The Daily Lectionary for THURSDAY, June 6, 2019

Galatians 5:22-23

The Daily Lectionary

THURSDAY, June 6, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Psalm 104:24-34, 35b

24 O Lord, how manifold are your works!
     In wisdom you have made them all;
     the earth is full of your creatures.
25 Yonder is the sea, great and wide,
     creeping things innumerable are there,
     living things both small and great.
26 There go the ships,
     and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it.

27 These all look to you
     to give them their food in due season;
28 when you give to them, they gather it up;
     when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
29 When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
     when you take away their breath, they die
     and return to their dust.
30 When you send forth your spirit, they are created;
     and you renew the face of the ground.

31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
     may the Lord rejoice in his works—
32 who looks on the earth and it trembles,
     who touches the mountains and they smoke.
33 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
     I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to him,
     for I rejoice in the Lord.

35b and let the wicked be no more.

Isaiah 32:11-17

32:11 Tremble, you women who are at ease,
     shudder, you complacent ones;
   strip, and make yourselves bare,
     and put sackcloth on your loins.
12 Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields,
     for the fruitful vine,
13 for the soil of my people
     growing up in thorns and briers;
   yes, for all the joyous houses
     in the jubilant city.
14 For the palace will be forsaken,
     the populous city deserted;
   the hill and the watchtower
     will become dens forever,
   the joy of wild asses,
     a pasture for flocks;
15 until a spirit from on high is poured out on us,
     and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field,
     and the fruitful field is deemed a forest.

The Peace of God’s Reign
16 Then justice will dwell in the wilderness,
     and righteousness abide in the fruitful field.
17 The effect of righteousness will be peace,
     and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.

Galatians 5:16-25

The Works of the Flesh
5:16 Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The Fruit of the Spirit
22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.

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 fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Verse of the Day THURSDAY, June 6, 2019

Ephesians 3:17-19 (NIV) so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Read all of Ephesians 3

Listen to Ephesians 3

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Un dia a la Vez - Thursday, June 6, 2019

Cómo somos útiles

Ni aun el Hijo del hombre vino para que le sirvan, sino para servir y para dar su vida en rescate por muchos.

~ Marcos 10:45 (NVI)

Quiero rendir un sincero homenaje a todas las personas que tienen claro el concepto del servicio. A las personas que dedican gran parte de su tiempo a servir a otros, son voluntarias de organizaciones y sacrifican de su tiempo para servir. Las admiro y le pido a Dios que las siga usando de una manera poderosa dondequiera que desempeñen ese don.

Sin duda alguna, el servicio es un don o un llamado. Hay personas que nacemos con ese llamado de ayudar, servir y escuchar al necesitado. Otras, aunque quizá no tengan la pasión, quieren aprender, se preparan y, de igual modo, lo hacen de una manera hermosa.

El servicio es un privilegio. La Palabra de Dios dice que «hay más dicha en dar que en recibir» (Hechos 20:35). Se siente una satisfacción muy grande cuando puedes extender la mano y ayudar. No hablamos de reconocimientos económicos, pues es lo que menos dinero deja, sino de lo mucho que vale una sonrisa, una lágrima por agradecimiento y el saber que, a fin de cuentas, no lo hacemos para nosotros, sino para Dios.

El mejor ejemplo, como digo a menudo, nos lo dejó Jesús. Siendo el Hijo de Dios vino para servir. Iba a todas partes y, a cualquier parte que llegaba, lo hacía para sanar, liberar y enseñar. Incluso, hizo algo de gran significado: Les lavó los pies a sus discípulos. Jesús era un servidor por excelencia.

Pidámosle a Dios que nos guíe para ser buenos servidores y que produzca en nosotros «tanto el querer como el hacer» (Filipenses 2:13).

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Quiero rendir un sincero homenaje a todas las personas que tienen claro el concepto del servicio.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Thursday, June 6, 2019

THE BIBLE

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

~ 2 Peter 1:20-21 (NIV)

Daniel, a Chinese brother from Singapore, sat in the chair still shaking his head in unbelief. He had just returned from his first extensive visit to the People’s Republic of China. Now in the freedom of his home city, he was trying to assimilate and communicate all the impressions and messages he had received.

