The Daily Lectionary for WEDNESDAY, January 9, 2019

Zechariah’s Prophecy

The Daily Lectionary

WEDNESDAY, January 9, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Psalm 72

Prayer for Guidance and Support for the King
Of Solomon.
1  Give the king your justice, O God,
     and your righteousness to a king’s son.
2  May he judge your people with righteousness,
     and your poor with justice.
3  May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
     and the hills, in righteousness.
4  May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
     give deliverance to the needy,
     and crush the oppressor.

5  May he live while the sun endures,
     and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
6  May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
     like showers that water the earth.
7  In his days may righteousness flourish
     and peace abound, until the moon is no more.

8  May he have dominion from sea to sea,
     and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9  May his foes bow down before him,
     and his enemies lick the dust.
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles
     render him tribute,
   may the kings of Sheba and Seba
     bring gifts.
11 May all kings fall down before him,
     all nations give him service.

12 For he delivers the needy when they call,
     the poor and those who have no helper.
13 He has pity on the weak and the needy,
     and saves the lives of the needy.
14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life;
     and precious is their blood in his sight.

15 Long may he live!
     May gold of Sheba be given to him.
   May prayer be made for him continually,
     and blessings invoked for him all day long.
16 May there be abundance of grain in the land;
     may it wave on the tops of the mountains;
     may its fruit be like Lebanon;
   and may people blossom in the cities
     like the grass of the field.
17 May his name endure forever,
     his fame continue as long as the sun.
   May all nations be blessed in him;
     may they pronounce him happy.

18 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
     who alone does wondrous things.
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever;
     may his glory fill the whole earth.
   Amen and Amen.

20 The prayers of David son of Jesse are ended.

Numbers 24:15-19
24:15 So he uttered his oracle, saying:

   “The oracle of Balaam son of Beor,
     the oracle of the man whose eye is clear,
16 the oracle of one who hears the words of God,
     and knows the knowledge of the Most High,
   who sees the vision of the Almighty,
    who falls down, but with his eyes uncovered:
17 I see him, but not now;
     I behold him, but not near—
   a star shall come out of Jacob,
     and a scepter shall rise out of Israel;
   it shall crush the borderlands of Moab,
     and the territory of all the Shethites.
18 Edom will become a possession,
     Seir a possession of its enemies,
     while Israel does valiantly.
19 One out of Jacob shall rule,
     and destroy the survivors of Ir.”

Luke 1:67-79

Zechariah’s Prophecy
1:67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:

68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
     for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.
69 He has raised up a mighty savior for us
     in the house of his servant David,
70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71   that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
72 Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,
     and has remembered his holy covenant,
73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,
     to grant us 74 that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies,
   might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness
     before him all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
     for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
     by the forgiveness of their sins.
78 By the tender mercy of our God,
     the dawn from on high will break upon us,
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
     to guide our feet into the way of 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
Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:...

The Morning Prayer for WEDNESDAY, January 9, 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.

Lord, as we go about our day, we pray that you would recognize not only your word on our lips but also your actions in our deeds.

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 9, 2019

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV) “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Read all of Matthew 6

Listen to Matthew 6

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 - Reconcíliate con Dios

Reconcíliate con Dios

El Señor tu Dios está en medio de ti [...] Se deleitará en ti con gozo, te renovará con su amor [...] como en los días de fiesta.

~ Sofonías 3:17-18 (NVI)

Como seres humanos, es muy común que cuando una relación no da resultado, ni nos llena, la dejamos. Rompemos con ella y tratamos de olvidarnos para siempre de esa persona que nos ofendió o nos abandonó.

Aun así, he escuchado a través de la vida en Cristo que muchas personas se pelean con Dios por diferentes razones. Quizá perdieran un ser querido y culparan a Dios. O porque tuvieron una petición especial y Dios no la concedió. O a lo mejor sufrieron una amarga experiencia en una iglesia o le falló un líder en el que depositaron toda la confianza. Entonces prefieren cortar toda relación con Dios.

¿Sabes? Es un atrevimiento enojarse con quien te dio la vida. Debemos entender que muchas de nuestras decisiones son las causantes de lo que vivimos. Debemos entender que a Dios le interesa nuestra felicidad y que no se goza con nuestro dolor y sufrimiento. Quizá muchas veces antes de tomar decisiones equivocadas Él nos alertara de varias maneras y no lo escuchamos.

