The Daily Lectionary for FRIDAY, June 7, 2019

Galatians 6:7

The Daily Lectionary

FRIDAY, June 7, 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 44:1-4

God’s Blessing on Israel
44:1 But now hear, O Jacob my servant,
     Israel whom I have chosen!
2  Thus says the Lord who made you,
     who formed you in the womb and will help you:
   Do not fear, O Jacob my servant,
     Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
3  For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
     and streams on the dry ground;
   I will pour my spirit upon your descendants,
     and my blessing on your offspring.
4  They shall spring up like a green tamarisk,
     like willows by flowing streams.

Galatians 6:7-10

6:7 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. 8 If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. 10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.

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
Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow.

Verse of the Day FRIDAY, June 7, 2019

Psalm 90:2, 4 (NIV) Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.

Read all of Psalm 90

Listen to Psalm 90

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 - Friday, June 7, 2019

Activos, no pasivos

¿Por qué voy a inquietarme? ¿Por qué me voy a angustiar? En Dios pondré mi esperanza [...] ¡Él es mi Salvador y mi Dios!

~ Salmo 42:5 (NVI)

La pasividad no es una amiga para ninguno de nosotros. ¿Sabías que la pereza y la falta de motivación logran carcomerte por dentro? Los que vivimos en Estados Unidos sabemos que aunque aquí se trabaja fuerte, se vive el fenómeno de la tristeza y la soledad. No todos tienen sus familiares acá y se pueden sentir algunas de estas cosas que, llevadas al extremo, son nocivas.

En esos casos, no vas a tener tiempo para pensar mucho, más aun si se está en circunstancias que afectan tu vida como un divorcio, una separación, una pérdida de un ser querido o un trabajo. En estas situaciones, casi al instante dejamos de luchar para salir adelante. Entonces surge el sentimiento humano que es más a dejarse morir, sentirse derrotado, abandonado, y esto no ayuda para nada en la crisis. Claro está, todos los que hemos experimentado algún tipo de pérdida sabemos que se vivirá un luto y eso es normal. Lo que no debemos permitir es quedarnos estancados en esa etapa.

La actividad y la ocupación nos ayudarán a sentirnos útiles e importantes de nuevo. Si lo analizamos, Dios nos dice siempre en sus promesas que nos esforcemos y seamos valientes. También nos dice que en el mundo tendremos aflicción, pero que estemos tranquilos porque Él ha vencido al mundo. Además, nos afirma que no viviremos prueba más pesada de la que no podamos soportar. Por lo tanto, al leer el Manual de Instrucciones encontramos que Dios no nos abandonará.

¡Ponte en acción y sigue adelante!

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
¿Sabías que la pereza y la falta de motivación logran carcomerte por dentro?

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Friday, June 7, 2019

MEMORIZING GOD’S WORD

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

When China’s best-known pastor, Wang Ming-dao, was finally released from prison, he stated, “In these past twenty years, I have not had a copy of the Bible. Happily between the ages of twenty-one to twenty-four, I spent my time at home doing the housework and studying the scriptures. I memorized many passages. These passages in my heart came out one by one and strengthened me. Had it not been for those words of God, then not only I, but many others, would also have been defeated.”

Pastor Lamb in southern China was in prison for many years at that same time. “I understood then why I had memorized so much of God’s Word while in Bible school,” he says. “I kept my sanity only by repeating Bible verses over and over.”

The best way the church can prepare for trials and persecution is by seriously studying and learning the Word of God. Christians need an overview of the whole Bible. Understanding God’s outline for mankind in the Bible aids in memorization as well.

What is the right attitude to bring to Bible study? Some read and study the Bible with the intent to get something from it to teach to others. But first, we should approach the Bible with the desire to see the goodness and loving-kindness of God and understand how “wide and long and high and deep” is His love for us (Ephesians 3:17-19). Let His love show you His supply for your own need and then you are better able to meet the needs of others.

Second, approach the Bible with humility. Study the Bible to discover what God has said. Bible study is meant not merely to inform but to transform.

In restricted countries where Bibles are in short supply, pastors are often in a quandary as to which of the many spiritually needy he should share these precious books with. Progress in Bible memorization is one method they can use for determining who will receive the available Bibles. One house church group in Vietnam decided to give them to the believers who were most determined to use them. The criterion used was memory work. So Bibles were shared only with those who recited flawlessly Psalm 119—all 176 verses!

Open Doors is committed to provide God’s Word to those for whom it is not available. “It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes....” (Romans 1:16)

RESPONSE: Today I will memorize a new verse from God’s Word, the Bible.

PRAYER: Pray for the Christians in restricted countries where there is a shortage of God’s Word.

