The Daily Prayer for WEDNESDAY, October 30, 2019

The Daily Prayer

WEDNESDAY, October 30, 2019

Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky said, “The world will be saved by beauty.”

Go before us, God, that we may follow in your steps. Go behind us, God, to steer us when we stray. Go beside us, God, as our strength and our joy for the journey. Amen.

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, October 30, 2019

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

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.

Un dia a la Vez - Miércoles 30 de Octubre de 2019

Jesús y la limosna

Que sea tu limosna en secreto; y tu Padre que ve en lo secreto te recompensará en público.

— Mateo 6:4 (RV-60)

En este día veremos principios que Dios dejó establecidos a fin de que se cumplan al pie de la letra. Y juntos vamos a pedirle a nuestro Jesús que nos ilumine y nos permita entender, con palabras muy sencillas, lo que nos dejó en la Biblia. Lo que es más importante, una vez que los entendamos, que seamos capaces de aplicarlos para tener una vida en victoria.

La limosna o la ofrenda, como se le conoce en otras partes, debe ser algo que se entregue con mucha prudencia y no de una manera ruidosa y llamativa, pues Jesús mismo llama hipócritas a quienes lo hacen así. En realidad, esta clase de persona es la que se hace pasar por piadosa sin serlo. Por eso recuerda que la ofrenda es algo entre tú y Dios.

Tampoco llamemos la atención con nuestros actos de humanidad, porque lo que hacemos es como para Dios y no para los hombres. Nadie necesita saber lo que haces por los demás y menos en cuestión de dinero.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Nadie necesita saber lo que haces por los demás y menos en cuestión de dinero.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Wednesday, October 30, 2019

WALKING BY FAITH

For we live by faith, not by sight.

— 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)

Brother Wei from South-east Asia tells his story to a staff member of Open Doors. He is too shy to look at him directly. While he is speaking, he keeps his eyes lowered.

I'm forty-one years old and I'm a simple rice farmer. Twenty years ago, I became a Christian and in the past years, I've been in prison thirteen times because of my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The last time I was in a notorious prison, surrounded by a moat. In order to torment the prisoners, we were given rice mixed with sand. There were no toilets - we just had to find a spot somewhere.

I was arrested because I believed in Jesus and because I was active as a preacher. The punishment for this "crime" was two and a half years in prison, but I could be released sooner if I renounced my faith.

The guards constantly tried to force me to deny my faith. I was to sign a form which stated that I had "voluntarily renounced my faith" and that I would "no longer attend meetings." I was bound hand and foot and beaten, but I refused to deny my faith. My fellow prisoners mocked me and swore at me. They called me the "Jesus man." I wasn't allowed a Bible, and if I was caught praying, I was beaten.

After my release, as a result of the abuse I was no longer able to walk fast or to run. Sometimes I could no longer find the words to describe something.

Once I was back in our village, I heard that we had to leave because we hadn't been granted permission to go on living there. We were not allocated any land to work, the children were no longer allowed to go to school and the hospital was no longer willing to help us. Then we left and went to another district, where we had to start over again.

When the Open Doors worker asked him how he had been able to endure all this persecution, Brother Wei said, “I don't trust in what eyes can see, but I’ve put my trust in the Eternal, the Lord Jesus.”

RESPONSE: Today I will persevere through the challenges that come my way with faith in the Eternal God.

PRAYER: Pray that all Christians being persecuted today will respond with this strong faith!

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

LHM Daily Devotions - October 30, 2019 - Invisible?

"Invisible?"

Oct. 30, 2019

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure.

—1 John 3:1-3 (ESV)

Do you ever feel like you're invisible?

We've all seen pictures of poor children or adults who are down and out on the streets. Sometimes the picture is of someone living hand-to-mouth in a Third World country. The weight of their poverty is truly oppressive. Sometimes, though, one sees—either through photographs or in real life—scenes like this in our country. Visualize homeless people in grubby clothes, crouching in front of some big city building. Observed and neglected by a procession of passersby, the destitute often elicit more ire than empathy. We wonder how they got this way and figure it was bad choices, bad upbringing, or just plain bad luck that got them the short end of the stick.

