he Daily Lectionary for THURSDAY, April 25, 2019 - Thursday in Easter Week

The Apostles Heal Many
Acts 5:12-16

The Daily Lectionary

THURSDAY, April 25, 2019 - Thursday in Easter Week

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Psalm 150

Praise for God’s Surpassing Greatness
1  Praise the Lord!
   Praise God in his sanctuary;
     praise him in his mighty firmament!
2  Praise him for his mighty deeds;
     praise him according to his surpassing greatness!

3  Praise him with trumpet sound;
     praise him with lute and harp!
4  Praise him with tambourine and dance;
     praise him with strings and pipe!
5  Praise him with clanging cymbals;
     praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6  Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
   Praise the Lord!

1 Samuel 17:1-23

David and Goliath
17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; they were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. 2 Saul and the Israelites gathered and encamped in the valley of Elah, and formed ranks against the Philistines. 3 The Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them. 4 And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. 6 He had greaves of bronze on his legs and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. 7 The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and his shield-bearer went before him. 8 He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” 10 And the Philistine said, “Today I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man, that we may fight together.” 11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.

12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, named Jesse, who had eight sons. In the days of Saul the man was already old and advanced in years. 13 The three eldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle; the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. 14 David was the youngest; the three eldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward and took his stand, morning and evening.

17 Jesse said to his son David, “Take for your brothers an ephah of this parched grain and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers; 18 also take these ten cheeses to the commander of their thousand. See how your brothers fare, and bring some token from them.”

19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. 20 David rose early in the morning, left the sheep with a keeper, took the provisions, and went as Jesse had commanded him. He came to the encampment as the army was going forth to the battle line, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. 22 David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage, ran to the ranks, and went and greeted his brothers. 23 As he talked with them, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines, and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him.

Acts 5:12-16

The Apostles Heal Many
5:12 Now many signs and wonders were done among the people through the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13 None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 Yet more than ever believers were added to the Lord, great numbers of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mats, in order that Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he came by. 16 A great number of people would also gather from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.

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
A great number of people would also gather from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.

Verse of the Day for THURSDAY, April 25, 2019

Colossians 1:27-28 (NIV) To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.

Read all of Colossians 1

Listen to Colossians 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 - Thursday, April 25, 2019

Temprano, te buscaré

Alégrese el corazón de los que buscan al Señor. Recurran al Señor y a su fuerza; busquen siempre su rostro.

~ Salmo 105:3-4 (NVI)

¿Qué es lo primero que hiciste hoy cuando te levantaste? Seguro que me dirás: «Bueno, me lavé los dientes». Otros me dirán: «En realidad, me tomé un cafecito. Es más, dejé la cafetera programada». Otros dirán: «Lo primero que hago cuando me despierto es darle gracias a Dios por un día más de vida».

Esta reflexión la quiero basar en esta última respuesta.

La Biblia habla acerca de la bendición de buscar a Dios en las primeras horas del amanecer. Es como si nuestro Dios nos dijera: «Sé que es un sacrificio para ti, pero cuando lo hagas, encontrarás gran bendición».

Son muchos los testimonios que he escuchado de personas que realizan lo mismo que hacemos hoy en este devocional, y que lo acompañamos con una oración y un momento a solas con Dios. Sé que cuando uno se lo propone, enseguida surgen cosas a fin de que no te puedas mantener. Nos da de repente un sueño que no podemos ni abrir los ojos. Incluso, te empieza a doler algo o dices: «Hoy no puedo, empiezo mañana».

La búsqueda del tiempo, aunque parezca raro, requiere disciplina, constancia y sacrificio. De modo que recordemos todo lo que hace Dios por nosotros y propongámonos buscar cada día unos minutos para la oración y la lectura de su Palabra… y veremos el resultado en el diario vivir.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
¿Qué es lo primero que hiciste hoy cuando te levantaste?

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Thursday, April 25, 2019

ALL KINDS OF PRAYER

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

~ Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)

Prayer is mentioned in the context of the wardrobe of the Christian warrior but not as a specific weapon of war or a piece of armor. That’s because prayer is the key to consistent victory in our warfare. Therefore, prayer is one of the most important things we can do when fighting the enemy.

David’s battle with Goliath was not won when the stone flew from the sling. It was won in David’s close relationship with the Living God. Our battles are won or lost in the way we walk with God. Prayer is talking with God and letting Him talk with you. Prayer is taking a stand against the spiritual forces of darkness that influence events and circumstances in the world.

Prayer is asserting God’s victory before we walk into battle. But prayer is more than kneeling before God. Prayer is as much an attitude as it is an act. Prayer is keeping your heart open to His leadership. Prayer is the constant communion with God needed to face the challenge of completing Jesus’ mission.

