The Daily Lectionary for MONDAY, July 1, 2019

A New Commandment
1 John 2:7-11

The Daily Lectionary

MONDAY, July 1, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Psalm 75

Thanksgiving for God’s Wondrous Deeds
To the leader: Do Not Destroy. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song.
1  We give thanks to you, O God;
     we give thanks; your name is near.
   People tell of your wondrous deeds.

2  At the set time that I appoint
     I will judge with equity.
3  When the earth totters, with all its inhabitants,
     it is I who keep its pillars steady.   Selah
4  I say to the boastful, “Do not boast,”
     and to the wicked, “Do not lift up your horn;
5  do not lift up your horn on high,
     or speak with insolent neck.”

6  For not from the east or from the west
     and not from the wilderness comes lifting up;
7  but it is God who executes judgment,
     putting down one and lifting up another.
8  For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup
     with foaming wine, well mixed;
   he will pour a draught from it,
     and all the wicked of the earth
     shall drain it down to the dregs.
9  But I will rejoice forever;
     I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

10 All the horns of the wicked I will cut off,
     but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.

2 Kings 2:15-22

2:15 When the company of prophets who were at Jericho saw him at a distance, they declared, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” They came to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. 16 They said to him, “See now, we have fifty strong men among your servants; please let them go and seek your master; it may be that the spirit of the Lord has caught him up and thrown him down on some mountain or into some valley.” He responded, “No, do not send them.” 17 But when they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send them.” So they sent fifty men who searched for three days but did not find him. 18 When they came back to him (he had remained at Jericho), he said to them, “Did I not say to you, Do not go?”

Elisha Performs Miracles
19 Now the people of the city said to Elisha, “The location of this city is good, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful.” 20 He said, “Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. 21 Then he went to the spring of water and threw the salt into it, and said, “Thus says the Lord, I have made this water wholesome; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it.” 22 So the water has been wholesome to this day, according to the word that Elisha spoke.

1 John 2:7-11

A New Commandment
2:7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word that you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new commandment that is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 Whoever says, “I am in the light,” while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. 10 Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates another believer is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has brought on blindness.

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
Whoever says, “I am in the light,” while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness.

The Morning Prayer for MONDAY, July 1, 2019

Monday morning prayer

Lord,

Sometimes, Monday can be a hard day. Dreaded on Sunday and fled from on a Friday. Yet why Lord as Monday could be the beginning of a work adventure, the new challenge of a week filled with potential? So I pray you would help me to embrace this day.

Let it be a new day and a wonder day. Help me to see not the clouds but the sunrise, not the rain but the ripples of falling drops. Show me the joy of the embrace with loved ones, not the tensions and troubles. Monday need not be the grudge day to be endured but the fun day to be embraced.

This day, help me to turn my eyes towards your Kingdom, of love, hope and new beginnings. Amen.

Verse of the Day MONDAY, July 1, 2019

Romans 12:3 (NIV) For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

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 - Monday, July 1, 2019

Seamos instrumentos

Todo lo que te viniere a la mano para hacer, hazlo según tus fuerzas.

~ Eclesiastés 9:10, RV-60

Me tomé la tarea de investigar lo que es un instrumento musical y llegué a esta conclusión: Un instrumento musical es un conjunto de piezas que se disponen en un todo de manera que un intérprete logre producir sonidos musicales. Si lo analizamos, es posible que de cualquier objeto se pueda obtener sonidos. Sin embargo, para que sea musical, el sonido que produce debe combinar la melodía, el ritmo y la armonía.

Dejando este análisis a un lado, quiero hacer un paralelo a lo que nosotros podemos ser en las manos de Dios. La Palabra nos enseña que a todos se nos han dado dones y talentos. Muchas veces ni sabemos que los tenemos. Así que un día alguien nos los descubre o nosotros mismos nos damos cuenta que ciertas cosas que hacemos nos salen bien y le gustan a la gente.

Si un instrumento musical es un conjunto de piezas que se combinan para producir sonidos melódicos, rítmicos y armónicos, tú y yo tenemos esa combinación perfecta para poner en acción el don que puso Dios en nosotros.

Además, si a diferencia de que en principio cualquier cosa que produzca sonido puede ser un instrumento, te recuerdo que tú no eres cualquier cosa, sino que eres un hijo de Dios creado a su imagen y semejanza.

Valórate y pídele al Señor que te revele cuál es ese talento y empieza a desarrollarlo ya.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Me tomé la tarea de investigar lo que es un instrumento musical y llegué a esta conclusión ...

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Monday, July 1, 2019

MYSTERY

He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ…

~ Ephesians 1:9 (NIV)

Human beings always want to know “why?” and “why not now?” But it’s precisely because we are human we cannot know. That’s why mystery is so important to understand. The entire book of Job is all about the “why” of suffering and in the end God invites Job to see a bigger picture than even his suffering.

