Saturday, March 31, 2012

ΠΡΟΕΤΟΙΜΑΣΤΕΊΤΕ

ΠΡΟΕΤΟΙΜΑΣΤΕΊΤΕ

ΔΙΑΒΆΣΤΕ:
Επιστολή προς Ρωμαίους 5: 1-11

Τώρα δικαιολογημένη από
Το αίμα, εμείς πρέπει να αποθηκευτεί
από οργή μέσω αυτού.
-Επιστολή προς Ρωμαίους 5: 9

Ακριβώς όπως έκαναν τους φίλους της, κόρη μου Melissa πυρετωδώς ενηλικίωση. Στο σχολείο, λάμβανε έτοιμη για college, λαμβάνοντας τα σωστά μαθήματα και είχε υπογράψει για τη δοκιμή είσοδο Κολέγιο ΠΡΆΞΗ.

Εκτός της κλάσης, η Melissa μάθησης τις δεξιότητες κοινωνικοποίηση που χρειάζεται να πάρετε μαζί με ανθρώπους από δαπανών χρόνο με τους φίλους, συμμαθητές και συνάδελφοί. Στο έργο της, αυτή μάθησης σχεσιακή δεξιοτήτων που χρειάζονται για μια μελλοντική σταδιοδρομία της εργασίας. Στο σπίτι, ΜΕΛ προετοιμασία για μελλοντικές οικογενειακής ζωής από αντιμετωπίζουν τον τρόπο μια χριστιανική οικογένεια θα αλληλεπιδρούν.

Γίνεται προετοιμασία για τη ζωή ως ενήλικος λαμβάνει εργασία και Melissa την καλή πρόοδο.

Αλλά αυτό το παρασκεύασμα δεν υπήρξε καμία ό, τι θα χρειαζόταν. Το 2002, όταν πέθανε σε ένα αυτοκινητιστικό ατύχημα σε ηλικία 17, την μόνη προετοιμασία που ενδιέφερε ήταν τη προθυμία για ουρανών.

Όταν το μάνατζμεντ δοκιμής της ετοιμότητας που ήρθε έτσι ξαφνικά σε αυτό όμορφη του Ιουνίου το βράδυ-όταν αιωνιότητα πόρτα που άνοιξε για Melissa-που ήταν έτοιμη. Είχε τεθεί την πίστη στον Ιησού και αξιόπιστο θυσία του στον Σταυρό για τις αμαρτίες της (John 3: 16. Επιστολή προς Ρωμαίους 5: 8-9).

Όταν αντιμετώπισε το υπέρτατο τεστ που προετοιμάζονται, Melissa ήταν έτοιμη. Είστε; - Dave Branon

Χρόνος του Θεού είναι τώρα, για το πετούν ημέρες γρήγορα,
Και γρήγορα τις εποχές roll-

Σήμερα είναι η δική σας, μπορεί να είναι από την τελευταία σας;
Επιλέξτε ζωής για σας ανεκτίμητο ψυχή!- Fithian
*************************************
Εάν θάνατος έρχεται σήμερα,
θα είστε έτοιμος να πληροί ο Θεός;

ΑΝΤΊΛΗΨΗ
Ο Παύλος μάς δίνει πολλούς λόγους να χαιρόμαστε. Μας χαροποιεί πάρα πολύ μας δικαίωμα μόνιμης με τον Θεό εξαιτίας του τι έχει επιτευχθεί ο Ιησούς για μας (vv.1-2). Μας χαροποιεί πάρα πολύ η μελλοντική μας δόξα (v.2) ή ακόμη και σε μας σήμερα βάσανα επειδή ο Θεός τα χρησιμοποιεί για να τελειοποιήσουμε μας (vv.3-4). Μας χαροποιεί πάρα πολύ ότι έχουμε το Άγιο Πνεύμα (v.5). Εμείς χαιρόμαστε διότι, να τακτοποιείται στον Θεό, μέσω του Χριστού, η οποία δεν είμαστε πλέον τους εχθρούς του Θεού (vv. 9-11).

Έχουν μια ημέρα του ευλογημένο.
Ανέκαθεν η αγάπη του Θεού μας Creator
Ενότητα & ειρήνη


BE PREPARED IN HEBREW


קריאה:
הרומאים 5: 1-11

כעת נתקל היה מוצדק על ידי
בדמו, אנחנו נצא להישמר
מתוך זעם דרכו.
-הרומאים 5: 9

בדיוק כמו חבריה עושים, הבת שלי מליסה היה ובתנועות הכנה לבגרות. בבית הספר, היא הייתה כיצד להתכונן לתרגול המכללה על ידי לקיחת קורסים הנכון, היה רשום למבחן הכניסה של המכללה מעשה.

מחוץ לכיתה, מליסה היה לימוד כישורי חיברות שלוקח לקבל יחד עם אנשים על-ידי להשקיע זמן עם חברים לכיתה, חברי הצוות. ב עבודתה, היא הייתה לימוד יחסי המיומנויות הדרושות עבור קריירה עתידית של עבודה. בבית, Mell היה הכנה לחיי משפחה בעתיד דרך חוויה הדרך שלמשפחה נוצרית יקיים אינטראקציה.

