dios. Todo aquel que ama, ha nacido de Dios y conoce a Dios.

~ 1 Juan 4:7 (RVC)

Era uno de esos momentos en los que la mamá pensó que la hija estaba demasiado silenciosa, por lo que fue a ver qué estaba haciendo.

Al ver que la niña estaba sentada en una mesita dibujando, la mamá se quedó tranquila. "¿A quién estás dibujando?" le preguntó. "A Dios", le contestó la niña. La mamá le dijo: "Pero nadie sabe cómo es Dios". Sin levantar la vista de lo que estaba haciendo, la niña le contestó: "Ya van a saber cuando termine de dibujarlo".

Si bien esta es una historia vieja, transmite una verdad muy importante: todas las personas, incluyendo a los incrédulos, tienen una idea de cómo es Dios.

Algunos lo pintan enojado y malo, otros le ponen cabello largo o una barba blanca, y aún otros lo imaginan como un espíritu.

Pero ninguna de esas ideas describe adecuadamente al Dios que yo veo en el centro de mi alma.

Yo pienso que Dios luce como el amor.

Ahora que estoy entrado en años, me pongo a pensar en las muchas personas de las cuales he recibido amor: mis padres, mi esposa, mis hijos, mis amigos, mis maestros, amigos en mis parroquias, ocasionalmente algún extraño. He recibido amor de muchas formas, pero el amor más puro y fuerte de todos me ha llegado en la persona de Jesús.

Cuando veo al Hijo de Dios dejar el cielo para nacer en un establo, veo su amor. Cuando lo veo orando en el Jardín de Getsemaní, veo su amor. El amor del Padre lo veo en el sacrificio de su Hijo en la cruz, y en el día de la resurrección su gran amor proclama la mayor victoria de todos los tiempos.

Victoria que Jesús ha compartido con usted y conmigo.

Dejemos que los artistas pinten a Jesús como quieran. Yo, por mi parte, siempre lo voy a pintar con amor.

ORACIÓN: Querido Dios, tu amor me cubre, me mantiene seguro y me da paz. Ayúdame a pintar la pintura de tu amor por el mundo ante quienes me rodean. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén.

De una devoción escrita originalmente para "By the Way"

© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. ¡Utilice estas devociones en sus boletines! Usado con permiso. Todos los derechos reservados por la Int'l LLL.

The Daily Readings for TUESDAY, October 31, 2017

The Parable of the Sower - Matthew 13:1-9

Daily Readings

Ezra 5:1-17

Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them. Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak set out to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God, helping them. At the same time Tattenai the governor of the province Beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and their associates came to them and spoke to them thus, "Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?" They also asked them this, "What are the names of the men who are building this building?" But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until a report reached Darius and then answer was returned by letter in reply to it. The copy of the letter that Tattenai the governor of the province Beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and his associates the envoys who were in the province Beyond the River sent to King Darius; they sent him a report, in which was written as follows: "To Darius the king, all peace! May it be known to the king that we went to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. It is being built of hewn stone, and timber is laid in the walls; this work is being done diligently and prospers in their hands. Then we spoke to those elders and asked them, 'Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?' We also asked them their names, for your information, so that we might write down the names of the men at their head. This was their reply to us: 'We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the house that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished. But because our ancestors had angered the God of heaven, he gave them into the hand of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house and carried away the people to Babylonia. However, King Cyrus of Babylon, in the first year of his reign, made a decree that this house of God should be rebuilt. Moreover, the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem and had brought into the temple of Babylon, these King Cyrus took out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered to a man named Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor. He said to him, "Take these vessels; go and put them in the temple in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be rebuilt on its site." Then this Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of the house of God in Jerusalem; and from that time until now it has been under construction, and it is not yet finished.' And now, if it seems good to the king, have a search made in the royal archives there in Babylon, to see whether a decree was issued by King Cyrus for the rebuilding of this house of God in Jerusalem. Let the king send us his pleasure in this matter."

Revelation 4:1-11

After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." At once I was in the spirit, and there in heaven stood a throne, with one seated on the throne! And the one seated there looks like jasper and carnelian, and around the throne is a rainbow that looks like an emerald. Around the throne are twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones are twenty-four elders, dressed in white robes, with golden crowns on their heads. Coming from the throne are flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and in front of the throne burn seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God; and in front of the throne there is something like a sea of glass, like crystal. Around the throne, and on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with a face like a human face, and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and inside. Day and night without ceasing they sing, "Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God the Almighty, who was and is and is to come." And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall before the one who is seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."

