The Daily Lectionary for WEDNESDAY, June 26, 2019

Jesus Heals a Boy with a Demon
Luke 9:37-43a

The Daily Lectionary

WEDNESDAY, June 26, 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 9:30-37

Jezebel’s Violent Death
9:30 When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; she painted her eyes, and adorned her head, and looked out of the window. 31 As Jehu entered the gate, she said, “Is it peace, Zimri, murderer of your master?” 32 He looked up to the window and said, “Who is on my side? Who?” Two or three eunuchs looked out at him. 33 He said, “Throw her down.” So they threw her down; some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses, which trampled on her. 34 Then he went in and ate and drank; he said, “See to that cursed woman and bury her; for she is a king’s daughter.” 35 But when they went to bury her, they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands. 36 When they came back and told him, he said, “This is the word of the Lord, which he spoke by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, ‘In the territory of Jezreel the dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel; 37 the corpse of Jezebel shall be like dung on the field in the territory of Jezreel, so that no one can say, This is Jezebel.’”

Luke 9:37-43a

Jesus Heals a Boy with a Demon
9:37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 Just then a man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. 39 Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. 40 I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” 41 Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42 While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43a And all were astounded at the greatness of God.

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
Jesus Heals a Boy with a Demon

The Morning Prayer for WEDNESDAY, June 26, 2019

Wednesday morning prayer

Lord on this day of the week I recall the strength of the Trinity in my life. Thank you for the strands that hold me safe in the Father, that bring redemption and grace in the Son, and freedom and hope through the Holy Spirit. Thank you for this cord of strength. May I celebrate with the Three that encircle my life! And this day may I give out the love of the Father, the grace of the Son and the freedom of the Holy Spirit in all I do.

Amen

Verse of the Day WEDNESDAY, June 26, 2019

Leviticus 19:18 (NIV)  Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

Read all of Leviticus 19

Listen to Leviticus 19

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 - Wednesday, June 26, 2019

¿No sabes qué hacer?

Muchas son las angustias del justo, pero el Señor lo librará de todas ellas.

~ Salmo 34:19 (NVI)

No te puedes desesperar. Es posible que te preguntes: «¿Qué debo hacer?». Si es así, de seguro que estás en un momento de inquietud, de preocupación, y no sabes cómo enfrentarlo. En momentos así es cuando tu mirada va al cielo, las lágrimas corren por tus mejillas y te acuerdas de Dios. En otros casos, no tienes en realidad cabeza para Él.

Sin embargo, ¿qué debemos hacer cuando sentimos que la vida nos está oprimiendo? ¿Qué debemos hacer cuando las finanzas no marchan bien como antes o el matrimonio va de mal en peor?

La respuesta a todas estas preguntas es la misma: «Aférrate a Dios». No es tiempo de huir de la situación. Es tiempo de enfrentarla y no debes hacerlo solo, porque Dios, que es nuestra máxima autoridad, dejó establecido lo siguiente: «No te abandonaré».

¿Entiendes esto tan profundo y a la vez sencillo? Dios no te va abandonar ni a dejar. Estará a tu lado aun si las situaciones parecen interminables. Confía en el Señor y dile cómo te sientes. Te garantizo que Él te ayudará y te dará nuevas fuerzas como al águila.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
No te puedes desesperar. Es posible que te preguntes: «¿Qué debo hacer?». Si es así, de seguro que estás en un momento de inquietud, de preocupación, y no sabes cómo enfrentarlo.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Wednesday, June 26, 2019

EFFECTIVE PRAYER

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

~ James 5:16b (NIV)

For fifteen years from 1981 to 1995, in one Chinese city there were many cases of murder, armed robbery, rape, gangs of thieves, local village local tyrants were rampant and small children were being kidnapped, taxis were being robbed and taxi drivers being killed. People’s hearts were nervous. Traffic related disputes were increasing and society was not in a peaceful state. There were less than 3000 believers in the city.

At this time, the Holy Spirit moved Sister Zhou to the city. This Christian sister helped the church there for over one month. She received a burden while praying that the church should set up a prayer watch. So, the first prayer watch group was established. When it started, there were only 6 people. On Sundays these six people would all watch and pray simultaneously.

After almost six months of this kind of prayer, the national police cleaned up and eliminated the triad gangs and local village tyrants and brought about a change for a better environment in the city.

At the time when children were being kidnapped, old Sister Chang began to fast and pray. Every day she would pray saying, “O Father God, save and rescue these children. Send an old granny to look after them!” After a year’s time, the problem of children being kidnapped was transformed.