A pesar de eso, si fallamos, recuerda que Él no te falla. Él no es un Dios cambiante. Él permanece para siempre. Si estás enojado con Dios, hoy es el día de tu reconciliación con Él. Pídele perdón de todo corazón por haberle juzgado, por haberte alejado, y verás que Él, como un Dios Padre misericordioso, te recibe una vez más en sus brazos.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Como seres humanos, es muy común que cuando una relación no da resultado, ni nos llena, la dejamos. Rompemos con ella y tratamos de olvidarnos para siempre de esa persona que nos ofendió o nos abandonó.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - BOLDNESS, LOVE AND NON-VIOLENCE

BOLDNESS, LOVE AND NON-VIOLENCE

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

~ Romans 12:17, 18 (NIV)

A few years ago I was leading a group from my home church in Canada on a mission trip to Cuba. The church in Cuba had experienced a significant revival movement and the fast-growing house church movement was overflowing with new believers.

In Havana we visited the Baptist Seminary and were delighted to have some time with its then elderly president, Dr. Vegilla. He spoke perfect English and shared with us how he had spent five years in Castro’s prison system in the 1960’s just because he was a Christian pastor. He further itemized the pressures the church had experienced at the hand of the regime over the past five decades. Then he smiled and in his very positive style of expression concluded, “But we have learned three things through all of this. We learned not to fear, not to hate and not to harm!”

I have meditated on this statement for some time and concluded that it expresses very succinctly the biblical essence of standing strong through any storm. And although his three point outline is stated negatively, there are very positive aspects of each:

• learning “not to fear” infers a development of boldness and courage

• learning “not to hate” implies a focus on love, forgiveness and grace

• learning “not to harm” indicates a commitment to the biblical principles of non-violence and aggressive love

Dr. Vegilla summed it up perfectly and as you continue to read these devotionals, you will see dozens of specific applications for all aspect of discipleship in following our Lord Jesus.

RESPONSE: Today I want to live in boldness, love and non-violence. I am committed not to fear, not to hate, and not to harm anyone.

PRAYER: Lord, this kind of living is counter-culture. I need Your strength and power to live this way. Help me—as well as Your persecuted church—to keep this as my focus.

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 Heavy Dose of Perspective

A Heavy Dose of Perspective

Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!”

~ Psalm 188:24 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

It was just a quick check-up at the doctor’s office…or at least that’s what it was supposed to be. My “to-do-list” resembled a mile-long scroll and several deadlines loomed like a thunder cloud ready to burst. But, the appointment would take just a few minutes. Just enough time to catch my breath.

“Good morning Mrs. Jaynes,” the cheery receptionist greeted. “May I see your insurance card please?”

We went through the regular check-in procedure and then I settled in a comfy chair with a magazine that I would not have normally read. I knew I wouldn’t have time to read a full-length article…since this was just a quick visit. My, oh my, the trouble those Hollywood folks get into.

Ten minutes turned into fifteen turned into twenty turned into thirty. My to-do list began growing heavier and heavier in my mind.

“Excuse me,” I interrupted the receptionist. “My appointment was thirty-minutes ago. Did they forget me?”

“I’m so sorry,” she reassured me. “I’ll check on it right away.”

In just a few moments, a nurse appeared at the door. “Mrs. Jaynes, come right this way.”

My second stop was into a stark treatment room with more magazines. “Oh well, let’s see what Brittany did last year,” I mumbled to myself. At least I was in the room. That was good.

The clock continued to tick. With each passing minute my frustration grew. “I’m glad he’s not checking my blood pressure,” I grumbled to no one in particular.

Fifty minutes after I had walked into the office for my quick five-minute check, the doctor himself walked into my room. My to-do list was magnified in my mind. My time was important too, you know. I didn’t have time to sit around and read out-dated gossip magazines!

The doctor was actually a friend of mine, but I was feeling less than friendly. Ice Sculpture is a description that comes to mind when I think of my probable appearance.

“Hi Sharon,” he began. “I’m sorry you have had to wait so long. I have been with a patient and had to tell her that she has terminal cancer. It took longer than I thought.”

Suddenly, my icy countenance began to melt into a puddle on the shiny tile floor and tears pooled in my eyes. I was upset about not checking insignificant frivolous errands off my to-do list and the woman in the next room was pondering how she was going to spend her last days on earth. I envisioned her walking to her car and coming up with a brand new to-do list for her day.

