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sexta-feira, 3 de janeiro de 2014

Daily Devotional - English ( Devocional diária em inglês)

A FIRST BOOK OF DAILY READINGS

by D. Martin Lloyd-Jones (selected by Frank Cumbers)

...God sitteth on the throne
And ruleth all things well!

Things do not just happen. Events are not just accidental, for there is a definite plan of history and everything has been pre-arranged from the beginning. God who "sees the end from the beginning" has a purpose in it all, and knows "the times and the seasons." He knows when to bless Israel and when not to bless her. Everything is under His hand.

It was "when the fullness of the time was come" that God sent forth His Son. He allowed the great philosophers, with the clarification of thought, to come first. Then emerged the Romans, famous for ordered government, building their roads and spreading their wonderful legal system throughout the world. It was after this that God sent forth His Son. God had planned it all.

There is a purpose in history, and what is now happening in this twentieth century is not accidental. Remembering that the Church is at the center of God's plan, let us never forget the pride and arrogance of the Church in the nineteenth century. Behold her sitting back in self-satisfaction, enjoying her so-called cultured sermons and learned ministry, feeling just a little ashamed to mention such things as conversion and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Observe the prosperous Victorian comfortably enjoying his worship. Note his faith in science and his readiness to substitute philosophy for revelation.... Yes, the Church needed chastisement, and it is not at all difficult to understand this twentieth century when we consider the story of the nineteenth. There is indeed a plan discernible in all these things.

God does not stop to consult us, and everything takes place according to "the counsel of His own will." God has His time; He has His own way; and He acts and works accordingly.

From Fear to Faith, pp. 22-3

segunda-feira, 12 de novembro de 2012

Daily Devotional - English ( Devocional diária em inglês)

Daily Devotional

November 12

Twilight: From God to Slave

by the Rev. Andrew Kuyvenhoven

Monthly Theme:

Philippians is Paul's love letter. The epistle is also a good instrument for learning the secret of this great man. Paul considered living Christ and dying gain. And, although he wrote from a prison cell, his refrain was "Rejoice in the Lord always."

Bible Reading:
Philippians 2:5–11

Bible Text:
Though he was in the form of God ... he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave (Phil. 2:6–7, NRSV).

Devotional:

Our first parents disobeyed God and believed the devil when he told them that they would be equal to the Almighty One. Our Savior's behavior was exactly the opposite of Adam's and Eve's. The Son of God was equal with God. But he did not cling to his privileged position. He "emptied himself" or "made himself nothing." He laid off his royal robe. He was among us "in the form" or "in the very nature" of a slave, a servant.

He saved us, and he showed us the way to live. The attitude of Christ is the "mind" we must have. Unless we humble ourselves, we destroy ourselves and each other.

Christ's humility is the first great characteristic that we must imitate. He took on the lowest position in humanity, "the form of a slave." He washed our feet. He helped and healed us. Now it is our joy to help others. We aren't here, as the world says, to look out for numero uno. Rather Christ has reversed the natural direction of our ambition. And the church is in the world to serve others, just as Christ did.

The second characteristic we must adopt as our own is Christ's obedience: "He became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Jesus did not want to die. "If possible, Father, let it pass," he prayed in Gethsemane. But he gave up his will to do his Father's will.

Our humility and obedience prove that we know Jesus.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this edition of Twilight are from the New International Version

sábado, 3 de novembro de 2012

Daily Devotional - English ( Devocional diária em inglês)

Daily Devotional

November 3

Twilight: The Great but Unfinished Work

by the Rev. Andrew Kuyvenhoven

Monthly Theme:

Philippians is Paul's love letter. The epistle is also a good instrument for learning the secret of this great man. Paul considered living Christ and dying gain. And, although he wrote from a prison cell, his refrain was "Rejoice in the Lord always."

Bible Reading:

Philippians 1:1–6

Bible Text:

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil. 1:6).

Devotional:

Through the gospel God has begun "a good work" in all of us. But none of us has yet arrived.

In the meantime we share the discipline of God's grace. We are like classmates in school: We undertake the same studies, and we get the same training for the same goal. Yet all of us are imperfect this side of graduation.

Intimate knowledge of each other's shortcomings may cause us to lose respect for each other. "She may call herself a Christian, but she's got quite a mouth on her." Imperfections in other Christians get on our nerves.

But look at it this way: imperfections in Christians show that Christ's work in us is incomplete. Every one of us can see such an incomplete product in the mirror.