Creation is a mistake if all you see is your suffering. But if you lift your eyes wider and let your gaze roam over the whole universe with God, you can also see that creation has even more beauty and grace.

So we are to value mystery because it enables us to feel God’s love…love that was fully revealed in Christ.

Sometimes we get to see “why?” and “why not now?” (one of the good aspects of growing older). Often we don’t because we are the players of life in the universe, not the playwright.

Christine Mallouhi in her excellent book, Waging Peace on Islam, makes this significant conclusion:

The victorious and triumphant Christian life does not conjure up pictures of suffering and death and feelings of abandonment. But this was all part of God's victory in Christ. If this was the path the Master trod why should it be any different for the servants? Jesus cried out "why?" and "where are you?" to God when circumstances were crushing him. God is always greater than our understanding of him and there will always be mystery about him that causes us to fall down in awe and worship. This mystery, which we want to tidily categories, keeps causing struggles in our life. Every time we get God tidied up like a ball of rubber bands, another end bursts out and the struggle begins over again, until we learn to live in faith with untidy ends. If everything is clear then faith is irrelevant. We are not called to solve the mystery, but enter it.[1]

RESPONSE: Today I will value mystery because it enables me to feel God’s love.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord that though the world around us if full of suffering, it is more full of beauty and grace. Help me to trust You and value mystery.

1. Christine Mallouhi, Waging Peace on Islam (Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2000), p.52.

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

Women of the Bible - Monday, July 1, 2019

Jezebel

Her name means: "Where Is the Prince?"

Her character: A religious woman, she spread idolatry throughout Israel. Powerful, cunning, and arrogant, she actively opposed God, even in the face of indisputable proofs of his sovereignty.
Her triumph: To have enhanced her own power at the expense of others.
Her tragedy: Her arrogance led to a shameless death.
Key Scriptures: 1 Kings 16:29-33; 18:1-19:2; 21:1-25; 2 Kings 9

Her Story

Jezebel was a Phoenician princess, daughter of the priest-king of Sidon. Married to King Ahab, she reigned as queen in northern Israel one hundred years after David's death and sixty years after Israel split into northern and southern kingdoms just after Solomon's death.

A woman of great conviction and unwavering devotion, Jezebel's ardent worship was directed not to the God of Israel but to the pagan fertility god Baal, thought to control the rain and hence the harvest. So determined was she to convert Israel to her own religion that she hunted down and killed all the prophets she could lay hands on, replacing them with 850 of her own.

Despite Jezebel's efforts, one prophet had escaped her, and he was the most annoying of all. His name was Elijah, which meant "My God Is Yahweh." By contrast, Jezebel meant "Where Is the Prince (Baal)?" or "The Prince (Baal) Exists." Inevitably, the two squared off.

By pushing Baal worship, Jezebel was spreading idolatry across Israel, but her brand of worship wasn't producing the desired results for the fields remained barren. The fertility gods, it seemed, had gone AWOL or else they were impotent.

Elijah, meanwhile, warned King 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."

After three-and-a-half years of drought and famine, Elijah challenged the king to assemble the prophets of Baal and Asherah to compete in a lopsided contest—850 to 1. Two bulls were prepared for sacrifice, but the fire for sacrifice was not lit. Instead, the true God would prove himself by sending fire from heaven.

From morning until noon Baal's prophets danced and shouted, "O Baal, answer us!" But the god of the storm was silent.

Relishing the spectacle, Elijah couldn't resist a few well-aimed taunts: "Shout louder! Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened." Elijah's sarcasm spurred the prophets of Baal to more frenzied efforts, but that day Baal, the god of fire, couldn't even light a match.

Then Elijah's turn came. To dramatize the difficulty of his task, he drenched the sacrifice with water not once but three times, praying: "O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command."

Immediately, fire burned up the sacrifice. Rallying the people, Elijah then slaughtered Jezebel's 850 prophets.

Enraged at the news, the queen sent a messenger to Elijah, vowing to kill him. But he fled south, beyond her grasp.

Still, Jezebel kept busy, managing to find other targets for her schemes. One day she discovered her husband, Ahab, in a childish rage. Pouting, Ahab confided his troubles to her. Naboth, his near neighbor, had a lovely vineyard that the king desired. It would make such a nice vegetable garden. Yet his stingy subject refused to sell it.

"Is this how you act as king over Israel?" Jezebel challenged. "Get up and eat! Cheer up. I'll get you the vineyard."

Jezebel wrote a letter in Ahab's name and sent it to the elders of the town instructing them to produce witnesses to testify falsely that Naboth had cursed both God and the king, offenses punishable by death.

Ahab felt better when he heard the news that Naboth had been stoned to death as a traitor. Now his table would be laden with delicious vegetables straight from the garden. But then who should show up but Elijah, interrupting the king's leisurely stroll through his new garden.

"So you have found me, my enemy," the king greeted him.

