The Daily Lectionary for THURSDAY, August 1, 2019

Romans 11:33-36

The Daily Lectionary

THURSDAY, August 1, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Psalm 107:1-9, 43

Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Many Troubles
1  O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
     for his steadfast love endures forever.
2  Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
     those he redeemed from trouble
3  and gathered in from the lands,
     from the east and from the west,
     from the north and from the south.

4  Some wandered in desert wastes,
     finding no way to an inhabited town;
5  hungry and thirsty,
     their soul fainted within them.
6  Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
     and he delivered them from their distress;
7  he led them by a straight way,
     until they reached an inhabited town.
8  Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
     for his wonderful works to humankind.
9  For he satisfies the thirsty,
     and the hungry he fills with good things.

43 Let those who are wise give heed to these things,
     and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.

Hosea 8:1-14

Israel’s Apostasy
8:1 Set the trumpet to your lips!
     One like a vulture is over the house of the Lord,
   because they have broken my covenant,
     and transgressed my law.
2  Israel cries to me,
     “My God, we—Israel—know you!”
3  Israel has spurned the good;
     the enemy shall pursue him.

4  They made kings, but not through me;
     they set up princes, but without my knowledge.
   With their silver and gold they made idols
     for their own destruction.
5  Your calf is rejected, O Samaria.
     My anger burns against them.
   How long will they be incapable of innocence?
6    For it is from Israel,
   an artisan made it;
     it is not God.
   The calf of Samaria
     shall be broken to pieces.

7  For they sow the wind,
     and they shall reap the whirlwind.
   The standing grain has no heads,
     it shall yield no meal;
   if it were to yield,
     foreigners would devour it.
8  Israel is swallowed up;
     now they are among the nations
     as a useless vessel.
9  For they have gone up to Assyria,
     a wild ass wandering alone;
     Ephraim has bargained for lovers.
10 Though they bargain with the nations,
     I will now gather them up.
   They shall soon writhe
     under the burden of kings and princes.

11 When Ephraim multiplied altars to expiate sin,
     they became to him altars for sinning.
12 Though I write for him the multitude of my instructions,
     they are regarded as a strange thing.
13 Though they offer choice sacrifices,
     though they eat flesh,
     the Lord does not accept them.
   Now he will remember their iniquity,
     and punish their sins;
     they shall return to Egypt.
14 Israel has forgotten his Maker,
     and built palaces;
   and Judah has multiplied fortified cities;
     but I will send a fire upon his cities,
     and it shall devour his strongholds.

Romans 11:33-36

11:33 O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord?
     Or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Or who has given a gift to him,
     to receive a gift in return?”

36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.

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
Everything we do is for the glory of God and God alone. This is where we find our purpose in life.

The Morning Prayer for THURSDAY, August 1, 2019

Thursday Morning Prayer

Lord on this day I remember that You go before me, so I pause to meditate on Your promises. Thank You Lord that You go with me, You lay a pathway, You watch over me like a shepherd. So I give You my fears, worries and anxieties. I lay all tension and stress at the foot of the cross. Thank You that You arose from the death, and that You bring life, freedom, hope and the promise of Heaven! Praise You that I am safe in Your presence. Amen.

May Thursday be a hope filled day,

That floods my fears with light,

A day that quiets all anxious thoughts

As I encounter Christ.

Let Thursday always prompt my heart

To stop and find Your peace,

And live upon the truth You give

My eyes to You I lift.

Verse of the Day for THURSDAY, August 1, 2019

Psalm 119:114 (NIV) You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.

Read all of Psalm 119

Listen to Psalm 119

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 - Thursday, August 1, 2019

Mi Capitán

Pero fiel es el Señor, que os afirmará y guardará del mal.

~ 2 Tesalonicenses 3:3, RV-60

Quizá te parezca extraño que todo lo que lo que diga en este libro lo lleve siempre a mi experiencia con Dios. Si te incomoda, perdóname, pero no pudiera dejar nunca más de testificar lo es que es vivir y rendir mi vida por entero a Dios.

En lo personal, he vivido las dos cosas: He estado con el Capitán a bordo y también he vivido sin Capitán. Incluso, me he ido a la deriva. Les confieso que el viaje ha sido largo y fuerte. Cuando estás a la deriva, no sabes para dónde vas, ni los peligros a los que estás expuesto. Estar sin control es arriesgarse a chocar, a perderse o, lo que es peor, a naufragar. Los golpes en mi vida han sido muchos y he regresado lastimada y herida. A decir verdad, no vale la pena.

No hay nada más hermoso que entregar ese barco al Capitán que es Dios y descansar sabiendo que Él tiene todo el control, los recursos y los planes perfectos para nosotros.

