The Daily Lectionary for TUESDAY, April 9, 2019

Warning against Antichrists
1 John 2:18-28

The Daily Lectionary

TUESDAY, April 9, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Psalm 20

Prayer for Victory
To the leader. A Psalm of David.
1  The Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
     The name of the God of Jacob protect you!
2  May he send you help from the sanctuary,
     and give you support from Zion.
3  May he remember all your offerings,
     and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices.    Selah

4  May he grant you your heart’s desire,
     and fulfill all your plans.
5  May we shout for joy over your victory,
     and in the name of our God set up our banners.
   May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

6  Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed;
     he will answer him from his holy heaven
     with mighty victories by his right hand.
7  Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses,
     but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God.
8  They will collapse and fall,
     but we shall rise and stand upright.

9  Give victory to the king, O Lord;
     answer us when we call.

Judges 9:7-15

The Parable of the Trees
9:7 When it was told to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim, and cried aloud and said to them, “Listen to me, you lords of Shechem, so that God may listen to you.

8  The trees once went out
     to anoint a king over themselves.
   So they said to the olive tree,
     ‘Reign over us.’
9  The olive tree answered them,
     ‘Shall I stop producing my rich oil
         by which gods and mortals are honored,
         and go to sway over the trees?’
10 Then the trees said to the fig tree,
     ‘You come and reign over us.’
11 But the fig tree answered them,
     ‘Shall I stop producing my sweetness
         and my delicious fruit,
         and go to sway over the trees?’
12 Then the trees said to the vine,
     ‘You come and reign over us.’
13 But the vine said to them,
     ‘Shall I stop producing my wine
         that cheers gods and mortals,
         and go to sway over the trees?’
14 So all the trees said to the bramble,
     ‘You come and reign over us.’
15 And the bramble said to the trees,
     ‘If in good faith you are anointing me king over you,
         then come and take refuge in my shade;
     but if not, let fire come out of the bramble
         and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’

1 John 2:18-28

Warning against Antichrists
2:18 Children, it is the last hour! As you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. From this we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But by going out they made it plain that none of them belongs to us. 20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and all of you have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and you know that no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he has promised us, eternal life.

26 I write these things to you concerning those who would deceive you. 27 As for you, the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and so you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, abide in him.

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he is revealed we may have confidence and not be put to shame before him at his coming.

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
This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son.

Verse of the Day for TUESDAY, April 9, 2019

Hebrews 1:3 (NIV) The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Read all of Hebrews 1

Listen to Hebrews 1

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 las etapas de la vida

Oración por las etapas de la vida

Como palmeras florecen los justos [...] Aun en su vejez, darán fruto.

~ Salmo 92:12, 14 (NVI)

Hoy quiero, mi Dios, presentar esta oración pidiendo que nos ayudes a aceptar cada una de las etapas que estamos viviendo en la vida.

Te pedimos que quites de nuestra mente pensamientos de frustración y que podamos gozar cada año que nos das. Ayúdanos a entender que todo tiene su tiempo y que no somos los únicos en sentirnos así.

Danos entendimiento y sabiduría en la manera de vestirnos y de comportarnos. Permite que podamos llegar a esta etapa de la edad madura con orgullo y que podamos disfrutar de esos cambios manteniendo un corazón alegre y apacible.

Dios mío, extiende también tu misericordia y danos mucha salud.

Ayúdanos a ser prudentes y cuidarnos, y a mantener por siempre nuestra mirada puesta en ti.

Gracias, mi Dios, por la vida y, sobre todo, gracias por la vida eterna.

Amén y amén.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Hoy quiero, mi Dios, presentar esta oración pidiendo que nos ayudes a aceptar cada una de las etapas que estamos viviendo en la vida.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED

CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

~ 1 Corinthians 15:20 (NIV)

Brother Andrew shares today’s devotional:

At the time of the cruel persecution in the Soviet Union under Stalin, public meetings were regularly held in order to ridicule religion, the church and the priests. On one occasion the inhabitants of a town were summoned to the main square. From a platform on the square, a fluent 'scholarly’ atheist, who seemed to have many proofs against the Bible, God and the clergy addressed the public.

The crowd had listened silently. But when the local priest was called to the front to answer this brilliant oration, an uneasy muttering rippled through the crowd. The man went and stood close to the microphone and everyone held his breath. The tension could be cut with a knife, and you could hear a pin drop. What would his answer be?

We shall never know what went on in the heart of this man - his fear, his prayer - but at last his voice could be heard, resounding through the loudspeakers, not only to the crowd, but also to a large part of the city: “Khristos voskrese!” Christ is risen!

For one split second there was silence. A shudder went through the crowd and then, as a blazing testimony to the priest and to the atheist opponent, the cry broke out, unanimous and powerful: “Voistinu voskrese!” The Lord is risen indeed!