"I have found you," Elijah replied, "because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord. I am going to bring disaster on you. I will consume your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel—slave or free. And also, concerning Jezebel, the Lord says: 'Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.' "

Elijah's words came true. Ahab eventually died in battle, the dogs licking the blood from his chariot. Jezebel, however, survived him by at least ten years. Then one day, a man called Jehu came riding into Jezreel to carry out the last half of Elijah's prophecy.

Tough as nails, Jezebel stood proudly at the window of her palace. Never one to back away from a challenge, Jezebel seized the initiative, shouting at Jehu: "Have you come in peace, Zimri (the name of a traitor), you murderer of your master?"

But Jehu simply ignored her, challenging those who stood near her. "Who is on my side? Throw her down!" Quickly, Jezebel's servants shoved her through the window. The palace walls were splattered a bloody red as horses trampled her body and the palace dogs finished the job. A powerful figure while she lived, hardly anything of her remained just shortly after her death.

Paired with Israel's worst king, Jezebel was the nation's worst queen and one of the Bible's most infamous women. How different her story would have been had she harnessed her power, her drive, and her devotion. A strong character, Jezebel could have been a female apostle Paul, whose misguided zeal was redirected toward the kingdom of God. Instead, unlike many biblical figures who are depicted with a mixture of good and bad traits, she stands out as someone purely evil, whose moral character is one-dimensional. Totally devoted to her gods, she reflected their image completely. Despite obvious miracles and repeated warnings, she was a woman who chose to harden her heart and suffer the consequences.

Her Promise

Jezebel's end (2 Kings 9:33-37) is exactly what Elijah had earlier prophesied for her (1 Kings 21:23). No doubt judgment for her wicked life was swift and sure. It's hard to reconcile this aspect of our God with our image of him as loving and compassionate, yet he is a God who hates evil and will surely punish it. If, however, we come to him for forgiveness and reconciliation, he is also a God who loves to show mercy.

This devotional is drawn from Women of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda. Used with permission.
A woman of great conviction and unwavering devotion, Jezebel's ardent worship was directed not to the God of Israel but to the pagan fertility god Baal.

Girlfriends in God - Monday, July 1, 2019

God’s Perfect Provision Part 1

Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

~ Luke 6:38 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

My requirements for a car are simple and few. It has to run. And it has to have both air and heat. I don’t like car payments. I am not about cars. They are not my “thing.” Consequently, we have bought many used cars and have even been given a few cars over the years. We drive them until they die. And then God provides another car.

A year ago, the car I was driving died. Since it was the beginning of summer and Dan was scheduled to have a month-long sabbatical in addition to his month of study and vacation time, we decided to wait on making a car decision. We could make it a few months with one car … or in our case, one truck.

I had one last speaking engagement to do for a friend, but since the event was within driving distance, we decided to combine it with a trip to Texas to visit family. It was one of those events the Lord told me to do for free. The church was small, and the friend was starting a women’s ministry in a small Kansas town that had literally been blown away by tornadoes several years earlier. I really wanted to help and encourage her in any way that I could.

The plan was simple. Dan and I would drive his truck to Wichita, Kansas and fly to Texas to visit family for several days. We would then fly back to Wichita and drive to Greensburg for my event and then drive home. Simple – right? Not so much.

When we got to the Dallas airport, we discovered that our flight to Wichita was booked for 10:00 pm instead of 10:00 am. You need to know that my husband has booked hundreds of flights over the years and never made that mistake. Since I had to be in Greensburg that night, we rented a car and drove to Wichita where we turned in the rental car and climbed in Dan’s truck.

About an hour down the road, the air in Dan’s truck went out. It was a hot summer’s day. The temperature in Dan’s truck began to climb. When it reached 92 degrees, I began to boil.

I am already calculating how much this “free” event is costing. Yes, I am very human. I have severe back problems. We had already stopped twice between Dallas and Wichita to buy giant bags of frozen peas. They really do work well as ice packs. So my back is killing me, I am sweating like crazy, and well … let’s just say that I am not a happy camper at this point of our “free” event trip.

We found an auto parts store in a small town and decided to see if they could help us. It is 4:50 pm on Friday afternoon. Maybe all the truck needs is Freon! The storeowner comes out, raises the truck hood, shakes his head and says, “Freon is not gonna fix that!” Evidently some belt had shredded which meant some rocker arm had frozen. As I said, cars are not my “thing.”

With a smile, he said, “Pull her around back, and we will see what we can do.” I am thinking he can’t do much. The store is about the size of my kitchen and sits in a town in the middle of nowhere. I am such a giant of faith!

But I did manage to eek out a prayer, “Lord, please send angels with the parts we need!”

Only a few minutes had passed before the storeowner came walking toward us with a grin on his face. As he blew the dust off of two boxes, he said, “Well, what do you know? I do have those parts.”

God came through!

