The Daily Lectionary for TUESDAY, May 7, 2019

La conversion de Saint Paul by Luca Giordano (1690)
Conversion of Paul
Acts 26:12-18

The Daily Lectionary

TUESDAY, May 7, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Psalm 121

Assurance of God’s Protection
A Song of Ascents.
1  I lift up my eyes to the hills—
     from where will my help come?
2  My help comes from the Lord,
     who made heaven and earth.

3  He will not let your foot be moved;
     he who keeps you will not slumber.
4  He who keeps Israel
     will neither slumber nor sleep.

5  The Lord is your keeper;
     the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6  The sun shall not strike you by day,
     nor the moon by night.

7  The Lord will keep you from all evil;
     he will keep your life.
8  The Lord will keep
     your going out and your coming in
     from this time on and forevermore.

Ezekiel 1:26—2:1

1:26 And above the dome over their heads there was something like a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was something that seemed like a human form. 27 Upward from what appeared like the loins I saw something like gleaming amber, something that looked like fire enclosed all around; and downward from what looked like the loins I saw something that looked like fire, and there was a splendor all around. 28 Like the bow in a cloud on a rainy day, such was the appearance of the splendor all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.

When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of someone speaking.

The Vision of the Scroll
2:1 He said to me: O mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you.

Acts 26:1-18

Paul Defends Himself before Agrippa
2:16 Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began to defend himself:

2 “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 because you are especially familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews; therefore I beg of you to listen to me patiently.

4 “All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, a life spent from the beginning among my own people and in Jerusalem. 5 They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I have belonged to the strictest sect of our religion and lived as a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand here on trial on account of my hope in the promise made by God to our ancestors, 7 a promise that our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship day and night. It is for this hope, your Excellency, that I am accused by Jews! 8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?

9 “Indeed, I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things against the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is what I did in Jerusalem; with authority received from the chief priests, I not only locked up many of the saints in prison, but I also cast my vote against them when they were being condemned to death. 11 By punishing them often in all the synagogues I tried to force them to blaspheme; and since I was so furiously enraged at them, I pursued them even to foreign cities.

Paul Tells of His Conversion
12 “With this in mind, I was traveling to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, 13 when at midday along the road, your Excellency, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions. 14 When we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It hurts you to kick against the goads.’ 15 I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The Lord answered, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But get up and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you to serve and testify to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you. 17 I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

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
When we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’

Verse of the Day for TUESDAY, May 7, 2019

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Read all of 1 Thessalonians 5

Listen to 1 Thessalonians 5

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 - Tuesday, May 7, 2019

La gracia es un regalo de Dios

Porque por gracias sois salvos. ~ Efesios 2:8 (RV-60)

Cuando haces una oración de fe, o sea, aceptas a Dios como tu único y verdadero Salvador, recibes varias cosas para tu vida y debes apreciarlas de la misma manera que lo haces con un hermoso regalo.

En ese momento, recibes la gracia que te hace comprender uno de los maravillosos atributos de Dios. Además, esta es la clave para una relación personal y profunda por medio de Jesucristo.

La gracia te permite apreciar lo maravilloso de nuestro Dios y su misericordia.

¿Has sentido cuando llegas a un lugar o hablas que te sientes especial, te ven especial, te dicen que tienes un brillo en los ojos o hay algo que reflejas?

Pues bien, esa es la gracia de Dios en tu vida y en tu ser.

Es un regalo maravilloso. Así que apréciala y disfrútala.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Cuando haces una oración de fe, o sea, aceptas a Dios como tu único y verdadero Salvador, recibes varias cosas para tu vida y debes apreciarlas de la misma manera que lo haces con un hermoso regalo.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Tuesday, May 7, 2019

NATIONALISM

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

~ Galatians 3:28 (NIV)

Satan has inspired rulers to try to force Christians to return to their former folk religions or the pagan gods of their ancestors—all in the name of patriotism or nationalism. Religious nationalism is where a particular territory or culture is staked out exclusively in religious terms.

Leaders say, “Only Hindus are allowed to stay in India.” Or, “You are a true Sri Lankan only if you are a Buddhist.” In such cases where religious nationalism reigns, Christians either must accept second-class citizen status, face daily discrimination, or leave.

