The Daily Lectionary for TUESDAY, May 28, 2019

Vision of the New Jerusalem

The Daily Lectionary

TUESDAY, May 28, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Psalm 93

The Majesty of God’s Rule
1  The Lord is king, he is robed in majesty;
     the Lord is robed, he is girded with strength.
   He has established the world; it shall never be moved;
2    your throne is established from of old;
     you are from everlasting.

3  The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
     the floods have lifted up their voice;
     the floods lift up their roaring.
4  More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters,
     more majestic than the waves of the sea,
     majestic on high is the Lord!

5 Your decrees are very sure;
    holiness befits your house,
    O Lord, forevermore.

2 Chronicles 15:1-15

15:1 The spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded. 2 He went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The Lord is with you, while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you abandon him, he will abandon you. 3 For a long time Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law; 4 but when in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them. 5 In those times it was not safe for anyone to go or come, for great disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands. 6 They were broken in pieces, nation against nation and city against city, for God troubled them with every sort of distress. 7 But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”

8 When Asa heard these words, the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the towns that he had taken in the hill country of Ephraim. He repaired the altar of the Lord that was in front of the vestibule of the house of the Lord. 9 He gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who were residing as aliens with them, for great numbers had deserted to him from Israel when they saw that the Lord his God was with him. 10 They were gathered at Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa. 11 They sacrificed to the Lord on that day, from the booty that they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep. 12 They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and with all their soul. 13 Whoever would not seek the Lord, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman. 14 They took an oath to the Lord with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with horns. 15 All Judah rejoiced over the oath; for they had sworn with all their heart, and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all around.

Revelation 21:15-22

Vision of the New Jerusalem
21:15 The angel who talked to me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. 16 The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width; and he measured the city with his rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal. 17 He also measured its wall, one hundred forty-four cubits by human measurement, which the angel was using. 18 The wall is built of jasper, while the city is pure gold, clear as glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city are adorned with every jewel; the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates are twelve pearls, each of the gates is a single pearl, and the street of the city is pure gold, transparent as glass.

22 I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.

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
The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width; and he measured the city with his rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal.

Verse of the Day TUESDAY, May 28, 2019

Romans 12:15 (NIV) Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Read all of Romans 12

Listen to Romans 12

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 28, 2019

Semana de celebración: La fidelidad

El gran amor del Señor nunca se acaba, y su compasiónjamás se agota. Cada mañana se renuevan sus bondades; ¡muy grande es su fidelidad!

~ Lamentaciones 3:22-23 (NVI)

Solo podría basar mis enseñanzas bajo este título de hoy: «La fidelidad de Dios para con mi vida».

Dios ha sido más que fiel. Ha tenido paciencia conmigo y me ha demostrado que aunque le he fallado miles de veces, Él siempre tiene amor hacia mí. Aunque me ha disciplinado, y en ocasiones he sentido su fuerte reprensión, hoy entiendo que lo hizo por amor a mí.

Ten presente que esta semana celebramos muchas cosas. Así que, como ejercicio, estamos recordando los miles de momentos en los que Dios nunca nos ha fallado:

Recuerda cuando quizá te quedaras sin trabajo y pasaron meses, pero que jamás te faltó nada.

Recuerda cuando tal vez no tuvieras tus documentos legales para vivir en Estados Unidos, manejabas sin licencia o trabajabas con un documento prestado. O a lo mejor estuviste ilegal por años sin tener problemas y, aun así, tuviste casa, auto y alimentos para tu familia. Esa, mi amigo, es la «fidelidad de Dios».

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Solo podría basar mis enseñanzas bajo este título de hoy: «La fidelidad de Dios para con mi vida».

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Tuesday, May 28, 2019

DEFEATING THE ENEMY’S ATTACKS

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

~ 1 John 4:4 (NIV)

Ung Sophal established eight house churches in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and the surrounding provinces. He and his wife lost their third and youngest child during the Pol Pot genocide. After many close calls, he was separated from his wife and children and sent to work in the fields. During these very difficult times, he still was able to lead sixty-five people to Jesus and even water baptize them. God miraculously spared his life on numerous occasions.