And then the whispers of the enemy also came through. I could only imagine how much the parts and labor would cost. The expenses for this “free” event continued to add up. A rental car … two giant bags of peas … and the now repaired air conditioner on Dan’s truck.

When the parts were installed and we were ready to leave, the storeowner handed Dan the bill. A look of surprise … or maybe shock … covered Dan’s face. I couldn’t bear to ask until we got in the truck and drove away.

“How much was it, honey?” I asked. Dan smiled and said, “About a fourth of what I expected it to cost.”

We drove in silence for a few minutes … basking in the perfect provision of God for every need of our lives … even when our faith is pitifully small. You just can’t out-give God.

Don’t miss the rest of the story in my next devotion. As my Mama used to say, it is a “humdinger!”

Let’s Pray

Father, forgive me for doubting You. I am so human and so weak. Help me grow in my faith and my ability to trust You. Today, I choose faith over fear, trust over worry, and victory over failure!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Think back to a time in your life when God came through … even when you doubted Him. Thank Him for the way He meets every need in your life. Trust Him to meet that need you are facing right now. Read and memorize Proverbs 3:5-6.

More from the Girlfriends

Do you want to grow in your ability to trust God? Get Mary’s E-Book, 10-Day Trust Adventure. Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website and connect with Mary through email or on Facebook.

Seeking God?
Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God
www.girlfriendsingod.com

Think back to a time in your life when God came through … even when you doubted Him.

LHM Daily Devotions - On Dry Ground

"On Dry Ground"

Jul. 1, 2019

Come and see what God has done: He is awesome in His deeds toward the children of man. He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. There did we rejoice in Him, who rules by His might forever.

~ Psalm 66:5-7 (ESV)

This psalm issues a command and offers an invitation. We are commanded to shout for joy to God and to give Him "glorious praise" (Psalm 66:2b). We are to give to the Creator of heaven and earth the honor due His Name. Even His enemies are summoned to acknowledge His power, although they "come cringing" before the Lord of glory (Psalm 66:3b).

In case anyone does not know the reason for the mandated praise, an invitation is extended to us all, faithful and foe alike: "Come and see what God has done" (Psalm 66:5a). We can clearly see what God has done; we have front row seats to His awesome deeds as recorded in the pages of Scripture. When God set His people free from slavery in Egypt, He did so "with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm" (Deuteronomy 5:15b). In their exodus to freedom, when Israel became trapped between the waters of the Red Sea and pharaoh's deadly chariots, God "turned the sea into dry land." Israel crossed over to safety on dry ground and the returning waters drowned the pursuing soldiers. Finally, when Israel was about to cross into the land God had promised to them, another barrier of water—this time the Jordan River—stopped them. Once again God held back the waters and Israel "passed through the river on foot," on dry ground.

We do not merely sit back and hear or read about God's awesome deeds; we live them because He carries out His mighty works in our lives as well. God's great power was hidden and, at the same time revealed, at the cross. There we see His most awesome deeds. He sent His own Son to be born among us and to take onto Himself the penalty of death we deserved because of our sin. Then, demonstrating His glorious power, God raised Jesus from the dead. Now, called by the Holy Spirit and marked with the sign of the cross, we have passed through the waters of Baptism. Buried with Christ Jesus in Baptism, we were raised to walk with Him in newness of life. And one day, according to God's perfect timing, we will walk safely with Jesus through the raging and deadly flood waters of death ... on dry ground.

THE PRAYER: Almighty God, in Your Holy Word we have seen what You have done for us. We will praise You for Your awesome deeds, now and for all eternity. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• What do you think is the earth's most remarkable physical feature?
• Water features prominently in God's miracles in the Scriptures: Red Sea, Jordan River, Sea of Galilee, the Mediterranean. Why do you think this is so?
• Have you ever seen God at work in your life in a huge way? How so?

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
What do you think is the earth's most remarkable physical feature?

Devocional de la CPTLN del 01 de Julio de 2019 - En terreno seco

ALIMENTO DIARIO

En terreno seco

01 de Julio de 2019

Vengan a ver las obras de Dios, sus hechos sorprendentes en favor de los hombres. Convirtió el mar en terreno seco, y ellos cruzaron el río por su propio pie. ¡Alegrémonos por lo que hizo allí! Por su poder, él nos gobierna para siempre.

~ Salmo 66:5-7a (RVC)

Este salmo da un mandamiento y ofrece una invitación. Se nos manda a cantar de alegría a Dios y a darle "gloriosas alabanzas" (Salmo 66:2b). Dar honor al nombre del Creador del cielo y de la tierra. Incluso sus enemigos son convocados a reconocer su poder, aunque "son sometidos" ante el Señor de la gloria (Salmo 66:3b).