#1 Live well
#2 Love well

Yes, I did have a check-up that day. God was the doctor and He looked into my heart to see that my perspective on life needed surgery. What’s really important? My silly list of errands? No. What should be at the top of my to-do list today and every day is: #1 Live well. #2 Love well. Celebrate each day as an incredible gift from God. “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 188:24 NIV)

Let’s Pray

Dear God, I do thank You for another day of life. Sometimes I can get so caught up in my silly little lists that I lose perspective of the true meaning of life. Help me to live my days glorifying You with every breath that I take and step that I make.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

What is at the top of your to do list today?

Consider making a new to do list and including what you think God would have you do today?

More from the Girlfriends

One of the things at the top of my to-do list for today is to love my husband the way he longs to be loved…the way God would have me love him. If you would like to learn more about keeping your marriage at the top of your to-do list, check out my marriage resources at http://www.sharonjaynes.com.

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

It was just a quick check-up at the doctor’s office…or at least that’s what it was supposed to be.

LHM Daily Devotions - Be What You Are

"Be What You Are"

Jan. 9, 2019

For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death He died He died to sin, once for all, but the life He lives He lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

~ Romans 6:7-11 (ESV)

"Be what you are," people tell us. Or as the folks on Twitter put it, "You do you." But what exactly does that mean? Paul has an odd answer to this question: "You are a dead person. So behave like one." It's startling advice. But it's right there in Romans 6.

I was at a funeral visitation yesterday for an old friend from my former parish. The family had chosen to have the casket open, so people could look at the body one last time. But it didn't look like him, no matter how good the makeup was. That's because he wasn't moving, not the tiniest bit -- not even to breathe. He didn't respond when people looked at him, spoke his name, touched him. Even when people cried, he did nothing. He was clearly dead.

Normally, that wouldn't be a good thing, as we all know -- except in the case Paul is talking about. Paul is talking about being dead to sin. He says, "How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:2b-4).

It sounds like a vivid metaphor. But what if we take it as more than a metaphor -- as a reality? What if the next time temptation comes knocking, we answer, "Nope, can't do it. I'm busy being dead"? What Paul says is true. We are dead -- as far as sin goes at least. We live with the resurrected life of Jesus. And so, God invites us to share in Jesus' life -- to let Him live in and through us, however tentative and baby-like our first steps might be.

We know very well that we still suffer from temptation, and we do sometimes still fall into sin. But when this happens, we are going against our nature; we are in fact behaving rather like zombies, who imitate the way they used to live. Who wants to be a zombie? No thank you! Better to live with Jesus, live in real resurrected life, by the help and grace of God. As Paul writes, "Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death He died He died to sin, once for all, but the life He lives He lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus."

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, show me what it means to live as someone who is dead to sin but alive to You. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was 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).
"Be what you are," people tell us. Or as the folks on Twitter put it, "You do you." But what exactly does that mean?

Devocional del CPTLN de 09 de Enero de 2019 - Sé lo que eres

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Sé lo que eres

09 de Enero de 2019

Porque el que ha muerto, ha sido liberado del pecado. Así que, si morimos con Cristo, creemos que también viviremos con él. Sabemos que Cristo resucitó y que no volverá a morir, pues la muerte ya no tiene poder sobre él. Porque en cuanto a su muerte, murió al pecado de una vez y para siempre; pero en cuanto a su vida, vive para Dios. Así también ustedes, considérense muertos al pecado pero vivos para Dios en Cristo Jesús, nuestro Señor.

~ Romanos 6:7-11 (RVC)

"Sé lo que eres", nos dicen. Pero ¿qué significa eso exactamente? Pablo tiene una extraña respuesta a esa pregunta: 'Eres un muerto, así que compórtate como tal'. Es un consejo extraño, pero así lo dice en Romanos 6.

Ayer fui al velatorio de un viejo amigo de mi antigua congregación. La familia había elegido tener el ataúd abierto para que pudiéramos verle por última vez. Pero no se parecía a él, aun cuando estaba bien maquillado. Es que no se movía, ni en lo más mínimo, ni siquiera para respirar. No respondía cuando alguien lo miraba, decía su nombre o lo tocaba o incluso cuando alguien lloraba. Estaba rotundamente muerto.