One problem would be solved and then another problem would come up for prayer. The rate of deaths in that city due to traffic accidents was an average of one to two people per day. Many more than that were injured daily. They then decided to make the city’s traffic safety to be a special prayer topic. They prayed and relied on God to solve the traffic problems.

From 1995 until now, small groups of prayer watches have expanded from one to three core groups. Each person prays at a designated time and the time for prayer rotates to another person in the group. It has now expanded into a large prayer network. Now the city is peaceful and safe. The work of the gospel is stable and steadily expanding. There are more than 30,000 Christians in the city attending meetings.

The people’s attitudes and appearance all seem like they are renewed. Although there are many laid-off workers, they seem to be able to find enough work to still be able to feed their families. This truly is the effect of prayer. It is the work done by our Father for the city.

RESPONSE: Today I will recommit myself to believe in the power of prayer and practice that belief.

PRAYER: Pray for the problems in your city or community. Ask God for like-minded partners.

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

Girlfriends in God - Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Where Are You Looking?

Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.

~ Psalm 73:23 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

It was Corrie Ten Boom who said, “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God, you’ll be at rest.” The text of Psalm 73 helps this truth rise vividly.

If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed… “For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” (Psalm 73:3)

They. They. They.

“They have no struggles;

their bodies are healthy and strong.

5 They are free from common human burdens;

they are not plagued by human ills.

6 Therefore pride is their necklace;

they clothe themselves with violence.

7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity;

their evil imaginations have no limits.

8 They scoff, and speak with malice;

with arrogance they threaten oppression.

9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven,

and their tongues take possession of the earth.

10 Therefore their people turn to them

and drink up waters in abundance.

11 They say, “How would God know?

Does the Most High know anything?”

12 This is what the wicked are like—

always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.”

(Psalm 73:4-12)

Jealousy is toxic, damaging, senseless and ignorant. Still, like the psalmist, we often go there. 

“She’s got it easy… just look at her house / car / husband / job / children / waistline!”

“Why does everything seem to go her way?”

“That woman doesn’t have a care in the world! She gets to ____ while I _____ …”

“Women like her…”

“They all…”

“Why does she have…?”

Envy wrecks the hearts of humans. It stirs restlessness, wreaks havoc on our minds and renders contentment impossible. It tears down. And when the walls of hope, peace and love are torn down by envy we become distressed. Period.

If you look within, you’ll be depressed…

“Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure

and have washed my hands in innocence.

14 All day long I have been afflicted,

and every morning brings new punishments.

15 If I had spoken out like that,

I would have betrayed your children.

16 When I tried to understand all this,

it troubled me deeply.”

(Psalm 73:13-16)

Oh, you know… Why am I the only one who ____? There’s no way I could do that. Why am I so stupid? Nothing ever goes right for me! 

We complain.

We doubt.

We cut ourselves down and we sulk. When all the while, focusing on self leaves us depressed. Or at the very least, discouraged. 

If you look to God, you’ll be at rest…

“…till I entered the sanctuary of God;

then I understood their final destiny.

18 Surely you place them on slippery ground;

you cast them down to ruin.

19 How suddenly are they destroyed,

completely swept away by terrors!

20 They are like a dream when one awakes;

when you arise, Lord,

you will despise them as fantasies.

21 When my heart was grieved

and my spirit embittered,

22 I was senseless and ignorant;

I was a brute beast before you.

23 Yet I am always with you;

you hold me by my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel,

and afterward you will take me into glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?

And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart

and my portion forever.

27 Those who are far from you will perish;

you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

28 But as for me, it is good to be near God.

I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;

I will tell of all your deeds.”

(Psalm 73:17-28)

While the mysteries of what God does and doesn’t allow here on earth will never fully be understood, it seems the rest our souls long to know is found in the sanctuary. Not the sanctuary of a church building. In the sacred space of God’s dwelling. In the power of His presence.

I don’t need to look around in envy.

I don’t need to grumble and fret about what I have or don’t have.

It’s not best for me to want that woman’s people, places, positions or prosperity.

I have full access to all I need in Christ, every spiritual gift and blessing. And each time a tinge of envy sparks, the peace (rest) I long for is available when I look to God.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, Would you be the strength and focus of my heart today? It’s so easy to look around and become discouraged - at times even indignant - when we see what we perceive to be prosperity in the lives of others. Help me to keep my eyes to you, and the life You’ve given me so Your strength, peace and eternal provision will calm my fussy, distracted and prideful heart.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

What or who are you looking at in the world that has you distressed? In what unhealthy, unholy ways are you looking within? What would it look like for you to, instead, look to God?

