The Daily Lectionary for SATURDAY, June 22, 2019

The Daily Lectionary

SATURDAY, June 22, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Psalm 22:19-28

19 But you, O Lord, do not be far away!
     O my help, come quickly to my aid!
20 Deliver my soul from the sword,
     my life from the power of the dog!
21   Save me from the mouth of the lion!

   From the horns of the wild oxen you have rescued me.
22 I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters;
     in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
23 You who fear the Lord, praise him!
     All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him;
     stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
24 For he did not despise or abhor
     the affliction of the afflicted;
   he did not hide his face from me,
     but heard when I cried to him.

25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
     my vows I will pay before those who fear him.
26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
     those who seek him shall praise the Lord.
     May your hearts live forever!

27 All the ends of the earth shall remember
     and turn to the Lord;
   and all the families of the nations
     shall worship before him.
28 For dominion belongs to the Lord,
     and he rules over the nations.

Isaiah 59:1-8

Injustice and Oppression to Be Punished
59:1 See, the Lord’s hand is not too short to save,
     nor his ear too dull to hear.
2  Rather, your iniquities have been barriers
     between you and your God,
   and your sins have hidden his face from you
     so that he does not hear.
3  For your hands are defiled with blood,
     and your fingers with iniquity;
   your lips have spoken lies,
     your tongue mutters wickedness.
4  No one brings suit justly,
     no one goes to law honestly;
   they rely on empty pleas, they speak lies,
     conceiving mischief and begetting iniquity.
5  They hatch adders’ eggs,
     and weave the spider’s web;
   whoever eats their eggs dies,
     and the crushed egg hatches out a viper.
6  Their webs cannot serve as clothing;
     they cannot cover themselves with what they make.
   Their works are works of iniquity,
     and deeds of violence are in their hands.
7  Their feet run to evil,
     and they rush to shed innocent blood;
   their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity,
     desolation and destruction are in their highways.
8  The way of peace they do not know,
     and there is no justice in their paths.
   Their roads they have made crooked;
     no one who walks in them knows peace.

Matthew 9:27-34

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men
9:27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying loudly, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly ordered them, “See that no one knows of this.” 31 But they went away and spread the news about him throughout that district.

Jesus Heals One Who Was Mute
32 After they had gone away, a demoniac who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the one who had been mute spoke; and the crowds were amazed and said, “Never has anything like this been seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees said, “By the ruler of the demons he casts out the demons.”

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
Two blind men cut off from their society, and from the sight of the glory of God's creation, saw an opportunity. What they could not physically see, they saw by a vision that was stronger than what mere eyes could ever have beheld.

Verse of the Day SATURDAY, June 22, 2019

Psalm 121:7-8 (NIV) The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Read all of Psalm 121

Listen to Psalm 121

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

The Morning Prayer for SATURDAY, June 22, 2019

Saturday morning prayer

Lord on this preparation day, I jump into all that You have given me. Might I embrace each part of this glorious time, enjoying the service, relishing in the challenges, engaging with the fun and celebrating with laughter.

Lord on this day, may I enjoy the beauty of the created world all around me. Might I run, drive, walk and sing in the freedom of this day! Thank you that right now I can feel Your love flowing through each vein of my being, causing me to pulsate with vision and life. Lord, on this day I jump into all that You have given me. Amen.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Saturday, June 22, 2019

IN STEP WITH THE SPIRIT

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

~ Galatians 5:25 (NIV)

Jesus said He would not leave us alone but would give us a Helper to be with us forever (John 14:16-18). He taught us that the Holy Spirit would be our Counselor (John 14:26). Jesus also called Him the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17).

Two sisters in southern China came to Christ in a house church meeting. Twenty months later a friend from Hong Kong visited them and asked what they had been doing since their conversion. “Starting home meetings,” was their timid response.

“How many home meetings?” “Only thirty,” was their halting reply.

“How many attend your meetings?” was the next nonchalant question. “Well, at the smallest one about two hundred and eighty!”

Now the questioner was totally involved and quickly continued, “How many attend your largest meeting?” “Not even 5000, only about four thousand nine hundred!”

The Hong Kong Christian was flabbergasted. And in his excitement quickly asked, “How do you ladies—both new Christians—know what to do?”

They simply replied, “We pray. And after we pray, the Holy Spirit tells us what to do!”

It is also obvious that these two ladies were then obedient to the Holy Spirit’s direction. The goal of all Christians should be to live so completely under the control of the Holy Spirit that it can be said we are walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:25). As Paul reminded the Galatian Christians, they began their Christian lives by a miracle work of God, new birth in Jesus, and they could only expect to continue it by God’s power. This fact is even more evident in a hostile environment.

RESPONSE: The Holy Spirit wants to be my guide and counselor today. I will be obedient to His leading.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to walk this day in the power of Your Holy Spirit. May I also keep in step!

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

The NIV Couples Devotional - Saturday, June 22, 2019

Praying Together

Acts 1:12–26

They all joined together constantly in prayer.

~ Acts 1:14 (NIV)

I don’t remember when Dan and I started praying together, but I do recall that our first attempts felt awkward. For a long time we only prayed the Lord’s Prayer out loud together. This was safe because we both knew the words to it.

Over time, and as each of us felt more comfortable being emotionally and spiritually naked with each other, we began to talk out loud to God as if he was the third person in our relationship. Now we try to pray out loud together daily. It’s no longer awkward, and it has promoted spiritual intimacy. That was an unexpected bonus of being married to each other. No one had ever told us we could experience this kind of intimacy in our relationship.

