The Daily Lectionary for MONDAY, June 24, 2019

Christ the Power and Wisdom of God
1 Corinthians 1:18-31

The Daily Lectionary

MONDAY, June 24, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Psalm 59

Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies
To the leader: Do Not Destroy. Of David. A Miktam, when Saul ordered his house to be watched in order to kill him.
1  Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
     protect me from those who rise up against me.
2  Deliver me from those who work evil;
     from the bloodthirsty save me.

3  Even now they lie in wait for my life;
     the mighty stir up strife against me.
   For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord,
4    for no fault of mine, they run and make ready.

   Rouse yourself, come to my help and see!
5    You, Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel.
   Awake to punish all the nations;
     spare none of those who treacherously plot evil.   Selah

6  Each evening they come back,
     howling like dogs
     and prowling about the city.
7  There they are, bellowing with their mouths,
     with sharp words on their lips—
     for “Who,” they think, “will hear us?”

8  But you laugh at them, O Lord;
     you hold all the nations in derision.
9  O my strength, I will watch for you;
     for you, O God, are my fortress.
10 My God in his steadfast love will meet me;
     my God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.

11 Do not kill them, or my people may forget;
     make them totter by your power, and bring them down,
     O Lord, our shield.
12 For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips,
     let them be trapped in their pride.
   For the cursing and lies that they utter,
13   consume them in wrath;
     consume them until they are no more.
   Then it will be known to the ends of the earth
     that God rules over Jacob.   Selah

14 Each evening they come back,
     howling like dogs
     and prowling about the city.
15 They roam about for food,
     and growl if they do not get their fill.

16 But I will sing of your might;
     I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
   For you have been a fortress for me
     and a refuge in the day of my distress.
17 O my strength, I will sing praises to you,
     for you, O God, are my fortress,
     the God who shows me steadfast love.

2 Kings 9:1-13

Anointing of Jehu
9:1 Then the prophet Elisha called a member of the company of prophets and said to him, “Gird up your loins; take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead. 2 When you arrive, look there for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi; go in and get him to leave his companions, and take him into an inner chamber. 3 Then take the flask of oil, pour it on his head, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and flee; do not linger.”

4 So the young man, the young prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead. 5 He arrived while the commanders of the army were in council, and he announced, “I have a message for you, commander.” “For which one of us?” asked Jehu. “For you, commander.” 6 So Jehu got up and went inside; the young man poured the oil on his head, saying to him, “Thus says the Lord the God of Israel: I anoint you king over the people of the Lord, over Israel. 7 You shall strike down the house of your master Ahab, so that I may avenge on Jezebel the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord. 8 For the whole house of Ahab shall perish; I will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel. 9 I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah. 10 The dogs shall eat Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel, and no one shall bury her.” Then he opened the door and fled.

11 When Jehu came back to his master’s officers, they said to him, “Is everything all right? Why did that madman come to you?” He answered them, “You know the sort and how they babble.” 12 They said, “Liar! Come on, tell us!” So he said, “This is just what he said to me: ‘Thus says the Lord, I anoint you king over Israel.’” 13 Then hurriedly they all took their cloaks and spread them for him on the bare steps; and they blew the trumpet, and proclaimed, “Jehu is king.”

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Christ the Power and Wisdom of God
1:18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,

   “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
     and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 23 but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

26 Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, 29 so that no one might boast in the presence of God. 30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

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
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

The Morning Prayer for MONDAY, June 24, 2019

Monday morning prayer

Lord,

Sometimes, Monday can be a hard day. Dreaded on Sunday and fled from on a Friday. Yet why Lord as Monday could be the beginning of a work adventure, the new challenge of a week filled with potential? So I pray you would help me to embrace this day.

Let it be a new day and a wonder day. Help me to see not the clouds but the sunrise, not the rain but the ripples of falling drops. Show me the joy of the embrace with loved ones, not the tensions and troubles. Monday need not be the grudge day to be endured but the fun day to be embraced.

This day, help me to turn my eyes towards your Kingdom, of love, hope and new beginnings. Amen.

Verse of the Day MONDAY, June 24, 2019

2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV) But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

Read all of 2 Thessalonians 3

Listen to 2 Thessalonians 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 - Monday, June 24, 2019

Mis amigos

Yo soy el que por amor a mí mismo borra tus transgresiones y no se acuerda más de tus pecados.

