The Daily Lectionary for WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2019

The Daily Lectionary

WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Psalm 100

All Lands Summoned to Praise God
A Psalm of thanksgiving.
1  Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
2    Worship the Lord with gladness;
     come into his presence with singing.

3  Know that the Lord is God.
     It is he that made us, and we are his;
     we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4  Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
     and his courts with praise.
     Give thanks to him, bless his name.

5  For the Lord is good;
     his steadfast love endures forever,
     and his faithfulness to all generations.

Jeremiah 50:17-20

50:17 Israel is a hunted sheep driven away by lions. First the king of Assyria devoured it, and now at the end King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon has gnawed its bones. 18 Therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: I am going to punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I punished the king of Assyria. 19 I will restore Israel to its pasture, and it shall feed on Carmel and in Bashan, and on the hills of Ephraim and in Gilead its hunger shall be satisfied. 20 In those days and at that time, says the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and none shall be found; for I will pardon the remnant that I have spared.

John 10:31-42

10:31 The Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?” 33 The Jews answered, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God.” 34 Jesus answered, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’? 35 If those to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’—and the scripture cannot be annulled— 36 can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? 37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. 38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” 39 Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands.

40 He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. 41 Many came to him, and they were saying, “John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” 42 And many believed in him there.

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
Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’?

Verse of the Day WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2019

Ecclesiastes 11:5 (NIV) As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 11

Listen to Ecclesiastes 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 15, 2019

Agradecimiento por nuestras madres

Por encima de todo, vístanse de amor, que es el vínculo perfecto.

~ Colosenses 3:14 (NVI)

El segundo domingo de mayo, se celebra en muchos países el Día de las Madres.

Entonces, ¿cómo no dedicar un espacio en este en libro para honrar a mamá?

Sé que no todas las mujeres han sido buenas madres. Además, sé que si piensas hoy en tu niñez quizá no tengas los mejores capítulos de tu vida para decir: «Mi mamá fue buena, me cuidó, me protegió y hoy soy lo que soy gracias a ella y a su ejemplo». Comprendo que eso sería lo ideal. Sin embargo, este libro tiene el único propósito que es animar, motivar y exhortar a vivir una vida con principios y con una base sólida en Cristo, y aprovechar lo que Dios te muestre y hacerlo.

De ahí que, por principio, debas ser obediente a la Palabra y honrar a tu madre, sin importar lo que haya pasado. Solo ámala, perdónala y queda en paz y a salvo con Dios y, por supuesto, con ella.

Te sentirás muy bien al hacerlo. Pues bien, ¿por qué no aprovechas este día para llamarla, visitarla, tener un detalle con ella y buscar una restauración en esa relación?

Yo también aprovecho para honrar a mi mami, Norma, porque ha sido una madre maravillosa. Me ha apoyado todos los días de mi vida. Ha estado conmigo aun en las malas decisiones y equivocaciones, no para juzgarme, sino para levantarme. Ha sido mi amiga, confidente, compañera y mi enfermera por cinco meses. Cuando más la necesite, dejó todo en Colombia por venir a atenderme. Es un ejemplo de disciplina y liderazgo. Es una buena abuelita y una excelente suegra. Por todo esto y más, ¡GRACIAS, MAMI, eres la mejor!

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
El segundo domingo de mayo, se celebra en muchos países el Día de las Madres.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Wednesday, May 15, 2019

WOMEN WHO FEAR GOD

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

~ Proverbs 31:30-31 (NIV)

Evangelism is an important function of the church everywhere. But in communist Vietnam, followers of Christ cannot openly share their faith. Those who do are often threatened or imprisoned. In response, Open Doors developed several programs to help. One was a women’s discipleship program based on one-on-one relationships. It is called Priscilla Training.

A Vietnamese woman named Han says, “When I was young I went to church. We were a godly family. But I found the church very dull, very boring. The Bible did not speak to me. I knew some of the stories. And I listened to our pastor each week.

“One night when we were all asleep the police came and took our pastor away. They think if they take him away the church will die. They want all churches to die. They kept him in prison for five years. It’s natural this happens. I live in a communist country.

“When the communists tried to kill my church, it challenged my heart. I knew I had to be strong. Before, I was just a church member. Now I have to become a serious follower of Jesus.