Oh well, what can we do? If we're feeling generous, we drop a bill or two into their hat. If we're in a hurry, we move on. Probably we'll move on.

How wonderful it is that our plight is not invisible to God! Slumped down in the corners of our lives, wearing filthy rags of sin and destitute by nature, God does not turn away. He doesn't casually glance our way, muse on how we got into our predicament, and shuffle along to something better—someone who's not so loaded down with "issues."

No, instead of scorning us, the Father stops and reaches down into our world. He even takes us to Himself and, rather than simply brush us off and send us on our way, He calls us into His family—warts, baggage, and all. Giving us Jesus, He has given us everything—the forgiveness of sins, a new life in His Son, and the blessed acceptance of being God's own children.

None of this we deserve, of course, but God has given it to us anyway: "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." God lets us know that even though we may feel invisible to the world, He sees us clearly, and He knows we are so much more than our present circumstances or the sins we've committed.

We are not invisible to Him.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You saw us for who we are, and You didn't turn away. Instead, You take us as Your children through the saving blood of Jesus. Help us not to turn away from others. Thank You more than words can say. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Do you have a set reaction, typically, when you see somebody down and out on the street?
• How has God reached into your life and pulled you from the dumpster?
• How does knowing what God has done for you make you more empathetic and responsive toward others?

This Daily Devotion was written by Paul Schreiber. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Do you have a set reaction, typically, when you see somebody down and out on the street?

CPTLN devocional del 30 de Octubre de 2019 - ¿Invisible?

ALIMENTO DIARIO

¿Invisible?

30 de Octubre de 2019

Miren cuánto nos ama el Padre, que nos ha concedido ser llamados hijos de Dios. Y lo somos. El mundo no nos conoce, porque no lo conoció a él. Amados, ahora somos hijos de Dios, y aún no se ha manifestado lo que hemos de ser. Pero sabemos que, cuando él se manifieste, seremos semejantes a él porque lo veremos tal como él es. Y todo aquel que tiene esta esperanza en él, se purifica a sí mismo, así como él es puro.

—1 Juan 3:1-3 (RVC)

¿Alguna vez has sentido como que eras invisible?

En algún momento, de alguna forma, todos nos hemos encontrado con personas pidiendo limosna, indigentes que andan deambulando por la ciudad sin un lugar fijo donde vivir, sin trabajo, sin posibilidades de llevar una vida productiva. Nos preguntamos cómo llegaron a estar así y fácilmente deducimos que fue como resultado de malas elecciones, mala educación o simplemente mala suerte. Si nos sentimos generosos, les damos algunas monedas. Pero si no, los ignoramos como si fueran invisibles. Probablemente, los ignoremos...

Ante Dios todos somos indigentes, mendigos sucios manchados por el pecado. Sin embargo, ¡nuestra situación no es invisible para Dios! Aun cuando estábamos deambulando por los rincones oscuros de nuestras vidas, vestidos con los trapos sucios del pecado, Dios eligió no alejarse. Él no nos miró de reojo y se puso a pensar en cómo llegamos a ese estado, ni se fue a buscar a alguien mejor, alguien que no estuviera tan cargado de "problemas".

No, en lugar de despreciarnos, el Padre se detiene y se adentra en nuestro mundo. Incluso nos acerca a sí mismo y, en lugar de simplemente ignorarnos y seguir su camino, nos llama a ser parte de su familia: con todas nuestras marcas de pecado. Al darnos a Jesús, nos ha dado todo: el perdón de los pecados, una nueva vida y la bendita aceptación de ser hijos de Dios.

No merecemos nada de esto, por supuesto, pero Dios nos lo ha dado de todos modos: "Miren cuánto nos ama el Padre, que nos ha concedido ser llamados hijos de Dios. Y lo somos". Dios nos hace saber que, aunque nos sintamos invisibles para el mundo, él nos ve claramente y sabe que somos mucho más que nuestras circunstancias actuales o los pecados que hemos cometido.