En caso de que alguien no sepa el motivo de la alabanza obligatoria, se nos extiende una invitación a todos, fieles y enemigos por igual: "Vengan a ver las obras de Dios" (Salmo 66:5a). Podemos ver claramente lo que Dios ha hecho; somos testigos de primera mano de Sus obras asombrosas registradas en las páginas de las Escrituras. Cuando Dios liberó a su pueblo de la esclavitud en Egipto, lo hizo "con mano fuerte y brazo extendido" (Deuteronomio 5:15b). En su éxodo a la libertad, cuando Israel quedó atrapado entre las aguas del Mar Rojo y los carros mortales del Faraón, Dios "convirtió el mar en terreno seco". Israel cruzó a un lugar seguro en tierra seca y las aguas que regresaban ahogaron a los soldados que los perseguían. Finalmente, cuando Israel estaba a punto de cruzar a la tierra que Dios les había prometido, encontraron otra barrera de agua: esta vez, el río Jordán. Una vez más, Dios contuvo las aguas e Israel cruzó el río "con su propio pie", sobre terreno seco.

No nos limitamos a sentarnos y escuchar o leer acerca de los hechos asombrosos de Dios: los vivimos porque Él realiza sus obras poderosas también en nuestras vidas. El gran poder de Dios estaba oculto y, al mismo tiempo, revelado en la cruz. Allí vemos sus obras más impresionantes. Dios envió a su propio Hijo para nacer entre nosotros y asumir la pena de muerte que merecíamos por nuestro pecado. Luego, demostrando su poder glorioso, Dios lo resucitó de entre los muertos. Ahora, llamados por el Espíritu Santo y marcados con el signo de la cruz, hemos pasado por las aguas del Bautismo. Enterrados con Cristo Jesús en el bautismo, fuimos levantados para caminar con Él en una vida nueva. Y un día, de acuerdo con el tiempo perfecto de Dios, caminaremos seguros con Jesús a través de las furiosas y mortales aguas de la muerte, como si estuviéramos en terreno seco.

ORACIÓN: Dios Todopoderoso, en tu santa Palabra hemos visto lo que has hecho por nosotros. Te alabamos por tus asombrosas acciones ahora y por toda la eternidad. Amén.

Dra. Carol Geisler

Para reflexionar:

• El agua ocupa un lugar destacado en los milagros de Dios en las Escrituras: el Mar Rojo, el Río Jordán, el Mar de Galilea, el Mediterráneo. ¿Por qué crees que sea así?
• ¿Alguna vez ha obrado Dios en tu vida de una manera notable? ¿Cómo?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Alguna vez ha obrado Dios en tu vida de una manera notable?

Notre Pain Quotidien - Avez-vous faim maintenant ?

Avez-vous faim maintenant ?

Lisez : James 2.14-1

La Bible en un an : Job 20 – 21 ; Actes 10.24-48

Mes frères, que sert-il à quelqu’un de dire qu’il a la foi, s’il n’a pas les œuvres ? V. 14

Né dans une famille pauvre de l’Inde et adopté par des Américains, Thomas a constaté en retournant dans son village natal combien les enfants y étaient démunis. Convaincu de devoir leur venir en aide, il s’est mis à envisager de rentrer aux États-Unis pour y finir ses études supérieures et y économiser beaucoup d’argent en vue de retourner éventuellement en Inde.

Puis, après avoir lu : « [Que] sert-il à quelqu’un de dire qu’il a la foi, s’il n’a pas les œuvres ? » (JA 2.14-18), Thomas a entendu une fillette indienne supplier sa mère ainsi : « Mais maman, c’est maintenant que j’ai faim ! » Il s’est alors rappelé avoir eu faim dans son enfance au point de fouiller les poubelles afin d’y trouver à manger. Sachant ne pas avoir le luxe d’attendre des années pour leur venir en aide, Thomas s’est résolu : Je vais m’y mettre dès maintenant !


Aujourd’hui, l’orphelinat qu’il a fondé héberge cinquante enfants bien nourris et entourés qui découvrent Jésus et reçoivent une éducation ; tout cela parce qu’un homme n’a pas reporté à plus tard ce qu’il savait que Dieu lui demandait de faire.

Or, le message de Jacques s’applique aussi à nous. Notre foi en Jésus-Christ nous procure de grands avantages : une relation avec lui, la vie abondante et un avenir à espérer. Reste que, si nous ne leur venons pas en aide, quels bienfaits les gens démunis en retireront-ils ? Les entendez-vous supplier : « C’est maintenant que j’ai faim ! » ?

Répondons aux besoins d’autrui.

par Dave Branon

© 2019 Ministères NPQ
Il s’est alors rappelé avoir eu faim dans son enfance au point de fouiller les poubelles afin d’y trouver à manger.

The Sunday Lectionary Readings for SUNDAY, June 30, 2019 - Third Sunday after Pentecost [Ordinary 13, Proper 8]

The Sunday Lectionary Readings

SUNDAY, June 30, 2019 - Third Sunday after Pentecost

[Ordinary 13, Proper 8]

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Opening Prayer

As We Gather Here

(Words for the above video)

As we gather here in the harbour of your safety

We thank you for fellowship and family.