When the Vietnamese invaded Cambodia in 1979, Ung Sophal was able to return to Phnom Penh. It was now a ghost town. With a handful of other Christians, he started a house church, which grew from five members to six hundred in eight months.

That Christmas he invited some Christians to his home for a fellowship - including some Christian westerners working for aid organizations. Two weeks later he was arrested for this “illegal” activity and accused of holding a political meeting with CIA participation.

He was interrogated for days and beaten severely. When the interrogation proved profitless, he was left in prison for five months chained hand and foot. He lost seventy-five pounds and was very sick but he heard the Lord instruct him to fast and be silent for three days.

The authorities became alarmed at the end of his fast and took him to the hospital thinking he was dying. There he constantly heard the sounds of other people being tortured with electricity and being beaten and kicked. “Even without the beatings it was very hard,” he said, “I had a taste of hell, but God protected me.”

Ung Sophal was successfully treated by a Cuban doctor who was also a Christian (God has his people everywhere). One night when the electricity went out because of a tropical storm, the doctor helped Ung escape. Later he fled with his wife and children to Thailand and spent ten years ministering to other Cambodian exiles - the last five years as a widower.

In 1990, as restrictions against Christianity began to be eased in Cambodia, Ung made his first visit back to his homeland to encourage and teach the church. Word of his return spread quickly and three hundred people came to see him. He is eager for the task ahead. “I want to build my people,” he said. “God has a great work yet to do in Cambodia.”

RESPONSE: Today I will stand strong in Jesus’ strength no matter what Satan throws at me or against me.

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for encouraging testimonies of faithful people like Ung Sophal. Continue to grow Your Church in Cambodia, I pray.

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.
One night when the electricity went out because of a tropical storm, the doctor helped Ung escape.

Girlfriends in God - Tuesday, May 28, 2019

It Depends on Whose Hands It’s In

Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

~ Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

I recently received an email containing the following poem. It offers a simple but profound truth we would be wise to apply.

A basketball in my hands is worth about $19.
A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million.
It depends on whose hands it's in.

A baseball in my hands is worth about $6.
A baseball in Mark McGuire's hands is worth $19 million.
It depends on whose hands it's in.

A tennis racket is useless in my hands.
A tennis racket in Venus Williams' hands is a championship winning racket.
It depends on whose hands it's in.

A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal.
A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea.
It depends on whose hands it's in.

A sling shot in my hands is a kid's toy.
A sling shot in David's hand is a mighty weapon.
It depends on whose hands it's in.

Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God's hands will feed thousands.
It depends on whose hands it's in.

Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.
Nails in Jesus Christ's hands produced salvation for the entire world.
It depends on whose hands it's in.

In their darkest hour, waves crashing around them, trapped on a small fishing boat, the disciples were terrified. In fact, their fear blinded them to the reality of Jesus coming to them in the midst of that storm. I love the simple but powerful response of Jesus to their fearful cries when He said, "Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid."

The message was stunning in its simplicity. When He is with us and when we remember that we are in His hands, we do not have to be afraid. We usually get that part. But what Jesus also said was that His very presence brought courage into the mix – an audacious choice to discount the fearful circumstances simply because He was there.

Jesus did not rebuke His disciples in their fear.
He didn’t turn away from them because their faith was weak.
I probably would have. After all, they had seen Jesus perform miracles.

Water turned into wine.
Thousands fed with five loaves of bread and two small fish.
Men, women, and children healed.

And still they were afraid. Still they doubted. I can relate, can’t you?

Jesus “quickly” assured them of His comforting presence and His available power. Evidently, Peter was the only one who really believed Jesus. How do I know? True faith generates action. Peter was the only one willing to get out of the boat and walk through his fear. I am fairly certain Peter was just as terrified as the other disciples – but Peter chose to take Jesus at His word and place himself in the hands of Jesus. When he took that first step, Peter’s fear was swallowed up in faith.

What kind of storm are you facing? Don’t wait until you understand the crisis you are in. Don’t rely on your own strength. Choose right now to place your life in His hands and see what God does.