Para Dios no somos invisibles.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, gracias por vernos tal como somos y no ignorarnos, sino limpiarnos y adoptarnos como hijos tuyos a través de la sangre salvadora de Jesús. En su nombre. Amén.

Paul Schreiber

Para reflexionar:

• ¿De qué cosas te ha rescatado Dios?
• ¿De qué manera ha cambiado tu vida luego que Dios te rescató?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿De qué cosas te ha rescatado Dios?

Ministérios Pão Diário - Desvendando os mistérios

Desvendando os mistérios


Leia: Salmo 119:97-104
 | A Bíblia em um ano: Jeremias 20–21; 2 Timóteo 4


Baixe a versão MP3

Por meio dos teus preceitos, consigo entendimento; por isso, detesto todo caminho de falsidade. v.104


Sempre gostei da inteligência e da percepção do criador de Peanuts, Charles Schulz. Uma das ilustrações favoritas desenhadas por ele apareceu num livro sobre jovens na igreja. Mostra um jovem segurando a Bíblia e dizendo a um amigo no telefone: “Acho que dei o primeiro passo para desvendar os mistérios do Antigo Testamento… Estou começando a lê-lo!”

O Salmo 119 transborda com o desejo do escritor em entender e experimentar o poder da Palavra de Deus a cada dia. “Quanto amo a tua lei! É a minha meditação, todo o dia!” (v.97). Esta ávida perseguição conduz à crescente sabedoria, compreensão e obediência ao Senhor (vv.98-100).

A Bíblia não contém uma fórmula mágica para “desvendar os mistérios” em suas páginas. O processo é mais do que mental e requer uma reação ao que lemos. Embora algumas passagens possam permanecer intrigantes para nós, podemos aceitar as verdades que entendemos claramente e dizer ao Senhor: “Quão doces são as tuas palavras ao meu paladar! Mais que o mel à minha boca. Por meio dos teus preceitos, consigo entendimento; por isso, detesto todo caminho de falsidade” (vv.103,104).

Uma maravilhosa jornada de descoberta nos aguarda na Palavra de Deus.

Ao ler e seguirmos a Palavra de Deus iniciamos 
uma jornada diária de descobertas do Seu amor e poder.

por David C. McCasland

© 2019 Ministérios Pão Diário
Sempre gostei da inteligência e da percepção do criador de Peanuts, Charles Schulz. Uma das ilustrações favoritas desenhadas por ele apareceu num livro sobre jovens na igreja.

The Daily Lectionary for TUESDAY, October 29, 2019

The Daily Lectionary

TUESDAY, October 29, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Psalm 87

(Glorious things are spoken of Zion)

The Joy of Living in Zion
Of the Korahites. A Psalm. A Song.
1  On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
2    the Lord loves the gates of Zion
     more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
3  Glorious things are spoken of you,
     O city of God.   Selah

4  Among those who know me I mention Rahab
         and Babylon;
     Philistia too, and Tyre, with Ethiopia—
     “This one was born there,” they say.

5  And of Zion it shall be said,
     “This one and that one were born in it”;
     for the Most High himself will establish it.
6  The Lord records, as he registers the peoples,
     “This one was born there.”   Selah

7  Singers and dancers alike say,
     “All my springs are in you.”

Joel 3:9-16

(The valley of Jehoshaphat)

Judgment in the Valley of Jehoshaphat
9  Proclaim this among the nations:
   Prepare war,
     stir up the warriors.
   Let all the soldiers draw near,
     let them come up.
10 Beat your plowshares into swords,
     and your pruning hooks into spears;
     let the weakling say, “I am a warrior.”

11 Come quickly,
     all you nations all around,
     gather yourselves there.
   Bring down your warriors, O Lord.
12 Let the nations rouse themselves,
     and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat;
   for there I will sit to judge
     all the neighboring nations.