מתכוננים לחיים כפי מבוגר לוקח עבודה, מליסה עושה טוב התקדמות.

אך ללא הכנה זה היה מה היא זקוקה. בשנת 2002, כאשר היא מתה בתאונת דרכים בגיל 17, הכנת היחיד אשר תשרת היה לה מוכנות עבור השמים.

המבחן האמיתי של המוכנות הגיע בפתאומיות כה רבה על כך יפה ביוני ערב-מתי הנצח הדלת נפתחת עבור מליסה-היא הייתה מוכנה. היא לשים לה אמונה ישו, מהימן את הקורבן שלו על הצלב עבור החטאים שלה (ג'ון 3: 16; הרומאים 5: 8-9).

כאשר היא יעמוד במבחן האולטימטיבי בשלבי הכנה, מליסה הייתה מוכנה. האם אתה? - דייב Branon

הזמן של האל הוא עכשיו, עבור מעופף ימים מהירה,
וגלגלי בזריזות עונות השנה;

היום היא שלך, ייתכן שהוא האחרונה שלך;
לבחור החיים עבור נשמתך יקרים!- Fithian
*************************************
אם המוות בא היום,
האם אתה תהיה מוכן לפגוש את אלוהים?

תובנה
פול נותן לנו מספר סיבות לביצוע עלוז. עלינו לשמוח שלנו עומד מימין עם אלוהים בשל מה ישו יש מושג לנו (vv.1-2). אנו עלוז שלנו פאר בעתיד (f887 1977), אפילו הסבל הנוכחי שלנו כי אלוהים משתמש בהם לצורך המושלם לנו (vv.3-4). אנו עלוז שיש לנו את רוח הקודש (v.5). אנו עלוז משום היותו השוותה לאלוהים דרך ישו, שאנחנו עוד האויבים של אלוהים (vv.-9-11).

שיהיה לך יום מבורך.
האהבה של האל הבורא שלנו תמיד
אחדות ושקט


HAZIRLIKLI OLUN

HAZIRLIKLI OLUN

OKU:
Romalılar 5: 1-11

Şimdi tarafından haklı
Onun kan biz kaydedilmiş olacaktır
Onu üzerinden gazabı.
-Romalılar 5: 9

Sadece arkadaşlarına yaptıklarını gibi kızım Melissa busily yetişkinlik için hazırlanıyordu. Okulda, o doğru dersler alarak üniversite için hazır başlamıştı ve hareket Üniversite Giriş testini imzalamıştı.

Sınıf dışında Melissa harcama zaman arkadaşlar, sınıf ve takım arkadaşları ile birlikte insanlar almak sürer sosyalleşme becerilerini öğreniyordu. Ona bir iş o çalışma gelecekteki kariyer için gerekli ilişkisel becerileri öğrenme. Evde Mell gelecekteki aile hayatı için bir Hıristiyan aile etkileşim şekilde yaşandığı tarafından hazırlanıyordu.

Bir yetişkin iş alır ve Melissa iyi ilerleme yaşam için hazırlanıyordu.

Ama hiçbiri bu hazırlık ne o gerekir. Ne zaman o 17 yaşında bir araba kazasında öldü, 2002'de, onun hazırlığı için cennet için önemi sadece hazırlık oldu.

Hazırlık kelimenin tam testi böylece aniden geldi o güzel Melissa-o için açılan Haziran akşam olduğunda sonsuzluk 's kapı hazırlanmıştır. O İsa'nın inancını koymak ve onu günahlarından çarmıhta yaptığı fedakarlık güvenilir (John 3: 16; Romalılar 5: 8-9).

Melissa, o hazırlanan nihai test karşı karşıya hazırdı. Are you? - Dave Branon

Tanrı'nın Zamanı şimdi, hızlı gün uçmak için ise,
Ve hızla mevsim rulo;

Bugün senin, bu son olabilir;
Yaşam için paha biçilmez ruhunuzu seçin!- Wabash
*************************************
Eğer bugün ölüm gelir,
Tanrı karşılamak için hazır olacak mı?

INSİGHT
Paul bize sevinmek için çeşitli nedenlerden verir. Biz de Tanrı ile doğru bizim ayakta ne İsa bizim için (vv.1-2) başardığını nedeniyle sevinirler. Çünkü Tanrı onları bize (vv.3-4) mükemmel kullanır bizim gelecekte zafer (2) ve hatta mevcut bizim acılarını sevinirler. Kutsal ruh (v.5) elimizdeki sevinirler. Biz, biz artık Allah'ın düşmanları (VV 9-11) vardır uzlaştırılması Mesih aracılığıyla Tanrı'ya çünkü sevinirler.

