The Daily Lectionary for WEDNESDAY, April 17, 2019 - Holy Wednesday (Spy Wednesday)

The Daily Lectionary

WEDNESDAY, April 17, 2019 - Holy Wednesday

(Spy Wednesday)

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Isaiah 50:4-9a

The Servant’s Humiliation and Vindication
50:4 The Lord God has given me
     the tongue of a teacher,
   that I may know how to sustain
     the weary with a word.
   Morning by morning he wakens—
     wakens my ear
     to listen as those who are taught.
5  The Lord God has opened my ear,
     and I was not rebellious,
     I did not turn backward.
6  I gave my back to those who struck me,
     and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
   I did not hide my face
     from insult and spitting.

7  The Lord God helps me;
     therefore I have not been disgraced;
   therefore I have set my face like flint,
     and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
8      he who vindicates me is near.
   Who will contend with me?
     Let us stand up together.
   Who are my adversaries?
     Let them confront me.
9a It is the Lord God who helps me;

Psalm 70

Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies
To the leader. Of David, for the memorial offering.
1  Be pleased, O God, to deliver me.
     O Lord, make haste to help me!
2  Let those be put to shame and confusion
     who seek my life.
   Let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
     who desire to hurt me.
3  Let those who say, “Aha, Aha!”
     turn back because of their shame.

4  Let all who seek you
     rejoice and be glad in you.
   Let those who love your salvation
     say evermore, “God is great!”
5  But I am poor and needy;
     hasten to me, O God!
   You are my help and my deliverer;
     O Lord, do not delay!

Hebrews 12:1-3

The Example of Jesus
12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.

John 13:21-32

Jesus Foretells His Betrayal
13:21 After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. 23 One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; 24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. 27 After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival”; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

The New Commandment
31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once.

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
Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.”

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, April 17, 2019 - Holy Wednesday (Spy Wednesday)

1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV) For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 1

Listen to 1 Corinthians 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 -

No vivas esclavo, declárate libre

Ahora bien, el Señor es el Espíritu; y donde está el Espíritu del Señor, allí hay libertad.

~ 2 Corintios 3:17 (NVI)

¿Cuántas personas que hoy leen este devocional se sienten atadas a los vicios?

Si es una atadura, es una esclavitud. Si lo sentimos cuando fuimos fumadores que queríamos un cigarrillo y nos desesperaba no tenerlo, no quiero ni imaginarme la ansiedad que produce que no tengas tu vicio y hasta dónde puedes llegar con tal de tenerlo.

Por eso es una atadura. Es una esclavitud. Así que Dios en este día quiere liberarte de cualquier vicio. No dudo que los grupos de ayuda sean excelentes. No obstante, si le pides perdón a Dios de corazón y le suplicas que te quite el deseo de drogarte, de beber, de estar en la pornografía o cualquier otra cosa, puedo declarar que muchos se liberarán hoy mismo y podrán testificar de manera milagrosa acerca del poder de Dios.

¡Anímate y acepta el reto de declararte libre!

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
¿Cuántas personas que hoy leen este devocional se sienten atadas a los vicios?

Standing Strong Through the Storm - THE SWORD CANNOT SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST

THE SWORD CANNOT SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall…sword…?

~ Romans 8:35g (NIV)

The question asked is a personal one. Not “what” can separate us but “who”? The inference is our enemy, Satan, who tries every tactic he can garner to make us think we can be separated from Christ’s love. Today we look at his tactic of “sword” or violence.

Sister Pasqualita spoke at the “Mexico, I Love You” Congress. She had suffered severe ostracism in her small town in the very southern part of Mexico because she had become an evangelical. Other Christians had already been forcibly driven from the town.

One night a group of her persecutors surrounded her grass-roofed home setting it on fire. As she opened the door, someone fired a gun at her. A co-worker shares her story in his own words:

“When she was sharing her testimony she was crying. She said, ‘I thank the Lord that only twenty-one ammunition bits touched me.’ She had been shot all over her body and even in the neck. She was still able to run and fell into a hole where her persecutors couldn’t see her in the dark. She was losing blood quickly but some other townsfolk who appreciated her testimony somehow took her out through the mob to another nearby town’s clinic. She survived but three other family members in the house were murdered.