Sometimes at night before we fall asleep, we pray out loud. In the darkness, I can listen to Dan’s prayers and get a glimpse into the things he’s grateful for as well as the issues that are troubling him. Hearing him pray reminds me that he’s a work in progress, just as I am. It reminds me that my role in his life is to come alongside him, encourage him and support him. When I hear what’s on his heart, I am reminded again and again of the reasons why I married him. Praying together sets us on the same track with each other and with God.

I met a couple once who were remarkably powerful and effective in their prayer life together. Like the disciples and other believers who joined together constantly in prayer, this couple brought all their needs, praises and requests to God, trusting that he would lead and guide them. They then patiently waited for God’s answers.

In time God blessed this couple with a powerful ministry to special-needs orphans in China. The work keeps growing. This couple trusted God for everything, and, in turn, God entrusted them with the important work of caring for the least, which they are doing with all of their hearts.

It’s one thing to say to your spouse, “I’ll pray for your presentation today,” as you grab your coffee and run out the door to work. It’s another thing to grab your husband by the hand and say, “Let me pray with you before you go.” Jesus promises us that whenever two or three come together in his name, he will also be there (see Matthew 18:20). Why not invite him into your marriage today through prayer?

Marian V. Liautaud

Let’s Talk

• How regularly do we pray together? In what ways does our frequency of praying together affect our marriage?
• Why is praying together so important? What does it offer that we wouldn’t gain by praying alone? Are there times when praying privately is better than praying together? When and why?
• What grace must we extend to each other when we pray? How can we encourage and affirm each other in prayer?

As a couple, how regularly do you pray together?

LHM Daily Devotions - Complete Access

"Complete Access"

Jun. 22, 2019

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure.

~ 1 John 3:1-3 (ESV)

For those who grew up in dysfunctional or unstable households, "home" was an uncertain place. Rather than being a refuge, it may have been negatively charged with unrest and anxiety. Instead of a place one can't wait to get back to, it was a place one can't wait to get out of. Unfortunately, this is the situation for far too many throughout the world.

Thankfully, this is not the case with our God and Father. The home He makes has been thoughtfully prepared. It is a place where we know we are welcome, accepted, and loved because Jesus Himself will be there. Restitution to our heavenly home is the greatest proof we have of the merciful love of our eternal Father. There has never been, nor will there be, such love in the world. We can find great examples of sacrificial, matrimonial, fraternal, filial, and paternal love, but God's love is immeasurable.

And to think, now we are called "children of God"! Our Father in heaven doesn't withhold good things from us. And because He does not, He has sought us and paid the price of our redemption—nothing less than the blood of His own Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. The Father, who has not denied us even His own Son, "will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32b). Isn't this wonderful? We have been restored to our eternal home, and all our rights as children are in place. The inexhaustible treasure of the immense riches of our Father is now ours.

As children with all spiritual and material rights and privileges, the Father has given us divine blessings so necessary for our soul at all times. We also have the blessing of prayer, prayer in the Name of Christ. Didn't the Lord tell us, "Whatever you ask in My Name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son"? (John 14:13) How great are the gifts God gives to us! How benevolent He is to us His children.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we thank You for welcoming us into Your kingdom—both here on earth and the one You have waiting for us, purchased through the blood of Jesus. In His Name we pray. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• How was life growing up in your family?

• What keeps the world from knowing God?

• As a child of God, do you try to let others know who your Father is?

A sermon excerpt from Rev. Dr. Andrew Melendez, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
How was life growing up in your family?

Хліб Наш Насущній - Гра у схованки

Гра у схованки

Читати: Буття 3:1-10 | Біблія за рік: Естер 6–8 ; Дії 6

Завантажити MP3

І закликав Господь Бог до Адама… “Де ти?” — Буття 3:9

“Зараз він мене знайде”, – подумав я. Моє серце забилося швидше, коли я почув поряд кроки мого п’ятирічного двоюрідного брата. Він наближався . Ще п’ять кроків. Три. Два. “Знайшов тебе!”

Гра у схованки. Більшість із нас пам’ятає, як дітьми грали в цю гру. Однак іноді в житті страх бути знайденим корениться в глибокому бажанні втекти і зовсім не є забавою. Людям може не сподобатися те, що вони побачать.

Будучи дітьми грішного світу, ми схильні грати з Богом, як сказав мій друг, у “складну гру в схованки”. Це скоріше гра в удавання бути схованим, бо Йому завжди відомі наші брудні думки і неправильні рішення. Ми це знаємо, однак вдаємо, наче Він не бачить.

Проте Бог продовжує шукати. “Виходьте”, – закликає Він нас. “Я хочу побачити вас і навіть ваші найганебніші сторони”, – звучить відлуння голосу, який покликав першу людину, що від страху сховалася. “Де ти?” (Бут. 3:9). Це щире запрошення, висловлене у формі дошкульного питання. “Вийди зі схованки, дороге дитя, і віднови стосунки зі Мною”.

Це може здаватися надто ризикованим, навіть абсурдним. Однак саме у безпечних межах Отцівської турботи кожен із нас, незалежно від вчиненого або не вчиненого нами, може бути повністю пізнаним і улюбленим.

Що ви відчуваєте, коли усвідомлюєте, що Бог бачить вас наскрізь і при цьому хоче, щоб ви прийшли до Нього? Яку свободу надає це усвідомлення?

Той, Хто нас повністю знає, любить нас безумовно.

Автор Джеф Олсон

© 2019 Хліб Наш Насущні
Що ви відчуваєте, коли усвідомлюєте, що Бог бачить вас наскрізь і при цьому хоче, щоб ви прийшли до Нього?