The Daily Lectionary for WEDNESDAY, January 2, 2019

Two Kinds of Wisdom
James 3:13-18

The Daily Lectionary

WEDNESDAY, January 2, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Psalm 147:12-20

12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!
    Praise your God, O Zion!
13 For he strengthens the bars of your gates;
    he blesses your children within you.
14 He grants peace within your borders;
    he fills you with the finest of wheat.
15 He sends out his command to the earth;
    his word runs swiftly.
16 He gives snow like wool;
    he scatters frost like ashes.
17 He hurls down hail like crumbs—
    who can stand before his cold?
18 He sends out his word, and melts them;
    he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow.
19 He declares his word to Jacob,
    his statutes and ordinances to Israel.
20 He has not dealt thus with any other nation;
    they do not know his ordinances.
   Praise the Lord!

Proverbs 1:1-7

1  The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

Prologue
2  For learning about wisdom and instruction,
    for understanding words of insight,
3  for gaining instruction in wise dealing,
    righteousness, justice, and equity;
4  to teach shrewdness to the simple,
    knowledge and prudence to the young—
5  let the wise also hear and gain in learning,
    and the discerning acquire skill,
6  to understand a proverb and a figure,
    the words of the wise and their riddles.

7  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
    fools despise wisdom and instruction.

James 3:13-18

Two Kinds of Wisdom
3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.

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
Both types of wisdom have tremendous power.

The Morning Prayer for WEDNESDAY, January 2, 2019

Wednesday morning prayer

Lord, you are always weaving the things of heaven with the things of earth. You dwell among us, above us, and within us. Make us expectant of angels tarrying to do your work. Form us into eager messengers, ready to speak peace in broken communities.

We thank You, Lord, for the gift of living in this nation and for blessings You shower on all its citizens. Guide us as we fulfill the duties of citizenship. Let us carry out our civic obligations with gratitude toward You and joy at the privilege of serving others through participation in community and national life. Let us see all kinds of public service - payment of taxes, efforts for local and national improvement, support for responsible political parties and noble causes - as opportunities to give You praise and to meet the needs of others. Grant us wisdom to repent of unwise decisions in the political sphere and discernment to make proper contributions to the common welfare.

May Wednesday be a dwelling day, curled up on Abba's knee. Following in the path of Christ, with His Spirit I'm set free. Let Wednesday always prompt my heart to travel home to nest. To feel the blessings of my faith to know Your peace and rest. In Jesus' name, who redeemed us by His cross.

Amen

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, January 2, 2019

Psalm 90:12 (NIV) Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Read all of Psalm 90

Listen to Psalm 90

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Twelve Days of Christmas - The Ninth Day

The Twelve Days of Christmas

The Ninth Day

The 12 days of Christmas are the 12 days that separate Christmas Day on December 25 and ends on January 5, with the next day being Epiphany, which is celebrated January 6. Depending on the church, January 6 may mark Christ’s baptism (in the Catholic tradition), or it may mark the day that the wise men (or the Magi) visited Jesus with their gifts.

The Day of Epiphany is when the church celebrates the revelation of Christ as the light of the world and recalls the journey of the Magi. Magi means wise men.

From 1558 until 1829 Roman Catholics in England were not allowed to practice their faith openly. During that era someone wrote ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas‘ as a kind of secret catechism that could be sung in public without risk of persecution. The song has two levels of interpretation: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the church. Each element in the carol is a code word for a religious reality.

Some beliefs believe that the day after Christmas started the 12 Days of Christmas. You also hear some people think its the 12 days that lead up to Christmas. But reality, it starts on December 25, that is the first day.

  The Ninth Day of Christmas

The carol says On The Ninth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me...

Nine Ladies Dancing

According to catechism hidden meaning it means … 

The Nine Fruit of the Spirit

1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Forbearance (or Patience)
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self-Control

Un dia a la Vez - Todos fallamos, pero Dios permanece

Todos fallamos, pero Dios permanece

Confía en el Señor de todo corazón, y no en tu propia inteligencia. Reconócelo en todos tus caminos, y él allanará tus sendas.