Mübarek Günler.
Bizim yaratıcı Tanrı'nın sevgi her zaman
Birlik ve barış


FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION: NOT THE SAME

(Every now and again a little more light comes in and I think this article offers light for a path we all must navigate and I wanted to share it with the people I love)


From Steve Cornell's Blog


He said I am sorry, but it's at least the tenth time! I don't know what to do. I am told that it's my Christian duty to forgive, and the Lord knows I've tried. But each time I forgive him, he changes for a little while and then returns to the same behavior. I have a gut feeling I am handling things the wrong way. He never really changes, and I just get angrier. What should I do?


Sound familiar? I encounter people all the time who are trying to forgive someone who has repeatedly hurt them. They know it's their Christian duty to forgive, but they often feel they're either being deceived or taken advantage of. They also have a disturbing sense that they're enabling the selfish behavior of the very one they're trying to forgive.


Is this what forgiveness requires? Is it possible to forgive someone and to withhold reconciliation? We must learn the differences between forgiveness and reconciliation. Forgiveness is always required by God, but it does not always lead to reconciliation.


Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Not the Same
Jesus clearly warned that God will not forgive our sins if we do not forgive those who sin against us (Matthew 6:14-15; Mark 11:25). It's not that we earn God's forgiveness by forgiving; instead, God expects forgiven people to forgive (Matthew 18:21-35). Yet forgiveness is very different from reconciliation.


It's possible to forgive someone without offering immediate reconciliation. It's possible for forgiveness to occur in the context of one's relationship with God apart from contact with her offender. But reconciliation is focused on restoring broken relationships. And where trust is deeply broken, restoration is a process — sometimes, a lengthy one.


Differing from forgiveness, reconciliation is often conditioned on the attitude and actions of the offender. While its aim is restoration of a broken relationship, those who commit significant and repeated offenses must be willing to recognize that reconciliation is a process. If they're genuinely repentant, they will recognize and accept that the harm they've caused takes time to heal.


In many cases, even if an offender confessed his wrong to the one he hurt and appealed for forgiveness, the offended person could justifiably say, "I forgive you, but it might take some time for me to regain trust and restore our relationship." The evidence of genuine forgiveness is personal freedom from a vindictive or vengeful response (Romans 12:17-21), but not always an automatic restoration of relationship.


Even when God forgives our sins, he does not promise to remove all consequences created by our actions. Yes, being forgiven, restored, and trusted is an amazing experience, but it's important for those who hurt others to understand that their attitude and actions will affect the process of rebuilding trust. Words alone are often not enough to restore trust. When someone has been significantly hurt and feels hesitant about restoration with her offender, it's both right and wise to look for changes in the offender before allowing reconciliation to begin.


Timing of Reconciliation
The process of reconciliation depends on the attitude of the offender, the depth of the betrayal, and the pattern of offense. When an offended party works toward reconciliation, the first and most important step is the confirmation of genuine repentance on the part of the offender (Luke 17:3). An unrepentant offender will resent your desire to confirm the genuineness of his confession and repentance. The offender may resort to lines of manipulation such as, "I guess you can't find it in yourself to be forgiving," or, "Some Christian you are, I thought Christians believed in love and compassion."


Such language reveals an unrepentant heart. Don't be manipulated into avoiding the step of confirming the authenticity of your offender's confession and repentance. It is advisable in difficult cases to seek the help of a wise counselor, one who understands the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation. Such a counselor can help the injured person establish boundaries and define steps toward reconciliation that are restorative rather than retaliatory.


It is difficult to genuinely restore a broken relationship when the offender is unclear about his confession and repentance. We should strive to be as certain as we can of our offender's repentance — especially in cases involving repeated offenses. Even God will not grant forgiveness to one who is insincere about his confession and repentance. The person who is unwilling to forsake his sin will not find forgiveness with God (Proverbs 28:13).


Of course, only God can read hearts; we must evaluate actions. As Jesus said, "By their fruit you will recognize them"  (Matthew 7:16a). We must not allow superficial appearances of repentance to control our responses. Displays of tears or appearing to be sorry must not become substitutes for clear changes in attitude and behavior.


Seven Signs of Genuine Repentance
There are seven signs that indicate the offender is genuinely repentant:
  1. Accepts full responsibility for his or her actions. (Instead of: "Since you think I've done something wrong . . . " or "If have done anything to offend you . . .")
  2. Welcomes accountability from others.
  3. Does not continue in the hurtful behavior or anything associated with it.
  4. Does not have a defensive attitude about being in the wrong.
  5. Does not dismiss or downplay the hurtful behavior.
  6. Does not resent doubts about their sincerity or the need to demonstrate sincerity — especially in cases involving repeated offenses.
  7. Makes restitution where necessary.
"If we can restore to full and intimate fellowship with ourselves a sinning and unrepentant brother," John R. W. Stott wrote in Confess Your Sins, "we reveal not the depth of our love, but its shallowness, for we are doing what is not for his highest good. Forgiveness which by-passes the need for repentance issues not from love but from sentimentality."