“She complained to the Lord saying, ‘Lord, why now that I’ve given you my life and my family am I suffering this way?’ The Lord reminded her of a song that she used to sing very often, ‘I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back.’

“She continued, ‘Then I understood that when I decided to follow Jesus, it was in the midst of any situation, any persecution. My life now belonged to Him. I gained strength in that song. I am preaching again and I am encouraging the rest of the believers that when we decide to follow Jesus there is no turning back.’”

Today Pasqualita continues to be a strong Christian leader and teacher in her community and she still loves to sing, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back.”

RESPONSE: I will live this day in the awareness that physical weapons and violence can never separate me from Christ’s love.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to react to any threats of intimidating weapons with complete confidence in Your love.

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 - Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Miracles and the Making of Real Faith

Michele Cushatt

Today’s Truth

When He had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, He broke them and gave them to His disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so … The people ate and were satisfied.

~ Mark 8:6, 8a (NIV)

Friend to Friend

The Gospel of Mark says four thousand people came to hear Jesus speak that day. Of course, this wasn’t the first time a crowd had gathered. By now, the disciples were used to men, women and children pressing close to the One who spoke of heaven as if it was present and here for the taking.

But this time the crowd stayed for three straight days. I imagine they slept on the grass, curled up in families in an attempt to ward off the cold. They wore the same clothes and went without showers. Worse yet, they’d long since consumed their sack lunches. That means, in their hunger for more of Jesus, they’d failed to eat.

This is why Jesus told his disciples to give them food, maybe walk to the nearest Piggly Wiggly and pick up a few things. He didn’t want to send them home without doing something to ease their hunger.

But the disciples balked, as would most of us. It’s hard enough for me to feed my family of eight. But four thousand?! Piggly Wiggly and I panic at the thought. That’s why the disciples questioned Jesus’ suggestion. Where in the world would they get enough food?!

How soon we forget the last miracle when we’re aching for a new one.

Two chapters earlier, Mark says another crowd gathered (Mark 6). This one was even bigger, with more than 5,000 hungry men, women and children circled up in the middle of nowhere to hear Jesus preach. Similarly, Jesus had told them to feed the people. And, similarly, they thought he’d lost his mind. But that day they watched Jesus turn five loaves of bread and two fishes into a Costco-sized miracle. Every one of the 5,000 ate until they couldn’t eat another bite. And when the disciples walked around to gather up the leftovers, twelve overflowing baskets testified to the miracle they’d just witnessed.

Now, here they were again. Faced with a similar hunger problem. And wrestling with the same disbelief and doubt problem.

Which leads me to an important truth each one of us must face:

Miracles don’t make faith.

How many times have I prayed, “God, if only you would answer this prayer, I would believe”? Then, when He delivered, I danced and celebrated the reality of my God.

For a time.

Then, days, months or years pass and I forget both God’s provision and my faith promise. And when another impossibility lands square in my path, I again push back and doubt the God who so clearly delivered in the days and years before.

Same doubt, different day. Rather than continue to celebrate His presence and past faithfulness, I lose myself in my worry over the current crisis and its many unknowns.

Miracles don’t make faith. The daily Presence of Jesus does.

God may feed our multitude of need today, but that doesn’t mean we’ll believe His sufficiency tomorrow. At some point—hopefully sooner than later—you and I must decide what we believe about Jesus, regardless of what He does or doesn’t do. We have more than enough evidence of His identity. And He has already shown Himself able to feed the hungry.

Will we trust Him? Will we believe that no matter what comes, He will satisfy our deepest needs?
It’s time to believe and not doubt, to trust and not worry. Because His presence is the real miracle we need most of all.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, I hunger for more of You. I long to have the kind of belief that confidently embraces impossible circumstances knowing that You are with me in them. I don’t need another miracle. I need more of YOU. Help me to remember what You’ve already done in my life. And use those memories to strengthen my faith in Your provision and purpose today.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

What impossibility are you facing today? Go ahead and name it. But rather than spend your day ruminating on the problem and all that could go wrong, spend intentional time remembering God’s faithfulness in the many days leading up to this one. Write down every time God showed up in an impossible circumstance and satisfied you’re hunger for more of him.

