ACTING IN FAITH

Today's promise: God's Word is powerful

Acting in faith

That is why we live by believing and not by seeing.

2 Corinthians 5:7 NLT

You honor Jesus when you act in faith on His Word.

Ed Cole

Fertile lives

Most of us try to get through life on human wisdom. Some of us succeed. Others of us make so many mistakes that we die with innumerable regrets. If only we could get guidance from above, we would get this "life" stuff right. If only we could hear the voice of the One who knows. If only.

The truth is that we can. The Voice has spoken. His words are available to us. But there's a catch. We have to be willing to obey it. Otherwise, we won't have what Jesus calls "ears to hear." Those who obey what they already know of God have their ears opened to more; and those who have ears open are readily obedient.

The root of the problem is that most of us have trouble, however minor it may be, with obedience. We lose our "ears to hear," and as a result, we fall back on human wisdom. Our lives never match those of the biblical heroes. Why? Human wisdom would not have pushed Abraham up a hill to sacrifice his son; it would not have led God's people to the edge of the Red Sea with an army in pursuit; it would not have marched around Jericho seven times and blasted a trumpet for the wall to fall; and, most strikingly, human wisdom would not have vilified the Son of God on a cross in order to save a wretched race.

Really, when it comes to it, would you prefer to live by the human logic that results from losing your ears to hear? Or would you prefer the cutting-edge, risky-but-real life of a true, radical believer? The answer isn't clear for everyone. But we've seen who lasts. Your Bible is full of their stories. They lived by faith, not by sight.

Adapted from The One Year® Walk with God Devotional by Chris Tiegreen, Tyndale House Publishers (2004), entry for May 30.

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

WATCH THE LORD RESCUE YOU

Today's promise: God's timing is perfect

Watch the Lord rescue you

The Lord continued to strengthen Pharaoh's resolve, and he chased after the people of Israel who had escaped so defiantely. All the forces of Pharaoh's army — all his horses, chariots, and charioteers — were used in the chase.…

As Pharaoh and his army approached, the people of Israel could see them in the distance, marching toward them. The people began to panic, and they cried out to the Lord for help.

Then they turned against Moses and complained, "Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren't there enough graves for us in Egypt? Why did you make us leave? Didn't we tell you to leave us alone while we were still in Egypt? Our Egyptian slavery was better than dying out here in the wilderness!"

But Moses told the people, "Don't be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the Lord rescue you. The Egyptians that you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. You won't have to lift a finger in your defense!"

Exodus 14:8-14 NLT

Bearing down

Whatever your worries are today, they probably do not top the 600 Egyptian war chariots bearing down on the children of Israel! Trapped between the mountains and the sea, the people forgot the God who had delivered them from the Pharaoh's hand, and they cried out in despair. But Moses, who focused on the promise of God, stood firm in his hope. When we face our "chariots," it is quite normal to feel anxiety and fear. But when we remember God's faithfulness and his ability to bring good out of any situation, we find our fears calmed and our confidence renewed.

from TouchPoint Bible commentaries by Ron Beers and Gilbert Beers (Tyndale) p 62

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

GETTING IT RIGHT ON THE INSIDE

GETTING IT RIGHT ON THE INSIDE

READ:
Jonah 4

Then the LORD said, "Is it
right for you to be angry?"
-Jonah 4:4

I love the story of Jonah!  It's full of drama and important life lessons. 

After stubbornly refusing to do God's will, Jonah finally preached a revival service in Nineveh that would have made him one of the most successful missionaries of his time.  When the people repented and turned from their wicked ways-and when God relented and turned from His anger against them-you would have expected Jonah to rejoice.  Instead, he was angry that God was merciful.  Why?  Although he was finally obeying God by doing the right thing in the right place, he was deeply flawed on the inside.

Like Jonah, if we are not careful, we can be spiritulally "looking good" on the outside, but far from God in our hearts.  He is most interested in what we are like on the inside.  His Word is "sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit"  (Hebrew 4:12).  With it, He performs divine surgery to remove the greed, dishonesty, hatred, pride, and selfishness that live in the deep shadows of our hearts.