God does not excuse these flaws. He works on them. And he wants us to work on them too. But our Maker doesn't suspend fellowship with us until we reach perfection. And neither may we suspend fellowship with each other because of our flaws.

People leave a lot of unfinished business when they die. But God always finishes what he has begun. While we work diligently in God's school, we are "confident of this, that he who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

That will be graduation day. And our perfection will be not an accomplishment but a gift.

sexta-feira, 2 de novembro de 2012

Daily Devotional - English ( Devocional diária em inglês)

Daily Devotional

November 2

Twilight: Fellowship in the Gospel

by the Rev. Andrew Kuyvenhoven

Monthly Theme:

Philippians is Paul's love letter. The epistle is also a good instrument for learning the secret of this great man. Paul considered living Christ and dying gain. And, although he wrote from a prison cell, his refrain was "Rejoice in the Lord always."

Bible Reading:
Philippians 1:3–5

Bible Text:
... joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now (Phil. 1:5 ).

Devotional:

Philippians is Paul's love letter. He writes to Christians who supported him and his ministry by prayers and gifts. With them, Paul had a "fellowship" or "partnership" in the gospel.

We use the word "fellowship" mostly for a friendly atmosphere in a public building, enhanced by the consumption of food and drink. Most of us like and all of us need such social occasions. But "fellowship" is also something deeper.

It's a common bond of interest that brings and holds a group together. For example, there is fellowship between revolutionaries in their secret meetings or among people who share a very strong interest in motorcycles or computers. Similarly Christians have a fellowship in the gospel of Christ.

Our enjoyment of the gospel is not the only thing we have in common. We also share an interest in activities that spread the gospel. So when Paul refers to the "partnership in the gospel" that he shares with the Philippians, he means that his brothers and sisters in this church have an interest as strong as his own in spreading the good news. They'll put life and limb on the line to keep and promote the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I like to believe that all readers of this page share with me that same all-consuming interest in the gospel. There's nothing greater than having a "partnership in the gospel." It binds us forever—and closer than flesh and blood.

quinta-feira, 1 de novembro de 2012

Daily Devotional - English ( Devocional diária em inglês)

Daily Devotional

November 1

Twilight: A Letter to the Saints

by the Rev. Andrew Kuyvenhoven

Monthly Theme:

Bible Reading:

Philippians 1:1–3

Bible Text:

Paul and Timothy ... to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi together with the overseers and deacons... (Phil. 1:1).

Devotional:

Paul is in prison, probably at Rome. Timothy, his spiritual son and fellow evangelist is with him, although not a prisoner. The Christians in the town of Philippi had sent a gift to Paul. Now Paul sends this letter thanking his friends for the gift. Later, this letter to the Philippians became a part of the sacred writings through which the church of God knows the truth.

Paul calls himself and Timothy simply "servants of Christ Jesus." That title says it all.

He calls the church members "saints"—that is, holy people. In the Bible a person and a church are holy not because they have managed to make themselves noticed by their high moral standards and godly behavior, but because God has set them apart from other people. Once we are set apart, we try to honor God by our moral excellence. But don't reverse that order.

They are saints "in Christ Jesus." They believe in Christ and have been baptized in his name. They are holy because they belong to Jesus Christ.

Paul also mentions the "bishops" (overseers), a position originally the same as our office of elder, and "deacons." Elders (or bishops) and deacons (or helpers) should serve in every church of the saints.

That's the God-ordained way to preserve the grace and the peace that have come to us from God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published in 1994. This edition is copyright by Faith Alive Christian Resources, from whom may be ordered Daylight, the predecessor of Twilight.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this edition of Twilight are from the New International Version

quarta-feira, 31 de outubro de 2012

Daily Devotional - English ( Devocional diária em inglês)

Daily Devotional

October 31

Twilight: The Great Invitation

by the Rev. Andrew Kuyvenhoven

Monthly Theme:

Isaiah's God is the Holy One of Israel. In God's presence we have to be morally clean. God has chosen his Servant, who will rule in righteousness in a kingdom of peace.

Bible Reading:

Isaiah 55:1–5

Bible Text:

"Come, all who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk" (lsa. 55:1).

Devotional:

Nothing in the Old Testament comes closer to the New Testament gospel than this part of Isaiah. In chapter 53 the faithful servant obtains our salvation by giving his life as an offering for our sins. And in today's passage God opens wide the doors and invites the world to the joy of his salvation.

Four times he says, "Come!" All who will ever participate in the salvation of God must obey this call. "Come!"

God uses seven more commands in this short passage: "Buy! Eat! Listen! Listen! Give ear! Come! Hear!"