~ Isaías 43:25 (NVI)

Dios me ha inquietado de una manera muy especial a tener un acercamiento con nuestros amigos que se encuentran en diferentes centros de corrección.

Con sus cartas, me dicen que se sienten muy agradecidos cuando nos acordamos de ellos, elevamos una oración a su favor o cuando dejamos cualquier cosa que sea importante y vamos a conocerles.

Quiero hacer un reconocimiento a mis nuevos amigos y sé que Dios nos hablará cuando les exprese las cosas que me han conmovido y me han enseñado a sentir misericordia, ternura y cariño por cada uno de ellos.

Víctor ha sido un regalo conocerlo después que me escribiera para informarme que fue cabecilla de las Maras Salvatruchas. En su carta de corazón abierto, me cuenta de todos los pactos que hizo con el enemigo y de qué manera engañan a los jóvenes para que caigan en el mundo cruel de las pandillas. También me explica lo que le llevó a estar en peligro de muerte hasta que cayó preso. Hoy en día, con solo veintiún años de edad y en prisión, se ha reconciliado con Dios y ha comenzado el cambio en su vida.

He tenido el privilegio de conocer a Víctor, de conversar con él, de orar juntos y poder escuchar cómo a gritos quisiera que todos los jóvenes que andan en malos pasos se alejen y no terminen en la cárcel como él.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Dios me ha inquietado de una manera muy especial a tener un acercamiento con nuestros amigos que se encuentran en diferentes centros de corrección.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Monday, June 24, 2019

STRENGTH FROM THE BIBLE

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

~ Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

In Eritrea, the government restricts the freedom of religion of faith groups. The only groupings permitted are the Eritrean Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church and Islam. Everyone who is caught at a meeting of believers outside these four official religious groups, even in a private house, can be arrested, tortured and put under pressure to renounce his faith.

Thousands of Christians are being held at police stations, in containers, at military bases and in prisons. Even though many of them have been held for years, none of them has had a trial. In many cases, Christians are also beaten or abused in some other way.

Isaac is one of these prisoners. He heard about God’s love from soldiers in the military unit in which he was fighting during the war with Ethiopia. On the basis of their testimony, he decided to become a Christian and was secretly slipped a Bible. He buried it in the sand and when he had the opportunity, he read the Word of God somewhere outside the army camp. He tried to do so as inconspicuously as possible, but one day he was discovered.

Almost from his first day as a Christian, he was persecuted. He was tortured and even left out in the burning sun, but he refused to renounce his faith. God’s love and God’s Word had become too important for him. In the end, he was locked up, just like other Christian prisoners in Eritrea. He has become a living legend, because he has held on to his faith.

A number of Christian prisoners, who are being held in containers, have been given Bibles in secret. They have divided them into portions, and in this way, each believer has a small part of the Bible. When the container is closed, it is too dark to read. But as soon as the doors are opened to let in some air or to hand out food, something amazing happens. The prisoners do not immediately run outside for fresh air or to eat. First they inconspicuously hold their portions of the Bible to the light in order quickly to be able to read a few verses and to be strengthened by God’s Word.

RESPONSE: Today I will treasure my freedom to read and meditate on God’s Word.

PRAYER: Lord, I pray Your Spirit of Peace upon my brothers and sisters in prison today in Eritrea. May they be encouraged by Your Word!

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

Women of the Bible - Monday, June 24, 2019

The Queen of Sheba

Her character: Though a pagan queen like Jezebel, she prized wisdom above power. She appears to have been intellectually gifted, with a good head for business and diplomacy.
Her joy: That her quest for wisdom was rewarded beyond her expectations.
Key Scriptures: 1 Kings 10:1-13; Matthew 12:42

Her Story

Sheba was a fragrant land, famous for its perfumes and spices. Located on the southwestern tip of Arabia, bordering the Red Sea, it traded precious commodities like gold, frankincense, and myrrh to kingdoms in Africa, India, and the Mediterranean. Little wonder that passing caravans brought news of the wide world to Sheba's queen.

Lately, the queen had heard marvelous stories of Solomon, the son of Bathsheba and David, now Israel's third king. At his birth, a prophet had named him "Beloved of the Lord." Some said he was the wisest man alive.

The queen smiled as she recalled the tale of the two prostitutes. Both had claimed to be mother to the same infant. How could the king possibly know who was telling the truth and who a lie? But Solomon merely ordered the baby cut in half, to be divided equally between the two women. He knew the real mother would relinquish her rights rather than let her child perish. Indeed, the king's cleverness had quickly revealed the truth, reuniting the heartbroken mother and her child.

