The Daily Lectionary for MONDAY, July 8, 2019

The Riot in Ephesus
Acts 19:21-27

The Daily Lectionary

MONDAY, July 8, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Psalm 6

Prayer for Recovery from Grave Illness
To the leader: with stringed instruments; according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David.
1  O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger,
     or discipline me in your wrath.
2  Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing;
    O Lord, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror.
3  My soul also is struck with terror,
     while you, O Lord—how long?

4  Turn, O Lord, save my life;
     deliver me for the sake of your steadfast love.
5  For in death there is no remembrance of you;
     in Sheol who can give you praise?

6  I am weary with my moaning;
     every night I flood my bed with tears;
     I drench my couch with my weeping.
7  My eyes waste away because of grief;
     they grow weak because of all my foes.

8  Depart from me, all you workers of evil,
     for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.
9  The Lord has heard my supplication;
     the Lord accepts my prayer.
10  All my enemies shall be ashamed and struck with terror;
     they shall turn back, and in a moment be put to shame.

2 Kings 5:15-19a

5:15 Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company; he came and stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel; please accept a present from your servant.” 16 But he said, “As the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will accept nothing!” He urged him to accept, but he refused. 17 Then Naaman said, “If not, please let two mule-loads of earth be given to your servant; for your servant will no longer offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god except the Lord. 18 But may the Lord pardon your servant on one count: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, leaning on my arm, and I bow down in the house of Rimmon, when I do bow down in the house of Rimmon, may the Lord pardon your servant on this one count.” 19 He said to him, “Go in peace.”

Acts 19:21-27

The Riot in Ephesus
19:21 Now after these things had been accomplished, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go through Macedonia and Achaia, and then to go on to Jerusalem. He said, “After I have gone there, I must also see Rome.” 22 So he sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he himself stayed for some time longer in Asia.

23 About that time no little disturbance broke out concerning the Way. 24 A man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the artisans. 25 These he gathered together, with the workers of the same trade, and said, “Men, you know that we get our wealth from this business. 26 You also see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost the whole of Asia this Paul has persuaded and drawn away a considerable number of people by saying that gods made with hands are not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be scorned, and she will be deprived of her majesty that brought all Asia and the world to worship her.”

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
A man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the artisans.

The Morning Prayer for MONDAY, July 8, 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, July 8, 2019

Psalm 138:2 (NIV) I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame.

Read all of Psalm 138

Listen to Psalm 138

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, July 8, 2019

Semana de pacto con Dios: Nuestra boca

De la abundancia del corazón habla la boca.

~ Mateo 12:34 (NVI)

La boca, aparte de que sirve de entrada a la cavidad bucal, tiene varias funciones. Dios la creó para ingerir los alimentos, salivar, para tener sentido del gusto, pero quizá hablar sea lo más importante.

Dios la diseñó perfecta y muchos la usamos mal. Entonces, ¿has pensado en las cosas indebidas que se puede hacer con ella? Aunque se puede usar para fumar, drogarse, hablar mal y chismear, también se puede usar, en muchos casos, para bendecir y hablar cosas que agradan a Dios y a la familia.

¡Qué mal ejemplo les damos a nuestros hijos y compañeros de trabajo cuando somos malhablados! ¡Eso es terrible! Cuando conocemos una persona, nos puede dar una clara impresión al abrir su boca y expresarse.

Por eso hoy la idea es que podamos cortar todo lo malo que está saliendo de nuestra boca. ¿Eres de bendición o una persona grosera al expresarte?

La oportunidad para ti este día es que puedas reconocer y comprometerte con Dios de que dejarás atrás las groserías y las malas palabras, y que te comprometerás a guardar tu boca para honrarlo a Él.

Quiero que recuerdes algo de lo que dice la Biblia respecto a la boca y es que «de una misma boca salen bendición y maldición» (Santiago 3:10).

Señor, hoy me comprometo a guardar mi boca y honrarte con mis palabras.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
La boca, aparte de que sirve de entrada a la cavidad bucal, tiene varias funciones. Dios la creó para ingerir los alimentos, salivar, para tener sentido del gusto, pero quizá hablar sea lo más importante.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Sunday, July 8, 2019

OPEN AND CLOSED DOORS

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

~ Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)

The Bible has much to say about open doors but many times – even as Christians – we seem to face obstacles on our path and in our ministry. Blocked doors can be VERY frustrating. Yet God often uses closed doors to advance His cause.