13 Put in the sickle,
     for the harvest is ripe.
   Go in, tread,
     for the wine press is full.
   The vats overflow,
     for their wickedness is great.

14 Multitudes, multitudes,
     in the valley of decision!
   For the day of the Lord is near
     in the valley of decision.
15 The sun and the moon are darkened,
     and the stars withdraw their shining.

16 The Lord roars from Zion,
     and utters his voice from Jerusalem,
     and the heavens and the earth shake.
   But the Lord is a refuge for his people,
     a stronghold for the people of Israel.

1 Peter 5:1-11

(The unfading crown of glory)

Tending the Flock of God
5:1 Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you 2 to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it—not for sordid gain but eagerly. 3 Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away. 5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for

   “God opposes the proud,
     but gives grace to the humble.”

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8 Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

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

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

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year C. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2019, we will be in Year A. The year which ended at Advent 2018 was Year B. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Lectionary
Psalm 87; Joel 3:9-16; 1 Peter 5:1-11

The Daily Prayer for TUESDAY, October 29, 2019

The Daily Prayer

TUESDAY, October 29, 2019

Clarence Jordan (1912—1969)

A son of the American South, Clarence Jordan was troubled by his people’s comfortable embrace of both Jesus and racism. After studying for a doctorate in New Testament at the Southern Baptist Seminary, Jordan and his family returned to Georgia in 1942 to start Koinonia Farm, an interracial community in the heart of the Jim Crow South. Greeted by Ku Klux Klan members who told him, “We don’t let the sun set on people like you around here,” Jordan smiled and replied, “Pleased to meet y’all. I’ve been waiting all my life to meet someone who could make the sun stand still.”

Clarence Jordan wrote, “Jesus has been so zealously worshiped, his deity so vehemently affirmed, his halo so brightly illumined, and his cross so beautifully polished that in the minds of many he no longer exists as a man. By thus glorifying him we more effectively rid ourselves of him than did those who tried to do so by crudely crucifying him.”

God, keep us from the temptation to so polish your image that those who most need your love feel too dirty to approach you. Amen.

Verse of the Day for TUESDAY, October 29, 2019

Romans 12:1 (NIV)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Read all of Romans 12

Listen to Romans 12

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

Un dia a la Vez - Martes 29 de Octubre de 2019

El amor hacia los enemigos

Amen a sus enemigos, hagan bien a quienes los odian, bendigan a quienes los maldicen, oren por quienes los maltratan.

— Lucas 6:27-28 (NVI)

El mandato de Dios de amar a los que nos han hecho daño y perdonar a los que nos ofenden, trae bendición a nuestra vida.

¿Te imaginas que aparte de perdonar debemos orar por ellos y bendecirlos? Ya sé lo que quizá estés pensando: «¿Pero cómo se le puede ocurrir a ella decir eso?». No te asombres, eso es lo que dejó estipulado el Señor Jesús. Así que, debes creerlo.

Cuando entramos en ese plan de obedecer a Dios, comienzas a recibir un cambio en tu ser, pues el odio y la falta de perdón crean raíces de amargura que hasta nos enferman. Es más, esto es lo que el rencor trae como resultado en el ser humano. Por eso Dios nos da la oportunidad de que conozcamos la verdad y luego nos hace libres.

Amar a los amigos es muy fácil, pero Dios quiere que apliquemos lo más difícil: Amar a los enemigos. De esta manera honraremos a Dios.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Amar a los amigos es muy fácil, pero Dios quiere que apliquemos lo más difícil: Amar a los enemigos.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Tuesday, October 29, 2019

THE WAY OF THE CROSS

And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

— Luke 14:27 (NIV)

Two days before the SSTS Seminar in a restricted Central Asia country, Pavel, a Christian leader discovered the garage he was using to store restricted (illegal) Christian literature in the tribal language was broken into by youths and over 2000 pieces of literature stolen. Ironically, police discovered the literature being distributed at a nearby school by the mischievous youths and traced the ownership of the literature to Pavel.