Let’s Pray

Father, please forgive me when I give in to fear and worry instead of stepping out in faith and believing You. Help me learn how to capture my thoughts and train them to focus on You. I want to become a woman who trusts You – no matter what. My faith is small, but I now choose to place it in You.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

What trial are you facing today?

What step do you need to take to face that trial with faith instead of fear? What is keeping you from taking that step?

Let it go … step through your fear, and trust God.

More from the Girlfriends

The presence of Jesus is a constant reminder that when we place our lives in His hands, we will experience the peace of God. Check out Mary’s new Joy Journal that will help you discover the joy only Jesus can bring. And 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

I recently received an email containing the following poem. It offers a simple but profound truth we would be wise to apply.

LHM Daily Devotions - Confusion

"Confusion"

May 28, 2019

In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled ... So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the Baptism of John until the day when He was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to His resurrection." And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two You have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

~ Acts 1:15-16a, 21-26 (ESV)

I feel uneasy when I think about the events in Acts 1. Oh, not Jesus' ascension! But after His followers returned to Jerusalem to wait for the Holy Spirit, they had a meeting. Peter stood up and announced that it was time to replace Judas with another apostle. He quoted Scripture, they prayed, they nominated two men, and then they cast lots, asking God to make the decision. Matthias was chosen, and they counted him as the new twelfth apostle.

Here's what bugs me—I'm not entirely sure they should have been doing this, before the coming of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had told them to wait. As far as I know, He didn't tell them to do anything about the vacancy Judas left! And Peter had a history of rushing things. And we never hear anything more about Matthias in the Bible. So ....

But then, I think, who am I to criticize the apostles? Maybe this is what God wanted. Peter did base his decision on Scripture. The group did pray, and they did leave the final choice in God's hands (via lot). And the author of Luke never says they were wrong. So maybe ....

I can't make up my mind. Neither can a lot of other Christians. But maybe that's okay. Because God is still in charge, no matter what.

There are a lot of decisions in our lives where we ask God to guide us, consulting the Bible and praying and talking with other Christians. We do the best we can with what we think we understand at the time. But in the end, things happen. They might be what we expected; they might not. But it's okay, because God's in charge no matter what happens.

Some things God never makes clear. But other things—the most important things—He makes absolutely sure we can never misunderstand. It's not clear whether the Matthias episode was a mistake or not. But it's abundantly clear that Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection were no mistake—that He did all of these things, knowingly and freely, according to God's will, to save us. This is how much He loves us. And no matter what mistakes we make, He will never let us go.

THE PRAYER: Dear Father, when I am confused and don't know what to do, please guide me. And if I make mistakes, help me to trust in Your forgiveness and Your guidance in the mercy in Jesus. 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).
Some things God never makes clear. But other things—the most important things—He makes absolutely sure we can never misunderstand.

Devocional de la CPTLN del 28 de Mayo de 2019 - Confusión

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Confusión

28 de Mayo de 2019

"Uno de esos días Pedro se puso de pie, en medio de los hermanos (que estaban reunidos y eran como ciento veinte), y dijo: 'Hermanos míos, tenía que cumplirse la Escritura... Se hace necesario que, de aquellos que nos acompañaron todo el tiempo en que el Señor Jesús estuvo entre nosotros, desde que Juan bautizaba hasta el día en que el Señor subió al cielo, uno de ellos se nos una para ser testigo de su resurrección.» Entonces señalaron a José, llamado Barsabás, que tenía por sobrenombre «el Justo», y a Matías. Y en su oración dijeron: «Señor, tú conoces todos los corazones. Muéstranos a cuál de los dos has escogido, para que tome la parte de este ministerio y apostolado, de la que Judas cayó por su transgresión para irse a donde le correspondía.» Y lo echaron a la suerte, y ésta recayó en Matías. Y a partir de entonces fue contado entre los once apóstoles.

~ Hechos 1:15-16a, 21-26 (RVC)

Me siento incómodo cuando pienso en los eventos en Hechos 1. No en la ascensión de Jesús sino después, cuando sus seguidores se reunieron luego de regresar a Jerusalén para esperar al Espíritu Santo. Pedro se levantó y anunció que era hora de reemplazar a Judas con otro apóstol. Citó las Escrituras, oraron, nominaron a dos hombres y luego lo echaron a la suerte, pidiéndole a Dios que tomara la decisión. Matías fue elegido, y lo consideraron como el nuevo duodécimo apóstol.

