08 9 20 English Service

Matthew 14:12-21

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. 47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied. 52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

Totalmente suyos

¿Qué podrá separarnos del amor de Cristo? ¿Tribulación, angustia, persecución, hambre, desnudez, peligro, espada? Como está escrito: «Por causa de ti siempre nos llevan a la muerte, somos contados como ovejas de matadero.» Sin embargo, en todo esto somos más que vencedores por medio de aquel que nos amó. Por lo cual estoy seguro de que ni la muerte, ni la vida, ni los ángeles, ni los principados, ni las potestades, ni lo presente, ni lo por venir, ni lo alto, ni lo profundo, ni ninguna otra cosa creada nos podrá separar del amor que Dios nos ha mostrado en Cristo Jesús nuestro Señor. Romanos 8:35-39


En estos días, todos estamos experimentando algún tipo de desconexión de personas y lugares. Ya sea una separación del lugar de trabajo o del aula o de amigos y familiares, es una prueba. Muchos han tenido que estar separados de los seres queridos que están enfermos. Es probable que todos hayamos visto las imágenes conmovedoras de personas que mantienen su distancia y miran a un miembro de la familia o amigo a través de una ventana, para evitar todo posible contagio.

Para los creyentes, el estar alejados de la familia de la fe también tiene sus dificultades, pues al reunirnos en el Nombre de Jesús nos apoyamos y alentamos mutuamente (ver 1 Tesalonicenses 5:10-11; Hebreos 10:24-25; Colosenses 3:16). En el Credo Apostólico hablamos de “la santa iglesia cristiana, la comunión de los santos”, que nos eleva espiritualmente y nos une unos con otros. De una forma u otra, la reciente suspensión de los servicios religiosos ha impactado de alguna manera nuestra fe.

Qué bueno es saber que no hay nada que pueda interponerse entre Jesús y su amor por nosotros. Cualquier cosa que la vida nos presente (pruebas, persecución, un pandemia), estamos seguros en el amor inquebrantable e inmutable de Dios por sus criaturas. Él nos lo ha revelado claramente al enviar a su Hijo para salvarnos de nuestros pecados. Jesús vino específicamente para salvar la distancia que nos separaba de Dios. Haciéndose carne, Dios entró en nuestro mundo con el único propósito de traernos de regreso a Él para que nunca más estemos separados de Él.

En medio de la amenaza persistente de esta pandemia, aferrémonos a las riquezas que Dios nos ha dado. Nos ha reconciliado consigo mismo (ver 2 Corintios 5:18); nos ha dado todo lo que necesitamos para vivir una vida santa (ver 2 Pedro 1:3) y nos promete estar siempre con nosotros (ver Hebreos 13:5). Estas son las cosas que ha hecho por nosotros, sus hijos, personas que de ninguna manera podremos ser separadas del Dios que nos ama.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, recuérdanos por tu Espíritu Santo que estamos firmemente guardados y protegidos en tus manos. En el Nombre de Jesús oramos. Amén.

“Entirely His”

Romans 8:35-39 – Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For Your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

These days we’ve all had to experience some type of disconnect from people and places. Whether it’s a separation from the work place or from the classroom or from friends and family, it’s been an ordeal, to say the least. For many there’s been the very difficult situation of being apart from loved ones who are sick. We’ve likely all seen the poignant images of individuals keeping their distance and looking in on a family member or friend through a window—so as not to potentially spread any disease or get it from someone else.

For believers, separation from others in the family of faith has its own difficulties, too. We draw special strength from gathering together in the Name of Jesus (see 1 Thessalonians 5:10-11; Hebrews 10:24-25; Colossians 3:16). In the Apostles’ Creed, we speak of “the holy Christian church, the communion of saints,” which gives us spiritual uplift and fellowship with one another. And you may have noticed in your own life how the recent suspension of church services has impacted your faith in some ways.

How good it is to know that there is nothing that can come between Jesus and His love for us. Whatever life brings our way—trials, persecution, a worldwide virus—we are secure in God’s embracing and unchangeable love for His creatures. He has made that plainly known to us by sending His Son to save us from our sins. Jesus came specifically to bridge the distance that separated us from God. Having taken on our flesh and blood, God entered our world for the sole purpose of bringing us back to Him so that, never again, will we be separated from Him.

As you continue to deal with the persistent threat of this virus, lay hold of the riches God has given to us. He has reconciled us to Himself (see 2 Corinthians 5:18); He has given us all things we need to live a godly life (see 2 Peter 1:3); and He promises to be with us always (see Hebrews 13:5). These are the things He has done for us, His children, people who can in no way be separated from the God who loves them.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, remind us by Your Holy Spirit that we are firmly in Your hands. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Paul Schreiber.

Reflection Questions:

1. What’s the toughest part about being away from loved ones or friends?

2. How important is it to remember that nothing can separate us from God’s love?

3. How do you stay in touch with those who are not nearby and accessible?

Today’s Bible Readings: Psalms 33, 43, 66    Philippians 1

Nueva Directriz Estatal

Nuevas pautas estatales a partir del 17 de julio. No podemos ofrecer servicios dominicales en el santuario de la iglesia. 9 am y 10:30 am Los servicios de adoración se transmitirán en línea. Aún no se han programado actividades adicionales en el campus. Únase a nosotros en Facebook en la Iglesia Luterana Trinity Cristo Rey o en nuestro sitio web en trinitycristorey.org.