He was “invited” to come to the police station. There he discovered that the authorities were open to receiving a bribe of one month’s salary in exchange for having the remaining literature returned and the case closed. It was also suggested that because he was lacking the appropriate registration papers for being in this community, he should pay the money before the police “found some drugs in his home” and he be sent to jail for a longer period of time.

Pavel now had two choices: pay the bribe and redeem most of the stolen literature which had come into the country at great personal and emotional risk past many police checkpoints; or wait and see how God intervened to bring glory to His name even if it meant a fine or imprisonment. Pavel knew that to pay the bribe would open the door to a pattern of further blackmail, as the police would now own him as “their man.”

During the 3-day SSTS seminar, the group met with Pavel and his wife and prayed with them each morning before he went to the police station for further interrogation in the afternoons. Pavel had to make a decision by the third day. As he left for the police station he told the group, “This SSTS seminar has changed my entire thinking on this matter. I am not paying the bribe. I am choosing ‘the way of the cross.’”

Latest reports are that Pavel’s case was resolved without a bribe and he is still active in effective ministry in his country.

RESPONSE: Today I again choose to walk “the way of the cross” as I make my decisions and choices.

PRAYER: Lord, help me never to choose the easy way of the culture but to walk “the way of the cross!”

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

LHM Daily Devotions - October 29, 2019 - Exiting Tribulation

"Exiting Tribulation"

Oct. 29, 2019

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" ... Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?" I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will shelter them with His presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

—Revelation 7:9-10, 13-17 (ESV)

When I was a teenager, there was a spate of scary books about the end of the world. Some of them would give you nightmares, the way they talked about the suffering that was in store for Christians. Worst of all was the description of something called the "Great Tribulation," which seemed to be some sort of bloodbath of persecution, amped up to the highest degree.

Of course I was terrified. What if I was alive in those days? Would I be strong enough to suffer without breaking down and denying Jesus? I didn't know. It worried me.

But now when I read this passage, I see something different. You see, the first part of the passage seems to be describing the whole church of God, all believers through all time and space—not just a select few from the very end of world history. God calls them an innumerable multitude from throughout the world. Every one of them is dressed in white, waving palm branches and celebrating Jesus with all their might.

Who are these people? It seems clear that these people are us! These are all the people who ever have or ever will believe in Jesus—everyone who has "washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." That's a fancy way of saying it's everyone who has ever sinned or ever done evil, but then God forgave them because Jesus died for them on the cross. Is that you? How about me? I think so.

And that means we are also the ones the angel refers to as "coming out of the great tribulation." It's not that every one of us will somehow be alive for the final battle of Armageddon; rather, it's that every one of us, great or small, young or old, knows what it means to suffer—to live in a world that is actively hostile to God's people. We all know what it means to be tempted to evil. We all know what it means to suffer harm or injustice. We've all had days so black we almost forget the memory of the sunrise.

That is our tribulation—and yet, the Bible says we are coming out of it! Not by our own power or might, but because the Holy Spirit is bringing us safely through. When the final Day comes, there we will be—clean and happy and celebrating Jesus with all our might. Because He is the reason why we can make it through the great tribulation of our lives—and all the little tribulations that come to us daily. He is the only reason. Because He is our Savior, and He keeps us safe in His hands forevermore.

THE PRAYER: Lord, let me trust in You through all the great and little sufferings of this world. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Name one kind of suffering you have right now—even if it is something quite small.
• What kinds of suffering scare you the most?
• When you worry about suffering, how do you find comfort in Jesus?

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Name one kind of suffering you have right now—even if it is something quite small.