~ Proverbios 3:5-6 (NVI)

Muchas veces hemos confiado en personas por error y nos han defraudado porque nos han fallado. Quizá nos engañaran y por eso nos cueste mucho reconocer que debemos aprender a perdonar. Así que debemos entender que Dios es el único que no falla, que no nos dejará y que estará con nosotros por toda una eternidad.

Yo he ofendido y desilusionado a otros con mis actitudes, con mis reacciones. También he tenido que pasar por el trago amargo de perdonar de corazón a quien me ha fallado, a orar por esa persona que destruyó mi vida y mis ilusiones, por obediencia.

Durante varios años, fui madre soltera. Además, tuve que sufrir el abandono de los padres de mis hijas. De modo que enfrentar una vida sola con mis princesas me costó muchas lágrimas y mucho dolor. Sin embargo, los planes de Dios, que son perfectos, me permitieron perdonar de corazón.

¿Y tú? ¿Lo estás haciendo? ¿Hasta cuándo permitirás que tu vida sea amargada y triste? Confía en Dios y Él te sacará adelante porque esa es su promesa.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Muchas veces hemos confiado en personas por error y nos han defraudado porque nos han fallado. Quizá nos engañaran y por eso nos cueste mucho reconocer que debemos aprender a perdonar. Así que debemos entender que Dios es el único que no falla, que no nos dejará y que estará con nosotros por toda una eternidad.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - STORMS CAN COME FROM OBEDIENCE

STORMS CAN COME FROM OBEDIENCE

That day when evening came, he [Jesus] said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.

~ Mark 4: 35-37 (NIV)

(Read Mark 4:35-41)

From the disciples experience we see that storms can arise just by following the path of obedience. We know that when Jesus says, “Let’s go to the other side,” we will reach the other side in spite of any storms.

Ahmad was a respected Muslim leader and a brilliant scholar. While studying for his doctorate in comparative religions he began reading the New Testament and ultimately gave his life to Jesus. When Sharia, the law of Islam, became the law of the land, Ahmad was called in for questioning. When he admitted to being a Christian, he was arrested, put in chains, and thrown into solitary confinement.

The first night in prison, the authorities tried to kill him. Unexplainably, however, they could find no gasoline for their car to drive him to the place of execution. The next day, he was to be arraigned before the Islamic High Court. A lawyer friend urged him to renounce his faith publicly and just keep it secretly in his heart. Ahmad refused. “Jesus is my only defense,” he said. “I cannot deny Him.”

Ahmad was sentenced to six months in prison, stripped of his military rank, and fired from his teaching position. His wife had already divorced him. He also lost his four children, his car, house, and bank account.

If at the end of his sentence he still refused to return to Islam, the judges said, he would spend six more months behind bars. Ahmad organized small Bible studies and prayer groups throughout the prison. “By the end of three months,” he said, “there were more than three hundred known Christians in our prison, at least seven from Muslim background.”

One night, the guards threw Ahmad into a truck with orders to drown him in the river. But as the truck neared the river, it stopped mysteriously. Terrified, the guards and driver refused the officer’s orders to kill Ahmad. Soon after, he was released.

RESPONSE: Today I will live in the awareness that storms are a normal part of life in this world and the wise disciple prepares for them.

PRAYER: Pray that you will be cognizant of the storms you face which simply result from your obedience to Jesus.

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

Girlfriends in God - A Braver, Smarter and Stronger You

A Braver, Smarter and Stronger You

Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

~ John 15:7 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

One of the most lovable and charming characters in the history of cartoon animation has to be Winnie the Pooh. He simply oozes adorableness and positivity.

In the movie, Pooh’s Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin, Pooh and Christopher Robin, who are the closest of friends, have a moving conversation high in a tree where strength and love flow heart-to-heart.

CHRISTOPHER ROBIN: "Oh, Pooh. If ever there's a tomorrow when we're not together, there's something you must remember."

POOH: "And what might that be, Christopher Robin?"

CHRISTOPHER ROBIN: "You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."

POOH: "Oh, that's easy. We're braver than a bee, and, uh, longer than a tree, and taller than a goose . . . or, uh, was that a moose?"

CHRISTOPHER ROBIN: "No, silly, old bear! You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is even if we're apart; I'll always be with you. I'll always be with you. I'll always be with you."