“How would you summarize what you learned on your visit, Daniel?” I asked him. He continued to shake his head and smile. Finally he began to speak.

“Probably by my visit to one particular house church,” he slowly replied. “It numbers several hundred believers who have had a lot of persecution over the past years. I asked them how they had been victorious and even grown in numbers during such terrible experiences. They quickly replied, telling me three things,” he continued. “First, obedience to the Word of God; second, communication with God, that is, prayer. And third, love for the brothers and sisters.”

This group memorized one chapter of the Bible every week. They began doing this because of a lack of Bibles, but continued doing so after they realized the blessing it brought to their lives.

The Bible is God’s written revelation of Himself and His desire for a relationship with people. It is more than just a revelation of God’s character. It is also a revelation of His intricate plan for the world. We could never have understood our great God if He had not chosen to reveal Himself.

His greatest revelation of Himself was when He came to live among us in a human body and was known as Jesus Christ. But even our knowledge of that revelation depends upon His written Word, the Bible.

Satan has conducted a massive propaganda campaign in the last century in an attempt to discredit the Bible. He would love to see Christians lose faith in the Word of God. In spite of his efforts, however, no one has ever been able to disprove its reliability. It remains the only absolute truth known to humankind.

The Bible is our God-given basis for faith, doctrine and practice. Many times Christians have knowingly departed from its teachings and suffered because of doing so. Many times when Christians depart from the Word, it is because they do not know or understand it.

The church can only be true to the revealed Word of God when its people know what it teaches. Study of God’s Word is an essential part of the Christian life. When Christians doubt, ignore or fail to understand the teachings of scripture and depart from its principles, they lose their spiritual power.

RESPONSE: Today I will recommit to the daily study and application of God’s Word, the Bible.

PRAYER: Pray for believers in many parts of the world who still yearn for a copy of the Bible.

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

Men's Devotional Bible - Thursday, June 6, 2019

A Majority of One

Numbers 13:26–33
Recommended Reading: Psalm 18:1–50; Philippians 4:12–13

Have you ever met a man like Caleb? Oh, they’re out there all right. All you have to do is look around.

Think of your neighbor down the street who has taken it upon himself to replace his entire kitchen. He’s done the homework, learned from others and bravely undertaken the demolition with a seeming fearlessness that you admire. Think of a boss you once had who was wildly optimistic in the face of competition and adversity. He strategized with an enthusiasm that inspired you and your coworkers. Think of the disabled young girl in your community who refuses to let her physical disabilities keep her from a normal life with her friends.

All of these people face obstacles with a courage that defies the circumstances they face. Their drive seems to gather momentum despite adversity. Do they always succeed? No, but they don’t let fear stop them in their tracks before moving ahead.

Caleb faced similar pressure to despair after his spy mission in Canaan. Ten of his fellow spies panicked when they saw the size of some of the people living in Canaan—enemies the Israelites would need to defeat in order to claim the promised land. “There’s no way we can beat them,” the other spies assessed. “They’re too powerful.”

Caleb’s scouting report reflected a different perspective. He wasn’t impressed by the size of the Anakites—he was bowled over by the power of the One who had held back the waters of the Red Sea. He didn’t fear the fighting force of the Amalekites—it paled in comparison to the artillery of the One who had brought Egypt to its knees. He brushed aside doubts that God would protect the Israelites—this wasn’t any more of a challenge for God than the manna, quail and water he had provided in the desert.

Caleb surveyed the obstacles in front of him and concluded that nothing else was a match for God’s power.

Have you reached the same conclusion regarding the obstacles in your life? Perhaps the financial crisis that seems hopeless? The coworkers who are hostile to your Christian faith? The medical crisis that is turning your world upside down? The destructive habit no one else knows about?

Instead of allowing the problem at hand to overwhelm you, think about the Resource at your disposal. Make a mental list of past situations in which God protected you, provided for you and cared for you. Refuse to be intimidated by your spiritual enemies—no matter how enormous they seem. Remind yourself of the One who is on your team. And be the guy in your neighborhood whose optimism in the face of adversity inspires others.