Ten Guidelines for Those Hesitant to Reconcile
Those who have been seriously (and repeatedly) hurt rightfully feel hesitant about reconciling with their offenders. When your offender is genuinely repentant, however, it's important to be open to the possibility of restoration (unless there is a clear issue of safety involved). Jesus spoke about reconciliation with a sense of urgency (Matthew 5:23-24). If you are hesitant to reconcile, work through these ten guidelines:


1. Be honest about your motives. Make sure your desire is to do what pleases God and not to get revenge. Settle the matter of forgiveness (as Joseph did) in the context of your relationship with God. Guidelines for reconciliation should not be retaliatory.


2. Be humble in your attitude. Do not let pride ruin everything. Renounce all vengeful attitudes toward your offender. We are not, for example, to demand that a person earn our forgiveness. The issue is not earning forgiveness but working toward true reconciliation. This demands humility. Those who focus on retaliation and revenge have allowed self-serving pride to control them.


3. Be prayerful about the one who hurt you. Jesus taught his disciples to pray for those who mistreat them (Luke 6:28). It is amazing how our attitude toward another person can change when we pray for him. Pray also for strength to follow through with reconciliation (Hebrews 4:16).


4. Be willing to admit ways you might have contributed to the problem. As Ken Sande writes in The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict:


Even if you did not start the dispute, your lack of understanding, careless words, impatience, or failure to respond in a loving manner may have aggravated the situation. When this happens, it is easy to behave as though the other person's sins more than cancel yours, which leaves you with a self-righteous attitude that can retard forgiveness (i.e. relational forgiveness). The best way to overcome this tendency is to prayerfully examine your role in the conflict and then write down everything you have done or failed to do that may have been a factor.


Such a step, however, is not suggested to promote the idea of equal blame for all situations (Matthew 7:1-6).


5. Be honest with the offender. If you need time to absorb the reality of what was said or done, express this honestly to the one who hurt you. Yet we must not use time as a means of manipulation and punishment.


6. Be objective about your hesitancy. Perhaps you have good reasons for being hesitant to reconcile, but they must be objectively stated. Sometimes, for example, repeated confessions and offenses of the same nature make it understandably hard for trust to be rebuilt. This is an objective concern. Clearly define your reasons for doubting your offender's sincerity.


7. Be clear about the guidelines for restoration. Establish clear guidelines for restoration. Requirements like restitution can be clearly understood and include such factors as maintaining financial accountability, holding down a job, or seeking treatment for substance abuse.


8. Be alert to Satan's schemes. In Ephesians 4:27, Paul warns about the possibility of giving Satan an opportunity in our lives. Significantly, this warning is given in the context of unchecked anger. A few verses later, he wrote, "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 4:29-5:2). Meditate on these words and put them into practice.


9. Be mindful of God's control. As the apostle Paul wrote, "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). And to the Romans, he wrote, "We know that God works all things together for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).


To quote once again from Ken Sande,


When you are having a hard time forgiving someone (i.e. being restored), take time to note how God may be using that offense for good. Is this an unusual opportunity to glorify God?  How can you serve others and help them grow in their faith? What sins and weaknesses of yours are being exposed? What character qualities are you being challenged to exercise? When you perceive that the person who has wronged you is being used as an instrument in God's hand to help you mature, serve others, and glorify him, it may be easier for you to move ahead with forgiveness (i.e. restoration).


10. Be realistic about the process. Change often requires time and hard work. Periodic failure by an offender does not always indicate an unrepentant heart. Behavior patterns often run in deep channels. They can place a powerful grip on a person's life. A key indicator of change is the attitude of the offender. While you may proceed with some caution, be careful about demanding guarantees from a person who has truly expressed repentance. If they stumble, the process of loving confrontation, confession, and forgiveness may need to be repeated. Setbacks and disappointments are often part of the process of change. Don't give up too easily on the process of reconciliation. Be open to the goal of a fully restored relationship.


Steve Cornell is senior pastor at Millersville Bible Church in Millersville, Pennsylvania.


http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/03/29/how-to-move-from-forgiveness-to-reconciliation/


Copyright © 2012 The Gospel Coalition, Inc. All rights reserved.

O SACRED HEAD, NOW WOUNDED

Today's promise: Christ is our Redeemer

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

He was despised and rejected — a man of sorrows, acquainted with the bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by.
Isaiah 53:3 NLT

O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down, now scornfully surrounded with thorns Thine only crown; how pale Thou art with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish which once was bright as morn!

What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest Friend, for this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end? O make me Thine forever; and should I fainting be, Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee.
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux (1091-1153)

A profoundly personal and awesome vision

Although Bernard was one of the most influential Christians of the Middle Ages, settling disputes between kings and influencing the selection of popes, he remained a devout monk, single-minded in his devotion to Christ.

In his own day Bernard was known as a preacher and churchman; today he is remembered for his hymns of praise. "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" comes from a poem originally having seven sections, each focusing on a wounded part of the crucified Savior's body — His feet, knees, hands, side, breast, heart, and head. The text of this hymn compels us to gaze at the cross until the depth of God's love overwhelms us. Bernard's hymn pictures God's love, not as an abstract theological statement, but as a profoundly personal and awesome vision of the suffering Christ.