“I started reading my Bible every day, and it became fresh to me. It spoke to my heart. It was very, very good feeling, and I liked it. It was good for my life. I wanted others to have God in their lives too.

“Attending a secret house church is a risk. But it is a greater risk going to a training class. And I decided to take that risk. I went far away to receive Priscilla Bible and leadership training. I felt God calling me to be in ministry. I want to teach other women what I have learned. My first disciple was named Tuyen.”

Tuyen says, “My friend introduced me to a godly lady. Her name is Han. She taught me how to study better, know God better, and be a true disciple of Jesus. I reach out to people and tell them all the good news I have in my heart, and the good hope I have in me today.

“A neighbor told me that a lady, a new follower of Jesus, wants to learn more about him. She will be my first disciple. I will teach her what I’ve learned from Han.”

God has equipped thousands of women through the Priscilla Training in Vietnam and all members of the church are thus able to help fulfill the function of evangelism.

In June 2011, Vietnam’s Evangelical Church celebrated its centenary. The government allowed the missionaries to Vietnam (who were still living and able to travel) to return for the celebrations. When they left in 1975, there were estimated to be 160,000 evangelical Christians in the country. In 2011 they found the church had grown to over 1.4 million. That’s nearly 900 per cent growth! During the centenary celebrations, Open Doors was officially given an award from the leaders of the Evangelical Church for help in training given through the difficult years.

RESPONSE: Today I will honor women who fear God and share their faith with others in need of help.

PRAYER: Pray for more women in Vietnam to be able to effectively share their faith and train others.

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 15, 2019

I Can't Tie a Pretty Bow on This One

Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the fold of your garment and destroy them!

~ Psalm 74:11 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

My hubs and I are obsessed with the TV show Person of Interest. The plot is fast-paced, and features two main characters, John Reese and Mr. Finch, a presumed-dead, former CIA agent and a mysterious, tech-savvy billionaire. The duo prevents crimes using technology and their own take on vigilante justice. Brad and I binge watch the show on Netflix when time permits and are depressed that we only have five seasons to enjoy.

Each episode features complicated characters in critical situations. Life and death situations. Tensions are always heightened and people often look over their shoulders to see who might be after them. As you’d imagine, what I don't often see while watching Person of Interest are people in danger, casually hanging out with their hands in their pockets.

When we have our hands in our pockets, it generally means that we’re relaxed… that our guard is down… that we’re neutral - not on the offense or defense of anything.

When we have our hands in our pockets, we’re not prepared to resist blows from an enemy.

When we have our hands in our pockets, we can’t attack an enemy. (You never see pictures of soldiers in battle with their hands in their pockets.)

It’s rare to see people in a “dark place” (v20) walking around with their hands constrained. If I’m in a dark place - a hard to see or scary place - my hands are up. I’m trying to feel the walls or barriers that might cause me to trip. I’m trying to prevent harm and keep from running in to things.

As I consider this hands-in-the-pockets posturing, it makes sense that the psalmist used this type of illustration when expressing his frustration with God for not protecting His people. It’s as if he’s throwing his hands in the air and challenging God’s interest in things of earth. He gets a bit gutsy, and essentially calls Him out. Why aren’t you doing anything about this, God? These guys are mocking you and destroyed Your sanctuary! They’ve insulted Your name! Wake up! Rise up! Don't let them get away with this! Stop ignoring the devastation that’s taken place and protect Your people! Would you get Your hands out of Your pockets, already?!

“Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the fold of your garment and destroy them!” (Psalm 74:11) “Rise up, God, champion your cause! Remember the insults that fools bring against you all day long.” (Psalm 74:22)

Man, I feel that. Even today.

I feel that when I think about red-light districts that traffic humanity, destroy dignity and celebrate slavery. I feel that when I think about helpless babies who are unprotected from death in the name of women’s health. I feel that when I see a foolish loved one blindly throw away blessings from God to reach for Turkish Delight blisterings that the enemy has convinced her she deserves.

Yeah. I get why the psalmist was frustrated with the perceived distance of God.

I do. Evil is infuriating.

Yet, I understand why the Bible shows us that His patience with us often runs low. As a society, we try to keep God out of our laws, our choices, our calendars and our morality, but we want Him to show up like an illuminated superhero when darkness and discouragement presses in. We see the broken and want the beauty, but don’t necessarily want the lordship of the One who makes all things beautiful.