A Bible courier recounts: “We walked up to the customs with our suitcases full of Bibles. We know that at that moment there are as many as a hundred people praying for us. And can you feel it! We felt peace and joy as we push our trolley of suitcases towards the customs desk. I am absolutely certain that we were surrounded by angels. It sounds strange, but I just know.

‘Excuse me, ladies, do you have anything to declare?’ says the custom agent. At that moment, a good friend rushes up to the officer. They greet each other profusely. The customs man no longer sees us. We walk on, and a moment later we are standing with all our suitcases, which have not been opened, waiting for a taxi.

“I feel small and think, ‘Who am I? I only walk past the customs with my suitcases and I don't even have to answer any questions. That’s all that God asks of me. And it’s He who does the rest—incredibly!’”

RESPONSE: Today I commit myself to being a person of prayer as I put on the whole armor of God.

PRAYER: Pray today with all kinds of prayers for all of God’s people. A great challenge and a great opportunity!

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

Men's Devotional Bible - Thursday, April 25, 2019

Productivity Without Passion

Revelation 2:1–7
Recommended Reading: Deuteronomy 6:4–9; Matthew 7:21–23; Luke 10:38–42; 1 Corinthians 13:1–13

Imagine a marriage in which the husband dutifully earns a living to pay his family’s bills, takes care of the house and cars and sees that his family has the clothing and other things they need. Yet he has lost all tenderness and passion for his wife. Is this a healthy marital relationship?

Productivity without passion. Just as the partners in a marriage can lose their passion for one another and yet carry on, a similar situation can occur in relationships between believers and God. In fact, the church of Ephesus had fallen into this very trap. Jesus noted that this church had “persevered and … endured hardships for my name” (Revelation 2:3). But, he pointedly added, “you have forsaken the love you had at first” (Revelation 2:4).

What about you? When you compare your current relationship with Christ to what it was like when you first began following him, are you just as passionate about knowing him, being with him and worshiping him as you were then? Or do you find yourself busy serving him without bothering to further cultivate your relationship with him?

Sadly, like a marriage without passion, our relationship with God can go through a period during which spiritual passion wanes. We serve the Lord more out of habit or duty than out of a desire to know God more deeply.

Consider this possibility: God might occasionally want us to stop doing for him so that we can concentrate on being with him and recovering the love we had at first. Many dry marriages have been renewed. Dry relationships with the Lord can experience renewed passion and vigor as well. Put your relationship with Christ first, then let your service for him follow as a natural response.

To Take Away

• What feelings did you have when you first followed Christ? What words expressed your passion about knowing him then?
• How does that compare with your current feelings for Christ?
• How can you rediscover your “first love” for your Lord and Savior—renew the passion and vigor of your relationship with him?

Imagine a marriage in which the husband dutifully earns a living to pay his family’s bills, takes care of the house and cars and sees that his family has the clothing and other things they need. Yet he has lost all tenderness and passion for his wife. Is this a healthy marital relationship?

Girlfriends in God - Thursday, April 25, 2019

What You and Wonder Woman Have In Common

Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

God, knock the teeth out of their mouths. ~ Psalm 58:6 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

In the first few moments of the movie we watched her light up and ask hard questions as her beautiful mama told her stories at bedtime. Brave curiosity and fearless adventure twinkled in her eyes as she ran about and soaked in the activities and people of the all-female, Amazonian warrior-filled island of Themyscira.

Diana, princess of the Amazons, grew in skill, wisdom and stature, training as an unbeatable warrior. She loved justice. Loved peace. Loved goodness. It was all she knew... until the day a handsome American spy, Steve Trevor, crashed his plane in the waters off the paradise island and Diana dove in to save him.

As she grew to know Steve, Diana learned of the danger, death, destruction, and darkness in other parts of the world. Of the war to end all wars. Of atrocities, injustice and brokenness that crushed the innocent and eminently threatened all life.

The weight of angst and compassion within left her breathless.

Diana Prince, Wonder Woman, could scarcely fathom the thought, let alone the harsh reality of this type of evil.

This is what she trained for. This is what she existed for, to defend against and crush evil, to protect the weak. She had to stop the war. To look evil in the eye and snuff it out.

David felt a similar rage about the injustice that surrounded him when he penned Psalm 58. Not much warm and fuzzy going on here, just hazes of heaviness. Snapshots of darkness. Brutal pictures of brokenness that left him pleading for divine retribution.

“The wicked go astray from the womb;

liars wander about from birth.

4 They have venom like the venom of a snake,

like the deaf cobra that stops up its ears,

5 that does not listen to the sound of the charmers

who skillfully weave spells. 

6 God, knock the teeth out of their mouths;

 Lord, tear out the young lions’ fangs.

7 May they vanish like water that flows by;

may they aim their blunted arrows.

8 Like a slug that moves along in slime,

like a woman’s miscarried child,

may they not see the sun.”

(Psalm 58:3-8)

David wanted God to look evil in the eyes and snuff it out.