Our Holy Week readings are adapted from The One Year® Book of Hymns by Mark Norton and Robert Brown, Tyndale House Publishers (1995). Today's is taken from the entry for March 28.

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

THE SHAMEFUL TREE

Today's promise: Christ is our Redeemer
The Shameful Tree
Then Jesus shouted, "Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!" And with those words he breathed his last.
Luke 23:46 NLT

Behold the Savior of mankind nailed to the shameful tree! How vast the love that Him inclined to bleed and die for thee!

'Tis done! the precious ransom's paid! "Receive my soul!" He cries; see where He bows His sacred head! He bows His head and dies!
Behold the Savior of Mankind
Samuel Wesley (1662-1735)
Saved from the fire
On February 9, 1709, a fire ripped through a rectory in the village of Epworth, England. The Wesley family lost nearly everything. Miraculously, their six-year-old boy named John (who would later found the Methodist church) was saved from the fire, as was a piece of paper bearing this hymn, written by the rector, Samuel Wesley.
Samuel Wesley, father of John and Charles (and seventeen other children), was scholarly and stern. His major academic project was a study of the book of Job. And he faced a great deal of suffering himself. Nine of his children died at birth or in infancy. He was frequently in debt (even spending three months in debtors' prison). Of course, there was also that devastating fire.
This hymn, however, shows us a slightly different side of Samuel Wesley. The theme of suffering is strong, but there's an attitude of love, of devotion. Apparently he taught his famous sons more than just discipline, but also a deep appreciation for what Christ accomplished through His suffering.
Our Holy Week readings are adapted from The One Year® Book of Hymns by Mark Norton and Robert Brown, Tyndale House Publishers (1995). Today's is taken from the entry for March 22.
For more reflection on Holy week, see The Passion, Tyndale's companion book to Mel Gibson's powerful movie about the last twelve hours of Jesus' life.
Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

ESTAR PREPARADO

ESTAR PREPARADO

LECTURA:
Romanos 5:1-11

Ahora haber sido justificado por
Su sangre, seremos salvos
ira a través de él.
-Romanos 5:9

Al igual que sus amigos estaban haciendo, mi hija Melissa ocupado se preparaba para la edad adulta. En la escuela, ella se preparaba para la Universidad tomando cursos de derecho y había firmado para la prueba de entrada del Colegio de ACT.

Fuera de clase, Melissa estaba aprendiendo las habilidades de socialización que tarda en llegar junto con personas por gasto tiempo con sus amigos, compañeros y compañeros de equipo. En su trabajo, ella estaba aprendiendo las habilidades relacionales necesarias para una futura carrera de trabajo. En casa, Mell estaba preparando para la futura vida familiar por experimentar la forma en que interactúan una familia cristiana.

Preparándose para la vida como un adulto toma trabajo y Melissa fue progresando.

Pero ninguno de los que la preparación fue lo que ella tendría. En 2002, cuando falleció en un accidente de coche en 17 años de edad, la preparación única que importaba era su preparación para el cielo.

Cuando el verdadero test de preparación llegó tan de repente que Bella puerta de eternidad de junio por la noche cuando abrió a Melissa ella preparó. Ella había puesto su fe en Jesús y confía en su sacrificio en la Cruz por sus pecados (John 3:16; Romanos 5:8-9).

Cuando se enfrentó a la última prueba de preparación, Melissa estaba lista. ¿Es usted? - Dave Branon

Ahora, el tiempo de Dios es para la marcha de días rápida,
Y rápidamente las temporadas roll;

Hoy en día es tuyo, puede ser el último;
Elegir vida para tu alma invaluable!-Fithian
*************************************
Si la muerte viene hoy,
¿estaremos preparados para cumplir con Dios?

INSIGHT
Paul nos da varias razones para alegrarse. Nos regocijamos en nuestra posición correcta con Dios debido a lo que Jesús ha logrado para nosotros (vv.1-2). Nos regocijamos en nuestra futura gloria (v.2) e incluso en nuestros sufrimientos presentes porque Dios los usa para perfeccionar nos (vv.3-4). Nos alegramos de que tenemos el Espíritu Santo (v.5). Nos alegramos porque se reconcilió con Dios a través de Cristo, que ya no somos enemigos de Dios (VV. 9-11).

Tener un día bendito.
Siempre el amor de Dios nuestro creador
La unidad y la paz

BE PREPARED

BE PREPARED

READ:
Romans 5:1-11

Having now been justified by
His blood, we shall be saved
from wrath through Him.
-Romans 5:9

Just as her friends were doing, my daughter Melissa was busily preparing for adulthood.  At school, she was getting ready for college by taking the right courses and had signed up for the ACT college entrance test.

Outside of class, Melissa was learning the socialization skills it takes to get along with people by spending time with friends, classmates, and teammates.  At her job, she was learning the relational skills needed for a future career of work.  At home, Mell was preparing for future family life by experiencing the way a Christian family would interact.

Getting ready for life as an adult takes work, and Melissa was making good progress.

But none of that preparation was what she would need.  In 2002, when she died in a car accident at age 17, the only preparation that mattered was her readiness for heaven.