Bible teachers like Max Lucado remind us that God closed the womb of a young Sarah so he could display His power to the elderly one. He shut the palace door on Moses the prince so he could open shackles through Moses the liberator. He marched Daniel out of Jerusalem so he could use Daniel in Babylon.
And even Jesus knew the challenge of a blocked door. When he requested a path that bypassed the cross, God said no. He said no to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane so He could say yes to us at the gates of heaven.

It’s not that our plans are bad but that God’s plans are better.

A prayer is circulating on the Internet that expresses it this way:

He asked for strength that he might achieve,
he was made weak that he might endure;

He asked for health to do larger things,
he was given infirmity that he might do better things;

He asked for power that he might impress men,
he was given weakness that he might seek God;

He asked for wealth that he might be free from care,
he was given poverty that he might be wiser than carefree.

He asked for all things that he might enjoy life,
he was given life that he might enjoy all things;

He received nothing he asked for.

He received more than he ever hoped for.

His prayer was answered!

Blessed man!

The shortest distance between a closed and open door is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything.

RESPONSE: Today I will accept that my blocked door doesn’t mean God doesn’t love me. Quite the opposite. I’ll see it as proof that He does.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord that You know best and have even better plans for me and my service for You. Help me wait patiently for You to open the right door at the right time!

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, July 8, 2019

The Widow of Zarephath

Her character: A Phoenician woman, she showed extraordinary hospitality to one of God's prophets, providing a safe harbor for him during a period of famine.
Her sorrow: To suffer extreme poverty, famine, and the loss of husband and son.
Her joy: To experience repeated miracles of God's provision.
Key Scriptures: 1 Kings 17:8-24; Luke 4:25-26

Her Story

Her arms were spindly and rough, like the dry twigs she had gathered for kindling. Her body shook as she stood over the fire, greedily sipping and sucking the steam from the pan, as though the smell of frying bread could fill her belly and soothe her fears. She had lived her life a stone's throw from the Mediterranean, at Zarephath, seven miles south of Sidon, in a territory ruled by Jezebel's father. She had always loved the sea, but now its watery abundance seemed only to mock her, reminding her of all she lacked.

Tears escaped her eyes, try as she might to blink them back. How hard it was to suffer her fears alone, to wake in the night with no one to warm her, no one to whisper sweet lies about tomorrow. If only her husband were alive to squeeze a harvest from the fields. But he had died before the drought, leaving her with a small son, a house, and little else. Every night she hoped for rain, but every morning she woke to a brilliant sky.

Though she starved herself to feed her child, his distended belly accused her. His need condemned her. She had failed in the most basic ways a mother could, unable to protect, nurture, and provide. These days she stood with shoulders hunched as though to hide her breasts. Today she had scraped the last bit of flour from the barrel and poured the last drop of oil from the jug. She began to prepare for a final supper for herself and her child.

But then a stranger had called to her: "Woman, would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?"

Graciously, she had gone to fetch it, only to have him call after her, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread."

Is the man mad? she wondered. He might as well ask me to snap my fingers and produce a cow to feast on.

She turned on her heel and replied, "As surely as the Lord your God lives, I don't have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die."

But the man had persisted. "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord gives rain on the land.' "

Instead of cursing the stranger for his callousness, as we might expect, the woman did exactly as he had requested, feeding him the food she had reserved for herself and her son.

The woman from Zarephath wasn't a Jew, but a Phoenician. She had no idea that the stranger was Elijah, a prophet who had the gall to inform King Ahab that God was withholding rain to punish Israel's idolatry. She would have been astonished to learn that this same God had instructed Elijah to "go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food."

The widow of Zarephath had felt utterly alone, not knowing God had his eye on her. Yet for some reason she believed Elijah and acted accordingly, giving him everything she had.

After that, every time she dipped her hand into the flour, every time she poured oil from the jug, the widow saw another miracle unfold, another sign of favor, additional evidence of God's provision. Just as Elijah had promised, the supply of flour and oil lasted day after day, month after month, never failing until at last the rains came and revived the land.

How like God to construct a parable of grace during a time of judgment, to display his mercy and power in the midst of weakness and need. The widow's faith saved not only her son and herself but actually provided a refuge for Elijah, who may have wondered why God chose such flimsy protection—a destitute woman who lived in the territory of his worst enemy, Jezebel.

Later, the widow's faith would again be tested when her young son died. But she would also be the first woman to witness God's power to raise the dead, which he did in response to Elijah's repeated prayers on behalf of her child. As a woman who endured extreme difficulties, her story reveals God's power to provide what we need the most—a commodity of the heart called faith.