Write a prayer of response on the wall of my blog or on my Facebook wall. Comment on other posts. Pray for each other in the beauty of community.

More from the Girlfriends

If you want to read and study the Bible, but don’t know where to start, this is for you! Girlfriends in God co-founder Gwen Smith has several online Bible Study options that will guide you on a personal journey with the Lord as you read, record, reflect on and respond to His Word. These studies will help you know what God says about tender topics like forgiveness, healing, fear, depression, relationships and hope. Each study can be done in the comfort of your home and in a time frame that fits with your personal schedule. Visit www.GwenSmith.net/BibleStudy to learn more.

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

Girlfriends in God
www.girlfriendsingod.com

It was Corrie Ten Boom who said, “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God, you’ll be at rest.”

LHM Daily Devotions - Help for the Fight

"Help for the Fight"

Jun. 26, 2019

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

~ Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV)

The apostle Paul in writing to the churches in Galatia had much to say. He knew the pitfalls of the sinful nature; he knew how intoxicating—and devious—the world can be. Today, it is imperative we remember the same thing for, if anything, the number and variety of ungodly diversions, seductive pleasures, and bogus nonsense has only multiplied since Paul's century.

So then, what does it mean to "walk by the Spirit"? And how will doing this "not gratify the desires of the sinful nature"? For Paul living by the Spirit and denying the flesh was a full-time occupation. In many of his letters, he spells out the lifelong struggle that plays out in the lives of believers as they operate in this world but resist becoming a part of it. Walking by the Spirit then is part of our active obedience to God. In the daily pursuit of righteousness, our hunger for sin—our desire—is left ungratified and, by God's grace, is overcome as the Holy Spirit renews us as His new creations.

Unfortunately, our sinful nature won't give up without a fight. And this nature isn't just passively corrupt and prone toward evil, it's combative and actively opposes God's Holy Spirit. This battle, however, is not one-sided. (Thank God!) Paul was all too familiar with this struggle—this ongoing conflict wrestling ceaselessly inside of him.

"So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the Law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members" (Romans 7:21-23).

Now if the very Spirit of God is at odds with our sinful nature, how hell-bent that nature must be! Thankfully, Paul had an answer to this question. "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24-25a).

How is the battle with sin going in your life? Do you find yourself losing resolve in your fight against those things that dog you and drag you down? Are you able to deny your usual responses to frustration and temptation (giving in, bursts of anger, finding fault)? Are you able to deny them long enough to talk to God about it? He's there to help you. His Holy Spirit was given to us for this very reason—to help us resist the devil and our flesh and to triumph over them through the victory we have in Jesus Christ.

You, too, can walk by the Spirit. You need only ask for God's help. "The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth" (Psalm 145:18).

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, guide us by Your Holy Spirit. Preserve us from evil and set us on the road to life everlasting. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• How do you struggle with doing the right thing?
• What is the most persistent desire of the flesh you have to deal with?
• What does walking by the Spirit look like in your life? Would others notice this about you?

This Daily Devotion was written by Paul Schreiber. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
How do you struggle with doing the right thing?

Devocional de la CPTLN del 26 de Junio de 2019 - Ayuda para la lucha

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Ayuda para la lucha

26 de Junio de 2019

Digo, pues: Vivan según el Espíritu, y no satisfagan los deseos de la carne. Porque el deseo de la carne se opone al Espíritu, y el del Espíritu se opone a la carne; y éstos se oponen entre sí para que ustedes no hagan lo que quisieran hacer.

~ Gálatas 5:16-17 (RVC)

El apóstol Pablo tuvo mucho para decir por escrito a las iglesias en Galacia. Conocía los escollos de la naturaleza pecaminosa y sabía cuán intoxicante y tortuoso puede ser el mundo. Hoy en día es imperativo que recordemos lo mismo, porque la cantidad y variedad de desviaciones impías, placeres seductores y tonterías falsas solo se han multiplicado desde la época de Pablo.

Entonces, ¿qué significa vivir "según el Espíritu" para que "no satisfagan los deseos de la carne"? Para Pablo vivir por el Espíritu y negar la carne era una ocupación de tiempo completo. En muchas de sus cartas explica la lucha de por vida que se desarrolla en la vida de los creyentes que viven en este mundo, pero se niegan a ser parte de él. Vivir según el Espíritu es parte de nuestra obediencia activa a Dios. En la búsqueda diaria de la justicia, nuestros deseos quedan sin ser gratificados y, por la gracia de Dios, son superados a medida que el Espíritu Santo nos va transformando en sus nuevas creaciones.