Research done by Open Doors indicates that to establish a “religious state” the religious nationalists require four elements: a villain, a lie, a mob, and a vacuum. They need a “villain” who can unite the people with a powerful message; a “lie” (Christians are intolerant); a “mob” to create chaos (media support helps); and a “vacuum” (absence of moderates in power to control the nation).

Some in India and Nepal argue that their country is Hindu hence other religions are foreign and imperialistic. State assistance is denied to those who convert to non-Hindu religions.

At one point, the Mongolian State Intelligence Bureau described Christianity as a “foreign religion.” And today, Mongolia’s new laws imply that Christianity is “against Mongolian customs.”

In Mexico, a mayor of a community in the southern state of Chiapas has tried to justify the ongoing persecution of evangelicals with the claim that they “attack…our culture and traditions.” In reality, tens of thousands of Christians have been expelled from their homes for not joining in the syncretistic community spiritual activities.

Christians in an area of Swaziland were told by their chief that each Christian would be fined a cow for not attending the annual cultural ceremonies at the king’s royal cattle kraal. The chief announced that he had compiled a list of all his subjects who deliberately avoided two yearly ceremonies: the umhlanga (reed dance) and the incwala (first fruit). Pastors of churches accused of preaching against Swazi culture are among those fined. Pastors in the area plan to challenge the chief’s fines in a court of law.

Christians must avoid the mistake of identifying religion with nation, and nation with religion—even in the West. To do so severely hinders the growth of the Body of Christ where there is “neither Jew nor Greek.”

RESPONSE: I will not make the mistake of identifying religion with nation…and pray for those who do.

PRAYER: Pray for Christians who struggle to survive in the midst of religious nationalism and extreme patriotism.

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 - Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Paid in Full

Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

~ Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

Do you remember the last words of Jesus as He hung on the cross? “It is finished!” The most literal translation would be “paid in full.”

I will never forget paying off my very first car loan. After sending in my forty-eighth and final payment, I celebrated the fact that I finally owned my bright blue and ever-so-compact Chevrolet Vega – from bumper to bumper. When I opened my mailbox to find the loan papers for my car, I danced a jig. Stamped in big red letters across the document were the words, “Paid in full.”

Part of forgiveness is releasing the person from the debt we think they owe us. Refusing to let go of the hurt and pain someone has caused in our lives will always rob us of our joy. Sometimes the best thing to do is to simply let something go and cut our losses instead of allowing the weight of an unpaid debt to deplete our mental and emotional energy. In other words, we can forgive the debt and free ourselves.

We decided it was time to sell one of our old junky cars. We had several from which to choose but this particular one was old, ugly and needed work. In the right hands, it might last a few more years. A man who worked for the church said he could fix the car and agreed to buy it. He and Dan worked out the terms. The man was to pay a certain amount each month until the car was paid for. No papers were signed because, after all, it was a business agreement between two ministers. Some lessons are learned the hard way. Dan gave him the car title and car keys. He gave us nothing. Not one penny.

Dan talked with the man several times. He always responded with the promise that he would make a payment soon. “Soon” never came. I was furious. I ranted and fumed for several days until Dan said, “Honey, I have decided to forgive the debt on that old car.” Well, I decided not to, and my anger grew.

A few weeks later, the man quit his job at the church and went to work for a nearby grocery store – my grocery store. I soon learned that God has a sense of humor because almost every time I went to the store, the man was there. And every time I saw him, anger consumed my heart. I finally realized that this whole car situation was robbing my life of joy – until the day I decided to give him the car. It was the only thing I could do if I wanted peace.

I created a mental scene of my driving to the grocery store, handing the car keys to the man and saying, “Merry Christmas! Enjoy your new car.” Now it wasn’t Christmas and the car was far from new, but the plan worked. I forgave the debt in my heart and let it go. The most amazing thing happened. I was the one set free. From that day on, every time I saw the man, I waved and smiled. He began avoiding me, unable to look me in the eyes. Remember I told you that God has a sense of humor? A few weeks later, I saw the man driving a different car and learned from one of his co-workers that “his old car just up and died.” Enough said.

Forgiving the debt is a deliberate choice that is made by an act of your will. You may not feel forgiving. It doesn’t matter. Just do it and many times the feelings will follow that choice – other times they won’t. Feelings are irrelevant but obedience is crucial. Do not base the validity of what you are doing on how you feel. Make the choice to forgive and then obey.

God is the One who heals painful memories. Forgiveness puts us in the correct posture for Him to do so in our lives. As I wrestled with the choice to forgive, I learned several life-changing truths:

If we make the choice to forgive, God will supply the forgiveness.