This conversation reminds me of the conversation Jesus had with His disciples after His resurrection. He gave them new marching orders and assured them that though He had to leave, they would never be alone.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You trust in God; trust also in me.” (John 14:1)

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:12-14)

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:15-17)

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:26-27)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing… If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:5, 7-8)

 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19- 20)

May these last words of Jesus serve as a reminder to you today that you are not alone or ill-equipped in your life. Because of this truth, you are able to be a woman of great courage and faith through Christ! Live like it.

Start this New Year with a fresh, inspired courage!

You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think because the Spirit of God is at work within you to embolden, strengthen, and guide you.

Above all, remember this: God is with you. Always.

Let’s Pray

Lord, Thank you for the presence of Your Holy Spirit in my life. Please open my eyes wide to all the courage, strength and wisdom you have for me in Christ. Crush my insecurities and doubts so that I might be an effective witness of Your power.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Fill in these blanks: “Today (and this year), I will face ____________ with the courage that the Lord provides for me instead of trembling in fear. In this area of weakness, ___________, I will ask God for strength and will trust that His grace is sufficient to provide what I need. And I will pray for wisdom and direction concerning ___________ so that the Spirit of God can guide me with divine wisdom which is far greater that anything I can come up with on my own.” {Did you do it? If so, let me know by leaving a comment on my most recent Instagram post.}

More from the Girlfriends

Portions of today’s devotion are an excerpt from Gwen Smith’s book, I Want It ALL.

If you struggle with an anxious heart, this is for you! Girlfriends in God cofounder Gwen Smith is hosting a FREE online Bible Study, a PSALM ADVENTURE, Part 2, beginning January 14th. We’ve gotten countless messages asking how you can know what God says about forgiveness, healing, fear, depression, finances, relationships and hope. You want to know and trust God more, and learn how to connect your personal struggles to His promises.

That’s exactly what we’re going to explore in Part 2 our PSALM ADVENTURE because we’re going right to the source of all grace and truth: the Bible. Join Gwen for this four-week study. LEARN MORE and REGISTER TODAY by visiting GwenSmith.net/PsalmAdventure.

Seeking God?

Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

One of the most lovable and charming characters in the history of cartoon animation has to be Winnie the Pooh.

LHM Daily Devotions - HEART'S DESIRE

"HEART'S DESIRE"

Jan. 2, 2019

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

~ Luke 2:36-38 (ESV)

Luke goes out of his way to tell us about Anna's life. Anna basically lives at the temple; she is there at all hours, and while she may go "home" briefly to wash or change clothes, the temple is where you'll find her night and day, worshiping God. It is the place of her heart's desire—the presence of God.

There are many old saints like this—people whose deepest delight is in the Lord. They are always in church unless illness or disability prevents them. They know their Bibles better than you think you ever will! And they are the people you want to pray for you, because you can just sense that connection they have with God. Sound like someone you know?

But Anna had one thing left to hope for in her long life, and that was "the redemption of Jerusalem"—the coming of the Messiah, the birth of Jesus. She knew God's promises, and talked about them with other people who also loved the Lord. And then Jesus' parents brought Him in to be presented before the Lord.

What a day! Her heart's desire came true—to see and touch the Messiah, to know that Jesus was born to save His people. What a joy! Right away she began talking to people, telling them the good news. "There He is," she must have said. "Go and see." It was the crowning day of her life.

You, too, have a deepest heart's desire. What is it? Think for a little while. What would be the crowning moment of your life, if it happened? How does it relate to Jesus, who saved you?

THE PRAYER: Lord, You know my deepest desires. Turn them to You, so that I may be satisfied. Amen.

The Coming King REFLECTION QUESTIONS!

• Name at least one of your deepest heart's desires. Why is it so important to you?

• What are you doing as you wait and hope for it to come true? What could you be doing, with God's help?

• How does Jesus relate to your heart's desire?

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Name at least one of your deepest heart's desires. Why is it so important to you?

Devocional del CPTLN de 02 de Enero de 2019 - El deseo del corazón

ALIMENTO DIARIO

El deseo del corazón

02 de Enero de 2019

También estaba allí Ana, hija de Fanuel, de la tribu de Aser. Ana era una profetisa de edad muy avanzada. Desde su virginidad, había vivido siete años de matrimonio, y ahora era una viuda de ochenta y cuatro años. Nunca se apartaba del templo, sino que de día y de noche rendía culto a Dios con ayunos y oraciones. En ese mismo instante Ana se presentó, y dio gracias a Dios y habló del niño a todos los que esperaban la redención de Jerusalén.