We ask that you will strengthen us, restore us and inspire us with your love.

Lord, would fill us with your peace

So that as we journey onwards

We would pour out your love and grace to others.

We ask that our souls would catch the wind of your spirit

so that we would take your promises to all the earth.

Amen.

The Collect (Book of Common Prayers)

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

We struggle to manifest the fruits of the Spirit, but often find ourselves bound by works of the flesh. We know the whole law is summed up in the single commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. Yet we create fences around ourselves to keep neighbors outside and tell ourselves we have no responsibility. Even in our own back yard we “bite and devour” one another.

We wish it were different. When Jesus calls us to follow him, we find every excuse to instead go home or to the workplace to finish something more important first. Yet we yearn to be more centered on You.

Assurance of Pardon

Despite our resistance, we can be assured that God’s strong arm redeems the people. God calls us back to God’s realm, and encourages us with a love we can never lose no matter how hard we push back, no matter how often we forget, no matter how far we stray. We need but ask and we are forgiven.

First Reading

2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14

Elijah Ascends to Heaven
2:1 Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.

6 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. 7 Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. 8 Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.

9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” 10 He responded, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” 11 As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. 12 Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

Elisha Succeeds Elijah
13 He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” When he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.

Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 Voce mea ad Dominum

1  I will cry aloud to God; *
   I will cry aloud, and he will hear me.

2  In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; *
   my hands were stretched out by night and did not tire;
   I refused to be comforted.

11 I will remember the works of the Lord, *
   and call to mind your wonders of old time.

12 I will meditate on all your acts *
   and ponder your mighty deeds.

13 Your way, O God, is holy; *
   who is so great a god as our God?

14 You are the God who works wonders *
   and have declared your power among the peoples.

15 By your strength you have redeemed your people, *
   the children of Jacob and Joseph.

16 The waters saw you, O God;
   the waters saw you and trembled; *
   the very depths were shaken.

17 The clouds poured out water;
   the skies thundered; *
   your arrows flashed to and fro;

18 The sound of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
   your lightnings lit up the world; *
   the earth trembled and shook.

19 Your way was in the sea,
   and your paths in the great waters, *
   yet your footsteps were not seen.

20 You led your people like a flock *
   by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Second Reading

Galatians 5:1, 13-25

5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. 14 For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

The Works of the Flesh
16 Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The Fruit of the Spirit
22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.

The Gospel

Luke 9:51-62

A Samaritan Village Refuses to Receive Jesus
9:51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; 53 but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 Then they went on to another village.

Would-Be Followers of Jesus
57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Here ends the Lessons

Click HERE to read today's Holy Gospel Lesson message

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Closing Prayer

Lord, thank you that we are a family in Christ. Help us to share his love and legacy with everyone that we encounter this week. May we lavish Christ’s abounding goodness upon our families, friends and colleagues. Holy Spirit, come and equip us in our workplace, guide us in our school life, and inspire us in our neighbourhood. May we be your hands and feet to the needy, your words of affirmation to the oppressed and your arms of comfort to the lonely.

Thank you for choosing to use us to bring your kingdom here on earth.

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.
“Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
“Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

“The Cost of Discipleship” The Sermon for for SUNDAY, June 30, 2019 - Third Sunday after Pentecost

Our Gospel message comes to us today from the 9th chapter of Luke, beginning with the 51st verse.

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village. As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:51-62, NRSV)

All mighty God, we thank you for your word and the way that you in it revealed to us who you are and what you've done for us in Christ. Now as we open that word we pray that your spirit may be present, that all thoughts of worry or distraction may be removed and that the Spirit will allow us to hear your voice. And so, oh God, fill us with your spirit through the reading and proclamation of your word this day. We pray in Jesus name. Amen.

“The Cost of Discipleship”

Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sometimes you just need to learn the value of a dollar. I remember when young boy was learning this at a local tourist area. We were downtown, where all the shops were, and he was given a dollar earlier in the day. Thinking that was enough money to buy something in a tourist trap, he began searching for something he could buy with that dollar. He would grab a toy and ask, “Is this a dollar?” And we would say, “No.” “How about this?” “That’s not a dollar, either.” At one point, as we would go into other stores, he would run in the middle of each one, pull out his dollar over his head, and shout, “Is there anything for a dollar here?” On one occasion, a cleric said, “Yeah, a piece of candy.” The boy was learning the cost and value of a dollar.

In the Gospel text, we encounter some Samaritans and a group of would be disciples, who want to follow Jesus. Jesus doesn’t have them learn the lesson, He tells them. Jesus openly and honestly tells them and us the cost and price of following Him. He tells us the cost of discipleship. He doesn’t want it to be a surprise or secret. He doesn’t want us to ever say, “Hey Jesus, you never told me about that!” Instead, He is upfront and honest about the price of following Him. Let’s hear what He has to say this morning.