CPTLN devocional del 29 de Octubre de 2019 - La gran tribulación de nuestras vidas

ALIMENTO DIARIO

La gran tribulación de nuestras vidas

29 de Octubre de 2019

Después de esto vi aparecer una gran multitud compuesta de todas las naciones, tribus, pueblos y lenguas. Era imposible saber su número. Estaban de pie ante el trono, en presencia del Cordero, y vestían ropas blancas; en sus manos llevaban ramas de palma, y a grandes voces gritaban: «La salvación proviene de nuestro Dios, que está sentado en el trono, y del Cordero.» Entonces uno de los ancianos me dijo: «Y estos que están vestidos de ropas blancas, ¿quiénes son? ¿De dónde vienen?» Yo le respondí: «Señor, tú lo sabes.» Entonces él me dijo: «Éstos han salido de la gran tribulación. Son los que han lavado y emblanquecido sus ropas en la sangre del Cordero. Por eso están delante del trono de Dios, y le rinden culto en su templo de día y de noche; y el que está sentado en el trono los protege con su presencia. No volverán a tener hambre ni sed, ni les hará daño el sol ni el calor los molestará, porque el Cordero que está en medio del trono los pastoreará y los llevará a fuentes de agua de vida, y Dios mismo secará de sus ojos toda lágrima.»

—Apocalipsis 7:9-10, 13-17 (RVC)

Cuando era adolescente, había una serie de libros de terror acerca del fin del mundo. Por la forma en que hablaban sobre el sufrimiento que les esperaba a los cristianos, algunos causaban pesadillas. Lo peor de todo era la descripción de algo que llamaban la "Gran Tribulación", que parecía ser una especie de persecución sangrienta de alto calibre.

Me aterrorizaba pensar qué me iba a pasar si todavía vivía cuando esto sucediera. Me preguntaba si sería lo suficientemente fuerte como para sufrir sin quebrarme y negar a Jesús. No lo sabía, y eso me preocupaba.

Pero ahora, cuando leo este pasaje, veo algo diferente. La primera parte del pasaje está describiendo a toda la iglesia de Dios, a todos los creyentes a través de todos los tiempos, no solo unos pocos seleccionados al final de la historia del mundo. Dios los describe como una multitud innumerable de todo el mundo. Cada uno de ellos está vestido de blanco, agitando ramas de palma y celebrando a Jesús con todas sus fuerzas.

¿Quiénes son esas personas? ¡Parece claro que somos nosotros! Somos todos los que hemos creído o algún día creerán en Jesús, todos los que "han lavado y emblanquecido sus ropas en la sangre del Cordero"... lo cual es una forma elegante de decir que son todos los que han pecado o hecho algo malo y que han sido perdonados por Dios porque Jesús murió por ellos en la cruz. ¿Serás tú? ¿Seré yo? Creo que sí.

Y eso significa que también somos los que "han salido de la gran tribulación". No es que cada uno de nosotros esté vivo cuando ocurra la batalla final del Armagedón; más bien, es que cada uno de nosotros, grandes o pequeños, jóvenes o viejos, sabemos lo que significa sufrir: vivir en un mundo que es activamente hostil contra el pueblo de Dios. Todos sabemos lo que significa ser tentados a hacer el mal. Todos sabemos lo que significa sufrir daños o injusticias. Todos hemos tenido días tan negros que casi olvidamos el recuerdo del amanecer.

Esa es nuestra tribulación y, sin embargo, ¡la Biblia dice que estamos saliendo de ella! No por nuestro propio poder o fuerza, sino por el poder del Espíritu Santo. Cuando llegue el día final estaremos limpios, felices y celebrando a Jesús con todas nuestras fuerzas. Porque Él es la razón por la que podemos conquistar la gran tribulación de nuestras vidas y todas las pequeñas tribulaciones que nos llegan a diario. Él es la única razón. Él es nuestro Salvador que nos mantiene a salvo en sus manos por siempre.

ORACIÓN: Señor, ayúdame confiar en ti en medio de todos los grandes y pequeños sufrimientos de este mundo. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

• ¿A qué clase de sufrimiento le tienes más miedo?
• ¿Cómo encuentras consuelo en Jesús en medio del sufrimiento?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿A qué clase de sufrimiento le tienes más miedo?