Matthew 13:1-9

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: "Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!"

Morning Psalms

Psalm 45 Eructavit cor meum

1   My heart is stirring with a noble song; let me recite what I have fashioned for the king; my tongue shall be the pen of a skilled writer.
2   You are the fairest of men; grace flows from your lips, because God has blessed you for ever.
3   Strap your sword upon your thigh, O mighty warrior, in your pride and in your majesty.
4   Ride out and conquer in the cause of truth and for the sake of justice.
5   Your right hand will show you marvelous things; your arrows are very sharp, O mighty warrior.
6   The peoples are falling at your feet, and the king's enemies are losing heart.
7   Your throne, O God, endures for ever and ever, a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom; you love righteousness and hate iniquity.
8   Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
9   All your garments are fragrant with myrrh, aloes, and cassia, and the music of strings from ivory palaces makes you glad.
10   Kings' daughters stand among the ladies of the court; on your right hand is the queen, adorned with the gold of Ophir.
11   Hear, O daughter; consider and listen closely; forget your people and your father's house.
12   The king will have pleasure in your beauty; he is your master; therefore do him honor.
13   The people of Tyre are here with a gift; the rich among the people seek your favor."
14   All glorious is the princess as she enters; her gown is cloth-of-gold.
15   In embroidered apparel she is brought to the king; after her the bridesmaids follow in procession.
16   With joy and gladness they are brought, and enter into the palace of the king.
17   In place of fathers, O king, you shall have sons; you shall make them princes over all the earth.
18   I will make your name to be remembered from one generation to another; therefore nations will praise you for ever and ever."

Evening Psalms

Psalm 47 Omnes gentes, plaudite

1   Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with a cry of joy.
2   For the LORD Most High is to be feared; he is the great King over all the earth.
3   He subdues the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet.
4   He chooses our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves.
5   God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of the ram's-horn.
6   Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7   For God is King of all the earth; sing praises with all your skill.
8   God reigns over the nations; God sits upon his holy throne.
9   The nobles of the peoples have gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham.
10   The rulers of the earth belong to God, and he is highly exalted.

Psalm 48 Magnus Dominus

1   Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised; in the city of our God is his holy hill.
2   Beautiful and lofty, the joy of all the earth, is the hill of Zion, the very center of the world and the city of the great King.
3   God is in her citadels; he is known to be her sure refuge.
4   Behold, the kings of the earth assembled and marched forward together.
5   They looked and were astounded; they retreated and fled in terror.
6   Trembling seized them there; they writhed like a woman in childbirth, like ships of the sea when the east wind shatters them.
7   As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God; God has established her for ever.
8   We have waited in silence on your loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of your temple.
9   Your praise, like your Name, O God, reaches to the world's end; your right hand is full of justice.
10   Let Mount Zion be glad and the cities of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments.
11   Make the circuit of Zion; walk round about her; count the number of her towers.
12   Consider well her bulwarks; examine her strongholds; that you may tell those who come after.
13   This God is our God for ever and ever; he shall be our guide for evermore.

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

Prayer of the Day for TUESDAY, October 31, 2017

Holy Lord, who has given me the facility to hear and understand, let me receive your Word with an open mind and clear eye. Whenever I read your Scripture, let your Holy Spirit guide me to the truth, setting aside my preconception and self-justification.

I pray to hear what you intend for me to hear. Lead me to remember that, where we disagree, You are right and I am wrong. And help me always to an attitude of humility in my study, keeping in mind always to use your Word as a guide that will lead me on the path to salvation, never as a tool to justify my faulty and selfish thought; for I am justified by faith.

Amen

Verse of the Day for TUESDAY, October 31, 2017

1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV) Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Read all of 1 Peter 5

Listen to 1 Peter 5

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Morning Devotions with Cap'n Kenny - Hope for Prodigals

Hope for Prodigals

"They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us."

~ 1 John 2:19 (NKJV)

I remember when pot-bellied pigs were quite popular, and I knew someone who had one as a pet. He told me he would take his pig to the beach, but he had to put sunscreen on him because pigs can get sunburned.