Por eso te sugiero que rindas tu vida a Dios. Esto incluye trabajo, hogar y los hijos, a fin de que Él sea el que guíe tu vida y salgas victorioso en todo lo que emprendas.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Quizá te parezca extraño que todo lo que lo que diga en este libro lo lleve siempre a mi experiencia con Dios. Si te incomoda, perdóname, pero no pudiera dejar nunca más de testificar lo es que es vivir y rendir mi vida por entero a Dios.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Thursday, August 1, 2019

GOD’S CARE

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

~ 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

Ron Boyd-MacMillan shares the story of Sister Lin and family from North Korea. As Christians, she and her husband prayed for a child for years. After many years she finally conceived. They asked God for a safe delivery because it was now the severe famine period of the mid-1990’s.

Her husband went to search for food but came home weeping. All he could offer her was bark from a tree to make soup. It was not enough to nourish a woman with child. Then her husband went further afield to find food and was shot to death by soldiers as he foraged food from the garbage bags on a train. She was now alone.

When contractions started, she lay on the ground and gave birth to a dead baby boy. She named him after her husband and buried the body. From there she began to walk north and crossed the river into China. A Korean Christian family in China nurtured her back to health.

Telling Ron her story, she asked, “Can I forgive God for making the world this way?” Many of us, if honest, would acknowledge that we often have doubts about God when we see the suffering and pain in our world, just like Sister Lin. But we should value our doubts because they end up bringing God close.

Ron answered her poignant question with another question, “Why are you still a Christian?”

Sister Lin replied, “First because my Lord died young and alone in excruciating pain without knowing why either. And secondly, because I have gradually come to see that God’s care is everywhere to be seen, if I can look beyond my own suffering.”

RESPONSE: Today I will look beyond the suffering I see around me and see God’s love and care.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord that You do care for Your creation and that in our moments of doubt You draw close and reveal the truth of Your love and care.

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.
Many of us, if honest, would acknowledge that we often have doubts about God when we see the suffering and pain in our world.

Men's Devotional Bible - Thursday, August 1, 2019

What God Has Joined Together

Deuteronomy 24:1–5
Recommended Reading: Ephesians 5:22–33; Hebrews 13:4

Most of us would agree that divorce is not a laughing matter. But that doesn’t stop people from joking about it, like one comedian who said, “My ex-wife is a great housekeeper—when we got divorced, she kept the house.” Legal terms like “no fault” and “uncontested” fuel the idea that divorce is an easy, acceptable alternative to marriage. Instead of treating divorce seriously, people begin to view it as just another option to be considered in the context of modern relationships.

Some people even look to the Bible to justify divorce. They search Scripture to find “loopholes” in God’s rules for marriage. But we’re missing the point when we hunt for God’s permission to divorce.

For a deeper understanding of God’s true perspective on marriage, we need to look at the provisions he extends to newlyweds in Deuteronomy 24:5. God excuses the recently married man from many responsibilities—including military service—for a full year so that he can give his full attention to his wife.

Think about that. God’s gift to newlyweds was a whole year to work on building a solid foundation in their marriage. One year for the husband to learn to meet his wife’s needs. One year to hone their communication skills. One year to prepare for life’s journey together.

God clearly supports the institution of marriage. Throughout Scripture he offers invaluable help to husbands and wives who commit themselves to each other for life.

If you’re married, think about this: What if you’d been given a year after your wedding to focus only on your wife? How would your relationship be different today? It’s not too late to find out. Maybe you don’t have an entire year, but you can start with a day at a time. Clear your schedule so that you can give your wife your undivided attention. If you have commitments that take you away from home on the evenings and weekends, consider dropping one or two of them to focus on your relationship. Listen to her concerns. Commit yourself to meeting her needs. Look for ways to bring her happiness. With God’s help, you can turn your marriage into a love story for the ages.

To Take Away

• What would you say to a friend who is contemplating divorce?
• What’s the biggest challenge in your marriage right now?
• What specific steps can you take this week in order to deepen your relationship with your wife?

Legal terms like “no fault” and “uncontested” fuel the idea that divorce is an easy, acceptable alternative to marriage.

LHM Daily Devotions - August 1, 2019 "Don't Be Fooled"

"Don't Be Fooled"

Aug. 1, 2019

And He (Jesus) said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." And He told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' and he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry."' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."

~ Luke 12:15-21 (ESV)

When you are worried, what do you automatically think about for comfort? What do you rely on when you want to reassure yourself that "It'll be all right?"

Jesus deals with this question when He tells the story of the rich man who had an incredibly great harvest one year. In fact, his harvest was so great that he had an unusual problem: he didn't have enough space to keep all his crops! So he decided to build new, bigger barns. Then, he thought, he'd be set for life. "I will say to my soul," he said, "'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.'"

