The Daily Lectionary for WEDNESDAY, May 1, 2019

Luke 12:4-12

The Daily Lectionary

WEDNESDAY, May 1, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Psalm 122

Song of Praise and Prayer for Jerusalem
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
1  I was glad when they said to me,
     “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
2  Our feet are standing
     within your gates, O Jerusalem.

3  Jerusalem—built as a city
     that is bound firmly together.
4  To it the tribes go up,
     the tribes of the Lord,
   as was decreed for Israel,
     to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
5  For there the thrones for judgment were set up,
     the thrones of the house of David.

6  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
     “May they prosper who love you.
7  Peace be within your walls,
     and security within your towers.”
8  For the sake of my relatives and friends
     I will say, “Peace be within you.”
9  For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
     I will seek your good.

Esther 9:1-5, 18-23

Destruction of the Enemies of the Jews
9:1 Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day, when the king’s command and edict were about to be executed, on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain power over them, but which had been changed to a day when the Jews would gain power over their foes, 2 the Jews gathered in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who had sought their ruin; and no one could withstand them, because the fear of them had fallen upon all peoples. 3 All the officials of the provinces, the satraps and the governors, and the royal officials were supporting the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai had fallen upon them. 4 For Mordecai was powerful in the king’s house, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces as the man Mordecai grew more and more powerful. 5 So the Jews struck down all their enemies with the sword, slaughtering, and destroying them, and did as they pleased to those who hated them.

The Feast of Purim Inaugurated
18 But the Jews who were in Susa gathered on the thirteenth day and on the fourteenth, and rested on the fifteenth day, making that a day of feasting and gladness. 19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, who live in the open towns, hold the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a day for gladness and feasting, a holiday on which they send gifts of food to one another.

20 Mordecai recorded these things, and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, 21 enjoining them that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar and also the fifteenth day of the same month, year by year, 22 as the days on which the Jews gained relief from their enemies, and as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and presents to the poor. 23 So the Jews adopted as a custom what they had begun to do, as Mordecai had written to them.

Luke 12:4-12

Exhortation to Fearless Confession
12:4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. 7 But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

8 “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; 9 but whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how you are to defend yourselves or what you are to say; 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say.”

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
Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, May 1, 2019

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Read all of Hebrews 11

Listen to Hebrews 11

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 - Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Las viudas

Padre de los huérfanos y defensor de las viudas es Dios en su morada santa.

~ Salmo 68:5 (NVI)

Desde que comencé este libro para motivar, he tenido en mi mente a algunas oyentes que se me han acercado para contarme que quedaron viudas y me han dado una palabra especial a fin de valorar y disfrutar de nuestros cónyuges ahora que están vivos.

Sus palabras me conmovieron, pues estoy recién casada. Además, en varias oportunidades me dijeron lo mismo: «Disfruta a tu esposo, no pierdas el tiempo peleando por tonterías. Cuando se van, la soledad y la pérdida son demasiado duras».

Así que me quedé pensando y me dije: «¡Es cierto! ¿Para qué perder el tiempo en cosas que pueden arreglarse como amigos y más bien disfrutarse al máximo? A decir verdad, no sabemos los planes de Dios. Lo mejor sería envejecer y morir juntos. Sin embargo, la gran realidad es que siempre va a morir uno primero que el otro».

Lo que más me sorprendió es que estas mujeres perdieron a sus esposos de cuarenta y nueve años y cuarenta y cinco de un infarto, y quedaron viudas jóvenes y sus hijos sin padres.

Hoy doy reconocimiento a cada mujer que ha quedado solita y que se recupera de está perdida. Quizá ya lo sepas, pero no está de más que lo recordemos. Cuando se es viuda, eres más especial para Dios. En la Biblia hay catorce versículos donde Dios habla de los cuidados y el privilegio para estas mujeres.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Desde que comencé este libro para motivar, he tenido en mi mente a algunas oyentes que se me han acercado para contarme que quedaron viudas y me han dado una palabra especial a fin de valorar y disfrutar de nuestros cónyuges ahora que están vivos.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Wednesday, May 1, 2019

GOD USES PROBLEMS AND PERSECUTION TO PERFECT YOU

"We can rejoice when we run into problems...they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.”

~  Romans 5:3-4 (TLB)

Here is the final of five ways God uses problems and persecution in your life: God uses problems and persecution to PERFECT you.

Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship to God and your character are the only two things you are going to take with you into eternity.

Christian singer, Helen Berhane, wrote a song of victory while in the terrible conditions of an Eritrean shipping container cell for almost three years:

Christianity costs you your life
But at the end, its outcome is victory

The beating of the Hebrews with the whip was awful
The waves of the sea and the mighty wind
Crushed by the stone, suffering by day and night;
Paul’s faithfulness was tested by a sword.

Christianity costs you your life
But at the end, its outcome is victory

The journey of Ruth was a hope where there was no hope;
A sacrifice was paid even for a despised tribe.

Although there was nothing promised for Ruth
By faith she made her way toward Nazareth
And she entered into Jesus’ genealogy.

Christianity costs you your life
But at the end, its outcome is victory[1]

RESPONSE: God is at work in my life—even when I do not recognize it or understand it. It is much easier and more profitable when I cooperate with Him. This is the way to victory!

PRAYER: Thanks be to God who gives us the victory!

1. Ibid, p.106.

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, May 1, 2019

The Me I Want To Be

Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

~ Galatians 5:16 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

The apostle Paul wrote a letter to the church at Galatia during his second missionary journey. He was frustrated that many believers were wavering in their faith. Not good.

In Galatians 5, he reminded the believers that Christ died so that they could be free. And he was careful to distinguish that their freedom was not to sin but from sin.

He went on to tell them of the spiritual battle that was taking place between their fleshly desires and their holy desires. Between walking by the Spirit and walking by the flesh.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. (Galatians 5:16–18)

How can we be led by the Spirit and not by the flesh? Paul spelled it out in the next few verses by identifying what flesh-led living looks like. Here’s his list:

Sexual immorality
Impurity
Debauchery
Idolatry and witchcraft
Hatred
Discord
Jealousy
Fits of rage
Selfish ambition
Dissensions
Factions and envy
Drunkenness
Orgies and the like

“And the like” means this list is not exhaustive, but it should help us get the gist. All of these are ungodly choices that oppose the will of God.

My church-girl temptation is to look at this list and see how I measure up. Am I good enough, God? (Someone hit a game-show buzzer!) Not what I should do. This list should serve as a resource to me and as a reminder that while “orgies” and “witchcraft” might not be my biggest struggles, “fits of rage” and “selfish ambition” sure can sneak into my moments.

I walk in the flesh when I blow a gasket with my people, in traffic, in that email, or at my job. I walk in the Spirit when I ask the Lord to take away my anger and frustrations, help me sift through ungodly emotions, provide the grace He promises, and help me respond to my people in a way that brings Him honor and glory.

I walk in the flesh when I think more about myself than others. When I want to be first, be the best, have the most, be the boss, tell everyone else how they should behave, or demand to sit in a prominent position. I walk in the Spirit when I humble myself before Jesus, when I look out for the interests of others and esteem them as better than myself (Phil. 2:3–4), and when I serve others and give my life away for the sake of Jesus (Matt. 20:26–27).

Ultimately, when I walk in the Spirit, my life will echo the characteristics of Jesus. That’s the me I want to be. I will bear the fruit of His Spirit and choose responses, thoughts, and attitudes that exemplify the power of God at work in and through me.

Ready for one more list? Here’s the Vogue magazine cover of true beauty ... The fruit of walking in the Spirit are:

Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self-control

I want the beauty of God’s Spirit to be visible in my life. Don’t you?

Paul went on to sum up the fruit bearing this way: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Gal. 5:24–25).

There it is plain as day, one of the greatest challenges to humankind: the call to live out the love and freedom of Christ by laying aside all desires, thoughts, decisions, and responses that are against God’s will and, instead, putting on the humility of Jesus and yielding our hearts to His Spirit.

If I want all of the power God has for me, I need to rely on His Spirit and look to Him as my helper, comforter, advocate, and counselor who leads me in all truth. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13).

I pray this for you. I pray this for me.

Because I want to trust God for all of the joy and peace He will give me.

I want to overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

I want the Holy Spirit to consume my heart.

Completely.

Imagine what our lives, families, churches, and communities would look like if you and I invited the Spirit of God within us to connect our life dots and prepare us for spiritual battles each day. Surely the world would see a beautiful, vibrant, powerful faith picture.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, Help me to live by Your Spirit today so that I am prepared to represent You well in each opportunity that comes my way.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read Ephesians 5:8. “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” What would it look like for you to walk in the Spirit as a child of light with your choices and responses today? How will that impact those around you?