I do too.

In a day of advanced civilization, it seems impossible that humans would be sold into sex slavery and fly planes into buildings… inconceivable that missionaries would be gunned down by extremists, and churches and schools would be left in pools of blood on the other side of hate.

Yet, in spite of the jagged crevices of injustice that abound, we are not helpless. You are not helpless.

Evil can and should motivate us to pray without ceasing.

And confidence can rise even in chaos because we cry out to a listening Lord.

We have authority in Christ to stand strong against forces of darkness, trusting that the One who made all things will eventually make all things right.

Let’s Pray

Holy Father, When injustice and depravity overwhelm my heart, turn my eyes to see Your hope. Crush and contend with all that is evil in the world, Lord. You are the Healer of the broken and Friend to every sinner who knows the sorrow of each scar. Heal our land, Jesus. Give us wisdom, courage and confidence to trust Your eternal plans to avenge all darkness with Light.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Write down or think through 3-5 evils in the world or in your life. Spend time in prayer asking God to crush them for His glory. Join in a time of powerful community prayer against evil by posting a prayer on the wall of my blog and reading through the prayers of others!

More from the Girlfriends

Do you struggle understanding the Bible? If you want to read and study the Bible, but don’t know where to start, this is for you! Girlfriends in God co-founder Gwen Smith has several online Bible Study options that will guide you on a personal journey with the Lord as you read, record, reflect on and respond to His Word. These studies will help you know what God says about tender topics like forgiveness, healing, fear, depression, relationships and hope. Each study can be done in the comfort of your home and in a timeframe that fits with your personal schedule. Visit www.GwenSmith.net/BibleStudy to learn more.

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

We watched her light up and ask hard questions as her beautiful mama told her stories at bedtime.

LHM Daily Devotions - Eight Days Later

"Eight Days Later"

Apr. 25, 2019

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into His side, I will never believe." Eight days later, His disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."

~ John 20:26-31 (ESV)

Stop to think for a moment about what it must have been like for the disciples during the week after Easter. There they all were, still cooped up in a room in Jerusalem, with the doors locked for fear of arrest. Ten of them are euphoric—they've seen Jesus alive again! So have other people! God has done something wonderful!

And then there's the last guy—Thomas. He wasn't there when Jesus came the first Sunday. He can't believe Jesus is really alive again. He probably spends his time alternating between grief for Jesus, whom he thinks is still dead, and anger at the other disciples. Have they all lost their minds? Are they drunk? Are they conspiring together to pull his leg? How can they possibly believe something so far-fetched?

It must have been a long, long week.

Really, I find it encouraging that a week later, they were all still together to meet Jesus when He finally showed up. The ten believers didn't throw out Thomas for being a stubborn wet blanket. Thomas didn't poison the lot of them for being so annoyingly happy. Nobody separated themselves from the group, in spite of how difficult it must have been to put up with one another. And then Thomas finally did come to faith, and they could all rejoice together. (I hope nobody said, "I told you so.")

I have no idea why Jesus waited so long. He clearly knew Thomas was having trouble. And yet He waited eight days to deal with it. I have no idea why Jesus does the same thing today in so many cases, why He allows some of us to struggle and doubt and fear for so long, even in the middle of a bunch of happy, trusting, confident believers. Jesus clearly knows what's going on with us. But He doesn't show up—until the right time comes. We are left to endure, all the while crying out to Him.

But it comforts me that, even this early in the Christian church, there are those who struggle, and there are those who rejoice. They are able to live together and love one another, even though their experiences are so very different. The strong believers can put up with those of us who stumble and struggle and have difficulties with our faith. The struggling can continue to love and put up with those of us who are sometimes unthinkingly happy, and probably cause them pain without meaning to. That is the way the church should function—with love, patience, and mercy, regardless of where we are at in our lives with Jesus.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please help those who are in fear or hurt or doubt, and help also the ones who are around them, so they can care for them and bear with them. 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).
Stop to think for a moment about what it must have been like for the disciples during the week after Easter.

Devocional de la CPTLN del 25 de Abril de 2019 - Ocho días después

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Ocho días después

25 de Abril de 2019

Ocho días después, sus discípulos estaban otra vez a puerta cerrada, y Tomás estaba con ellos. Estando las puertas cerradas, Jesús llegó, se puso en medio de ellos y les dijo: «La paz sea con ustedes.» Luego le dijo a Tomás: «Pon aquí tu dedo, y mira mis manos; y acerca tu mano, y métela en mi costado; y no seas incrédulo, sino creyente.» Entonces Tomás respondió y le dijo: «¡Señor mío, y Dios mío!» Jesús le dijo: «Tomás, has creído porque me has visto. Bienaventurados los que no vieron y creyeron.» Jesús hizo muchas otras señales en presencia de sus discípulos, las cuales no están escritas en este libro. Pero éstas se han escrito para que ustedes crean que Jesús es el Cristo, el Hijo de Dios, y para que al creer, tengan vida en su nombre".