Her Promise

God doesn't ignore the needs of those who cannot help themselves. He doesn't urge them to pick themselves up and get going when they have no resources to do so. He doesn't pat them on the back and say he's sorry life is so tough. Instead, he sometimes intervenes by miraculous understatement, in this case by making sure that a little bit of oil and flour—just enough for a small loaf—didn't run out.

An unexpected check comes just when you need it. Another mother gives you her kids' outgrown clothing so you can clothe your own children. God uses something or someone to change your husband's heart just when you thought he didn't love you anymore. Our God is still a miraculous provider, granting what we need sometimes in the most unexpected ways.

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.
She had always loved the sea, but now its watery abundance seemed only to mock her, reminding her of all she lacked.

LHM Daily Devotions - Raised Up and Restored

"Raised Up and Restored"

Jul. 8, 2019

All who hate me whisper together about me; they imagine the worst for me. They say, "A deadly thing is poured out on him; he will not rise again from where he lies." Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me ... But You have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in Your presence forever."

~ Psalm 41:7-9, 12 (ESV)

David, as he reports in Psalm 41, had reason to believe that people were out to get him—because they were. King Saul, consumed with jealous rage, tried to kill David and pursued him through the wilderness. As king, David fought Israel's enemies and was forced to put down a rebellion inspired by his own son. With wishful thinking, the psalmist's foes ask, "When will he die, and his name perish?" (Psalm 41:5b)

We may rightly share David's fears and join him in his cries to God. Enemies real and imagined track us down. The world around us is engaged in continual conflict. The personal foes of fear and doubt, illness and grief, sin and death—all threaten to overwhelm us. Our chief enemy, Satan, always seeks our downfall. Yet David knew the answer to his troubles: "Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him" (Psalm 41:1).

David's Lord is our Lord, David's greater Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus certainly considered the poor; He considered us and put our needs ahead of His own. Throughout His earthly ministry, enemies pursued Him, wondering with malicious intent, "When will he die, and his name perish?" Jesus' opponents imagined the worst for Him, and they made it happen. A close friend, a disciple, betrayed the Son of David into the hands of His enemies, and those enemies rejoiced: "A deadly thing is poured out on him; he will not rise again from where he lies." The deadly wrath of God against our sin was poured out on Jesus; the sinless Son of God suffered the penalty of death in our place.

But the enemies' triumph was short-lived, lasting just three days. Jesus was raised up from death on the first Easter morning, victorious over every foe. David expresses his trust in God's redeeming acts in his life, in the life of the Messiah, and in our lives. According to David's song of praise, God delivers, protects, sustains, restores, upholds, and sets us in His presence forever. So long ago, inspired by the Holy Spirit, David knew that victory would be his, and now, in Christ our Lord, it is our victory also.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, Son of David, comfort us with the promises of Your Word. Forgive our sins, deliver us from every evil and bring us safely into Your heavenly kingdom. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Has there been a time in your life when you thought people were out to get you? Care to share?
• Have you ever been burned by a close friend? Did the issue resolve?
• How do you think your friends perceive you? Trustworthy? Fair-minded? Conditional? Reliable?

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).
Has there been a time in your life when you thought people were out to get you?

Devocional de la CPTLN del 08 de Julio de 2019 - Levantado y restaurado

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Levantado y restaurado

08 de Julio de 2019

Todos los que me odian se unen contra mí y sólo piensan malas cosas. Hasta dicen: «Lo que tiene es cosa del demonio; cayó en cama, y no volverá a levantarse.» Aun mi mejor amigo, en quien yo confiaba, el que comía conmigo, me ha traicionado... Y a mí, ¡sostenme por causa de mi integridad! ¡permíteme estar en tu presencia para siempre!

~ Salmo 41:7-9, 12 (RVC)

David tenía razones para creer que había quienes querían atraparlo, porque era cierto. El rey Saúl, consumido por una furia celosa, trataba de matarlo por lo que lo persiguió a través del desierto. Como rey, David luchó contra los enemigos de Israel y se vio obligado a sofocar una rebelión inspirada por su propio hijo. Con pensamientos ilusorios, los enemigos del salmista preguntan: "¿Cuándo morirá? ¿Cuándo será olvidado?" (Salmo 41:5).