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

Men of the Bible - Friday, June 7, 2019

Solomon

His name means: "Peaceable"

His work: The son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon was the third king of Israel.
His character: Known until this day as the wisest man who ever lived.
His sorrow: Although he was an extremely intelligent man, later in his life he became disobedient to God and sacrificed everything on the altar of sexual excess. His inability to lead his own children led to the kingdom's division and ultimate fall.
His triumph: Solomon built the kingdom of Israel to its greatest level in material wealth and land.
Key Scriptures: 1 Kings 2-5

A Look at the Man

It's one of the most incredible moments in all of Scripture. The Lord of Israel, the Creator of the universe, makes an offer to a mortal man—Solomon, the son of David and the newly anointed king of Israel. Like the archetypal genie in the bottle, God asks Solomon to make a wish. But Solomon's historic opportunity becomes his greatest tragedy.

This may be the saddest story in the Bible.

It's the account of a man who literally had everything. The only thing more difficult to comprehend than his great mind, his enormous wealth, and his enormous power were the prospects of what he could have done with these things. Solomon had the incredible capability to change his world.

But in spite of doing many good things during his lifetime, he actually squandered this potential. Of course he built a name for himself. Go ahead and ask anyone to finish this sentence: "That guy over there has the wisdom of _________."

What happened to Solomon? The reason for his pathetic failure is actually quite clear. He broke this commandment: "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God" (Exodus 20:4-5).

Solomon should have known better. In fact, he did know better. As his father, David, was dying, Solomon heard these words. "Observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go."

But somehow Solomon believed he could be the exception to the rule, the one man who could break God's law without suffering the consequences. But God was not going to ignore all the idols and altars he had set up to please his foreign wives, accustomed as they were to worshiping various idols. Because of his infidelity, the kingdom of Israel split apart after his death, with Judah and its capital, Jerusalem, in the south and Israel and its capital, Samaria, in the north.

It was too late for Solomon to discover that a man before God's throne is judged by what is in his heart. "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:2 KJV).

Instead of leaving a world-changing legacy, Solomon left us with a graphic lesson in eternal fruitlessness—with no excuses.

Reflect On: 1 Kings 8:56–61; 11:9–13
Praise God: For his constancy. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Offer Thanks: That God’s words are consistent with his character.
Confess: Any wavering in your devotion to God.
Ask God: To help you maintain a course that will daily bring you closer to him.

Today's reading is a brief excerpt from Men of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Men in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Robert Wolgemuth (Zondervan). © 2010 by Ann Spangler. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Enjoy the complete book by purchasing your own copy at the Bible Gateway Store. The book's title must be included when sharing the above content on social media.
Known until this day as the wisest man who ever lived.

Girlfriends in God - Friday, June 7, 2019

How Traditions Mend Anxiety

Jessica Smartt

Today’s Truth

In the future, when your children ask, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’you are to tell them, ‘The waters of the Jordan were cut off…”

~ Joshua 4:6-7 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

Sometimes, I wake up to worry. I haven’t even opened my eyes before the anxieties wash over me. Some are weirdly specific (“What if my husband dies?”). Some of them are vague. (“Am I doing enough as a mom? A Christian?”)

As an anxiety expert (unfortunately), I know there are a million reasons for it and a million tricks to help it.

There is one, though, that consistently trumps my yet-to-be-troubles, and that is this: remember. Remember what God carried you through. Remember how He showed up last time. Remember the answered prayers. Remember, remember, remember. It’s remarkable how this recalling to mind calms my body and lifts my soul.

We humans aren’t so good at remembering, and I believe that is why God gave us the good gift of traditions. Traditions help us remember — remember His goodness, and all the many things that matter most in this life.

One of my favorite hymns, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, says, “Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by thy help I’ve come. And I hope by Thy good pleasure, safety to arrive at home.” This “Ebenezer” reference comes from a wonderful story in the Old Testament. The Israelites defeated their enemies the Philistines through God’s overwhelming help. “Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us’ ” (1 Samuel 7:12).

Traditions, I think, are like our Ebenezer stones. Our faith gives us traditions of baptism and communion and special days that mark our weeks and years. And then we can add others. In our family, we ring in Saturdays with pancakes. We honor Easter with a Seder dinner. We celebrate being together with a “Summer Family Day.” One family I know celebrates an “answered prayer day” by making a cake and recalling the answered prayers from their family’s past.

Whether silly or serious, traditions like these are anchors in our days and weeks and years. They remind us who we are, what we love, and what matters most. In a world filled with busyness and distractions, traditions pop up and say, “Remember.”

It’s good to (fight) our worries by remembering God’s faithfulness. Even better? To build rituals into the fabric of life to remind ourselves who we love, and Who loves us. Like the stones the Israelites carried out of the Jordan River, these things remind us of the powerful God Who is with us even unto eternity.