~ Juan 20: 26-31 (RVC)

Detente un momento y piensa cómo habrá sido para los discípulos la semana posterior a la Pascua. Todos siguen recluidos en una habitación en Jerusalén, con las puertas cerradas por temor a ser arrestados. Diez de ellos están eufóricos: ¡han visto a Jesús vivo de nuevo! ¡Dios ha hecho algo maravilloso!

Y luego está Tomás, quien no estaba presente cuando Jesús se apareció el primer domingo, y no puede creer que esté realmente vivo. Probablemente pasa de la pena por la muerte de Jesús, a la ira hacia los otros discípulos, preguntándose: ¿han perdido la cabeza? ¿Están borrachos? ¿Están conspirando para tomarme el pelo? Debe haber sido una semana increíblemente larga.

Es alentador que una semana después todavía estuvieran todos juntos: los diez creyentes no echaron a Tomás por ser un aguafiestas; Tomás no los envenenó por estar felices; nadie se separó del grupo, a pesar de lo difícil que debe haber sido aguantarse el uno al otro; y Tomás finalmente llegó a la fe, y todos pudieron regocijarse. (Espero que nadie haya dicho: "te lo dije".)

No tengo idea de por qué Jesús esperó ocho días. Claramente sabía que Tomás estaba teniendo problemas, pero aun así esperó tanto tiempo para lidiar con su duda. Tampoco tengo idea de por qué Jesús hace lo mismo hoy en tantos casos: por qué nos permite luchar, dudar y temer durante tanto tiempo, incluso en medio de un grupo de creyentes felices, confiados y seguros. Jesús claramente sabe lo que nos está pasando, pero no se presenta hasta que llega el momento adecuado.

Pero me reconforta saber que hay quienes luchan y hay quienes se regocijan. Los creyentes fuertes pueden soportar a los que tropezamos, luchamos y tenemos dificultades con nuestra fe. Los que luchan pueden seguir amando y apoyando a quienes a veces somos felices sin pensar, y probablemente les causemos cualquier cantidad de dolor sin querer hacerlo. Esa es la forma en que la iglesia debe funcionar: con amor, paciencia y misericordia, sin importar dónde nos encontremos en nuestro caminar con Jesús.

ORACIÓN: Señor Jesús, ayuda a quienes tienen miedo, dolor o duda y también a quienes les rodean, para que puedan cuidarlos. Amén.

Esta devoción diaria fue escrita por la 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.
Detente un momento y piensa cómo habrá sido para los discípulos la semana posterior a la Pascua.

Хлеб наш насущный - Не так, как вчера

Не так, как вчера

Читать сейчас: Матфея 4:1-11 | Библия за год: 2 Царств 21-22; Луки 18:24-43

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Не одним хлебом живет человек, но всяким словом, исходящим из уст Господа. — Второзаконие 8:3

Когда наш внук Джей был маленьким, его родители подарили ему на день рождения новую футболку. Он тут же ее надел и ходил в ней довольный весь день.

Когда он появился в ней на следующее утро, папа спросил: «Джей, ты радуешься своей футболке?» «Не так, как вчера», – ответил Джей.

В этом проблема любых материальных приобретений. Даже самые лучшие вещи не могут дать нам глубокого, продолжительного счастья, к которому мы так стремимся. Обладая большим имуществом, мы все равно можем оставаться несчастными.

В мире счастье обещают тем, кто постоянно что-то приобретает. Нам внушают, что новая одежда, новая машина, новый телефон или часы сделают нас довольными жизнью. Но никакое приобретение не сделает нас завтра такими же счастливыми, «как вчера». Потому что мы были созданы для Бога, и ничто меньшее нас не удовлетворит.

Однажды, когда Иисус постился и страдал от голода, к Нему приступил сатана. Искушая, он предложил сотворить хлеб, чтобы утолить голод. Иисус ответил словами из книги Второзаконие 8:3: «Не хлебом одним будет жить человек, но всяким словом, исходящим из уст Божиих» (Мф. 4:4). Конечно, Господь не имел в виду, что мы должны питаться одним хлебом. Он говорил о том, что мы – духовные создания, поэтому не можем существовать только материальными благами.

Настоящее удовлетворение можно найти только в Боге и Его богатствах.

Почему материальные приобретения не приносят продолжительного счастья? Чему вы научились из своих прошлых ожиданий?

Научи меня, Боже, что значит жить Твоими богатствами. Ты имеешь все, в чем я нуждаюсь.

автор: Дэвид Роупер

© 2019 Хлеб Наш Насущный
Даже самые лучшие вещи не могут дать нам глубокого, продолжительного счастья, к которому мы так стремимся.