When the truest test of preparedness came so suddenly on that beautiful June evening-when eternity's door opened for Melissa-she was prepared.  She had put her faith in Jesus and trusted His sacrifice on the cross for her sins (John 3:16; Romans 5:8-9).

When she faced the ultimate test of being prepared, Melissa was ready.  Are you? - Dave Branon

God's time is now, for the days fly fast,
And swiftly the seasons roll;

Today is yours, it may be your last;
Choose life for your priceless soul! -Fithian
*************************************
If death comes today,
will you be prepared to meet God?

INSIGHT
Paul gives us several reasons to rejoice.  We rejoice in our right standing with God because of what Jesus has accomplished for us (vv.1-2).  We rejoice in our future glory (v.2) and even in our present sufferings because God uses them to perfect us (vv.3-4).  We rejoice that we have the Holy Spirit (v.5).  We rejoice because, being reconciled to God through Christ, we are no longer God's enemies (vv. 9-11).

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace

Thursday, March 29, 2012

PRAYER: DOES IT GIVE US A BLANK CHECK?

By His Mercies Alone, Daniel -For more great messages go to:

http://mannsword.blogspot.com/


Prayer: Does it Give Us a Blank Check?

Praying to our Lord is powerful thing. James claims as much

·        The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. (James 5:16-18)

I would assume that James specifically chose the example of Elijah to demonstrate that prayer has to be according to God’s will. Praying for a drought hadn’t been Elijah’s idea of an effective means to deal with Israel’s sin. It was God’s:

·        Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word." (1 Kings 17:1)

Elijah had merely spoken God’s words – God’s will. Likewise, Elijah’s prayer for rain was at God’s promptings, according to His will. He caused Elijah to hear the rain coming even before there was a cloud in the sky:
   
·        And Elijah said to Ahab, "Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain." (1 Kings 18:41)

In no way did James envision prayer as a blank check. Instead, he warned:

·        You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. (James 4:2-3)

If our prayers stem merely from our own will and desires, we should have little reason to expect that we will receive. John also had a very high estimation of the power of prayer:

·        I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him. (1 John 5:13-15)

John assures us that if we ask “according to His will,” we can bank on what we have asked for. I often ask God to make me more like Him and to teach me His ways. I know that I have what I’ve requested and thank God prematurely for them. However, if I ask that I might live to 100 or at least to have my teeth healed, I am not certain that I will receive these, because they might not be according to His will. In fact, the Lord has taught me to only desire His will. Consequently, I don’t want my ideas or my will anymore. I just pray that His will might be done, and this posture maximizes my joy and peace.

In contrast to this, the prosperity preachers insist it’s God’s will to give us everything and that we have to verbally claim our blessings. (Although God does want to give us everything, this will only take place when our will is perfectly aligned with His, and that will only happen in the next life.) Along with many other TV evangelists, Pat Robertson, claims that we can take hold of our blank check by speaking things into existence as God does:

·        “Pat Robertson states, ‘Most people ask God for a miracle but many omit a key requirement—the spoken word. God has given us authority over disease, over demons, over sickness, over storms, over finances. We are to declare that authority in Jesus’ name.’ ‘We are to command the money to come to us.’” (Michael Horton, The Agony of Deceit, 128)

We do not have the power “to command the money come to us.” We are utterly dependent on Jesus (John 15:4-5). Of course, the prosperity preachers will counter, “Of course, it’s through Christ, and we need to ask with authority.” However, it must be according to His will. Commanding money is not according to His will (James 4:1-3). In fact, we often don’t even know how to pray according to His will:

·        In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. (Romans 8:26-27)

Furthermore, the Spirit doesn’t intercede for us according to our will but according to God’s!

TV preacher, Joel Osteen, claims that:

·        “Our words are vital in bringing our dreams to pass. It’s not enough to simply see it by faith or in your imagination. You have to begin speaking words of faith over your life. Your words have enormous creative power. The moment you speak something out, you give birth to it.”  “Just look in the mirror and say ‘I am strong, I am healthy. I’m rising to new levels, I’m excited about my future.’ When you say that, it may not be true. You may not be very healthy today, or maybe you don’t have a lot of things to look forward to, but Scripture tells us in Romans we have to call the things that are not as if they already were.” (Christian Research  Journal, Hunter)

In contrast, the Scriptures are entirely about truth. We are always supposed to think, speak and walk in His light – His truth (Psalm 51:6). Many of the prosperity preachers illegitimately quote Romans 4:17 to justify claiming things that aren’t:

·        As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed--the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. (Romans 4:17)

Although God can “call things [into existence] that are not,” there is nothing in this verse that suggests that we have this power. In fact, James warns us against making this kind of faith-confession:

·        Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that." (James 4:13-15)

We are just a passing “vapor.” We are in no position to make bold claims about what we will accomplish. What we say has to accord with the vaporous quality of our lives. We have to speak according to our humble condition. We don’t have the authority to call things into existence that aren’t. Instead, our claims have to be according to the One who can make promises that He will fulfill – the One who promises that “if you ask anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:14)!