There should be no limit to our forgiveness because there is no limit to His.

Forgiveness is not a feeling or an emotion. Forgiveness is a deliberate choice.

Forgiveness is our greatest need and God’s greatest gift.

While we cannot change the past, we can change our response to the past and dictate the power it has over us. The choice is ours to make. Today, we can choose freedom by choosing to forgive.

Let’s Pray

Father, I praise You for the love and forgiveness You so freely offer. Please give me the wisdom and strength to forgive those who have hurt me. I want my life to be a living illustration of Your unconditional love and unending forgiveness.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

• Make a list of the sins in your life that need the forgiveness of God. Ask God to forgive you for each one. If you have sinned against someone else, take the first step of reconciliation. If someone has sinned against you, forgive them and go to them in love, seeking restoration.
• Consider the following questions and record your answers in your journal.
• What are the rewards of forgiveness?
• What are the barriers to forgiveness in your heart?
• to forgive yourself indicate about your understanding of true forgiveness?
• Celebrate right now the power of forgiveness in your life.

More from the Girlfriends

One of the most powerful illustrations of God’s love and forgiveness is found in the lives of Hosea and Gomer. Hear their story in Mary’s MP3 download …& Love That Never Fails. Be sure to connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

Do you remember the last words of Jesus as He hung on the cross?

LHM Daily Devotions - A Christian Example

"A Christian Example"

May 7, 2019

You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

~ Acts 20:18-21 (ESV)

Some years ago we were helping a poor refugee family deal with an unscrupulous car dealer. This dealer had sold them a car for a thousand dollars and was trying to swindle them out of a thousand more in unneeded services, knowing they spoke no English and couldn't stand up for their rights. My husband dressed in his clerical collar went with me to talk to the man. He finally agreed to return the money, saying, "I had a Christian grandmother and she read the Bible all the time. I've always remembered her."

I found that very odd. The man was a thorough cheater with a reputation a mile long—yet the Christian example of his grandmother still had the power to move him, 50 years later. Thank God for Christian grandmothers!

And thank God for all Christians, whoever they may be, who have Christ living in them and through them. Paul talks about the kind of example he tried to set for the Ephesians:

"You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials ... For three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'" (Acts 20:18-19, 31, 33-35).

Clearly, Paul wanted them to imitate his way of life in Christ. And yet there was something even more important Paul wanted them to have—something that is the foundation of everything we accomplish in the way of good actions. He wanted them to share his faith, to be strong in Christ Jesus, our only Savior. This is why he said: "And now I commend you to God and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified" (Acts 20:32).

We can live as Christians because Christ Jesus has given us life through His death and resurrection for our sake. No one can produce good fruit for God apart from Christ, but when Jesus lives in us, when the Holy Spirit rules over us, then our lives become something that brings praise to God. And those around us, even liars, and cheaters, will notice. May God use each of us this way.

THE PRAYER: Lord Holy Spirit, live in me and strengthen my faith, so that others will see my life and praise God. In Jesus' Name. 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).
An unscrupulous car dealer.

Devocional de la CPTLN del 07 de Mayo de 2019 - Un ejemplo cristiano

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Un ejemplo cristiano

07 de Mayo de 2019

Ustedes saben cómo me he comportado todo el tiempo, desde el primer día que entré en Asia. Saben que he servido al Señor con toda humildad y con muchas lágrimas, y que he sido puesto a prueba por las intrigas de los judíos. También saben que no me he negado a serles útil, y que en público y en las casas he anunciado y enseñado a los judíos y a los no judíos que deben volverse a Dios, y tener fe en nuestro Señor Jesucristo.

~ Hechos 20:18-21 (RVC)

Hace algunos años estábamos ayudando a una familia de refugiados a lidiar con un concesionario de automóviles sin escrúpulos en nuestra ciudad. Este comerciante les había vendido un auto por mil dólares y estaba tratando de estafar otros mil en servicios innecesarios, sabiendo que ellos no hablaban inglés y no podían defender sus derechos. Mi esposo, vestido con su camisa clerical, fue conmigo a hablar con el comerciante quien, finalmente, accedió a devolverles el dinero diciendo: "Mi abuela era cristiana; leía la Biblia todo el tiempo. Siempre la recuerdo."