All these commands indicate essentially the same thing. And everyone in this world is personally responsible to react accordingly and obey the gracious call of the gospel. You and I must come and eat. We must hear and obey and be persuaded and go—all through the same door, all to God. The door is Jesus. And God's gift of salvation is presented under the symbols of water, which stands for the basic need of humanity; milk, which is more special; and wine, which makes it a feast.

God calls us to the banquet of salvation. He urges us to come, telling us not to foolishly try to buy with money what can be had only by grace.

No money can ever buy life. But they who believe the gospel will have life eternally.

segunda-feira, 29 de outubro de 2012

Daily Devotional - English ( Devocional diária em inglês)

Daily Devotional

October 29

Twilight: God's Plan of Salvation

by the Rev. Andrew Kuyvenhoven

Monthly Theme:

Isaiah's God is the Holy One of Israel. In God's presence we have to be morally clean. God has chosen his Servant, who will rule in righteousness in a kingdom of peace.

Bible Reading:

Isaiah 53:7–12

Bible Text:

When you (the LORD) make his life an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring and prolong his days (Isa. 53:10, NRSV).

Devotional:

In these final stanzas of the song about the suffering servant, we gain some great perspectives. This innocent man was not merely a victim of human hatred. God demanded his death. "It was the Lord's will to crush him."

We also learn that his death had a particular purpose: God considered his servant's death a "sin offering." That sets this death apart from all other tragedies. It puts it on the same level as the Old Testament guilt offerings of animals. In the temple such offerings happened all the time. Someone would lay his or her hands on the animal and surrender the sacrifice in order to receive forgiveness and cleansing.

God accepted the servant's death as an offering for the sin and guilt of others. So, the servant was a priest. He himself was the sacrifice. And the watching world became the congregation for whom the Priest made atonement.

The death was in God's plan of salvation. Therefore this death was not the end of a good life, but a finished assignment and a new beginning: "he shall see his offspring"; "he will see the light of life"; "my righteous servant will justify many."

We read this Scripture in the light of the New Testament. After his resurrection Christ began to harvest what he sowed in his death. You and I belong to the great multitude for whom "he poured out his life unto death."

We belong to the transgressors for whom he prayed.

quarta-feira, 24 de outubro de 2012

Daily Devotional - English ( Devocional diária em inglês)

Daily Devotional

October 24

Twilight: The Restoration of Israel

by the Rev. Andrew Kuyvenhoven

Monthly Theme:

Isaiah's God is the Holy One of Israel. In God's presence we have to be morally clean. God has chosen his Servant, who will rule in righteousness in a kingdom of peace.

Bible Reading:

Isaiah 49:8–13

Bible Text:

"In the day of salvation I will help you ... to say to the captives 'Come out,' and to those in darkness, 'Be free!' " (Isa. 49:8–9).

Devotional:

"In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you," says God.

God promises that there will be a second great deliverance. Just as God's people once walked out of their chains in Egypt, so there will be another "exodus." On that day God will order the captives to "come out!" and those who sit in darkness to "be free!"—to join in the celebration of the Year of Jubilee (or: "the time of God's favor").

When will this prophecy come true?

This great hour is now, says the apostle Paul. "I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2). The great restoration began with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

That means you and I are living in the day of the great ingathering, which is also called the restoration of Israel. During this time more children of Israel have had their natural birth outside of the Jewish family. "The children born during your bereavement," O Jerusalem, are numerous. And mother Jerusalem says: "I was bereaved and barren ... but these—where have they come from?" (49:21).

Some say that another "day of grace" is still coming for the ingathering of the Jews. But Paul was not counting on it, and neither should we.

This is the hour for all Jews and Gentiles to become Christians. Come out of captivity! Let Christ set you free!

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published in 1994. This edition is copyright by Faith Alive Christian Resources, from whom may be ordered Daylight, the predecessor of Twilight.
A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this edition of Twilight are from the New International Version

terça-feira, 23 de outubro de 2012

Daily Devotional - English ( Devocional diária em inglês)

Daily Devotional

October 23

Twilight: The Servant of the LORD

by the Rev. Andrew Kuyvenhoven

Monthly Theme:

Isaiah's God is the Holy One of Israel. In God's presence we have to be morally clean. God has chosen his Servant, who will rule in righteousness in a kingdom of peace.

Bible Reading:

Isaiah 49:1–7

Bible Text:

"I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth" (lsa. 49:6).

Devotional:

"Who is the servant of the Lord in the poems of Isaiah?" (Isa. 42–53). That's a question you'll want to consider in your study of Isaiah.