More from the Girlfriends

Have you listened to the GRACEOLOGIE with Gwen Smith podcast yet? Hang out with Gwen and friends when you commute to work, go on walks, exercise, run errands or travel. Podcasts are also perfect to listen to as you do household chores! (Laundry anyone?) Each GRACEOLOGIE with Gwen Smith podcast episode is filled with fun, faith-focused, grace-filled conversations that will help you know and trust God more.

These discussions are going to encourage you in meaningful ways to live out and lean on the GRACE of Jesus in the midst of cluttered, messy days. CLICK HERE to listen on iTunes, or visit GwenSmith.net/Graceologie for more information.

Today’s post is an excerpt from Gwen Smith’s book, I Want It All. SPECIAL OFFER: If this message is where you are and you need more practical help, Gwen is offering a 20% OFF discount on the I Want It ALL book from her site when you use the coupon code: 20OFF. Click here to get yours now.

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

LHM Daily Devotions - Lion and Lamb

"Lion and Lamb"

May 1, 2019

And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that He can open the scroll and its seven seals." And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain ... And He went and took the scroll from the right hand of Him who was seated on the throne.

~ Revelation 5:1, 6a-7 (ESV)

There is a scene in the book of Revelation where God is winding up the history of creation. The world is ending, stage by stage, and each stage is symbolized by the opening of a scroll that has seven seals on it. Someone has to open each seal to begin each phase of the final judgment.

But who will do this? John sees nobody fit for the job. Then one of God's servants says to him, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that He can open the scroll and its seven seals." Okay, so now John looks around—and what does he see? Not a lion, but a lamb—a Lamb "standing, as though it had been slain."

Now this is a strange contrast! Apparently, the Lion and the Lamb are the same person. And of course, we know who that Person is: our Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Why is He called a lion? The image goes back to Jacob, the founding father of Israel. When he was blessing his sons right before he died, he said to Judah, "Judah is a lion's cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him?" (Genesis 49:9) The picture is of a lion who has succeeded in the hunt and caught his prey. He has finished eating and is now resting.

This is a very interesting picture of Jesus! Because from one angle, it's a great description of what He did through His death and resurrection. He hunted down His prey—the devil, and all the powers of evil. He caught them and destroyed them utterly. Now He is resting after His victory. Who would dare to rebel against Him again?

So that picture focuses on Jesus' triumph through the cross. But the picture of a lamb focuses on the other aspect—on what His victory cost Him. Jesus is the Lamb that looks like it has been slain. He is the sacrifice for human sin—the One who laid down His own body to atone for our evil, and to make us clean again in the eyes of God. And He still carries those scars, even in heaven before the throne of God.

Lion of Judah, Lamb of God—both are great pictures of our Lord Jesus, of His great victory and of the love that brought Him to save us.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your fierceness in defending us and Your mercy in giving Yourself to save us. 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).
There is a scene in the book of Revelation where God is winding up the history of creation. The world is ending, stage by stage, and each stage is symbolized by the opening of a scroll that has seven seals on it.

Devocional de la CPTLN del 01 de Mayo de 2019 - El León y el Cordero

ALIMENTO DIARIO

El León y el Cordero

01 de Mayo de 2019

Y uno de los ancianos me dijo: "No llores, pues el León de la tribu de Judá, la raíz de David, ha vencido y puede abrir el libro y quitarle sus siete sellos." En ese momento vi un Cordero en medio del trono y de los cuatro seres vivientes, y en medio de los ancianos. Estaba de pie, y parecía haber sido inmolado. ...El Cordero se acercó al que estaba sentado en el trono, y de su mano derecha tomó el libro.

~ Apocalipsis 5:5, 6a-7 (RVC)

Hay una escena en el libro de Apocalipsis donde Dios está terminando la historia de la creación. El mundo se está acabando paso a paso, y cada paso está simbolizado por la apertura de un libro que tiene siete sellos. Alguien tiene que abrir cada sello para comenzar cada fase del juicio final.