Luke begins the Gospel text by saying that Jesus has His face set toward Jerusalem. He is determined and dedicated to going there. His eye is on the prize. Nothing will break His resolve or focus. He is going there to suffer for you, to die for you, to fulfill Scripture for you, and to rise for you. He is going there to save you! Nothing will hinder or halt Him from His mission. Jesus is serious about this, and is doing it for all people. And, so, on His way there, He goes through Samaria.

Most Jews would not cross through Samaria on their way to Jerusalem, even though it would be the easiest, quickest, and most direct way. It would be like heading to Indiana from Minnesota, but refusing to go through Illinois. Going through Illinois would be the easier, quicker, and most direct way. Sure, you could go through Iowa, Missouri, and Kentucky to get there, but it would be inconvenient, and silly. Jews would avoid Samaria like the plague, and would travel east of the Jordan River to avoid it. It didn’t matter that it took longer and was out of the way. They didn’t want to cross through Samaria.

Why? Long story short, Jews and Samaritans have a long and messy history. They don’t like each other, they have racial animosity, and theological differences. The Samaritans only used the first five books of the Old Testament, and believed that Mt. Gerizim, rather than Jerusalem, was the preferred place of worship. Despite this, Jesus is intentional, and sends messengers ahead to prepare for His arrival in a Samaritan village. Jesus came for them, too.

However, the Samaritans reject Jesus. Why? His face is set toward Jerusalem. They don’t want a Savior Who would go there. That’s not the kind of God they want, or would believe in. So, they reject Him, and we see the same thing today. People reject Jesus and say that there is no God at all, like atheists. Others might struggle with the concept of God taking on flesh and dying, or that Jesus is God. These truths are unthinkable to Muslims and heretical groups struggle with these truths. Others reject Christ by saying, “I’m a good person. I don’t need saving. I’ll be in Heaven.” They think that they have no need for a Savior. To others, Jesus conflicts with what they want to do, or they reject Him because Jesus didn’t do something they wanted, as if He is a genie in a bottle. This rejection is a live and well in our day, sad to say. The cost of their rejection will be great!

Seeing this rejection, James and John are willing to call down fire from Heaven like Elijah, but Jesus says, “No.” and they move on to another village. But not everyone rejects Jesus. On His way to Jerusalem, Jesus meets three unnamed disciples on an unnamed road after leaving the unnamed village.

As they are on their way, the first disciple comes to Jesus and says, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Notice his address. He says, “I will follow,” “I will follow.” The Gospels never record an incident in which someone offers to follow Jesus and successfully becomes a disciple. It doesn’t happen! Both the invitation and the grace to follow are always a gift! We cannot come to faith on our own power. The man brims with self-confidence, and thinks he can follow Jesus. Jesus challenges this self-confidence. He says, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Jesus says, “Are you willing to follow One Who has less than foxes and birds? Are you willing to risk that? Are you willing to be like Him?” Is the man willing to give up all material comfort and security? Could give up everything, if it called for it? That’s the cost!

As they continue on the way, things change. Jesus sees a person and says, “Follow Me.” The person responds, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Notice his address. He says, “let me first.” “Let me first.” He adds a condition to it, right? It is not his first priority, although he means well. There is an old story of an English official in the East who met a very brilliant young Arab man. He was so brilliant, that he was given a scholarship to Oxford and Cambridge. However, the man refused it all, and said, “I will take it after I have buried my father.” At the time, his father was a little over 40!

Jesus responds, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Jesus says there is a crucial moment in everything, and if the moment is missed, the thing will most likely never be done at all. Wait for the father to die, and bury him? Sometimes following Jesus can push venerated duties and traditions to the background. Following Jesus will result in conflicting loyalties and priorities. In fact, it calls for them to be reorganized. That’s the cost!

There is one more disciple to talk about. This disciple tells Jesus, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” This man is a combination of the two. “I will follow…let me first….” Jesus responds to him by saying, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” To be honest, I doubt many, and any of us, have ever used a plow. An appropriate comparison would be to mowing. If you keep looking back when mowing, what will happen? Your line will become crooked and you will miss a spot. You could mow through your wife’s garden. You could hit the mailbox or decorative rocks. You can’t look back! It is the same for following Jesus. Jesus says to not look back. Leave the old (sinful) way of life behind, and never go back. Focus on the task ahead and at hand. That’s the cost!

The cost of discipleship is high, isn’t it? It is being willing to give up everything, reorganizing priorities and loyalties, and not looking back. But Jesus is straightforward. He doesn’t have us learn a lesson about cost like the young boy at the beginning of this story did. He tells us directly. Some will reject Jesus. Some will say they can follow Him, but cannot do it on their own power. Others will make excuses or conditions.