Quizás compartamos con razón los temores de David y nos unamos a él en su clamor a Dios. Los enemigos reales e imaginarios nos persiguen. El mundo que nos rodea vive en un conflicto permanente. El miedo y la duda, la enfermedad y el dolor, el pecado y la muerte nos amenazan y abruman. Satanás, nuestro principal enemigo, está siempre tratando de hacernos caer. Pero David conocía la respuesta a sus problemas: ¡Dichoso aquél que piensa en los pobres! En los días malos el Señor lo ayudará" (Salmo 41:1).

El Señor de David es nuestro Señor, el Hijo mayor de David, nuestro Salvador Jesucristo. Jesús ciertamente consideró a los pobres; nos consideró a nosotros y puso nuestras necesidades por encima de las suyas. A lo largo de su ministerio terrenal los enemigos lo persiguieron, preguntándose con intenciones maliciosas: "¿Cuándo morirá? ¿Cuándo será olvidado?". Los oponentes de Jesús imaginaron lo peor para él y lo hicieron realidad. Un amigo cercano, un discípulo, traicionó al Hijo de David entregándolo en manos de sus enemigos y esos enemigos se regocijaron: «Lo que tiene es cosa del demonio; cayó en cama, y no volverá a levantarse». La ira mortal de Dios contra nuestro pecado fue derramada sobre Jesús; el Hijo de Dios sin pecado sufrió la pena de muerte en nuestro lugar.

Pero el triunfo de los enemigos duró poco: solo tres días. Jesús fue levantado de la muerte en la primera mañana de Pascua, victorioso sobre todos los enemigos. David expresa su confianza en los actos redentores de Dios en su vida, en la vida del Mesías y en nuestras vidas. De acuerdo con el canto de alabanza de David, Dios libera, protege, restaura, sostiene y nos pone en su presencia para siempre. Hace mucho tiempo, inspirado por el Espíritu Santo, David sabía que la victoria sería suya. Y ahora, en Cristo nuestro Señor, también es nuestra victoria.

ORACIÓN: Señor Jesús, Hijo de David, consuélanos con las promesas de tu Palabra. Perdona nuestros pecados, líbranos de todo mal y llévanos a salvo a tu reino celestial. Amén.

Dra. Carol Geisler

Para reflexionar:

• ¿En algún momento te has sentido perseguido? ¿Dónde o en qué buscaste ayuda?
• ¿Qué le dirías a alguien que está pasando por un momento similar?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿En algún momento te has sentido perseguido? ¿Dónde o en qué buscaste ayuda?

Notre Pain Quotidien - Une intervention souveraine

Une intervention souveraine

Lisez : Exode 3.1-9

La Bible en un an : Job 36 – 37 ; Actes 15.22-41

Dieu regarda les enfants d’Israël, et il en eut compassion. Exode 2.25

Barbara a été pupille de l’État britannique dans les années 1960, mais à ses seize ans, elle et son nouveau-né, Simon, sont devenus des sans-abri. L’État n’était alors plus dans l’obligation de pourvoir à ses besoins. Barbara a écrit à la reine d’Angleterre pour solliciter son aide et la reine lui a répondu ! Mue par la compassion, la souveraine a veillé à ce que l’on donne à Barbara une maison dont elle serait la propriétaire.

Or, il se peut que le geste de compassion de la reine d’Angleterre, qui disposait des ressources nécessaires pour venir en aide à Barbara, nous donne un aperçu de l’assistance de Dieu. Le Roi des cieux connaît tous nos besoins et réalise ses desseins souverains dans notre vie. Il désire toutefois ardemment que nous venions à lui – pour lui confier nos besoins et autres préoccupations – au fil d’une relation avec lui empreinte d’amour.

Les Israélites ont soumis à Dieu leur besoin de délivrance. Sous le joug écrasant des Égyptiens, ils criaient à l’aide. Les entendant, Dieu s’est rappelé sa promesse : « Dieu regarda les enfants d’Israël, et il en eut compassion » (EX 2.25). Il a donné pour directive à Moïse d’apporter la liberté à son peuple et a déclaré qu’il délivrerait celui-ci encore une fois « pour le faire monter dans un bon et vaste pays, dans un pays où coulent le lait et le miel » (3.8).

Notre Roi aime que nous venions à lui ! Il pourvoit à nos besoins selon sa sagesse, pas nécessairement comme nous le voudrions. Comptons donc sur sa générosité souveraine et mue par l’amour.

Notre Roi ne nous abandonnera pas à nous-mêmes.

par Ruth O'Reilly Smith

© 2019 Ministères NPQ
Barbara a été pupille de l’État britannique dans les années 1960, mais à ses seize ans, elle et son nouveau-né, Simon, sont devenus des sans-abri.