The Daily Lectionary for TUESDAY, February 26, 2019

Abuses at the Lord’s Supper
1 Corinthians 11:17-22, 27-33

The Daily Lectionary

TUESDAY, February 26, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Psalm 38

A Penitent Sufferer’s Plea for Healing
A Psalm of David, for the memorial offering.
1  O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger,
     or discipline me in your wrath.
2  For your arrows have sunk into me,
     and your hand has come down on me.

3  There is no soundness in my flesh
     because of your indignation;
   there is no health in my bones
     because of my sin.
4  For my iniquities have gone over my head;
     they weigh like a burden too heavy for me.

5  My wounds grow foul and fester
     because of my foolishness;
6  I am utterly bowed down and prostrate;
     all day long I go around mourning.
7  For my loins are filled with burning,
     and there is no soundness in my flesh.
8  I am utterly spent and crushed;
     I groan because of the tumult of my heart.

9  O Lord, all my longing is known to you;
     my sighing is not hidden from you.
10 My heart throbs, my strength fails me;
     as for the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.
11 My friends and companions stand aloof from my affliction,
     and my neighbors stand far off.

12 Those who seek my life lay their snares;
     those who seek to hurt me speak of ruin,
     and meditate treachery all day long.

13 But I am like the deaf, I do not hear;
     like the mute, who cannot speak.
14 Truly, I am like one who does not hear,
     and in whose mouth is no retort.

15 But it is for you, O Lord, that I wait;
     it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.
16 For I pray, “Only do not let them rejoice over me,
     those who boast against me when my foot slips.”

17 For I am ready to fall,
     and my pain is ever with me.
18 I confess my iniquity;
     I am sorry for my sin.
19 hose who are my foes without cause are mighty,
     and many are those who hate me wrongfully.
20 Those who render me evil for good
     are my adversaries because I follow after good.

21 Do not forsake me, O Lord;
     O my God, do not be far from me;
22 make haste to help me,
     O Lord, my salvation.

1 Samuel 24:1-22

David Spares Saul’s Life
24:1 When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.” 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to look for David and his men in the direction of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. 3 He came to the sheepfolds beside the road, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. 4 The men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it seems good to you.’” Then David went and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s cloak. 5 Afterward David was stricken to the heart because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s cloak. 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to raise my hand against him; for he is the Lord’s anointed.” 7 So David scolded his men severely and did not permit them to attack Saul. Then Saul got up and left the cave, and went on his way.

8 Afterwards David also rose up and went out of the cave and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the ground, and did obeisance. 9 David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of those who say, ‘David seeks to do you harm’? 10 This very day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you into my hand in the cave; and some urged me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not raise my hand against my lord; for he is the Lord’s anointed.’ 11 See, my father, see the corner of your cloak in my hand; for by the fact that I cut off the corner of your cloak, and did not kill you, you may know for certain that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you are hunting me to take my life. 12 May the Lord judge between me and you! May the Lord avenge me on you; but my hand shall not be against you. 13 As the ancient proverb says, ‘Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness’; but my hand shall not be against you. 14 Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A single flea? 15 May the Lord therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you. May he see to it, and plead my cause, and vindicate me against you.”

16 When David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” Saul lifted up his voice and wept. 17 He said to David, “You are more righteous than I; for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. 18 Today you have explained how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands. 19 For who has ever found an enemy, and sent the enemy safely away? So may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. 20 Now I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. 21 Swear to me therefore by the Lord that you will not cut off my descendants after me, and that you will not wipe out my name from my father’s house.” 22 So David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home; but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

1 Corinthians 11:17-22, 27-33

Abuses at the Lord’s Supper 
11:17 Now in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, to begin with, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and to some extent I believe it. 19 Indeed, there have to be factions among you, for only so will it become clear who among you are genuine. 20 When you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord’s supper. 21 For when the time comes to eat, each of you goes ahead with your own supper, and one goes hungry and another becomes drunk. 22 What! Do you not have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I commend you? In this matter I do not commend you!

Partaking of the Supper Unworthily
27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves. 30 For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 

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, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord.

Verse of the Day for TUESDAY, February 26, 2019

1 John 4:9 (NIV) This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

Read all of 1 John 4

Listen to 1 John 4

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 - Oración por misericordia

Oración por misericordia

Confíen en el Señor para siempre, porque el Señor es una Roca eterna.

~ Isaías 26:4 (NVI)

Señor: He leído y escuchado que tus misericordias son nuevas cada día para nosotros y eso me da la esperanza de que no estoy sola, de que te preocupas por lo que estoy viviendo y que con la prueba me darás también la salida.

Dios mío, te pido perdón si te he culpado de lo que me pasa, pero te confieso que no puedo más. Estoy muy cansado de tomar mis decisiones y de no tenerte en cuenta.