~ Lucas 2:36-38 (RVC)

Lucas nos da muchos detalles de la vida de Ana: de dónde provenía, que había estado casada y que tenía al menos 84 años. Ana está en el templo a toda hora y, si bien va a su casa de vez en cuando para lavarse o cambiarse de ropa, es allí donde se la encuentra día y noche adorando a Dios. Allí es donde su corazón más desea estar: ante la presencia de Dios.

Muchas personas mayores son así: su placer más profundo está en el Señor. Siempre están en la iglesia, ¡y conocen sus Biblias mejor de lo que uno alguna vez lo hará! Son las personas que uno quiere que oren por uno, porque se puede sentir la conexión que tienen con Dios. ¿Conoces a alguien así?

Pero Ana todavía esperaba algo: la redención de Jerusalén, la venida del Mesías, el nacimiento de Jesús que Dios había prometido. Y entonces llegó el día en que los padres de Jesús lo llevaron al templo para presentarlo ante el Señor. Los deseos de Ana se habían hecho realidad: podía ver y tocar al Mesías. ¡Jesús había nacido para salvar a su pueblo! Inmediatamente comenzó a contar a otros la noticia: "¡Ahí está, vayan a verlo!".

Tú también tienes un deseo en tu corazón. ¿Cuál sería el momento culminante de tu vida? ¿Cómo se relaciona con Jesús, tu salvador?

ORACIÓN: Señor, tú conoces mis deseos más profundos. Vuélvelos a Ti, para que pueda estar satisfecho. Amén.

PREGUNTAS DE REFLEXIÓN:

• Nombra al menos uno de los deseos profundos de tu corazón. ¿Por qué es tan importante?

• ¿Qué estás haciendo mientras esperas que se haga realidad?

© Copyright 2018 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
Nombra al menos uno de los deseos profundos de tu corazón. ¿Por qué es tan importante?

Ministérios Pão Diário - Aprenda com o passado

Aprenda com o passado


Leia: Zacarias 1:1-6
 | A Bíblia em um ano: Gênesis 4–6; Mateus 2

“…Tornai-vos para mim, diz o Senhor dos Exércitos, e eu me tornarei para vós outros…” v.3


Quantas vezes percebemos que entramos “numa furada” e nos prometemos que não repetiremos o mesmo erro para, pouco depois, fazermos tudo de novo? Quem nunca o fez? Isso acontece porque esquecemos das lições do passado.


Deus usou o profeta Zacarias para dizer aos israelitas que voltaram do cativeiro babilônico que aprendessem as lições de sua própria história. Eles achavam que sua missão era reconstruir o Templo destruído por Nabucodonosor, 70 anos antes. Mas vemos Deus lhes ensinando que a principal missão deles era voltar para Ele. “Lembrem-se! Não é o Templo, sou eu!”, dizia o Senhor.


Deus enfatiza que Ele deseja que o nosso coração seja o templo onde Ele habita para sempre. Os antepassados dos israelitas possuíam o Templo, mas não tinham compromisso com o Senhor. E essa geração não possuía um Templo, mas se tivessem compromisso com Deus, a bênção estaria sobre eles. A mensagem central é: coloque Jesus como o primeiro, como o Senhor. Quando invertemos a meta de nossa vida, até as coisas boas podem, devagarinho, nos afastar de Deus. Podemos estar cheios de boas intenções, mas longe do propósito do Senhor para nós.


O Senhor tem mais para você do que os bens materiais, mas Ele lhe diz: “Volte para mim!”. Quando nos voltamos para Deus, Ele se volta para nós em graça e misericórdia.


O Senhor os ajuda e os livra; […] porque nele buscam refúgio. 
Salmo 37:40

por Paschoal Piragine Junior

© 2019 Ministérios Pão Diário
Quantas vezes percebemos que entramos “numa furada” e nos prometemos que não repetiremos o mesmo erro para, pouco depois, fazermos tudo de novo? Quem nunca o fez?