You could take a pig and shower him, put some nice cologne on him, and even make a little outfit for him. You could sit him down at your table and have a meal together. But the first chance that pig gets, he will make a beeline from your dining room table back to the slop, because that is where he really wants to be. Why? Because he is a pig, and he wants to hang out with his pig friends and do pig things.

In the same way, a prodigal always will return home, because a prodigal is a child of God who has gone astray. But a pig always will go back to his element.

We all know people who have supposedly fallen away from the Lord. Maybe we have seen them make a decision for Christ and even noticed some immediate changes in their lives—or what appeared to be changes. Then a few weeks later they bailed. They threw in the towel and fell away. And we said, “That is so sad. They backslid.”

It just might be that many of these people never were true believers to begin with. A true believer always will come back home eventually. But a person who is not a true believer never will. If they never come back, they never were true believers. If they do, they probably were.

There is a difference between the person who stumbles spiritually and wants to get up again and the person who could really care less. Which one are you?

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny


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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV® Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Devotion by Greg Laurie © 2017 Harvest Christian Fellowship; all rights reserved.
Prodigals always will return home, because they are children of God who have gone astray.

Un Dia a la Vez - Jesús y la limosna

Jesús y la limosna

Cuando ores, entra en tu aposento, y cerrada la puerta, ora a tu Padre que está en secreto; y tu Padre que ve en lo secreto te recompensará en público.

~ Mateo 6:6 (RV-60)

Fíjense bien que lo que Dios nos ha exhortado durante estos últimos devocionales es a que todo lo que hagamos para Él sea en silencio, pues es un Dios de intimidad. Es evidente que le molesta la gente ruidosa y que les dicen a todos lo que diezman, lo que ofrendan y hoy, en este devocional, lo que oran.

Una vez más Jesús dice que si vas a orar, lo hagas solo, que no seas como los hipócritas que oran de pie en las sinagogas y en la calle para que los vean. ¡Cuánto le choca esto a nuestro Dios!

Ahora bien, esto no quiere decir que no podamos orar en grupo o en familia de una manera audible. Tampoco se trata de que no podamos ir a las misiones, pues a lo que Dios se refiere es a la intención de nuestro corazón.

También nos enseña que no seamos repetitivos en la oración como los loros, sino tengamos una conversación natural y sincera de nuestro corazón con Él.

Aprendemos, entonces, que todo lo que hagamos en secreto, Él nos lo recompensara en público. Y aun si no se nos reconociera, es bueno hacerlo en silencio.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón

Standing Strong Through the Storm - ADVANCING THE GOSPEL

ADVANCING THE GOSPEL

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

~ Philippians 1:12 (NIV)

The Apostle Paul writes these words from prison but he assures his readers that prison in no way hindered the spread of the gospel, but actually advanced it. Then he states in the following verses that he is chains only because of Christ and because of his imprisonment, others have become bolder and fearless in sharing their faith. And the gospel advances!

A Vietnamese brother, we’ll call Daniel, was led by the Lord to the minister in the north where he soon found himself in the midst of a revival. The inevitable soon happened and Daniel was sent to prison, his “training school,” for three years. He shares his experience in prison:

After my arrest I was put in solitary confinement and chained to the ground for six months. This was a very hard time for me. The cell was only 2 x 3 meters, there were no lights in the cell and I only had one bowl of rice and salt a day. A piece of bamboo was stuck between my crossed legs and chained to the ground. My hands were chained to the ground behind my back and whenever I had to go to the toilet I was offered only a plastic bag.

I felt totally deserted. I asked the Lord to take my life. It was too much for me. I prayed a lot but thankfully the Lord did not do what I asked.

One night in my prison cell, chained to the ground, I saw a vision of the Lord. He did not speak a word. He just placed his hand on me and I felt how new strength filled my body. I cried and repented before the Lord. Then I knew the Lord was saying to me that He would not allow me to leave this world defeated, that when He takes me “home” it would be victoriously. The next day the police came and took me to another cell but I could not walk. After one year I could walk again.

Today I can see why God allowed this difficult time. After three years in prison there is a church in every area where I spent time and more than 200 inmates came to know the Lord. Three other prisoners who came to know the Lord also started churches in prison.

When I was released, I found that my village church had grown to 500. I know that God has a good plan. He sent me to prison to preach the gospel and so that I may become a strong warrior for Him.

RESPONSE: Today I will pray differently for brothers and sisters in prison for their faith.