Hoy te pido una nueva oportunidad. He comprendido que deseas ayudarme, regalarme días felices y enseñarme cosas que ahora no puedo entender.

Así que no quiero cuestionarte. Solo quiero aprender a descansar en ti y a confiar en todo tiempo en ti.

Te entrego en este día mis cargas y recibo tu misericordia nueva de hoy.

Amén y amén

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Señor: He leído y escuchado que tus misericordias son nuevas cada día para nosotros y eso me da la esperanza de que no estoy sola, de que te preocupas por lo que estoy viviendo y que con la prueba me darás también la salida...

Standing Strong Through the Storm - SUFFERING CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE SPIRITUAL STRENGTH OF OTHERS

SUFFERING CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE SPIRITUAL STRENGTH OF OTHERS

Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

~ Philippians 1:14 (NIV)

A pastor imprisoned for his faith in Eritrea recently wrote to his wife:

God, by His holy will, has prolonged my prison sentence to five years and four month. I very much long for the day that I will be reunited with you my dear wife, our children and God's people in the church.

My dear, listen to me—not only as a wife, but also as a Christian woman who has come to understand who God is and how deep and mysterious His ways are. Yes! I love you, I love the children, and I would love to be free in order to serve God. But, in here, God has made me not only a sufferer for His Name’s sake in a prison of this world over which Christ has won victory, but also a prisoner of His indescribable love and grace. I am testing and experiencing the love and care of our Lord every day.

When they first brought me to this prison, I had thoughts which were contrary to what the Bible says. I thought the devil had prevailed over the church and over me. I thought the work of the gospel in Eritrea was over. But it did not take one day for the Lord to show me that He is a sovereign God and that He is in control of all things—even here in prison.

The moment I entered my cell, one of the prisoners called me and said, “Pastor, come over here. Everyone in this cell is [unsaved]. You are very much needed here.” So, on the same day I was put in prison, I carried on my spiritual work.

My dear, the longer I stay in here, the more I love my Saviour and tell the people here about His goodness. His grace is enabling me to overcome the coldness and the longing that I feel for you and for our children. Sometimes I ask myself, Am I out of my mind? Am I a fool? Well, isn’t that what the Apostle Paul said, “Whether I am of sound mind or out of my mind, I am Christ’s!”

My most respected wife, I love you more than I can say. Please help the children understand that I am here as a prisoner of Christ for the greater cause of the gospel.

RESPONSE: Today I will live in the awareness that God is in control of all that happens in my life. My suffering can contribute to the spiritual strength of others.

PRAYER: Please pray for the wives and families of pastors imprisoned for their faith. Pray that they will be strengthened and an encouragement to others, despite their own pain.

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 - In God’s Waiting Room

In God’s Waiting Room

Rachel Wojo

Today’s Truth

Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

~ Psalm 27:14 (ESV)

Friend to Friend

I have a confession to make. I’m terrible at waiting. Whether in a doctor’s office waiting room, parent pickup line, or restaurant waiting area, I strategize ways to wait the least amount of time.

If you can use an app and wait less time than standing in line? I use it. If you can order ahead and potentially wait less time? I do it. Now I realize that this is not all bad; I certainly don’t want everything in life to be a journey. But what if the desire for instant gratification is so strong that it makes me miss important parts of growth and relationship?

At some points in my life, I’ve felt like I was sitting in God’s waiting room. Oh, I know; there were no magazines and no chairs. But for reasons unknown to me, I was waiting on God. To send answers. To open an opportunity. To create a new situation. Whatever the circumstance, it was outside my control and I felt tempted to stomp my foot like a toddler. I sometimes felt tempted to try to make a change without God’s help. Have you ever sat in God’s waiting room? I know you have.

Why does God place us there? While I’m still learning how to wait patiently on God, I’ve combed the Word for hints on embracing this concept. One of those hints is that God wants to prepare us for the answer.

If I gave my 13-year-old son a car for his birthday this year, what would happen? Most likely something horrible since he’s not qualified to drive a car. He hasn’t taken a single driving lesson. He doesn’t know how the equipment functions. He barely understands how to unlock and start the car. My son would have to wait to truly unwrap that gift because he’s just not ready for it.

God alone knows when we are ready for the answer for which we are waiting. He wants us to be equipped for the answer He is providing. He knows that catastrophe could lie ahead if we move on without preparation. He knows how hard it would be to sit and stare at the answer while we continue to work on our qualifications.

Today’s verse provides the encouragement we need to keep going through the waiting period. So often our focus is either on the wait or the result we desire. But while our focus is on the wait, God’s focus is on the work. Be strong and courageous, Friend. God will provide the answers in his perfect timing.