Let’s Pray

Lord, like the Israelites of old, we forget Your faithfulness, we forget Your miracles and we forget how You have tenderly cared for us in the past. Help us to remember, and in light of Your goodness, help our worries to fade as we know that You will care for us now, as You have cared for us then.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Do you have traditions in your home or in your life that remind you of God’s love? Do you have traditions that help you celebrate the most precious things? If your worries arrest you, combat them with the truth of Who God is and how He has cared for you in the past. And even better, create traditions which make you pause and remember the important things.

More from the Girlfriends

Jessica Smartt is an author/speaker who just released her first book, Memory-Making Mom: Building Traditions That Breathe Life Into Your Home. Join Jessica this month in a free Memory-Making Mom book club! Join us as we rediscover a whole slew of traditions to celebrate what matters most. Join the Summer Book Club here. Follow Jessica Smartt on Instagram.

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Girlfriends in God

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Sometimes, I wake up to worry. I haven’t even opened my eyes before the anxieties wash over me.

LHM Daily Devotions - Fervesence

"Fervesence"

Jun. 7, 2019

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share in suffering for the Gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.

~ 2 Timothy 1:8-9 (ESV)

I came across a word the other day that may best belong in an iced tea commercial: "defervesence"—a cooling down, a decrease in bodily temperature. It's quite a handy word as late spring moves toward summer when temperatures begin to flare, and we begin seeking out cooler spaces.

Writers of advice columns, as well as advocates of popular psychology, often recommend defervesence in stressful situations. This makes sense. Sometimes we do need to cool it, take stock of a situation, and give our nerves a chance to settle down. Or as the lid on the mayonnaise jar advises, "Keep cool; don't freeze."

But there are times when we need to turn up the burners, so to speak, when increasing the energy levels is the best choice. It's in these times I like another word, a made-up "word": fervesence, zeal. It's what I would like to see come to life in God's people as they go about their daily affairs, becoming—who knows?—maybe God's "fervent fanatics"?

The ways we might become more passionate in our approach to a robust Christian life are pretty much endless: occasional weekend work with a group of dedicated volunteers; inviting that new family down the block over for a barbecue; taking some time to visit those who are sick or infirmed at a local hospital or residential care facility; volunteering to teach Sunday school, or working with your youth group. And all of this can start with dedicating a few minutes each day to reading God's Word or a daily devotion.

The apostle Paul was no stranger to fervency. He found John, Mark, and later on, Timothy, and set out for parts unknown, declaring the Good News of Jesus, far and wide. He's the one who said, "Woe to me if I don't preach the Gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:16b). And he set the world on fire because the Holy Spirit had set a fire in him. Have you asked God for that same fire—that same zeal, that fervesence?

Serving God daily, willingly, in spite of challenges is not easy. But given the power of God's grace and the Holy Spirit to guide our steps, we can set out, conquering, as Paul did. "For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

As we fervently go forth, may we remember that we, too, possess this same divine power.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, let our lives burn brightly for You as they become lights to those around us who are struggling in a dark world. In Your Name. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Do you find it hard to get enthused about spiritual matters? If so, why do you think that is?

• "Power to destroy strongholds"—what do you think Paul meant by this?

• How can the fervency Paul felt for sharing the Gospel be active and evident in our lives?

From The Lutheran Layman, August 1983 issue, "Thawing Out," by Jane Fryar. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Do you find it hard to get enthused about spiritual matters? If so, why do you think that is?

Devocional de la CPTLN del 07 de Junio de 2019 - Fervor

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Fervor

07 de Junio de 2019

Por tanto, no te avergüences de dar testimonio de nuestro Señor, ni tampoco de mí, preso suyo. Al contrario, participa de las aflicciones por el evangelio según el poder de Dios, quien nos salvó y nos llamó con llamamiento santo, no conforme a nuestras obras, sino según el propósito suyo y la gracia que nos fue dada en Cristo Jesús antes de los tiempos de los siglos.

~ 2 Timoteo 1:8-9 (RVC)

El otro día me encontré con una palabra que debería ser parte de un comercial de té helado: "defervescencia", que significa el enfriamiento o disminución de la temperatura corporal. Es una palabra útil cuando se acerca el verano y las temperaturas comienzan a aumentar.

Quienes escriben columnas de consejos, al igual que los defensores de la psicología popular, a menudo recomiendan una "disminución de la temperatura" en situaciones estresantes. Esto tiene sentido ya que a veces necesitamos enfriarnos, evaluar una situación y dar a nuestros nervios la oportunidad de calmarse. O, como aconseja la tapa en el frasco de mayonesa: "Mantener fresco; no congelar".

Pero hay veces en que necesitamos encender los quemadores, por así decirlo, sobre todo cuando es necesario aumentar los niveles de energía. Es en esos momentos en que es útil aplicar la palabra fervor, celo. Es lo que me gustaría ver en la vida diaria del pueblo de Dios, ¿tal vez los "fanáticos fervientes" de Dios?