Well, what does it mean to ask in “My name?” It doesn’t merely mean to pronounce a set of letters: J-E-S-U-S. It means far more – to ask according to Him!

Many verses instruct us to “believe in the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13). This cannot mean believing in a set of letters pronounced together. Salvation isn’t about having the right letters or pronunciation but about the right Person and Gospel! Therefore, when we ask in His name, we are asking according to Him and His will. No blank check here!

The prosperity preachers will counter:
   
·        The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Proverbs 18:21)

They claim that in their tongue resides supernatural power to call things into existence which aren’t. However, is this power supernatural or psychological? Clearly, our tongue possesses psychological power to tear people down or to build them up. Further, this context – nor any other - gives us no basis to believe that the power is supernatural.

Other prosperity preachers claim that we can only have this authority if we have established our credit in heaven first. Joyce Meyers claimed that we first need a bank account from which we can draw:

·        “Unto every man is given the measure of faith, and faith is a powerful force.” “It says in Romans 4:17 that …we have a God who gives life to the dead and He calls things that be not as though they already existed…If there’s something in your way, speak it.” “When I talked with Dr. Roberts today and we talked about this seed-faith thing, he said…when you give you get a receipt in heaven that when you have a need you can then go with your receipt and say ‘You see, God, I have got my receipt from my sowing and now I have a need and I’m cashing in my receipt.” (CRJ, Hunter)

Meyers suggests that we can have such a favorable heavenly account that God owes us. However, such an idea is foreign to Scripture. God is never in a position that He owes us anything:

·        "Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him?" (Romans 11:35)

Everything we have from God comes as a gift through by grace through faith. Paul had warned the Galatian church against thinking that they received anything from God because of their good works (or heavenly bank account – Gal. 3:1-5).

Similarly, Jesus warned His disciples against thinking that they were in any way deserving of anything from God:

·        “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable (“unworthy” NASB) servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’”  (Luke 17:10)

Even if we have performed flawlessly, we have no claim upon God! In contrast, the prosperity preachers arrogantly claim that they are “worthy.” Instead, the road to blessing is through seeking the will of God:

·        But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)

Receiving “all these things” is not a matter of taking authority, claiming your blessings, or of establishing a heavenly bank account. It is a matter of seeking and trusting Him before all else.
   

   

Confía en mí

Confía en mí

LECTURA:
Salmo 121

Cuando se pasa a través de la
aguas, estaré contigo; y
a través de los ríos, deberán
no le de desbordamiento. -Isaías 43:2

Cuando era una niña, mi tío y mi tía me llevaron al lago Michigan. Mientras que algunos de mis primos que se aventuró lejos fuera en las olas, jugaba cerca a la orilla. Entonces mi tío Norm me preguntó, "Puede usted nadar?" "No", admitió. "No te preocupes," dijo. "Llevaré allí." "Pero es demasiado profunda," protestaron. "Sólo aferrarse a mí," me aseguró. "Usted confía en mí?" Entonces tomé su mano y comenzamos a salir más lejos en el lago.

Cuando mis pies no podían tocar el fondo ya, tío norma me retenidos y me aseguró, "he got you. He got you."Luego finalmente dijo, "está bien, que tus pies. Usted puede permanecer aquí."Tenía miedo porque pensó que estábamos aún en aguas profundas, pero confiaba en él y felizmente descubrió que yo estaba parado en un banco de arena.

¿Nunca has estado en tanta desesperación que sentía como si usted se hunde en aguas profundas? Las dificultades de la vida pueden ser opresivas. Dios no prometen que nos escapará a los mares turbulentos de la vida, pero prometo, "No te dejan ni abandonará" (Hebreos 13:5).

Podemos confiar en nuestro Dios fiel que hay en todas nuestras luchas. "Cuando se pasa a través de las aguas, yo estaré contigo; y a través de los ríos, serán no le" (Isaías 43:2).- Cindy Hess Kasper

Dios, Dame la fe de un niño pequeño
Una fe que mirará a TI-
Eso nunca desfallecer y nunca falla,
Pero siguen TI confiadas.-Showerman
*****************************************************
Antes de su carga supera
confiar en Dios para poner sus brazos debajo de usted.

INSIGHT
Conocido también como el "Salmo del viajero", Salmo 121 es la segunda de 15 "canción de ascensiones" (Salmo 120-134), cantada por peregrinos como hicieron su camino a Jerusalén para celebrar cualquiera de las tres grandes fiestas anuales (Deuteronomio 16:16). Cuando salimos de casa para un viaje, la seguridad es ante todo en nuestras mentes. Este Salmo nos recuerda que Dios es nuestro auxiliar (vv.1-3) y conservador (VV. 4-8). Como ayudante, el creador del universo (v.2) nos ayuda a como nos viaje por la vida, nos da la seguridad y la estabilidad (v.3) necesitamos. Como guardián, Dios es el vigilante de vigilante, plenamente consciente de los acontecimientos de nuestras vidas, porque él nunca duerme (v.4). Esta realidad nos permite descansar en seguridad y serenidad (Salmos 3:5; 4:8; Proverbios 3:24).