So the next time the Holy Spirit convicts you and asks you about your bad attitude (see Jonah 4:4) - listen carefully.  Surrender and let Him change you from the inside out. -Joe Stowell

I confess, heavenly Father, that I know what it's like
to be more concerned about my outward obedience
than my inner rebellion.  I want to look good to others.
Forgive me.  Change me and make me pure within.
*********************************************
If God controls you on the inside,
you'll be genuine on the outside.

INSIGHT
In Jonah 4, God used several elements of creation (plant, worn, and wind) to teach His frustrated servant.  God frequently uses ordinary things to teach extraordinary lessons about Himself and His love (for example, Jesus' use of parables).

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

NUNCA DECEPCIONADO

Promesa de hoy: tiempo de Dios es perfecto

Nunca decepcionado

Todos los días pido a usted, mi Dios, pero no responde. Cada noche se escucha mi voz, pero no encontrar ningún alivio. Aún eres Santo. Las alabanzas de Israel rodean su trono. Nuestros antepasados confiaron en usted y rescató. Escuchó sus gritos pidiendo ayuda y guardado. Confían en TI y nunca fueron decepcionados.

Salmo 22:2-5 NLT

El traductor fugitivo

William Tyndale nació alrededor de 1494 y educado primero en Oxford, donde fue ordenado en el sacerdocio, a continuación, en Cambridge, donde se unió a la reforma. Se convenció de que Inglaterra no podría nunca ser evangelizado utilizando Biblias latín. Esfuerzos de Tyndale obtener permiso para traducir la Biblia al inglés fueron infructuosos, por lo que dejó a Inglaterra.

Su primer nuevo testamento inglés fue impreso en Alemania en 1525. Como Biblias inglés de Tyndale se introdujeron de contrabando en Inglaterra, el arzobispo de Canterbury y el obispo de Londres comenzaron a atacarlo ferozmente. En el 18 de junio de 1528 Thomas Wolsey, el cardenal inglés, ordenó el arresto y extradición a Inglaterra de Tyndale. Tardó siete años le rastrear y, a continuación, pasó 18 meses en un calabozo del castillo frío.

Tyndale, en sus principios de los cuarenta, fue encontrado culpable y condenado a muerte como hereje. Refiriéndose a la oposición del rey a su Biblia, Tyndale dijo: "Señor, abrir el rey de los ojos de Inglaterra".

El año en que murió Tyndale, hubo dos Biblias inglés con su traducción del Nuevo Testamento. Cuando se presentó a Enrique VIII, el rey, no darse cuenta figuran trabajos de Tyndale, proclamó, "En nombre de Dios dejarlo ir al extranjero entre la gente."

Traducciones de la Biblia de Tyndale fueron su legado duradero. Que fueron tan bien hecho que hicieron hasta 90 por ciento de la redacción de la versión de King James publicada casi cien años más tarde.

Adaptado de El libro de ® de un año de la historia de Christian por Michael e. y Sharon Rusten (Tyndale, 2003), entrada para el 18 de junio.

Contenido se deriva de la Santa Biblia, nueva traducción viven y otras publicaciones de Editorial Tyndale

NEVER DISAPPOINTED

Today's promise: God's timing is perfect

Never disappointed

Every day I call to you, my God, but, you do not answer. Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief. Yet you are holy. The praises of Israel surround your throne. Our ancestors trusted in you, and you rescued them. You heard their cries for help and saved them. They put their trust in you and were never disappointed.

Psalm 22:2-5 NLT

 

The fugitive translator

William Tyndale was born about 1494 and educated first at Oxford, where he was ordained into the priesthood, then at Cambridge, where he joined the Reformation. He became convinced that England would never be evangelized using Latin Bibles. Tyndale's efforts to get permission to translate the Bible into English were unsuccessful, so he left England.

His first English New Testament was printed in Germany in 1525. As Tyndale's English Bibles were smuggled into England, the archbishop of Canterbury and the bishop of London began attacking him fiercely. On June 18, 1528 Thomas Wolsey, the English cardinal, ordered Tyndale's arrest and extradition to England. It took seven years to track him down, then spent eighteen months in a cold castle dungeon.
Tyndale, in his early forties, was found guilty and condemned to death as a heretic. Referring to the king's opposition to his English Bible, Tyndale said, "Lord, open the king of England's eyes."