It's the same question once asked by a man who traveled from the heart of Africa to the city of Jerusalem. The man was sitting in a chauffeured vehicle, the Cadillac of chariots, and he was reading Isaiah 53. "Who is the servant?" he said. "Is the prophet talking about himself or someone else?" (Acts 8:33).

Philip the evangelist helped the man see that the "servant" is Jesus. But from our own study we know that the "servant" is also sometimes Israel, sometimes the remnant of Israel, sometimes the prophet as a picture of Christ.

And sometimes that servant is us.

We call Isaiah 43:6 the great commission of the Old Testament: The servant must be a light for the Gentiles and bring salvation to the ends of the earth. At first that servant was Israel, but Israel was unable to complete the task. Only Jesus could fulfill the commission of Israel. Simeon called him the "light for revelation to the Gentiles" (Luke 2:32).

God's suffering "servant Jesus" has now been glorified, said Peter (Acts 3:13). But he gave us his Spirit. Today the light that brings the knowledge of salvation to a dark world is carried by the restored Israel, God's people in Christ Jesus. They fulfill the great commission of the Old Testament, says Paul: "I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth" (Acts 13:47).

segunda-feira, 22 de outubro de 2012

Daily Devotional - English ( Devocional diária em inglês)

Daily Devotional

October 22

Twilight: God Gave an Assignment to Cyrus

by the Rev. Andrew Kuyvenhoven

Monthly Theme:

Isaiah's God is the Holy One of Israel. In God's presence we have to be morally clean. God has chosen his Servant, who will rule in righteousness in a kingdom of peace.

Bible Reading:

Isaiah 45:1–4

Bible Text:

"This is what the LORD says to his anointed, to Cyrus whose right hand I take hold of...." (Isa. 45:1).

Devotional:

Cyrus founded the Persian empire. He conquered Babylon in the year 539 B.C. In the book of Daniel we know his kingdom as that "of the Medes and Persians." In the book of Ezra we read about Cyrus's decree that allowed the Jews to return to the ruins of Jerusalem. And through Isaiah we learn something about the relationship between God and Cyrus.

God calls Cyrus "my shepherd" (44:28) and even my "anointed" (45: 1). "Anointed" has the same meaning as "Messiah." It was David's title and the name of our Lord Jesus. Most of us are a little shocked when we discover that God calls the pagan emperor Cyrus his "Messiah."

God says that he helped Cyrus conquer the world "for the sake of Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen." God put into Cyrus' heart the idea to reverse the policy of the Assyrians and Babylonians. Cyrus allowed the exiled tribes to resettle in their own countries. By order of Cyrus (and his successors) the remnant of the Jewish exiles returned home and rebuilt Jerusalem.

This is a very comforting revelation. God overrules the rulers of the world. The sovereign God moves the pieces on the board as a grand master in chess.

The course of history remains inscrutable to us. But we have the assurance that no upheaval in this world can ruin God's plan. Even our opponents are instruments in the Lord's hand.

sábado, 20 de outubro de 2012

Daily Devotional - English ( Devocional diária em inglês)

October 20

Twilight: God's Promised Presence

by the Rev. Andrew Kuyvenhoven

Monthly Theme:

Isaiah's God is the Holy One of Israel. In God's presence we have to be morally clean. God has chosen his Servant, who will rule in righteousness in a kingdom of peace.

Bible Reading:
Isaiah 43:1–7

Bible Text:

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you ... When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned" (Isa. 43:2).

Devotional:

If you belong to Christ, the promise of this text is for you. Originally God spoke these words to Israel—or to the remnant of that nation. "I created and formed you as my own nation;' the Lord said, "and I promise not to forsake you in the floods and in the fire." "I'd rather give up three Gentile nations as the price of keeping you." "I love you; I have called you by your name; you are mine."

All these things God has said to us in Christ. He did not give up other nations for us, but he gave up his own Son as a ransom to make us his own. He called us by name and baptized us into his Name. No power in heaven or on earth can separate us from God's love in Christ Jesus.

This doesn't mean that we will never have to go through deep waters. We may have to walk through the fire, so to speak. Anyone who says that God has promised to keep us from pain, danger, hard trials, and unwelcome sufferings is not being true to God's Word. God has never promised us an easy journey.

However, God does say here that when we pass through the waters, he will be with us. When we go through the river, we will not drown. And when we walk through the fire, we will not be consumed, because God himself will be with us.

There may be a tough road ahead, but we travel with God.

We may get into deep water, but we will not be alone.