Lamentablemente, nuestra naturaleza pecaminosa no se va a rendir sin luchar. Y esa naturaleza no solo es pasivamente corrupta y propensa al mal, sino que también se opone activamente al Espíritu Santo de Dios. Pero, gracias a Dios, esta batalla no es unilateral pues el Espíritu Santo se opone a nuestra naturaleza pecaminosa. Pablo estaba muy familiarizado con esta lucha, pues lo vivía incesantemente dentro de él.

"Entonces, aunque quiero hacer el bien, descubro esta ley: que el mal está en mí. Porque, según el hombre interior, me deleito en la ley de Dios; pero encuentro que hay otra ley en mis miembros, la cual se rebela contra la ley de mi mente y me tiene cautivo a la ley del pecado que está en mis miembros" (Romanos 7:21-23).

Ahora bien, si el Espíritu de Dios está en desacuerdo con nuestra naturaleza pecaminosa, ¿qué tan inclinada al mal puede ser esa naturaleza? Afortunadamente, Pablo tuvo una respuesta a esta pregunta. "¡Miserable de mí! ¿quién me librará de este cuerpo de muerte? Doy gracias a Dios, por medio de nuestro Señor Jesucristo" (Romanos 7:24-25a).

¿Cómo está yendo la batalla contra el pecado en tu vida? ¿Estás perdiendo tu determinación de luchar en contra de esas cosas que te persiguen y te arrastran? ¿Eres capaz de dejar de lado tus respuestas habituales a la frustración y la tentación (enojo, ira, echar la culpa a otros) para dedicar tiempo suficiente a hablar con Dios sobre eso? Dios te está esperando. Para eso nos dio su Espíritu Santo: para ayudarnos a resistir al diablo y a la carne y para triunfar sobre ellos a través de la victoria que tenemos en Jesucristo.

Tú también puedes vivir según el Espíritu. Solo necesitas pedir la ayuda de Dios. "Tú, Señor, estás cerca de quienes te invocan, de quienes te invocan con sinceridad" (Salmo 145:18).

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, guíanos por tu Espíritu Santo, presérvanos del mal y guíanos en el camino a la vida eterna. En el nombre de Jesús oramos. Amén.

Paul Schreiber

Para reflexionar:

• ¿Cuál es el deseo más persistente de la carne con el que tienes que lidiar?
• ¿De qué manera se expresa en tu vida el "vivir según el Espíritu"? ¿Será que los demás lo pueden ver?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Cuál es el deseo más persistente de la carne con el que tienes que lidiar?

Ministérios Pão Diário - Muito bom!

Muito bom!


Leia: Gênesis 1:24-31
 | A Bíblia em um ano: Jó 5–7; Atos 8:1-25

Viu Deus tudo quanto fizera, e eis que era muito bom… v.31


Alguns dias parecem que têm um tema para defini-los. Recentemente tive um desses dias. Nosso pastor começou o seu sermão sobre Gênesis 1 com dois minutos de tirar o fôlego: a sequência fotográfica do desabrochar das flores. Então, em casa, uma busca por mídias sociais revelou várias imagens de flores. Mais tarde, numa caminhada no bosque, as flores silvestres da primavera nos cercaram; lírios do bosque, cravos da Índia e íris selvagens.

Deus criou as flores e todas as variedades de vegetação (e o solo para crescer), no terceiro dia da criação. E duas vezes naquele dia, Deus a declarou “bom” (vv.10,12). Em apenas um outro dia, o sexto, Deus fez o duplo pronunciamento de “bom” (vv.24,31). Na verdade, neste dia, quando Ele criou o homem e Sua obra-prima foi completa, Deus olhou sobre tudo o que tinha feito e “viu que era muito bom!”.

Na história da criação, vemos um Deus Criador que se deleitava em Sua criação, e que parecia alegrar-se com o próprio ato de criar. Amando a criação, não poderia ter feito nada mais do que algo surpreendente e maravilhoso! E guardou o melhor para o final quando: “Criou Deus, pois, o homem à sua imagem…” (v.27). Feitos à Sua imagem somos abençoados e inspirados por Sua bela obra.

Toda a criação traz a assinatura de Deus.

por Alyson Kieda

© 2019 Ministérios Pão Diário
Alguns dias parecem que têm um tema para defini-los. Recentemente tive um desses dias.