The queen had also heard of the fabulous temple and palace Solomon had built in Jerusalem. Such a ruler, she realized, would have little trouble controlling the international trade routes crisscrossing his kingdom.

Though Jerusalem lay fifteen hundred miles to the north, the queen was determined to see for herself whether Solomon measured up to even half the tales told of him. Hoping to establish a trade agreement with Israel, she assembled a caravan of camels and loaded them with precious spices, gems, and four and a half tons of gold. Her entrance into Jerusalem would have created an unforgettable spectacle, adding to Solomon's growing fame.

Day after day, the queen pounded Solomon with hard questions. But nothing was too difficult for the king to explain. Overawed, the queen exclaimed: "The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard. How happy your men must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord's eternal love for Israel, he has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness."

Then the queen gave Solomon all the gold and spices she had brought with her, perhaps foreshadowing the Magi's gift of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ child nearly a thousand years later. In fact, Jesus himself referred to the Queen of Sheba when he replied to the Pharisees who had demanded from him a miraculous sign: "The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here" (Matthew 12:42).

Though ruler of a pagan nation, the Queen of Sheba was so drawn to the wisdom of God that she made an arduous and dangerous journey, traveling three thousand miles round-trip in order to meet the world's wisest man.

Her Promise

The Queen of Sheba was a wealthy and influential ruler whose nation dominated commercial trading in the Middle East at that time. She must have had a certain measure of wisdom, or at least intelligence, to rule such a country. Still, she had questions, many of them, and she sought out the region's famed King Solomon, depending on his wisdom for answers. Solomon didn't disappoint her; she went away satisfied.

Do you have any questions that need answers? Questions about yourself? About things that have happened in your life? About the will of God? About God's love for you? If you do, go to the source of all wisdom, God himself, for answers. When you diligently seek him, he doesn't always give clear answers, but he will give peace. And you will go away satisfied. He promises.

This devotional is drawn from Women of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda. Used with permission.
The Queen of Sheba was a wealthy and influential ruler whose nation dominated commercial trading in the Middle East at that time.

Girlfriends in God - Monday, June 24, 2019

Quit Fighting Your Own Battles

Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

~ Ephesians 6:10 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

In his letter to the believers in Ephesus, the apostle Paul talked straight about the spiritual battle of faith. He exhorted them to:

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Eph. 6:10–13 ESV)

In recognizing that the battle is real, I’m motivated to prepare for the fight. The Bible maps out my rules of engagement and holds my trembling hands until they calm. I have to keep in mind that the battle is ultimately not mine. It is God’s. And when I suit up in His strength, He goes before me and fights on my behalf.

What help do I have to stand firm against attacks from Satan and his cronies?

Truth: Protects me against damaging lies.

Righteousness (by faith through grace in Christ): Annihilates my sin.

Peace: Guards my heart and mind. Motivates me to share the hope of Jesus.

Faith: Protects me from attacks and extinguishes the flaming darts of the Evil One.

Salvation: In Christ alone. Conquers death. It is finished. Team Victory wins.

The sword of the Spirit: The Word of God. Inherent. Flawless. Guides me in all truth.

Pray in the Spirit: Connects me to God’s power.

How do I invite the Holy Spirit to lead me each day? By putting on the armor of God in prayer and stepping up in faith to stand firm in His power. (Note to self: review that list when I feel exhausted, intimidated, and battle worn.)

Let’s connect another power dot here. When Jesus promised to send His disciples the Helper, He linked the Holy Spirit to truth: “When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you in all truth” (John 16:13). Truth has to lead my battles. When I believe lies, I choose to join Team Defeat. (No thank you.)

Jesus went on to pray for us, His followers, that the truth would protect us from Satan:

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth (John 17:15–17).

God’s Word is truth, and truth protects us. It sanctifies us. Helps us grow in holiness. Helps us recognize the difference between God’s ways and the ways of the world.

The Holy Spirit leads me to a faith with greater power because the Spirit of God will always lead me in the ways of the Word. Toward knowing, obeying, loving, and trusting Jesus in everything. I want that. So I pray with the psalmist, “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” (Ps. 25:5).

Yes. Faith is a tug-of-war, but I’m not without hope, help, or power.

And neither are you.

When we call upon the Holy Spirit, who is the anchor of all things truth, comfort, guidance, and power, He helps us gain traction in every battle of life.