Nuestro Pan Diario - Un camino desconocido

Un camino desconocido

La escritura de hoy: Isaías 42:10-17

La Biblia en un año: Jeremías 18–19 2 Timoteo 3

Y guiaré a los ciegos por camino que no sabían, les haré andar por sendas que no habían conocido… (v. 16).

Me viene a la mente la década de 1960, cuando ministraba a estudiantes de la Universidad Stanford. Había sido alumno de educación física en ese lugar y me había divertido mucho, pero no quedó constancia de haberme destacado. Me sentía totalmente inepto para mi nuevo cargo. Casi todos los días, caminaba por el campus como un hombre ciego tanteando en la oscuridad, pidiéndole a Dios que me mostrara qué hacer. Un día, apareció de repente un estudiante y me pidió que liderara un estudio bíblico en su fraternidad. Y así empezó todo.

Dios no se para en un cruce de caminos e indica por dónde ir; Él es un guía, no un cartel informativo. El Señor camina con nosotros, guiándonos por senderos que nunca imaginamos. Lo único que tenemos que hacer es caminar a su lado.

El camino no será fácil; encontraremos terreno «escabroso». Pero Dios prometió: «cambiaré las tinieblas en luz, y […] no los desampararé» (Isaías 42:16). Está con nosotros todo el tiempo.

Pablo afirmó que Dios «es poderoso para hacer todas las cosas mucho más abundantemente de lo que pedimos o entendemos» (Efesios 3:20). Él puede planear y visualizar, pero su imaginación trasciende nuestros planes. No debemos aferrarnos a lo que anticipamos, sino ver lo que el Señor tiene en mente.

De:  David H. Roper

Reflexiona y ora

Señor, gracias por tus planes para mí. Ayúdame a seguir tu guía.

¿Cómo convirtió Dios tus tinieblas en luz? ¿Cuál ha sido tu mayor alegría al caminar con Él?

© 2019 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario
Me viene a la mente la década de 1960, cuando ministraba a estudiantes de la Universidad Stanford.

The Daily Lectionary for MONDAY, October 28, 2019

The Daily Lectionary

MONDAY, October 28, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Psalm 87

(Glorious things are spoken of Zion)

The Joy of Living in Zion
Of the Korahites. A Psalm. A Song.
1  On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
2    the Lord loves the gates of Zion
     more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
3  Glorious things are spoken of you,
     O city of God.   Selah

4  Among those who know me I mention Rahab
         and Babylon;
     Philistia too, and Tyre, with Ethiopia—
     “This one was born there,” they say.

5  And of Zion it shall be said,
     “This one and that one were born in it”;
     for the Most High himself will establish it.
6  The Lord records, as he registers the peoples,
     “This one was born there.”   Selah

7  Singers and dancers alike say,
     “All my springs are in you.”

Joel 3:1-8

(God will restore Israel and Judah)

3:1  For then, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, 2 I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat, and I will enter into judgment with them there, on account of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations. They have divided my land, 3 and cast lots for my people, and traded boys for prostitutes, and sold girls for wine, and drunk it down.

4 What are you to me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Are you paying me back for something? If you are paying me back, I will turn your deeds back upon your own heads swiftly and speedily. 5 For you have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried my rich treasures into your temples. 6 You have sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks, removing them far from their own border. 7 But now I will rouse them to leave the places to which you have sold them, and I will turn your deeds back upon your own heads. 8 I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the people of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans, to a nation far away; for the Lord has spoken.

1 Peter 4:12-19

(The suffering of the righteous)

Suffering as a Christian
4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. 16 Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And

   “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
     what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?”

19 Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good.

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

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

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year C. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2019, we will be in Year A. The year which ended at Advent 2018 was Year B. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Lectionary
Psalm 87; Joel 3:1-8; 1 Peter 4:12-19

The Daily Prayer for MONDAY, October 28, 2019

The Daily Prayer

MONDAY, October 28, 2019

In his Rule for monastic communities, Benedict of Nursia wrote, “Such a follower of Christ lives in reverence of him and does not take the credit for a good life but, believing that all the good we do comes from the Lord, gives him the credit and thanksgiving for what his gift brings about in our hearts. In that spirit our prayer from the psalm should be: Not to us, O Lord, not to us give the glory but to your own name. That is St Paul’s example, for he took no credit to himself for his preaching when he said: It is by God’s grace that I am what I am. And again he says: Let anyone who wants to boast, boast in the Lord.”