More from the Girlfriends

A storyteller at heart, Michele Cushatt writes and speaks on the necessity of perseverance, leadership and faith in the hard places. A three-time tongue cancer survivor and mama to children "from hard places," Michele is a (reluctant) expert of pain, trauma and our deep human need for real connection. She lives in Colorado with her husband and their six children, ages 11 to 26. Find out more about Michele at www.MicheleCushatt.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

The disciples were used to men, women and children pressing close to the One who spoke of heaven.

LHM Daily Devotions - LITTLE THINGS

"LITTLE THINGS"

Apr. 17, 2019

And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered...

~ Luke 22:61 (ESV)

It was the little things that caught Peter. A servant girl making conversation at the front gate—You're not one of these disciples too, are you?" she asks, possibly with a look at John, who had just talked her into letting Peter in. Another question from someone else a little later. A remark about his accent. The crow of a rooster.

It doesn't take much to trip me up as a follower of Jesus. An overheard remark, and instantly anger, jealousy or fear spring up in my heart. An overlooked duty comes to mind, and immediately I think, "Oh, that phone call can wait another day—I can do that chore tomorrow." A promise I've made to someone else, and I think, "Oh, I can bend that a little bit—they won't mind, or even notice it."

No amount of willpower can fix these problems. Even if I could force myself to go through all the right motions, the basic problem would still be there, in my heart. I don't need a life coach. I don't need a scolder or a cheerleader. I need a Savior—just as Peter did, just as you do.

It was a little thing that turned Peter around, too. Luke tells us, "And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how He had said to him, 'Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.' And he went out and wept bitterly" (Luke 22:61-62).

What was in that look? Sadness, no doubt—but also love and forgiveness. Nothing else could melt that hardened, fearful heart. Nothing else can melt my heart when I've fallen into sin. But Jesus' love for us—oh yes, that will do it. Because He is the one who suffered, died, and rose again for our sakes. Because we are worth it to Him—because He loves us. And that's no small thing.

THE PRAYER: Lord, look on me with Your mercy. Amen.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• What are some of the little things that trip you up in your Christian life?

• What are some of the little things God uses to bring you back closer to Him?

• If you are willing, tell about a time when God's love made a difference in a difficult time in your life.

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).
What are some of the little things that trip you up in your Christian life?

Devocional de la CPTLN del 17 de Abril de 2019 - Cosas pequeñas

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Cosas pequeñas

17 de Abril de 2019

En ese mismo instante el Señor se volvió a ver a Pedro, y entonces Pedro se acordó...

~ Lucas 22:61 (RVC)

Fueron las cosas pequeñas las que atraparon a Pedro. Una criada entabla conversación en la puerta principal: "¿Acaso no eres tú también uno de los discípulos de este hombre?" pregunta, posiblemente mirando a Juan, quien acababa de convencerla que dejara entrar a Pedro. Un poco más tarde, otra pregunta de alguien más, un comentario sobre su acento y luego el canto de un gallo.

Muy poco se requiere para hacerme tropezar como seguidor de Jesús. Con sólo oír un comentario, la ira, los celos o el miedo brotan en mi corazón. O me viene a la mente una obligación pasada por alto e inmediatamente pienso: "Esa llamada telefónica puede esperar otro día; puedo terminar esa tarea mañana".

Ni la mayor fuerza de voluntad puede solucionar estos problemas. Incluso si pudiera obligarme a seguir todos los pasos correctos, la raíz del problema todavía estaría en mi corazón. No necesito un consejero. No necesito quien me rezongue o me aliente. Lo que necesito es un Salvador... al igual que Pedro, al igual que tú.

También fue una cosa pequeña lo que le hizo cambiar a Pedro. Lucas nos dice: "En ese mismo instante el Señor se volvió a ver a Pedro, y entonces Pedro se acordó de las palabras del Señor, cuando le dijo: «Antes de que el gallo cante, me negarás tres veces.» Enseguida, Pedro salió de allí y lloró amargamente" (Lucas 22:61-62).

¿Qué había en esa mirada? Sin duda tristeza, pero también amor y perdón. Nada más podría derretir ese corazón endurecido y temeroso. Nada más que el amor de Jesús puede derretir mi corazón y el tuyo cuando ha caído en pecado. Sólo eso es suficiente. Porque él es quien sufrió, murió y resucitó por nuestro bien. Porque para él valemos la pena, porque nos ama. Y eso no es una cosa pequeña.