Let’s Pray

Lord, thank You for the presence of Your Holy Spirit in my life. Please open my eyes wide to all the courage, strength, and wisdom You have for me in Christ.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

In what area of your life do you feel the enemy is attacking you? What is one thing you’ll do or believe today to help you stand firm in the power of God? “Today I will ...” (Tweet your answer to me @GwenSmithMusic or send me a message on Instagram.)

More from the Girlfriends

Today’s post is an excerpt from Gwen Smith’s book, I Want It All. Get yours on Amazon.

Have you listened to the GRACEOLOGIE with Gwen Smith podcast yet? Hang out with Gwen and friends when you commute to work, go on walks, exercise, run errands or travel. Podcasts are also perfect to listen to as you do household chores! (Laundry anyone?) Each GRACEOLOGIE with Gwen Smith podcast episode is filled with fun, faith-focused, grace-filled conversations that will help you know and trust God more.

These discussions are going to encourage you in meaningful ways to live out and lean on the GRACE of Jesus in the midst of cluttered, messy days. CLICK HERE to listen on iTunes, or visit GwenSmith.net/Graceologie for more information.

Seeking God?
Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God
www.girlfriendsingod.com

What help do I have to stand firm against attacks from Satan and his cronies?

LHM Daily Devotions - Forevermore

"Forevermore"

Jun. 24, 2019

For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let Your Holy One see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

~ Psalm 16:10-11 (ESV)

We have God's command: "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3). David the psalmist agrees: "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from You" (Psalm 16:2). The prophet Isaiah would say, "They are turned back and utterly put to shame, who trust in carved idols" (Isaiah 42:17a). David expressed a similar thought: "The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply" (Psalm 16:4a).

Although the people around him may have multiplied their sorrows by running after other gods, David remained faithful to the God of Israel, as his Descendant, the Son of David—Jesus Christ—would remain faithful. Jesus was obedient to the point of death, paying the price of our redemption with His precious blood. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus, David's greater Son, would dwell—and then die—secure in the promise spoken by His ancestor: "For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol or let Your Holy One see corruption."

After Jesus ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit was poured out on His disciples. On the day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter would use the confident words of the psalm's promise of life and resurrection to identify Jesus as the crucified and risen Messiah. David, inspired by the Spirit, wrote those words yet, as Peter points out to the crowd in Jerusalem, "His (David's) tomb is with us to this day" (Acts 2:29). The tomb was there, and so was David. But as a prophet, David looked ahead to his promised Son. He spoke of the Christ who, though He suffered death, would not be abandoned to the place of death and decay. Jesus the Christ was raised from the dead. His tomb, on that Pentecost day, was also nearby—and it was empty.

God raised His Son from the dead! Hallelujah! The Savior knows fullness of joy at the Father's right hand and, one day, so will we. Our graves will hold us for a little while, but when the Son of David, Jesus our Lord, returns on the Last Day, He will raise us up from death and our tombs will be empty, as His was. Dressed in immortality, we will know fullness of joy and, at God's right hand, pleasures forevermore.

THE PRAYER: Jesus, Son of David, in Your death and resurrection, we have the hope and promise of our resurrection to life on the Last Day. By the power of Your Spirit, help us to live as Your faithful followers as we await Your return. We look forward to the day when we will be with You forevermore. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Are there things in your life that can completely command your attention?
• What does it mean that at God's right hand are "pleasures forevermore"?
• Do you do anything in your life now in preparation to live forever?

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Are there things in your life that can completely command your attention?

Devocional de la CPTLN del 24 de Junio de 2019 - Para siempre dichoso

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Para siempre dichoso

24 de Junio de 2019

...porque no me abandonarás en el sepulcro, ¡no dejarás que sufra corrupción quien te es fiel. Tú me enseñas el camino de la vida; con tu presencia me llenas de alegría; ¡estando a tu lado seré siempre dichoso!

~ Salmo 16:10-11 (RVC)

Dios nos ha dicho: "No tendrás dioses ajenos delante de mí" (Éxodo 20:3). Por su parte, el rey David dijo: "Yo declaro, Señor, que tú eres mi dueño; que sin ti no tengo ningún bien" (Salmo 16:2), y: "¡Grandes dolores esperan a sus seguidores!" (Salmo 16:4a). Y el profeta Isaías afirmó: "... pero emprenderán la huida en completa vergüenza los que confían en los ídolos" (Isaías 42:17a).