¿Pero quién hará esto? Juan no ve a nadie adecuado para el trabajo. Entonces uno de los siervos de Dios le dice: "No llores, pues el León de la tribu de Judá, la raíz de David, ha vencido y puede abrir el libro y quitarle sus siete sellos." Claro, y ahora Juan mira a su alrededor, ¿y qué es lo que ve? No un león, sino un cordero; un cordero que estaba "de pie, y parecía haber sido inmolado".

¡Qué extraño contraste! Aparentemente, el León y el Cordero son la misma persona. Y, por supuesto, sabemos quién es esa persona: nuestro Señor Jesucristo, nuestro Salvador.

¿Por qué se lo llama león? La imagen se remonta a Jacob, el padre fundador de Israel quien, cuando estaba bendiciendo a sus hijos justo antes de morir, le dijo a Judá: "Tú, Judá, eres un cachorro de león; tú, hijo mío, te apartaste de tu presa. Te encorvas, te echas como león; te asemejas a un león viejo" (Génesis 49:9). La imagen es de un león que ha tenido éxito en la caza y ha capturado a su presa. Ha terminado de comer y ahora está descansando.

¡Esta es una imagen muy interesante de Jesús! Por un lado, es una gran descripción de lo que Jesús hizo a través de su muerte y resurrección: cazó su presa, el diablo y todos los poderes del mal, los atrapó y los destruyó por completo. Y ahora, luego de su victoria, está descansando. ¿Quién se atrevería a rebelarse nuevamente contra él?

Esa imagen se enfoca en el triunfo de Jesús en la cruz. Pero la imagen de un Cordero se enfoca en otro aspecto: en lo que le costó su victoria. Jesús es el Cordero que había sido inmolado. Él es el sacrificio por el pecado humano, quien entregó su propio cuerpo para expiar nuestro mal y dejarnos limpios nuevamente ante los ojos de Dios, y quien todavía lleva esas cicatrices, incluso en el cielo ante el trono de Dios.

León de Judá, Cordero de Dios, ambas son grandes imágenes de nuestro Señor Jesús. Que ellas nos recuerden su gran victoria y el amor que lo llevó a salvarnos.

ORACIÓN: Señor Jesús, gracias por defendernos con tenacidad, y por darte a ti mismo misericordiosamente para salvarnos. 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.
Hay una escena en el libro de Apocalipsis donde Dios está terminando la historia de la creación. El mundo se está acabando paso a paso, y cada paso está simbolizado por la apertura de un libro que tiene siete sellos.

Ministérios Pão Diário - Perguntas para Deus

Perguntas para Deus


Leia: Juízes 6:11-16,24
 | A Bíblia em um ano: 1 Reis 10–11; Lucas 21:20-38

Baixe a versão MP3

Vai nessa tua força […] já que eu estou contigo… vv.14,16


O que você faria se o Senhor aparecesse no meio de seu expediente com uma mensagem? Isto aconteceu com Gideão: “…o Anjo do Senhor lhe apareceu e lhe disse: o Senhor é contigo, homem valente!” Gideão poderia ter respondido com um aceno e engolido em seco, mas disse: “…Se o Senhor é conosco, por que nos sobreveio tudo isto?…” (vv.12,13). Gideão queria entender o porquê parecia que Deus tinha abandonado o Seu povo.

Deus não lhe deu a resposta. Depois que Gideão suportou por 7 anos os ataques dos inimigos, a fome e o esconder-se em cavernas, Deus não explicou por que Ele nunca interveio. O Senhor poderia ter revelado que o motivo era o pecado passado de Israel, mas em vez disso deu-lhe esperança para o futuro, dizendo: “…Vai nessa tua força… eu o ajudarei. Você esmagará todos os midianitas” (vv.14,16).

Você já se questionou por que Deus permitiu o sofrimento em sua vida? Em vez de responder-lhe, Deus pode satisfazê-lo com a Sua presença hoje e lembrá-lo de que você pode confiar na força dele quando se sentir fraco. Quando Gideão finalmente acreditou que Deus estava com ele e o ajudaria, construiu-lhe um altar e o chamou de “O Senhor é paz” (v.24).

Há paz em saber que em tudo o que fizermos e onde formos, iremos com Deus, que prometeu nunca nos deixar e nem abandonar os Seus seguidores.

O que poderia ser melhor do que obter respostas 
para os nossos por quês? Confiar em Deus.

por Jennifer Benson Schuldt

© 2019 Ministérios Pão Diário
Você já se questionou por que Deus permitiu o sofrimento em sua vida?