That was a bad day for atheistic propaganda in Russia. It was also a bad day for the religious leaders in Jerusalem, nearly 2,000 years ago, because they had to bribe the soldiers with much money to get them to tell lies (Matthew 28:12-13). It was also a bad day for the guards who “became like dead men” (Matthew 28:4).

But it was a bad day especially for the devil because if he had known this, he “would not have crucified the Lord of Glory” (1 Corinthians 2:8).

The one who believes in the Cross and the Resurrection takes the side of those who are persecuted. Or, to put it another way, whoever identifies with the persecuted church stands in the power of the Resurrection - a target of misguided and corrupt people, but nevertheless together with the mighty Conqueror. The Lamb conquers and we conquer too...in Him. Hallelujah!

RESPONSE: Today I rejoice in the glorious truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord.

PRAYER: Lord, may the persecuted church around the world resound today with a vocal outburst of assurance that Jesus is alive.

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 - Jesus Is on Your Side

Jesus Is on Your Side

Lauren Gaskill

Today’s Truth

Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.

~ Luke 22:31-32 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

If I made a list of all the things that I want to thank Jesus for, this wonderful display of grace would be at the top. I mean seriously, here Jesus is, about to be abandoned, arrested, persecuted and executed, and what does He do? He prays for Simon Peter’s faith and assures Him that even though the waters are about to get stirred up, he’ll pass through them. The waves will not overwhelm him or obliterate his faith, even if he might feel like he’s going under.

You want to know what just wrecks me? Knowing that Jesus, who now sits at the right hand of God and is interceding for us, has prayed specifically for me, that my faith may not fail. Consider the fact He’s doing the very same thing for you, right here and now in this moment. Amazing, right?

Jesus is on your side. He is with and for you, leading you to move forward through every trial and tribulation. I know there are times where it might not feel like it, but it’s the truth. Even when we feel worn out, tired, hopeless, afraid, abandoned and forgotten, Christ is standing right beside us. We are not alone in this journey and Jesus isn’t going to let our faith fail. As John Piper so eloquently put it in a recent sermon, “God guards his children by preserving and sustaining their faith Himself.”

Our faith may falter and change from season to season, but we can rest in knowing that God is the One guarding and strengthening us. Because He who began a good work in us will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). Hallelujah, Amen. Thank you, Jesus. We don’t have to go it alone.

And so, when the doctor whispers the diagnosis you never wanted to hear. When a close friend or family member says they’ve stopped loving you. When a peaceful vacation turns into a nightmare full of disappointments. When your employer gives the promotion that they promised you to someone else. When you feel like you’ll never be the man or woman you used to be. Remember, you are not alone, and your faith is not going to fail, because Jesus is praying for you. Oh, and I am too.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, this life can be so hard, full of so many disappointments and heartbreaks. Help me find my faith in You and You alone. Increase my faith and help my unbelief, Father. Thank You for never giving up on me.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Think of a time when your faith should have crumbled, but somehow you came out of the battle stronger than ever before. What did God show and teach you through this time?

More from the Girlfriends

Lauren Gaskill is the author of Into the Deep: Diving into a Life of Courageous Faith, a national speaker and the president of She Found Joy. Diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder (Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome), Lauren is passionate about encouraging others to fight for faith and keep hope alive — no matter what. You can order a copy of Lauren’s book on her website.

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

If I made a list of all the things that I want to thank Jesus for, this wonderful display of grace would be at the top.

LHM Daily Devotions - SAFETY

"SAFETY"

Apr. 9, 2019

... Jesus said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children."

~ Luke 23:28 (ESV)

As Jesus walks to the place where He will be crucified, a large crowd is following Him. Some of them are women who are grieving and weeping for Him. Jesus turns to speak to them.

That in itself is surprising. Jesus has already been scourged, and He is now so weak that the soldiers have had to draft another man to carry His cross for Him. In a few minutes Jesus will be nailed to the cross. If there is ever a time for Jesus to think of Himself, surely it is now.

And yet He doesn't. He is thinking of the women who are weeping. And He says to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children." He warns them that terrible days are coming. In just a few years, the Roman army will come and destroy Jerusalem, and her people will starve and be slaughtered. "For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?" In other words, if human beings are willing to murder the incarnate Son of God while He is living on earth, what worse things will they do in the future when He has returned to heaven?

I wonder how many of the women recalled His words when the siege of Jerusalem started. I hope some took warning and left the city while they still could. There is a tradition that says that before the end, the Christians of Jerusalem left the city to find safety elsewhere. Perhaps some of these women were among them.