The year that Tyndale died, there were two English Bibles containing his translation of the New Testament. When presented to Henry VIII, the king, not realizing it contained Tyndale's work, proclaimed, "In God's name let it go abroad among the people."

Tyndale's Bible translations were his lasting legacy. They were so well done that they made up 90 percent of the wording of the King James Version published nearly one hundred years later.

Adapted from The One Year® Book of Christian History by E. Michael and Sharon Rusten (Tyndale, 2003), entry for June 18.

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

DISCURSO DESCUIDADO

DISCURSO DESCUIDADO

LECTURA:
James 3:1-12

Quien tiene conocimiento de repuestos
sus palabras y un hombre de
la comprensión es una calma
espíritu. -Proverbios 17:27

Cuando mi esposa y yo estábamos visitando una iglesia para un programa musical especial, llegamos temprano para conseguir un buen asiento. Antes de que comenzara el programa, nos escuchó a dos miembros sentados detrás nos quejando de su iglesia. Criticaban el personal pastoral, liderazgo, música, las prioridades del Ministerio y varias otras cosas que les hizo infeliz. Eran despreocupados sobre o ajenos a la presencia de dos visitantes en su medio.

Se me ocurrió que su lamentable conversación podría han empujado nos distancia si estábamos buscando un nuevo hogar iglesia. Peor aún, ¿qué pasa si estábamos buscando Dios y sus opiniones descontentos había expulsados nos? Su discurso descuidado no era sólo una cuestión de las palabras que utilizaban o actitudes que muestran, también demostró su falta de preocupación por el impacto que podrían tener esas palabras en otros.

Un mejor enfoque para el uso de palabras se refleja en proverbios 17:27, donde dice Salomón, "quien tiene conocimiento de repuestos sus palabras, y un hombre de entendimiento es un espíritu tranquilo." A menudo, lo haríamos mejor no quiere para decir que todos los que pensamos o saber (o creemos saber), pero en su lugar pretenden utilizar palabras que promueven la paz y la calma. Nunca se sabe quién puede estar escuchando. -Bill Crowder

Señor, necesito tu ayuda que podría controlar
mis pensamientos y palabras hoy. Quiero ser un
bendición a los demás, levantarlos que ellos puedan
ver tu bondad. Amén.
*****************************************
Es mejor que la discreción del discurso
elocuencia con palabras.

INSIGHT
Para introducir el poder de la lengua, James discute la mayor responsabilidad de quienes llenar el papel de maestro espiritual (vv.1-2). El papel del profesor es dificultado por la mayor rendición de cuentas tienen que vivir constantemente lo que enseñan.

Tener un día bendito.

Siempre el amor de Dios nuestro creador

La unidad y la paz

CARELESS SPEECH

CARELESS SPEECH

READ:
James 3:1-12

He who has knowledge spares
his words, and a man of
understanding is of a calm
spirit.  -Proverbs 17:27

When my wife and I were visiting a church for a special musical program, we arrived early to get a good seat.  Before the program began, we overheard two members seated behind us complaining about their church.  They criticized the pastoral staff, leadership, music, ministry priorities, and several other things that made them unhappy.  They were either unconcerned about or oblivious to the presence of two visitors in their midst.

It occurred to me that their unfortunate conversation could have pushed us away if we were there looking for a new church home.  Worse, what if we were seeking God and their disgruntled opinions had driven us away?  Their careless speech was not just a matter of the words they used or attitudes they displayed, it also demonstrated their lack of concern for the impact those words could have on others.

A better approach to the use of words is reflected in Proverbs 17:27, where Solomon said, "He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit."  Most often, we would do better not to say all we think or know (or think we know), but instead seek to use words that promote calm and peace.  You never know who may be listening.  -Bill Crowder

Lord, I need Your help that I might control
my thoughts and words today.  I want to be a
blessing to others, to lift them up that they might
see Your goodness.  Amen.
*****************************************
Discretion of speech is better than
eloquence with words.

INSIGHT
To introduce the power of the tongue, James discusses the heightened responsibility of those who fill the role of spiritual teacher (vv.1-2).  The role of teacher is made difficult by the greater accountability they have to consistently live what they teach.

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