Esto es lo que me molesta: no estoy completamente segura de que deberían haber hecho eso antes de recibir el Espíritu Santo. Jesús les había dicho que esperaran, ¡no que hicieran algo para llenar la vacante dejada por Judas! Y sabemos que a Pedro se le conocía por apresurar las cosas. Y es interesante que nunca escuchamos nada más acerca de Matías en la Biblia. Así que...

Pero entonces, pienso: ¿quién soy yo para criticar a los apóstoles? Tal vez eso es lo que Dios quería. Pedro basó su decisión en las Escrituras. El grupo oró y dejaron la elección final en las manos de Dios (a través de echarlo a la suerte). Y el autor del Evangelio de Lucas nunca dice que estaban equivocados. Así que tal vez...

No puedo decidirme. Tampoco pueden muchos otros cristianos. Pero tal vez eso está bien. Porque Dios todavía está a cargo, pase lo que pase.

Hay muchas decisiones en nuestras vidas en las que le pedimos a Dios que nos guíe: consultamos la Biblia, oramos, hablamos con otros cristianos. Hacemos lo mejor que podemos con lo que creemos que entendemos en ese momento. Y al final, las cosas pasan. A veces es lo que esperábamos, otras veces no. Pero bien, porque Dios está a cargo, más allá de lo que pase.

Algunas cosas Dios nunca las deja en claro. Pero otras, las más importantes, se asegura de que nunca las podamos malinterpretar. No está claro si el episodio de Matías fue un error o no. Pero está muy claro que el sufrimiento, la muerte y la resurrección de Jesús no fueron un error: Jesús hizo todas esas cosas a sabiendas y libremente, siguiendo la voluntad de Dios por amor, para salvarnos. Y no importa qué errores cometamos, Él nunca nos dejará ir.

ORACIÓN: Querido Padre, cuando estoy confundido y no sé qué hacer, por favor guíame. Y si me equivoco, ayúdame a confiar en tu perdón y misericordia en Jesús. 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.
Algunas cosas Dios nunca las deja en claro. Pero otras, las más importantes, se asegura de que nunca las podamos malinterpretar.

Nuestro Pan Diario - Nunca solos

Nunca solos

Leer: Juan 14:15-18 | La Biblia en un año: 2 Crónicas 4–6 Juan 10:24-42

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... os dará otro Consolador, para que esté con vosotros para siempre: el Espíritu de verdad… (vv. 16-17).

Mientras redactaba una guía bíblica para pastores de Indonesia, un escritor amigo quedó fascinado con la cultura de unidad de esa nación. Llamada gotong royong —«ayuda mutua»—, el concepto se practica en aldeas, donde los vecinos trabajan juntos para reparar techos o reconstruir puentes o senderos. También en las ciudades, según dice mi amigo: «Las personas siempre van acompañadas; por ejemplo, a una cita con el médico. Es la norma cultural. Por eso, uno nunca está solo».

Los creyentes en Cristo nos regocijamos en saber que también nosotros nunca estamos solos. Nuestro compañero constante y eterno es el Espíritu Santo, la tercera Persona de la Trinidad. Nuestro Padre celestial da el Espíritu a todos los que aceptan a Cristo como Salvador (Juan 14:16), para que los ayude y esté con ellos siempre; mucho más que un amigo fiel.

Jesús prometió que el Espíritu vendría después de que Él dejara este mundo: «No os dejaré huérfanos» (v. 18). El Espíritu Santo —«el Espíritu de verdad», que «permanece con ustedes, y estará en ustedes» (v. 17 RVC)— mora en cada persona que recibe a Cristo como Salvador.

Él es nuestro ayudador, consolador, alentador y consejero; un compañero permanente en un mundo donde la soledad aflige aun a las personas conectadas.

¿Estás descuidando el consuelo y la ayuda de Dios?

Jesús prometió que el Espíritu Santo siempre nos acompañará.

Por PR

© 2019 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario
 ¿Estás descuidando el consuelo y la ayuda de Dios?