What would you say if you were among the unnamed disciples? How might you finish this sentence? “Jesus, I am happy and willing to follow you, as long as….” What is your blank? As long as I have time? As long as things are good financially? As long as I feel better and things are well? As long as I can still do what I want to do, or as long as things aren’t too dangerous.

What hinders your walk with Him? A lack of devotional time, if any? Priorities in the wrong places? Excuses or conditions? Peer pressures? We are unfit for His Kingdom. We wander, we stumble, we make excuses.

Fortunately, we have a great Savior Who makes us fit for His Kingdom. He makes us fit by faith and our baptism, where He calls us, washes us clean, forgives us, and gives His Spirit. He works in us, making us new each day, and reshaping our lives and priorities to make us like His Son. We follow Him to Jerusalem. We follow Him to the cross where He looks at us with His eyes of love, mercy, and care, paying the price to save us! We follow Him to the tomb, where He looks at us in victory, after defeating sin, death, and the devil. We follow Him to the hill, where He ascends back to God enthroned over all things and reigns for our good.

We are fit for the Kingdom because of Him and His Work. Our Lord graciously and continually invites us to follow Him through His Word, and will help us do it. Will this always be easy? No. The hymn “How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord” describes it well: “But if, forgetful, we should find Your yoke is hard to bear; If worldly pressures fray the mind, and love itself cannot unwind its tangled skein of care: Our inward life repair.” He will do it! The hymn continues: “In what You give us, Lord, to do, Together or alone, In old routines or ventures new, May we not cease to look to You, The cross You hung upon-All you endeavored done.” The cost of discipleship is certainly high, but Jesus has paid it all by His death and resurrection.

Let us pray: God, You know there are days when we see others not following you and we want them to be punished. We see people spreading hate and fear and know this isn’t your way. We see people mistreating each other and we are angry. We understand why James and John asked, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” And we know just like Jesus rebuked the disciples, you would tell us this is not your way. Forgive us for wanting to repay hate with hate and violence with violence.

God, we promised to follow you. And yet, so many other things pull at our time and attention. We will follow you as soon as our to do list is tackled, our house is clean enough for company, and we’ve cared for our family. Forgive us God, for not putting you first in our lives.

God, we ask that you give us righteous anger at the injustice in the world and that you help us to have our priorities in order, so we may follow you. Amen.

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Scripture taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)® Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Sermon contributed by Rev. Nickolas Kooi.
This sermon looks at the rejection of the Samaritans, and examines the excuses of the three would be disciples.

The Morning Prayer for SUNDAY, June 30, 2019

Sunday morning prayer

Lord on this special day, I run into Your loving arms. May Sunday be a celebration, filled with thankfulness, where I connect with the presence of Heaven, seek Your beauty and goodness, and cherish special family time together. Come fill my heart afresh with Your love. May it overflow with Heaven's bounty, moving through this rest day and into the week ahead.

Lord on this special day,

I run into Your arms.

Spend cherished time with family,

And find shelter in Your palm.

May Sunday be a celebration,

Full up to the brim,

With Heaven's promise ringing loud,

And Your love flowing in.

Amen.

Verse of the Day SUNDAY, June 30, 2019

Zechariah 14:9 (NIV) The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.

Read all of Zechariah 14

Listen to Zechariah 14

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 - Sunday, June 30, 2019

Secretos para triunfar

Gracias a Dios que en Cristo siempre nos lleva triunfantes y, por medio de nosotros, esparce por todas partes la fragancia de su conocimiento.

~ 2 Corintios 2:14 (NVI)

Creo que este es un pensamiento que alguna vez todos hemos tenido: ser alguien, triunfar y que nos vaya bien. Y eso es lo que quiere Dios. Es más, Él quiere que prosperemos.

Sin embargo, ¿cuáles serían algunos secretos para triunfar? Quizá lo que te diga hoy sea lo que hay en mi corazón también. Sin embargo, en ocasiones y por diferentes razones, no lo ponemos en práctica. Quizá se deba a que no creemos en nosotros mismos o que les damos prioridad a otras cosas o personas. En mi caso, a veces pienso más en el beneficio de los demás que en hacer cosas para mis hijas, dejando mis sueños para el final.

Por ejemplo, yo quería hacer este libro, pero a la verdad no sabía por dónde empezar. Incluso, a menudo pensaba que no iba a ser capaz de escribir un libro. ¿A qué hora podría hacerlo? Aunque ya varias personas me habían sugerido que lo hiciera, siempre lo postergaba. Lo lindo de todo esto es que Dios ya tiene determinado lo que seremos y haremos, y nos da la pauta para seguirla. Así que seamos obedientes y emprendamos las cosas que Dios ponga en nuestros corazones de modo que logremos el verdadero triunfo.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Creo que este es un pensamiento que alguna vez todos hemos tenido: ser alguien, triunfar y que nos vaya bien.