To Take Away

• What problems or obstacles are overwhelming you right now?
• How can you show the same boldness Caleb displayed in dealing with your own troubles?
• Make a list of instances in which you sensed God’s protection, provision or care. When you pray, ask God to remind you of these blessings whenever you begin to feel overwhelmed.

What problems or obstacles are overwhelming you right now?

Girlfriends in God - Thursday, June 6, 2019

Living for Jesus … Today!

Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

~ James 4:14 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

On a visit to meet our new granddaughter, our son called to say he was running late and asked if I could take our grandson Jaydan to baseball practice. “I will meet you there, Mom. You can stay and watch if you want to, or you can head home,” Jered said. But I heard the hopeful tone in his voice. I stayed.

It was a beautiful night … in more ways than one. The years fell away as I remembered the countless times my husband and I had watched our son play in a game of some kind. Jered tried T-ball, softball, baseball, soccer, basketball, and football before finally settling on football that took him all the way through college. It seemed like only yesterday when I was the one sitting in the bleachers watching Jered play while my husband coached his team.

Jered is now married, has four children, and coaches his own son who seems to be a natural athlete like his dad. As I thought of all the wonderful experiences in store for Jered and his family, I wondered where all of those years had gone.

No doubt about it. Life is short. And this brief life is nothing more than a dress rehearsal for eternity. Every minute of every day is either spent or invested. What makes the difference?

Purpose.

Resting in God while wholeheartedly pursuing God’s plan.

Surrendering every part of every day to Him, knowing that nothing touches our lives without passing through His hands - with His permission.

Those interruptions we complain about may very well be God-ordained opportunities through which His grace, love and forgiveness are poured.

We need to live each day with the mindset that we are God with skin on. Our heart desire should be for God to use us to accomplish His plan and purpose in the lives of each person we meet.

Truth is for today. You will never live this day again. Are you living it for Christ or for yourself?

He wants you to tell others about Him - today.

He wants you to look for ways to help those in need - today.

When God finds a willing heart, the doors of opportunity to serve Him are endless. We can’t do it all, but we can certainly find all that God has for us to do … and do all of that. Christ does not want us to live as if this life will continue forever. It won’t. We need to live each day with eternity as our backdrop and make everything we do count for the kingdom.

Our son, Jered was a beautiful baby. I remember getting a coupon in the mail from Sears for their special picture deal where you get 100 photos for $2.99. We headed to the mall where we met one bored photographer who was thrilled to see his first customer for the day. Jered loved having his picture taken and put on quite a show. After the advertised special pictures were taken, the photographer asked, “Listen, I don’t have any appointments today and really need some new pictures for wall displays. Would you mind if I took more pictures of Jered?” What mother is going refuse that offer? Not this proud mama! We went to work.

The photographer handed me a box of clothes and asked me to choose several different outfits for Jered. First came the tuxedo. The photographer pulled down a silver backdrop, making Jered’s curly black hair stand out and his blue eyes dance. Next came the blue snowsuit against a red backdrop. With every backdrop, Jered’s appearance changed, and his eyes seemed to change color – and an eternal truth lodged in my heart.

How we view this life depends on the backdrop against which we live it. The right backdrop for us as believers is a manger – a cruel cross – an empty tomb – and eternity itself. That backdrop changes everything.

Let’s Pray

Father, please help me remember to live each day as if it were my last. Let me make every moment count for You and Your kingdom. Give me Your eyes to see those in need. Teach me how to invest each day in ways that please You.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

What are your life priorities? Do they reflect your life plan or God’s life plan for you? What changes do you need to make in order to make the most out of each day God gives you? What part does rest play in that plan?

More from the Girlfriends

I often wonder how different our world would be if we listened for and acted on the instructions God gives us through His Word and through the Holy Spirit. Today, listen for His voice, and look for ways to share His love.

The world is obsessed with fitness and health. And there is certainly nothing wrong with wanting to get in shape. In fact, as fully devoted followers of Christ, one of our goals should be to get healthy and stay that way for this race of life. Fit for Life will help you do just that as it explores four areas of fitness and health - spiritual, physical, mental and emotional. Within each one of these areas, Fit for Life examines principles relating to rest, diet and exercise.

Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website. Connect with Mary through email or on Facebook.

Seeking God?

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

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

No doubt about it. Life is short.