ORACIÓN: Señor, mírame con tu misericordia. Amén.

PREGUNTAS DE REFLEXIÓN:

• ¿Cuáles son algunas de las cosas pequeñas que te hacen tropezar en tu vida cristiana?

• ¿Cuáles son algunas de las cosas pequeñas que Dios usa para acercarte más a Él?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Cuáles son algunas de las cosas pequeñas que te hacen tropezar en tu vida cristiana?

Ministérios Pão Diário - Em casa com Jesus

Em casa com Jesus

Leia: João 14:1-4
 | A Bíblia em um ano: 2 Samuel 1–2; Lucas 14:1-24


Baixe a versão MP3

E, quando eu for e vos preparar lugar, voltarei e vos receberei para mim mesmo… v.3


“Não há lugar como o lar.” Esta frase reflete um anseio profundamente enraizado dentro de nós por termos um lugar para descansar, ser e pertencer. Jesus falou sobre este desejo de enraizar-se, depois de Ele e Seus amigos terem feito a sua última ceia juntos. Nessa ocasião, Jesus falou sobre a Sua iminente morte e ressurreição. Jesus prometeu que, embora fosse partir, voltaria para eles. E lhes prepararia um lugar — uma morada. Um lar.

Jesus preparou este lugar para eles e para nós, ao cumprir os requisitos da lei de Deus ao morrer na cruz como um homem sem pecado. Ele assegurou aos Seus discípulos que, indo aos céus para criar esta morada, voltaria para eles e não os deixaria sozinhos. Eles não precisavam temer nem se preocupar com suas vidas, nem na Terra, nem no Céu.

Podemos nos encorajar com as palavras de Jesus, pois cremos e confiamos que Ele preparou um lar para nós; que Ele fez a Sua morada em nós (v.23); e que Ele foi à nossa frente para preparar o nosso lar celestial. Seja qual for o tipo de lugar em que vivemos, pertencemos a Jesus, somos confirmados por Seu amor e cercados por Sua paz. Com Ele, não há lugar como o lar.

Jesus nos prepara um lugar 
para vivermos para sempre.

por Amy Boucher Pye

© 2019 Ministérios Pão Diário
“Não há lugar como o lar.” Esta frase reflete um anseio profundamente enraizado dentro de nós por termos um lugar para descansar, ser e pertencer.

tanding Strong Through the Storm - Wednesday, April 24, 2019

THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

~ Ephesians 6:17b (NIV)

Scripture is God’s Word to us. Get to know it. It is the source of truth, assurance and comfort. Learn its lessons. Let God use it to speak to your heart. Look to it to cut through the enemy’s lies and spiritual deception, and to reveal the truth. Use it to persuade others about God’s love and forgiveness.

When God’s Spirit impresses us with a verse or a passage of Scripture to use in our battle against the enemy in a particular conflict, we are able to defeat our enemy. The Bible calls this taking the sword of the Spirit.

Jesus defeated Satan the three times he was tempted in the wilderness by using the sword of the Spirit. (see Matthew 4).

Ruth’s world changed when she chanced to find a Bible. She was fifteen when she was rummaging through her Muslim family’s library. She found it hidden behind the other books. She says, “I quickly read a few pages and the message immediately touched my heart, even though I understood practically nothing of it. Secretly I began to read the Bible regularly in my room. I knew that I had to do more with this. I wanted to get to know Jesus better.”

She adds, “I don’t remember how it happened, but my family realized that I was showing too much interest in Christianity. My whole family was against me, especially my mother.”

“You’re a Muslim,” she said. “Why are you throwing your life away? Why aren’t you like other girls? You’ll soon be going to university and then you’re going to marry a respected Muslim!”

Ruth’s voice falters and for a moment, she doesn’t say anything. “I suffered a lot,” she continues. “But still I kept reading the Bible in secret. The Lord Jesus keeps drawing me closer to Him.”

RESPONSE: Today I take the sword of the Spirit so I can expose the tempting words of Satan.

PRAYER: Lord may the two-edged sword of Your Word be ready in my hands today and in the hands of those reading it for the first time.

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