Jesus gave them a chance of safety, for themselves and their children. And yet He did far more than that, just hours after this conversation. For when He died on that cross, Jesus made Himself our place of safety—the one who protects us from the power of death, the devil, and all evil. He made Himself our fortress, our protection. When we are in trouble, we can flee to Him for help. He will never fail us or leave us alone.

THE PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for becoming our place of safety. Amen.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• Where is the place you feel the safest?

• What person in your life makes you feel the safest (besides Jesus)?

• How can you help someone else find safety through what you do or say in the Name of Jesus?

Lenten 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).
Where is the place you feel the safest?

Devocional de la CPTLN del 09 de Abril de 2019 - A salvo

ALIMENTO DIARIO

A salvo

09 de Abril de 2019

Pero Jesús se volvió hacia ellas y les dijo: "Mujeres de Jerusalén, no lloren por mí, sino por ustedes mismas y por sus hijos."

~ Lucas 23:28 (RVC)

Mientras Jesús camina hacia el lugar donde será crucificado, lo sigue una gran multitud. Muchas mujeres iban llorando por él. Jesús se vuelve a hablarles.

Eso, en sí mismo, ya es sorprendente. Jesús ya ha sido azotado y está tan débil, que los soldados tuvieron que reclutar a un hombre para que llevara su cruz. En pocos minutos será clavado la cruz. Si hubiera un momento para que pensara en sí mismo, seguramente sería éste.

Pero no lo hace. Antes bien, se dirige a las mujeres que estaban llorando y les advierte que vendrán días terribles, que en pocos años el ejército romano destruirá Jerusalén y que su gente morirá de hambre y será asesinada. "Porque, si esto hacen con el árbol verde, ¡qué no harán con el árbol seco!" En otras palabras, si los seres humanos están dispuestos a asesinar al Hijo de Dios, ¿qué cosas peores harán en el futuro cuando él haya vuelto al cielo?

No sabemos si ellas recordaron esas palabras cuando comenzó la persecución en Jerusalén. Ojalá que sí, y que hayan podido escapar a tiempo. Pero sí sabemos que Jesús les dio una oportunidad de ponerse a salvo, tanto a ellas como a sus hijos.

Pero apenas unas horas después de esa conversación, hizo mucho más que eso. Porque al morir en la cruz, Jesús se convirtió en nuestra salvación, protegiéndonos del poder de la muerte, del diablo y de todo mal, nuestra fortaleza y nuestra protección. Cuando estamos en problemas podemos refugiarnos en él, sabiendo que siempre nos ayudará. Jesús nunca nos fallará ni nos dejará solos.

ORACIÓN: Gracias, Señor, por ser nuestro refugio y salvación. Amén.

PREGUNTAS DE REFLEXIÓN:

• ¿Qué lugar o persona (aparte de Jesús) te hace sentir más seguro?

• ¿De qué manera puedes ayudar a que otros encuentren salvación en el nombre de Jesús?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Qué lugar o persona (aparte de Jesús) te hace sentir más seguro?

Nuestro Pan Diario - Buena noticia que contar

Buena noticia que contar

Leer: Hechos 8:26-35 | La Biblia en un año: 1 Samuel 13–14; Lucas 10:1-24

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Entonces Felipe, […] comenzando desde esta escritura, le anunció el evangelio de Jesús (v. 35).

«¿Cómo te llamas?», preguntó Arman, un estudiante iraní. Cuando dije que me llamaba Estera, se le iluminó el rostro y exclamó: «Tenemos un nombre similar en farsi: ¡Setare!». Esa pequeña conexión abrió una conversación asombrosa. Le dije que mi nombre venía de un personaje bíblico, «Ester», una reina judía de Persia (la actual Irán). Con esa historia, le compartí la buena noticia de Jesús; y como resultado, Arman empezó a asistir a un estudio bíblico semanal para saber más de Cristo.

Felipe, uno de los seguidores de Jesús, guiado por el Espíritu Santo, hizo una pregunta que generó una conversación con un funcionario etíope: «¿entiendes lo que lees?» (Hechos 8:30). Aquel hombre estaba leyendo un pasaje del libro de Isaías y buscando discernimiento espiritual. Por eso, la pregunta de Felipe llegó en el momento preciso, y al darse cuenta de la asombrosa oportunidad que se le presentó, «comenzando desde esta escritura, le anunció el evangelio de Jesús» (v. 35).

Como Felipe, nosotros también tenemos una buena noticia que contar. Aprovechemos las oportunidades que se presentan cada día en el trabajo, en el supermercado o en el vecindario. Permitamos que el Espíritu Santo nos guíe y nos dé las palabras para testificar de la esperanza y el gozo en Jesús.

¿Cómo te anima el ejemplo de Felipe a hablarles a los demás de Jesús?

Por Estera Pirosca Escobar

© 2019 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario
¿Cómo te anima el ejemplo de Felipe a hablarles a los demás de Jesús?