Tener un día bendito.
Siempre el amor de Dios nuestro creador
La unidad y la paz

TRUST ME

TRUST ME

READ:
Psalm 121

When you pass through the
waters, I will be with you; and
through the rivers, they shall
not overflow you. -Isaiah 43:2

When I was a little girl, my aunt and uncle took me to Lake Michigan.  While some of my cousins ventured far out into the waves, I played close to shore.  Then my Uncle Norm asked me, "Can you swim?"  "No," I admitted.  "Don't worry," he said.  "I'll take you out there."  "But it's too deep,"  I protested.  "Just hang on to me,"  he assured me.  "Do you trust me?"  Then I took his hand and we began to walk farther out into the lake.

When my feet couldn't touch the bottom anymore, Uncle Norm held me up and reassured me, "I've got you.  I've got you." Then finally he said, "Okay, let your feet down.  You can stand here."  I was afraid because I thought we were still in deep water, but I trusted him and happily discovered that I was standing on a sandbar.

Have you ever been in so much despair that you felt as if you were sinking in deep water?  The difficulties of life can be oppressive.  God doesn't promise that we will escape the turbulent seas of life, but He does promise, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).

We can trust our faithful God to be there in all of our struggles.  "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you" (Isaiah 43:2). - Cindy Hess Kasper

God, give me the faith of a little child
A faith that will look to Thee-
That never will falter and ever fail,
But follow thee trustingly. -Showerman
*****************************************************
Before your burden overcomes you,
trust God to put His arms underneath you.

INSIGHT
Known also as the "traveler's Psalm," Psalm 121 is the second of 15 "song of ascents" (Psalm 120-134), sung by pilgrims as they made their way to Jerusalem to celebrate any of the three great annual feasts (Deuteronomy 16:16).  When we leave home for a journey, safety is foremost on our minds.  This psalm reminds us that God is our Helper (vv.1-3) and Keeper (vv. 4-8).  As Helper, the Creator of the universe (v.2) assists us as we journey through life, giving us the security and stability (v.3) we need.  As keeper, God is the vigilant watchman, fully aware of the events of our lives because He never sleeps (v.4).  This reality allows us to rest in safety and serenity (Psalms 3:5; 4:8; Proverbs 3:24).

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace

UN HERMOSO MOMENTO

UN HERMOSO MOMENTO

LECTURA:
Isaías 40:6-11

Toda carne es hierba y todos sus
lindura es como la flor
del campo. -Isaías 40:6

Un ajuste del obturador, y allí... fue un hermoso momento capturado en tiempo para la eternidad. El sol de verano se refleja en la onda de rotura hizo el aspecto de agua como oro líquido chapoteando en la orilla. Si mi amigo no hubiese estado allí con su cámara, la ola habría pasado desapercibida, como tantos otros que han llegado y pasado, visto sólo por Dios.

¿Quien puede imaginar cuántas olas Lago Michigan ha enviado rodando hacia la costa? Sin embargo, cada uno es único. Como se ve en cada ola, Dios hace extravagante belleza de las cosas aparentemente mundanas. Uso de agua y aire, que hace maravillosas obras de arte. Disfrutamos de su galería en el cielo por encima y en la tierra y mar a continuación. Pero la mayor parte de la belleza de la tierra sigue siendo invisible para nosotros; se ve sólo por Dios.

Dios utilizan otra galería para mostrar a sus Gloria-los seres humanos. También estamos hechos de algo ordinario polvo (Génesis 2:7). Pero para nosotros, añadió un extraordinario ingrediente su aliento muy propia (v.7). Como las olas del mar y las flores del campo (Isaías 40:6), nuestras vidas son breves y visto por muy pocos. Pero cada uno es un hermoso "momento" creado por Dios para decir al mundo, "He aquí, tu Dios!"cuya palabra durará para siempre (v.8).-Julie Ackerman Link

Sólo una vida, así lo viven bien,
Y mantener su vela recortados y brillante;
La eternidad, no tiempo, dirá
El radio de la luz de la vela.-Miller
******************************************
Cumplimos nuestro objetivo cuando servimos a nuestro creador.

INSIGHT
La fragilidad y la brevedad de la vida humana es reiterado anuncio gráficamente representada por metáforas de gemelos: marchitamiento de hierba y flores de decoloración (Isaías 40:6-8; Salmo 103:15-16). Contra este telón de fondo, habló de Isaías del gran amor de Dios se preocupa por su pueblo (Isaías 40:11). De manera similar, Jesús, apuntando a los lirios y la hierba del campo, reconocieron que aunque débil y frágil, la humanidad tiene un incalculable valor y significado incorruptible (Mateo 6:28-30). "Si entonces Dios ropa hasta la hierba, que hoy está en el campo y mañana se inicia en el horno, cuánto más tendrá que vestir te?" (Lucas 12:28).

Tener un día bendito.
Siempre el amor de Dios nuestro creador
La unidad y la paz