This chapter reminds me that when we feel forgotten, rejected or crushed… when it seems God has His hands in His pockets and is oblivious to the work of the enemy… like the psalmist, we can pray honestly, knowing He hears.

We can balance languished laments with reverence and remembrance.

I can’t wrap a pretty bow on this one. It’s hard stuff. It’s comforting, however, knowing that even when God’s timing and silence leaves us shaking our heads, the truth is He has moved powerfully in and through ashes of destruction in the past and He’s still at work all around us today.

Let’s Pray

Holy Father, You know the blisterings in our homes and the burdens of our hearts. Please help. Heal our land. Shut the mouth of fear. Crush the chains that bind, and decimate darkness with light. Make all that’s wrong right for the sake of Your name, Lord.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

On a scale of 1-10, how honest are your prayers? Spend some time in prayer. Get beyond your list of things and people you’d like God to fix and focus on who He is. Worship. Give thanks.

More from the Girlfriends

SPECIAL OFFER: If today’s message is where you are and you need more practical help, we have a resource called Trusting God. Gwen is offering a 20% OFF discount on the Trusting God book from her site when you use the coupon code: 20OFF. Click here to get yours now.

If you want to read and study the Bible, but don’t know where to start, this is for you! Girlfriends in God cofounder 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

My hubs and I are obsessed with the TV show Person of Interest.

LHM Daily Devotions - A Title We Don't Deserve

"A Title We Don't Deserve"

May 15, 2019

And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be My son."

~ Revelation 21:6 (ESV)

In this world it's easy to feel beat down.

It happens in the workplace when a corporate culture minimizes the human element for the bottom line. It happens between married couples when one's impossible demands are never met. It happens in college and high school when peer pressure strips away our resolve to do what's right in favor of being accepted. And it happens on the playground when a raised fist or a searing barb makes us recoil in fear.

And if the world doesn't do it, we do it to ourselves. Our internal monologue, we tell ourselves, "There's no way you can accomplish that." "Who are you trying to kid?" "Give it up. For Pete's sake, give-it-up!"

I wonder how Jesus pressed on in a world of such pessimism. Whether you're a Bible reader or not, His wilderness temptations are well known—to turn stones to bread, to jump from a high place (calling in angels to protect Him), and to bow down and worship the devil. Those were His temptations. But what about the day-to-day grind He faced as the Son of God—amplified because Satan knew Him to be the Son of God? Surely, He too faced the social pressures and internal struggles we know as human beings. After all, He was in every way, like us: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).

Jesus, the One who knows the world we face, is able to identify with our every foible, weakness, and fear. He sees us and, remarkably, He doesn't turn away. And, perhaps, more remarkable still, He came for us, to bestow on us—through the gift of faith—the title: "conqueror," vanquishing sin, death, and the devil, for you and me.

To us Jesus has granted water from the spring of life—without payment—payment required from us, that is. The cost, as we know by faith, was priceless. Poured out for our sins, Jesus went to the cross on our behalf, taking the impossible weight of our sin with Him. Suffering grievous pain and injury for a fallen world, He offered His life as a substitute for ours. To the grave He went, and from the grave He arose, fulfilling the Father's promise of redemption to us and granting us a place at His table in paradise.

"Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15)

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You have given Your Son the place of supreme honor. And You have granted us to conquer with Him as well. May our lives honor Him fully. In His Name we pray. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Paul Schreiber. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
In this world it's easy to feel beat down.

Devocional de la CPTLN del 15 de Mayo de 2019 - Un título que no merezco

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Un título que no merezco

15 de Mayo de 2019

También me dijo: "Ya está hecho. Yo soy el Alfa y la Omega, el principio y el fin. Al que tenga sed, yo le daré a beber gratuitamente de la fuente del agua de la vida."

~ Apocalipsis 21:6 (RVC)

En este mundo es fácil sentirse derrotado.

Ocurre en el lugar de trabajo cuando una cultura corporativa exprime el elemento humano para que el balance final esté a su favor. Ocurre entre parejas casadas cuando las exigencias imposibles de uno de ellos nunca se cumplen. Ocurre en la universidad y en la escuela secundaria cuando la presión de los compañeros nos quita la determinación de hacer lo correcto a cambio de ser aceptado. Y sucede en el recreo cuando un puño levantado o un comentario cruel nos hacen retroceder con miedo.