Me pareció extraño. El hombre era un tramposo increíble y con una pésima reputación, pero el ejemplo cristiano de su abuela todavía tenía el poder de conmoverlo, 50 años después. ¡Gracias a Dios por las abuelas cristianas! Y gracias a Dios por todos los cristianos que tienen a Cristo viviendo en ellos y por medio de ellos. Pablo habla sobre el ejemplo que trató de dar a los Efesios:

"Ustedes saben cómo me he comportado todo el tiempo, desde el primer día que entré en Asia. Saben que he servido al Señor con toda humildad y con muchas lágrimas, y que he sido puesto a prueba por las intrigas de los judíos. ...noche y día, durante tres años, con lágrimas en los ojos siempre he aconsejado a cada uno de ustedes. Nunca he codiciado la plata ni el oro ni el vestido de nadie. Bien saben ustedes que mis manos me han servido para ganar lo que nos faltaba a mí y a los que están conmigo. Siempre les enseñé, y ustedes lo aprendieron, que a los necesitados se les ayuda trabajando como he trabajado yo, y recordando las palabras del Señor Jesús, que dijo: 'Hay más bendición en dar que en recibir'" (Hechos 20:18-19, 31, 33-35).

Claramente, Pablo quería que imitaran su forma de vida en Cristo. Y, sin embargo, había algo aún más importante que Pablo quería que tuvieran, algo que es la base de todo lo que realizamos en el camino de las buenas acciones: quería que compartieran su fe, que fueran fuertes en Cristo Jesús, nuestro único Salvador. Por eso dijo: "Ahora los encomiendo a Dios y a su palabra de bondad, la cual puede edificarlos y darles la herencia prometida con todos los que han sido santificados" (Hechos 20:32).

Podemos vivir como cristianos porque Cristo Jesús nos ha dado vida a través de su muerte y resurrección. Nadie puede producir buenos frutos para Dios aparte de Cristo, pero cuando Jesús vive en nosotros, cuando el Espíritu Santo nos gobierna, nuestras vidas se convierten en algo que trae alabanza a Dios. Y quienes nos rodean, incluso los mentirosos y los tramposos, se darán cuenta. Que Dios nos use a cada uno de nosotros de esta manera.

ORACIÓN: Espíritu Santo, vive en mí y fortalece mi fe para que otros vean mi vida y alaben a Dios. 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.
Un concesionario de automóviles sin escrúpulos en nuestra ciudad.

Nuestro Pan Diario - Alguien que guía

Alguien que guía

Leer: 2 Reyes 2:1-6 | La Biblia en un año: 2 Reyes 1–3 Lucas 24:1-35

… Vive el Señor, y vive tu alma, que no te dejaré… (v. 6).

¿En quién piensas cuando oyes la palabra mentor? Yo, en el pastor Rich. Él vio mi potencial y creyó en mí cuando ni siquiera yo creía en mí misma. Fue un ejemplo de cómo guiar sirviendo con humildad y amor. El resultado es que, ahora, yo sirvo a Dios enseñando y aconsejando a otros.

El profeta Elías jugó un papel crucial en el desarrollo de Eliseo como líder. Lo encontró trabajando en un campo y lo invitó a ser su pupilo, después de que Dios le dijera que lo ungiera como su sucesor (1 Reyes 19:16, 19). El joven aprendiz vio a su mentor hacer milagros increíbles y obedecer a Dios en todo momento. Dios utilizó a Elías para preparar a Eliseo para toda una vida de servicio. Cuando Elías estaba por morir, Eliseo tuvo la oportunidad de irse, pero decidió mantener su compromiso con su mentor, diciendo: «Vive el Señor, y vive tu alma, que no te dejaré» (2 Reyes 2:2, 4, 6). Como resultado de la fidelidad de Eliseo, Dios también lo utilizó de maneras extraordinarias.

Todos necesitamos a alguien que sea para nosotros un ejemplo de qué significa seguir a Cristo. Quiera Dios darnos hombres y mujeres que nos ayuden a crecer espiritualmente. Y que nosotros también, por el poder de su Espíritu, invirtamos nuestra vida en otros.

Señor, gracias por colocar personas que nos desafían y alientan. Ayúdanos a imitarlas.

¿Quiénes son actualmente tus mentores espirituales? ¿Por qué es vital que seamos mentores espirituales para otros?

Por Estera Pirosca Escobar

© 2019 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario
¿En quién piensas cuando oyes la palabra mentor?