When we begin to view life from a faith-filled perspective, we can look back over the course of the journey and realize that God was there all along. We weren’t waiting for no reason! Spiritual hindsight comes as we adjust our lenses to see as God sees. Although we can’t see things to come, we recognize that just as God had a purpose for the wait in the past, so can He be trusted with the future.

Perhaps today you are waiting on God to provide a new job, heal a sickness, or mend a broken relationship. The journey has been long, and you are flat-out tired of waiting. Take heart. The God who loves you beyond measure is right there with you in your wait. He longs to provide the strength you need to keep from barging ahead on your own. He has not left you alone in the wait.

What we perceive as waiting on God is actually his wooing. He longs to draw you close and equip you well.

Let’s Pray

Dear Father, The wait has been long, and I’ve grown tired of waiting on answers. Let my soul be flooded with encouragement from today’s devotion. Fill me with an eager anticipation, not for the wait to end, but to be prepared to walk through Your answer. Help me embrace Your perfect timing.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Have you ever wondered why you were waiting on God to answer a prayer request? Write a short list of encouraging phrases or thoughts from the devotion above that helps you cope with your question of why. Or screenshot the one thought from the devotion above and highlight it with your smartphone editing tool as an encouraging reminder that you are not waiting in vain. Text it to a friend or share on social media.

More from the Girlfriends

Feeling encouraged to gain strength? If this devotion met you in God’s waiting room, you’ll love chapter 5 of Rachel’s book, One More Step: Finding Strength When You Feel Like Giving Up.

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

I have a confession to make. I’m terrible at waiting.

LHM Daily Devotions - When God Says No

"When God Says No"

Feb. 26, 2019

Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land ... So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab.

~ Deuteronomy 34:1a, 5a (ESV)

One of the hardest parts of the Christian life comes when God says, "No." "No, you may not take that job." "No, you will not have a baby." "No, I will not heal you from the disease from which you are suffering." It can be heartbreaking. Who among us hasn't spent hours on our knees, begging God to change His mind?

Moses surely knew that feeling. After all, he was the one who spent 40 years of his life leading the people of Israel through the wilderness to the land God promised them. He saw to it that they had food and water, led them to their camping spots, taught them God's Commandments, settled their disputes. And he told them what God promised: "a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey" (see Exodus 3:8). Surely, more than anybody in Israel, Moses wanted to see the Promised Land!

But he would not see it. That was the penalty God had set for Moses' disobedience in the wilderness years before; He said, "because you broke faith with Me ... and because you did not treat Me as holy in the midst of the people of Israel" (Deuteronomy 32:51).

Moses could have made a break for it. After all, they weren't far from the Jordan River. Surely, he could have found a way to ford that river—sneak into the land—escape without God seeing him. No, that wouldn't work. God would know.

But I doubt Moses would have tried that anyway. He loved God—the very God who was saying no to his dearest dream. Argue with God? Moses would, and did. Disobey God? No. Moses loved Him too well.

And so Moses went up that mountain and accepted the consolation prize—the chance to see what he could not enter. And there, in God's mercy, Moses died. The "no" was final.

Or was it? More than a thousand years later, Jesus climbed a different mountain in the Promised Land, where He was transfigured before His disciples. And with Him were Elijah the prophet, and yes, Moses! All those years later, Moses finally made it into the Promised Land—by Jesus' gift.

You may be facing a "No" from God right now. If so, you know the pain it causes. And no doubt you are praying, arguing, begging God to change His mind. That's all right. Moses did. But because you belong to Jesus, you know that you are still in God's love during your suffering—that you remain His child—that God can, and will, do abundantly better than we can even dream of in His own time and way. That doesn't stop the hurting. But it does give us one more reason to lean our full weight on Jesus, our Savior.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me to deal with the times You tell me "No," and to continue trusting You and Your love. 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).
One of the hardest parts of the Christian life comes when God says, "No."

Devocional de la CPTLN del 26 de Febrero de 2019 - Cuando Dios dice que no

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Cuando Dios dice que no

26 de Febrero de 2019

Moisés subió desde los campos de Moab hasta el monte Nebo, hasta la cumbre del Pisga, que está enfrente de Jericó, y allí el Señor le mostró toda la tierra... Allí, en la tierra de Moab, murió Moisés, el siervo del Señor...

~ Deuteronomio 34:1a, 5a (RVC)

Una de las partes más difíciles de la vida cristiana es cuando Dios nos dice "No". "No, no puedes tomar ese trabajo". "No, no tendrás un bebé". "No, no te curaré de la enfermedad que estás sufriendo." Puede ser desgarrador. ¿Quién de nosotros no ha pasado horas de rodillas, rogándole a Dios que cambie de opinión?