Normalmente, como todos sabemos, que un muerto reaccione no es algo bueno, excepto en el caso del cual Pablo está hablando: de estar muertos al pecado. Él dice: "Porque los que hemos muerto al pecado, ¿cómo podemos seguir viviendo en él? ¿No saben ustedes que todos los que fuimos bautizados en Cristo Jesús, fuimos bautizados en su muerte? Porque por el bautismo fuimos sepultados con él en su muerte, para que así como Cristo resucitó de los muertos por la gloria del Padre, así también nosotros vivamos una vida nueva" (Romanos 6:2b-4).

Suena como una vibrante metáfora. Pero ¿y si en vez de considerarlo una metáfora lo consideramos una realidad? ¿Qué pasaría si la próxima vez que la tentación nos toca a la puerta respondemos: "No, no puedo hacerlo, estoy ocupado estando muerto?" Lo que Pablo dice es verdad. Estamos muertos, al menos en lo que respecta al pecado. Vivimos con la vida resucitada de Jesús. Y así, Dios nos invita a ser parte de la vida de Jesús, a dejar que él viva en nosotros y a través de nosotros, por más vacilantes y pequeños que sean nuestros primeros pasos.

Sabemos muy bien que todavía sufrimos tentaciones y, a veces, caemos en pecado. Pero cuando esto sucede, vamos en contra de nuestra naturaleza: de hecho, nos estamos comportando como zombis, que imitan la forma en que solían vivir. ¿Quién quiere ser un zombi? ¡No, gracias! Mejor vivir con la vida real y resucitada de Jesús, con la ayuda y la gracia de Dios. Como escribe Pablo: "Porque el que ha muerto, ha sido liberado del pecado. Así que, si morimos con Cristo, creemos que también viviremos con él. Sabemos que Cristo resucitó y que no volverá a morir, pues la muerte ya no tiene poder sobre él. Porque en cuanto a su muerte, murió al pecado de una vez y para siempre; pero en cuanto a su vida, vive para Dios. Así también ustedes, considérense muertos al pecado pero vivos para Dios en Cristo Jesús, nuestro Señor."

ORACIÓN: Querido Señor, muéstrame lo que significa vivir como alguien que está muerto al pecado, pero vivo para ti. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

© Copyright 2018 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
"Sé lo que eres", nos dicen. Pero ¿qué significa eso exactamente? Pablo tiene una extraña respuesta a esa pregunta: ...

Ministérios Pão Diário - Velho, mas novo

Velho, mas novo


Leia: Apocalipse 21:1-5
 | A Bíblia em um ano: Gênesis 23–24; Mateus 7

Baixe a versão MP3

E aquele que está assentado no trono disse: Eis que faço novas todas 
as coisas… v.5


Em 2014, um sumidouro se abriu sob um museu de carros antigos, engolindo oito carros esportivos Chevrolet Corvette, antigos e insubstituíveis. Os automóveis ficaram muito danificados — alguns, sem chance de conserto.

Um desses carros, em particular, recebeu atenção extra. O milionésimo Corvette, fabricado em 1992, era o mais valioso da coleção. O que aconteceu àquela preciosidade após ter sido retirada do sumidouro é fascinante. Especialistas restauraram o carro à condição de novo, utilizando e reparando principalmente as suas peças originais. Embora aquela belezinha estivesse em péssimo estado, agora se parece tão bem quanto no dia em que fora fabricado.

O velho e danificado tornou-se novo.

Esse é um lembrete importante daquilo que Deus tem reservado aos que creem em Jesus. Em Apocalipse 21:1, João disse ter visto “…novo céu e nova terra…”. Muitos estudiosos da Bíblia veem essa Terra “nova” como uma Terra renovada, pois o estudo da palavra nova neste contexto revela que o seu significado é “revigorada” ou “restaurada” após a ruína da velha ter sido eliminada. Deus renovará o que está corrompido neste mundo e proverá um lugar novo, mas familiar, onde os cristãos viverão com Ele.

Que incrível verdade para contemplar: uma Terra nova, revigorada, familiar e bela. Imagine a majestosa obra das mãos de Deus!

Nosso Criador faz novas todas as coisas.

por Dave Branon

© 2019 Ministérios Pão Diário
Em 2014, um sumidouro se abriu sob um museu de carros antigos, engolindo oito carros esportivos Chevrolet Corvette, antigos e insubstituíveis. Os automóveis ficaram muito danificados — alguns, sem chance de conserto.