You, who led Israel through the waters, plant us by streams of living water. Root us in your love and grow us up to bear the fruit of your Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. Amen.

Verse of the Day for MONDAY, October 28, 2019

1 Peter 1:24-25 (NIV)

For,
   “All people are like grass,
     and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
   the grass withers and the flowers fall,
     but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.

Read all of 1 Peter 1:24

Listen to 1 Peter 1:24

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

Un dia a la Vez - Lunes 28 de Octubre de 2019

Jesús y los juramentos

«Cuando ustedes digan “sí”, que sea realmente sí; y cuando digan “no”, que sea no. Cualquier cosa de más, proviene del maligno».

— Mateo 5:37 (NVI)

Desde siempre hemos escuchado que no debemos jurar, mucho menos usando el nombre de Dios en vano. Esto se debe a que Dios espera que digamos la verdad en todo momento.

En el Manual de Instrucciones también encontramos que el Señor espera que nuestra palabra sea sincera y que tengamos una sola respuesta. Cuando somos personas de una sola palabra, tenemos credibilidad y confiabilidad ante otros, mucho más al decir que somos cristianos. Si quedamos mal, también se afectará el nombre de Dios.

Cada vez que les prometamos algo a nuestros hijos, debemos cumplirlo. Les hacemos mucho daño si los ilusionamos con algo y no lo llevamos a cabo. Así que distingámonos y aprendamos a ser hombres y mujeres de carácter.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Cada vez que les prometamos algo a nuestros hijos, debemos cumplirlo.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Monday, October 28, 2019

GOD FIRST

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

—Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Eighteen-year-old Nina lives in an Asian country where Buddhism is the faith of the majority. Since her mother is a devout Christian, she is constantly exposed to stories and lessons from God’s Word. At school, her faith in Jesus Christ is often tested. Because Nina showed great aptitude at school, she was selected to be part of a team that would compete in a high school annual science competition. On the day of the competition, however, the Vice Principal, a very strict disciplinarian, decided to take the team to the Buddhist temple first. Nina fidgeted anxiously in her seat while aboard the school bus with her teammates.

As she tried to figure out what to do upon arriving at the monastery, the first of the Lord’s Ten Commandments resonated in her mind—no other gods, except Him. I can’t disobey my God, after knowing who He is, she thought. Nina felt trapped and confused. Obeying God meant disobeying the Vice Principal. Nina uttered a silent prayer. “God, you changed the hearts of many kings before, surely you can do it again! Please Lord, speak to his heart!”

When the team reached the temple, everyone entered except Nina, who stood at the gate. As Nina’s teammates came out of the temple, the Vice Principal approached Nina with a stern look on his face. “Why did you not come in the temple with us?”

“Sir, I was born a Christian. When my mother gave birth to me, I was weak and at the point of death. Christians prayed for me and God heard their prayers,” shared Nina.

“You could have just entered with us and not participate in the ceremonies,” explained the Vice Principal, whose face and tone softened. Nina knew then that God had just answered her prayers.

“I did not have peace in my heart. I felt that I would be disobeying God if I entered the temple, sir,” Nina responded. The Vice Principal did not pursue the matter any further; neither did he chide Nina for it. The team placed third during the science competition.

Nina testified during a youth training program that Open Doors organized. “I was surprised to see how God suddenly changed his heart; he rarely speaks that way to students. He is often firm and strong…His wife has had many miscarriages. I’m praying for his wife to have a baby soon. I’m also praying for him to know Jesus Christ. I’m sure it will happen someday!”

RESPONSE: Today I will put God first in every situation I face.

PRAYER: Pray for all young Christians who face the cultural challenges against putting God first.

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