Si bien muchos fueron tras otros dioses, David se mantuvo fiel al Dios de Israel así como su descendiente, Jesucristo, también se mantendría fiel. Jesús fue obediente hasta la muerte, pagando el precio de nuestra redención con su sangre preciosa. A lo largo de su ministerio terrenal Jesús, Hijo de David, habitaría, y luego moriría seguro en la promesa pronunciada por su antepasado: "Porque no me abandonarás en el sepulcro, ¡no dejarás que sufra corrupción quien te es fiel...!".

Después que Jesús ascendió al cielo, el Espíritu Santo fue derramado sobre sus discípulos. En el día de Pentecostés, el apóstol Pedro usó las palabras de la promesa de vida y resurrección del salmo para identificar a Jesús como el Mesías crucificado y resucitado. Pedro dice a la multitud en Jerusalén: "que nuestro patriarca David murió y fue sepultado, y que hoy sabemos dónde está su sepulcro entre nosotros" (Hechos 2:29). La tumba estaba allí, y también David. Pero como profeta, David esperaba a su Hijo prometido. Habló del Cristo que, aunque sufrió la muerte, no sería abandonado en el lugar de la muerte. Jesús el Cristo resucitó de entre los muertos. Su tumba, en ese día de Pentecostés, también estaba cerca y estaba vacía.

¡Dios levantó a su Hijo de los muertos! ¡Aleluya! El Salvador conoce la plenitud de gozo a la diestra del Padre y, un día, así lo haremos nosotros. Nuestras tumbas nos retendrán por un momento, pero cuando Jesús nuestro Señor, el Hijo de David, regrese, nos levantará de la muerte y nuestras tumbas quedarán vacías como la de él. Vestidos de inmortalidad, conoceremos la plenitud de la alegría y, a la diestra de Dios, la dicha eterna.

ORACIÓN: Jesús, Hijo de David, en tu muerte y resurrección tenemos la esperanza y la promesa de nuestra resurrección a la vida eterna. Por el poder de tu Espíritu, ayúdanos a vivir fieles a ti mientras esperamos tu regreso. Amén.

Para reflexionar:

• ¿Qué significa para ti que "¡estando a tu lado seré siempre dichoso!"?
• ¿Qué estás haciendo ahora para prepararte para vivir para siempre?

Dra. Carol Geisler. © Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Qué significa para ti que "¡estando a tu lado seré siempre dichoso!"?

Notre Pain Quotidien - Jouer avec joie

Jouer avec joie

Lisez : Galates 5.22-26

La Bible en un an : Job 1 – 2 ; Actes 7.22-43

Mais le fruit de l’Esprit, c’est […] la joie. V. 22

Un de nos fils, Brian, est entraîneur de basketball dans un lycée. Une année, alors que son équipe disputait le tournoi de l’État de Washington, des personnes bien intentionnées de la ville ont demandé : « Allez-vous tout gagner cette année ? » Comme les joueurs et les entraîneurs en ont ressenti la pression, Brian a adopté une devise : « Jouez avec joie ! »

Je me suis alors rappelé les dernières paroles que l’apôtre Paul a adressées aux anciens d’Éphèse : « [Pourvu] que j’accomplisse ma course avec joie » (AC 20.24). Il visait à mener à bien les tâches que Jésus lui avait confiées. Or, j’ai fait de ce verset ma devise et ma prière, que je paraphrase à l’instar de la devise de Brian : « Pourvu que je joue avec joie ! » Et soit dit en passant, son équipe a effectivement remporté le championnat d’État cette année-là.

Nous avons tous de bonnes raisons de ronchonner : les actualités mondiales, un quotidien stressant, des problèmes de santé. Si nous la lui demandons, Dieu peut malgré tout nous accorder une joie qui transcende ces réalités et que Jésus a appelée « ma joie » (JN 15.11).

La joie est un fruit de l’Esprit de Jésus (GA 5.22). Nous devons donc ne pas oublier de lui demander chaque matin de nous y aider : « Pourvu que je joue avec joie ! » L’auteur Richard Foster a dit : « Prier, c’est changer. Il s’agit d’une grâce exceptionnelle. Comme Dieu est bon de nous montrer la voie vers une vie riche en… joie ! »

La joie fait partie intégrante du fruit de l’Esprit.

par David H. Roper

© 2019 Ministères NPQ
Nous avons tous de bonnes raisons de ronchonner : les actualités mondiales, un quotidien stressant, des problèmes de santé.