Moisés seguramente conoció ese sentimiento. Después de todo, pasó 40 años de su vida guiando al pueblo de Israel a través del desierto a la tierra que Dios les había prometido, asegurándose de que tuvieran agua y comida y un lugar donde acampar, les enseñó los Mandamientos de Dios y resolvió sus disputas, y les dijo lo que Dios había prometido: "una tierra buena y amplia, una tierra que fluye leche y miel" (Éxodo 3:8). Seguramente, más que nadie en Israel, ¡Moisés quería ver la Tierra Prometida!

Pero no la vería. Ese fue el castigo que Dios le había impuesto por su desobediencia en el desierto años antes, cuando le dijo: "ustedes pecaron contra mí delante de los hijos de Israel, y delante de ellos no me santificaron" (Deuteronomio 32:51).

Moisés pudo haber llegado. Después de todo, no estaban lejos del río Jordán. Seguramente podría haber encontrado la manera de vadearlo, infiltrarse en la tierra y escapar sin que Dios lo viera. Pero no. No podía funcionar. Dios lo sabría.

De cualquier forma, dudo que Moisés lo hubiera intentado: amaba a Dios, el mismo Dios que decía "No" a su sueño más querido. ¿Discutir con Dios? Lo haría, y lo hizo. ¿Desobedecer a Dios? No. Moisés lo amaba demasiado.

Y así subió esa montaña y aceptó el premio consuelo: la oportunidad de ver adonde no podía entrar. Y allí, en la misericordia de Dios, Moisés murió. El "no" fue definitivo.

¿O no? Más de mil años después Jesús subió a una montaña diferente en la Tierra Prometida, donde se transfiguró ante sus discípulos. Y con él estaban el profeta Elías y ¡Moisés! Todos esos años después, Moisés finalmente llegó a la Tierra Prometida, por el regalo de Jesús.

Quizás en estos momentos estés enfrentando un "No" de Dios. Si es así, sabes el dolor que causa. Y no hay duda de que estás orando, discutiendo, rogando a Dios que cambie de opinión. Está bien que así sea. Moisés lo hizo. Pero dado que perteneces a Jesús, sabes que el amor de Dios te sigue cubriendo durante el sufrimiento, que sigues siendo su hijo, que Dios puede, y hará, mucho más de lo que podemos soñar a su propio tiempo y manera. Esto no detiene el dolor, pero nos da una razón más para descansar en Jesús, nuestro Salvador.

ORACIÓN: Querido Señor, ayúdame a aceptar tus "No" y a continuar confiando en ti y en tu amor. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
Una de las partes más difíciles de la vida cristiana es cuando Dios nos dice "No".

Nuestro Pan Diario - Deshacerse de la mala información

Deshacerse de la mala información

Leer: Proverbios 23:9-12
 | La Biblia en un año: Números 15–16 Marcos 6:1-29

Descargar MP3

Aplica tu corazón a la enseñanza, y tus oídos a las palabras de sabiduría (v. 12).


Hace poco, en un viaje a Nueva York, mi esposa y yo queríamos desafiar una noche con nieve y contratar un taxi para que nos llevara del hotel a un restaurante cubano. Después de ingresar los datos en la aplicación del servicio de taxis, tragué fuerte cuando vi en la pantalla el precio de nuestro corto paseo de unos cinco kilómetros: 1.547 dólares. Cuando me recuperé del susto, me di cuenta de que, por error, ¡había pedido un viaje a nuestra casa, a varios cientos de kilómetros de distancia!


Si uno trabaja con la información equivocada, los resultados serán desastrosos. Siempre. Por eso, Proverbios nos exhorta: «Aplica tu corazón a la enseñanza, y tus oídos a las palabras de sabiduría» (23:12). Si buscamos consejo de personas necias, de aquellos que pretenden saber más de lo que saben y que le han dado la espalda a Dios, estaremos en problemas. El necio «menospreciará la prudencia» (v. 9) y nos hará desviar con consejos inútiles, equivocados e, incluso, engañosos.


En cambio, podemos inclinar nuestros «oídos a las palabras de sabiduría» (v. 12); abrir nuestro corazón y recibir las instrucciones liberadoras de Dios, sus palabras de esclarecimiento y esperanza. Escuchar a aquellos que conocen profundamente al Señor nos ayudará a recibir y seguir la sabiduría divina.

Señor, ayúdame a buscar tu sabiduría.


La sabiduría del necio lleva siempre al encierro, 
pero la sabiduría de Dios abre siempre nuevos horizontes.

Por WC

© 2019 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario
Hace poco, en un viaje a Nueva York, mi esposa y yo queríamos desafiar una noche con nieve y contratar un taxi para que nos llevara del hotel a un restaurante cubano. Después de ingresar los datos en la aplicación del servicio de taxis, tragué fuerte cuando vi en la pantalla el precio de nuestro corto paseo de unos cinco kilómetros: 1.547 dólares.