PRAYER: Help me Lord to always trust Your plan – even when it seems difficult and overwhelming.

Girlfriends in God - Love That Never Fails

Love That Never Fails

Mary Southerland

Today’s truth

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

~ John 3:16 (NLT)

Friend to Friend

“You will never be able to have biological children,” the doctor said. After years of painful tests, expensive treatments, frustrating procedures, and desperate pleas and prayers, our hopes of having children were shattered by his harsh diagnosis. “Then we will adopt” my husband immediately replied. I wasn’t so sure.  Could I love another woman’s baby as much as a child I would give birth to? I just didn’t know.

Months later God called Dan to be the Youth Pastor of a church where we met a Christian attorney. “We’d like to talk with you about adoption,” Dan said.  Ron’s response wasn’t encouraging. “I rarely do adoptions, but come by my office and fill out the papers - just in case.” The following week, Ron called. “This is the stork,” he said. I laughed. “I have a baby for you,” he continued. I stopped laughing. “A young woman came into my office today. She’s seven months pregnant and wants to give her baby up for adoption,” he explained.

Suddenly, I knew! Every doubt disappeared. Every fear faded into the certainty that this was God’s plan for us.  Six weeks later, our son, Jered Daniel, was born and three years later, his beautiful sister, Danna Marie, completed our family. Life was unbelievably sweet. We daily celebrated the fact that Jered and Danna were our chosen babies and wanted them to understand just how special they were. I knew the day would come when both children would have questions about their birth and adoption. I just thought I had a little more time.

As Jered climbed into my arms for our daily “snuggle” time before bed, his question ripped through the darkness and my heart. “Why didn’t she want me?” Jered softly asked. I cried out to God for just the right words – for Jered – and for me. Instantly, it came. Bruno!

When Jered was four-years-old, we were given a chocolate Labrador puppy that quickly outgrew our small yard, our not-so-understanding neighbors, and our apprehensive children. We named this gentle giant Bruno. But it soon became clear to all of us that we were not the right family for Bruno. After an intensive search, we discovered a remarkable organization that finds homes for animals whose owners, for one reason or another, cannot keep them. We were promised that Bruno would be placed in a home where he would be loved and well cared for. We talked and explained, struggling our way to the difficult decision that it was time to put Bruno up for adoption. Still, when they came to pick up Bruno, we all cried. We knew it was the best plan for Bruno, for us, and for a very excited family that wanted and had the room for a Labrador. But it still hurt! Sometimes, doing the right thing - the best thing - the highest thing - is also the most painful thing.

As I looked into the beautiful, blue eyes of the little boy I loved more than life itself, I prayed for wisdom. "Jered, do you remember Bruno?" At the memory of the dog, Jered smiled and sadly whispered, "I still miss him." I nodded in agreement, "I know, son. I know you loved Bruno and I know you are sad that we had to give him away. But do you remember why we gave Bruno away?" Jered thought for a moment, "Because we loved him so much and we knew we couldn't take care of him right ... and because he wasn't very happy ‘cause he was so big here ... and because we wanted the best home in the whole wide world for him."

I paused for a moment, basking in the simple wisdom of my Father, spoken through the heart of my only son. "She did want you, honey. And she did love you ... so much, in fact, that she was willing to give you away, just like we gave Bruno away. Just like we wanted what was best for Bruno, your birth mother wanted what was best for you!" I fully recognize that it was an extremely simple illustration for a profoundly complex life circumstance – but it was enough.

As Jered drifted off to sleep, tears of gratitude spilled down my face, and I thanked God for two courageous young birth mothers and for His extraordinary plan of adoption that linked our four chosen lives and hearts in love.

Let’s Pray

Father, I am amazed by the truth that You love and chose me to be Your very own. I don’t understand such love, but I embrace it as the precious gift that it is. Help me to remember that in Your eyes, I am planned, wanted, loved and chosen.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Do you battle feelings of insecurity?

Read Psalm 139 once each day for a month and see how God changes your perspective.

More from the Girlfriends

For years, I battled insecurity and fear. God loved me through it all. The day came when I really could believe I am special because God made me in response to His plan for my life and not as an afterthought. Want more of the story? Check out Mary’s CD, Love that Never Fails, a life-changing message that will lead you to experience and walk in God’s love. Check it out … and be sure to connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.

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