LHM Daily Devotions - The Little Things of Love

"The Little Things of Love"

Jun. 6, 2019

Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words. And the word that you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me. ... "I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on Me. But I do as the Father has commanded Me, so that the world may know that I love the Father."

~ John 14:23-24, 30-31 (ESV)

Do you keep old love letters? How about on your phone—do you save texts and voice mails from people in your family, people you love—even if they've passed away? If so, you are not unusual. We treasure the words of the people we love.

When Jesus was talking to His disciples on the night He was arrested, He said, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word." That word "keep" gets a lot of us Christians into trouble; we immediately begin thinking of obedience (which is fine) or earning our way into God's favor (which is impossible). And then we tie ourselves up in legalistic knots trying to "keep" all the Commandments we can think of—or we do the opposite, and run as fast as we can in the opposite direction, giving up on Christian obedience entirely.

But it doesn't have to be this way! The Greek word for "keep" is tereo, which means to keep, to attend to carefully, to treasure. It is what you do with anything you love. You do not ignore it or treat it with disdain; you watch over it, you give your heartfelt attention to it, you preserve it. Mothers keep their children in this way (and sometimes even their artwork); adoring fans of a teacher or celebrity keep their words close to their hearts.

It can be this way for us, too, in our lives as followers of Jesus. We know His love—we saw it in action to save us, when He suffered for our sake. We saw it when He died for us, and when He rose to give us eternal life. Jesus has our hearts. He is our Savior, and we love Him.

This puts a different spin on the idea of keeping His word. He loves us, and we love Him—of course we will cherish His word! Of course we will keep it in mind, think about it, think about Him. And we will try, however weakly and falteringly, to do the things He asks us to do. It is our joy to make Him happy. This has nothing do with "earning salvation"—He has earned that for us already. It has everything to do with saying "I love you" to Him in whatever way we can, through words and actions.

To be sure, we don't always feel the love. That's okay. Feelings come and go, and we can't build a life—or our faith—on feelings. But whether we "feel" love or not, we can always "do" love through our actions—just as we carry out loving actions toward our families and friends regardless of our emotions at the time. We won't keep His word perfectly, any more than a newly walking toddler manages to stay upright all the time. But the Holy Spirit will work in us so that we grow in love for God that shows itself in our lives.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, increase my love for You and help it to blossom in actions that please You. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Have you ever lost a valuable item from someone you wanted to keep? What was it?

• Do you think there was difference of opinion among the disciples in what it meant to keep Jesus' words?

• How does obedience figure into loving God?

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).
Have you ever lost a valuable item from someone you wanted to keep? What was it?

Devocional de la CPTLN del 06 de Junio de 2019 - Las pequeñas cosas del amor

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Las pequeñas cosas del amor

06 de Junio de 2019

Jesús le respondió: «El que me ama, obedecerá mi palabra; y mi Padre lo amará, y vendremos a él, y con él nos quedaremos a vivir. El que no me ama, no obedece mis palabras; y la palabra que han oído no es mía, sino del Padre que me envió... Ya no hablaré mucho con ustedes, pues viene el príncipe de este mundo, que ningún poder tiene sobre mí. Pero para que el mundo sepa que amo al Padre, hago todo tal y como el Padre me lo ordenó. Levántense, vámonos de aquí.

~ Juan 14:23-24, 30-31 (RVC)

¿Guardas viejas cartas de amor? ¿Qué tal en tu teléfono? ¿Guardas mensajes de texto y mensajes de voz de tus familiares, personas que amas, incluso si ya fallecieron? Si es así, no eres inusual, pues valoramos las palabras de las personas que amamos.

Cuando Jesús estaba hablando con sus discípulos la noche en que fue arrestado, dijo: "El que me ama, obedecerá mi palabra; y mi Padre lo amará, y vendremos a él, y con él nos quedaremos a vivir". La palabra "obedecer" nos pone a muchos cristianos en problemas; inmediatamente comenzamos a pensar en la obediencia (lo que está bien) y en ganar el favor de Dios (lo cual es imposible). Y luego nos atamos con nudos legalistas tratando de "obedecer" todos los mandamientos, o hacemos lo contrario y abandonamos la obediencia cristiana por completo.