Y si el mundo no lo hace, nos lo hacemos a nosotros mismos. "No hay manera de que puedas lograr eso", nos decimos. "¿A quién estás tratando de engañar?" "¡Por tu propio bien, ríndete!"

Me pregunto cómo siguió adelante Jesús en un mundo tan pesimista. Sea que leas o no la Biblia, probablemente sepas que las tentaciones que enfrentó Jesús en el desierto son bien conocidas: convertir las piedras en pan, saltar desde un lugar alto llamando a los ángeles para que lo protejan y adorar al diablo. Pero ¿qué acerca de los ataques diarios que enfrentó como toda persona, aumentados porque Satanás sabía que era el Hijo de Dios? Jesús enfrentó las presiones sociales y las luchas internas que conocemos como seres humanos. Después de todo él era, en todos los aspectos, como nosotros: "Porque no tenemos un sumo sacerdote que no pueda compadecerse de nuestras debilidades, sino uno que fue tentado en todo de la misma manera que nosotros, aunque sin pecado" (Hebreos 4:15).

Jesús, que conoce el mundo al que nos enfrentamos, es capaz de identificarse con cada una de nuestras imperfecciones, debilidades y temores. Él nos ve y no nos da la espalda. Y quizás, aún más notablemente, él vino por nosotros para otorgarnos—a través del don de la fe—el título: "conquistador", venciendo al pecado, la muerte y el diablo por ti y por mí.

Jesús nos ha otorgado gratuitamente el agua del manantial de la vida sin que nosotros tengamos que pagar. El costo, como sabemos por fe, fue invaluable. Acongojado por nuestros pecados Jesús fue a la cruz en nuestro nombre, llevando el execrable peso de nuestro pecado con él. Sufriendo dolor y lesiones graves por un mundo caído, Jesús ofreció su vida como un sustituto por la nuestra. Fue a la tumba y de la tumba se levantó, cumpliendo la promesa del Padre de redimirnos y concedernos un lugar en su mesa en el paraíso.

"¡Demos gracias a Dios por su don inefable!" (2 Corintios 9:15).

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, que le has dado a tu Hijo el lugar de honor supremo y nos has concedido que conquistemos con él, haz que nuestras vidas lo honren plenamente. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén.

Paul Schreiber

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
En este mundo es fácil sentirse derrotado.

Ministérios Pão Diário - Flores para sempre

Flores para sempre


Leia: Isaías 40:1-8
 | A Bíblia em um ano: 2 Reis 22–23; João 4:31-54

Baixe a versão MP3

…seca-se a erva, e cai a sua flor, mas a palavra de nosso Deus permanece eternamente. v.8


Quando criança, meu filho Xavier gostava de me dar flores. Eu gostava de cada flor recém-colhida ou comprada por ele e seu pai, e a apreciava até a flor murchar e ser jogada fora.

Um dia, Xavier me deu um belo buquê de flores artificiais, e sorriu ao arranjar o lírio de seda branco, o girassol amarelo e a hortênsia roxa no vaso. E disse: “Olhe, mamãe, vão durar para sempre. Isso é o quanto eu te amo.”

Desde então, ele cresceu e agora é jovem. As pétalas de seda se desgastaram, as cores desapareceram. Ainda assim, as flores “para sempre” me lembram desse amor, e me trazem algo mais à mente — algo que realmente permanece para sempre: o amor ilimitado e duradouro de Deus, revelado em Sua Palavra infalível e duradoura (v.8).

Quando os israelitas enfrentaram provações, Isaías os confortou com confiança nas palavras consoladoras de Deus (v.1). Proclamou que Deus pagara a dívida causada pelo pecado deles (v.2), garantindo sua esperança no próximo Messias (vv.3-5). Eles confiaram no profeta porque o foco dele permanecia em Deus, não nas circunstâncias que os envolviam.

Neste mundo de incertezas e aflições, nossas opiniões e sentimentos estão sempre mudando e são tão limitados quanto a nossa mortalidade (vv.6,7). Ainda assim, podemos confiar no amor e no caráter imutável de Deus, revelado em Sua Palavra constante e eternamente verdadeira.

Deus assegura o Seu amor em Sua Palavra imutável, 
hoje e eternamente.

por Xochitl Dixon

© 2019 Ministérios Pão Diário
“Olhe, mamãe, vão durar para sempre. Isso é o quanto eu te amo.”