Las formas en que podemos llegar a ser más apasionados en nuestra vida cristiana son infinitas: trabajar un fin de semana con un grupo de voluntarios; invitar a cenar a los nuevos vecinos; ir a visitar a personas enfermas en un hospital o asilo de ancianos; enseñar en la escuela dominical o colaborar con el grupo de jóvenes. Y todo esto puede comenzar dedicando unos minutos cada día a leer la Palabra de Dios o una devoción diaria.

El apóstol Pablo no fue ajeno al fervor. Encontró a Juan, Marcos y, más tarde, a Timoteo, y se dirigió a partes desconocidas declarando las Buenas Noticias sobre Jesús por todos lados. Él fue quien dijo: "¡Ay de mí si no predico el evangelio!" (1 Corintios 9:16b). Y encendió en el mundo la llama del Evangelio, porque el Espíritu Santo lo había encendido a él. ¿Le has pedido a Dios que te llene con esa misma llama, ese mismo celo y fervor?

No es fácil servir a Dios cada día en medio de los desafíos de la vida. Pero con el poder de la gracia de Dios y el Espíritu Santo para guiar nuestros pasos podemos lograrlo, así como lo hizo Pablo. "Es verdad que aún somos seres humanos, pero no luchamos como los seres humanos. Las armas con las que luchamos no son las de este mundo, sino las poderosas armas de Dios, capaces de destruir fortalezas" (2 Corintios 10:3-4).

A medida que avancemos fervientemente, recordemos que nosotros también poseemos ese mismo poder divino.

ORACIÓN: Señor Jesús, deja que nuestra vida arda brillantemente para ti y se convierta en luz para quienes nos rodean y luchan en un mundo oscuro. En tu nombre. Amén.

De The Lutheran Layman, agosto de 1983, "Thawing Out", por Jane L. Fryar. © Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Te resulta difícil entusiasmarse con los asuntos espirituales? Si es así, ¿por qué crees que es eso?

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Đừng Bỏ Lỡ Cơ Hội

Đừng Bỏ Lỡ Cơ Hội

Đọc: Thi Thiên 19:1-4 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: II Sử ký 28-29; Giăng 17

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Các tầng trời rao truyền vinh quang của Đức Chúa Trời, bầu trời bày tỏ công việc tay Ngài làm. Thi Thiên 19:1

Trước khi giờ nhóm cầu nguyện giữa tuần bắt đầu, chúng tôi trò chuyện về trăng trung thu đêm hôm trước. Mặt trăng tròn sáng vằng vặc, trông như ngồi trên đường chân trời. Tham gia vào cuộc trò chuyện của chúng tôi có bà Webb, một người tóc bạc yêu mến sự sáng tạo vĩ đại của Chúa. Bà biết khi đó vợ chồng tôi có hai đứa con, và bà muốn giúp tôi dạy con cách tốt nhất. Bà nói: “Đừng bao giờ bỏ lỡ cơ hội chỉ mặt trăng cho bọn trẻ!”

Bà Webb hẳn sẽ là một tác giả thi thiên tuyệt vời. Sự quan sát của bà được phản ánh trong mô tả của Đa-vít về những thiên thể “chẳng có lời nói… Nhưng tiếng của chúng dội vang khắp đất, và lời của chúng truyền đến tận cùng thế giới” (Thi. 19:3-4). Cả tác giả Thi Thiên và bà Webb đều không hề có ý định thờ lạy mặt trăng hay các ngôi sao, nhưng họ muốn tôn thờ Đấng đã sáng tạo nên chúng. Bầu trời và các tầng trời bày tỏ vinh quang của Chúa (c.1).

Chúng ta cũng hãy khích lệ những người xung quanh — từ em bé đến thiếu niên, đến người phối ngẫu và hàng xóm — để họ cũng dừng lại, ngắm nhìn và lắng nghe những sự rao truyền và công bố về vinh hiển của Chúa xung quanh chúng ta. Chú ý đến công việc tay Chúa làm sẽ dẫn chúng ta đến chỗ thờ phượng Đấng đáng kính sợ đằng sau công trình sáng tạo đó. Đừng bao giờ bỏ lỡ cơ hội.

Ngay lúc này, bạn sẽ dừng lại để chiêm ngưỡng công việc tay Chúa làm bằng cách nào? Bạn sẽ khích lệ người khác làm điều đó ra sao?

Nếu chịu dừng lại, ngắm nhìn và lắng nghe, chúng ta sẽ thấy cõi tạo vật rao truyền sự vinh hiển của Chúa.

bởi John Blase

© 2019 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày
Đừng bao giờ bỏ lỡ cơ hội chỉ mặt trăng cho bọn trẻ!