¡Pero no tiene que ser así! La palabra griega para "obedecer" es tereo, que significa guardar, atender con cuidado, atesorar. Es lo que hacemos con aquello que amamos: no lo ignoramos ni lo tratamos con desdén, sino más bien lo cuidamos, le prestamos atención y lo preservamos. Las madres cuidan a sus hijos de esta manera y los seguidores de un maestro atesoran sus palabras.

También puede ser así para nosotros como seguidores de Jesús. Conocemos su amor, pues lo hemos visto en acción cuando sufrió y murió por nosotros para lograr nuestro perdón, y cuando resucitó para darnos vida eterna. Jesús es nuestro Salvador, y por ello lo amamos.

Esto le da un giro diferente a la idea de obedecer su Palabra. Si él nos ama y nosotros lo amamos a él, ¡por supuesto que apreciaremos su Palabra! Por supuesto que lo tendremos en cuenta y que pensaremos en él y que trataremos, aunque sea en forma débil y vacilante, de hacer las cosas que él nos pide que hagamos. Porque en la obediencia encontramos gozo. Esto no tiene nada que ver con "ganar la salvación"; él ya la ha ganado para nosotros. Sí tiene todo que ver con demostrarle que le amamos a través de nuestras palabras y acciones.

Es cierto que no siempre sentimos el amor. Y así es; los sentimientos van y vienen y no podemos construir una vida, o nuestra fe, en base a ellos. Pero ya sea que "sintamos" amor o no, siempre podemos "amar" con nuestras acciones, así como hacemos cosas por amor para nuestras familias y amigos, más allá de nuestros sentimientos hacia ellos en el momento. No vamos a lograr obedecer su Palabra a la perfección, pero el Espíritu Santo obrará en nosotros para que crezcamos en el amor a Dios que se manifiesta en nuestras vidas.

ORACIÓN: Querido Señor, aumenta mi amor por ti y ayúdalo a florecer en acciones que te agraden. 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.
¿Alguna vez has perdido un artículo valioso de alguien que querías conservar? ¿Qué era?

Хлеб наш насущный - Цветение в пустыне

Цветение в пустыне

Читать сейчас: Исаии 35:1-10 | Библия за год: 2 Паралипоменон 25-27; Иоанна 16

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Они увидят славу Господа, величие Бога нашего. — Исаии 35:2

В пустыне Мохаве, как в большинстве пустынь, можно увидеть песчаные дюны, сухие каньоны, холмы и горы. Но американский биолог Эдмунд Йегер отметил, что каждые несколько лет, благодаря обильным дождям, пустыня расцветает. Можно видеть «такое богатство цветов, что практически весь песок и гравий скрываются под яркой цветочной скатертью». Но потрясающее цветение пустыни Мохаве бывает не каждый год. Исследователи говорят, что сухая земля должна быть увлажнена ливнями и согрета солнцем, и притом в нужное время, прежде чем цветы покроют пустыню яркими красками.

То, как Бог приносит жизнь в пустыню, вопреки засушливым условиям, напоминает мне о пророке Исаии. После вести о грядущем Божьем суде на все народы он поделился ободряющим видением надежды (Ис. 35). Описывая будущее, в котором Бог наведет совершенный порядок, пророк говорит: «Возвеселится пустыня и сухая земля, и возрадуется страна необитаемая, и расцветет, как нарцисс» (ст. 1). Он говорит, что спасенный Божий народ войдет в Его Царство «с радостным восклицанием. И радость вечная будет над головою их; они найдут радость и веселье, а печаль и воздыхание удалятся» (ст.10).

Имея вечное будущее, гарантированное Божьими обетованиями, мы можем довериться Ему, переживая сезоны засухи и ливней. Укорененные в Его любви, мы можем расти и цвести, становясь похожими на Него, пока Христос не вернется и не наведет Свой совершенный порядок.

Какие грозы вы встречали в жизни? Как Бог открывает вам Свое присутствие? Посмотрите! Он рядом!

Любящий Отец, спасибо, что Ты обещаешь быть с нами и помогать нам расти, несмотря на бурные времена в нашей жизни.

автор: Сошиль Диксон

© 2019 Хлеб Наш Насущный
 Какие грозы вы встречали в жизни?