It sounds about right, doesn't it? With so much wealth, the man could retire from farming and do whatever he wanted. He didn't need to worry about the weather, about famine, about market prices, or much of anything. At least, that's what he thought—until God pointed out something he'd overlooked. "This night your soul is required of you," God said. In the face of death, money means nothing.

Jesus urges us to go after what really matters, what will last even in the face of death. That's not money. We all know that even the rich die, and all their money doesn't save them. It's not power either. No king or president can order a heart attack to stop, or a stroke to reverse itself. Even things like family or education or achievement can all be stripped away in a moment. What, then, has a lasting value, even in the face of death? What will comfort and strengthen us, even when we are facing our last day?

Only one thing—Jesus Christ our Lord. He is the One who is able to save to the uttermost, even through death and beyond. When we lose everything—money, house, family, health—He is still there. When we lose what is closest of all to us—mind, strength, life itself—He is still there. When our hands open in death and we can hold on to nothing at all, we don't need to. Jesus is there, holding on to us. He is our riches, our safety. He is always with us, and He will never let us fall.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, when I am afraid and I feel that I'm losing everything, hold on to me. Never let me go. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• How can money get in the way of our happiness?
• The rich man's plan to more efficiently store his possessions seems sound. What's the fundamental flaw in his perspective?
• How do we stay alert to the treasures only God gives—and can give?

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
How can money get in the way of our happiness?

Devocional de la CPTLN del 01 de Agosto de 2019 -

ALIMENTO DIARIO

No te dejes engañar

01 de Agosto de 2019

(Jesús) También les dijo: «Manténganse atentos y cuídense de toda avaricia, porque la vida del hombre no depende de los muchos bienes que posea». Además, les contó una parábola: «Un hombre rico tenía un terreno que le produjo una buena cosecha. Y este hombre se puso a pensar: '¿Qué voy a hacer? ¡No tengo dónde guardar mi cosecha!' Entonces dijo: '¡Ya sé lo que haré! Derribaré mis graneros, construiré otros más grandes, y allí guardaré todos mis frutos y mis bienes. Y me diré a mí mismo: Ya puede descansar mi alma, pues ahora tengo guardados muchos bienes para muchos años. Ahora, pues, ¡a comer, a beber y a disfrutar!' Pero Dios le dijo: 'Necio, esta noche vienen a quitarte la vida; ¿y para quién será lo que has guardado?' Eso le sucede a quien acumula riquezas para sí mismo, pero no es rico para con Dios.»

~ Lucas 12:15-21 (RVC)

Cuando estás preocupado, ¿cómo te consuelas? ¿En qué confías para asegurarte de que "todo estará bien?"

Jesús trata esta pregunta cuando cuenta la historia del hombre rico que un año tuvo una cosecha increíblemente grande. De hecho, su cosecha era tan grande que tuvo un problema inusual: ¡no tenía suficiente espacio para guardarla! Así que decidió construir graneros más grandes. Entonces sí, pensó, estaría listo para la vida. Y se dijo a sí mismo: "Ya puede descansar mi alma, pues ahora tengo guardados muchos bienes para muchos años. Ahora, pues, ¡a comer, a beber y a disfrutar!"

Suena bastante bien, ¿no es cierto? Con tanta riqueza, el hombre podía dejar de trabajar y hacer lo que quisiera. No tenía que preocuparse más por el clima, la hambruna, los precios del mercado ni nada más. Al menos, eso es lo que pensó... hasta que Dios le dijo algo que él no sabía. "Esta noche vienen a quitarte la vida; ¿y para quién será lo que has guardado?" Ante la muerte, las riquezas no valen nada.

Jesús nos exhorta a buscar lo que realmente importa, lo que durará incluso después de la muerte. Todos sabemos que los ricos también mueren, y que su dinero no los salva. También sabemos que ningún rey o presidente puede ordenar que se detenga un ataque al corazón, o que una enfermedad se cure. Incluso cosas como la familia, la educación, o el éxito pueden ser eliminados en un abrir y cerrar de ojos. Entonces, ¿qué es lo que dura para siempre, incluso después de la muerte? ¿Qué nos va a dar consuelo y fuerza al final de nuestros días?

Solo una cosa: Jesucristo nuestro Señor. Solo él puede salvarnos. Aun cuando perdamos todo lo que tenemos: dinero, casa, familia, salud, trabajo, fuerza o la vida misma, él siempre está. Cuando nuestras manos se abren en la muerte y no podemos aferrarnos a nada, Jesús está allí para sostenernos. Él es nuestra riqueza, nuestra seguridad, nuestra única garantía de que todo va a estar bien. Confiemos en Jesús, nuestro Salvador, que nos ha hecho hijos de Dios y nos ha prometido la vida eterna. En sus manos no debemos tener miedo. Él siempre está con nosotros y nunca nos dejará caer.

ORACIÓN: Querido Señor, cuando tengo miedo y siento que estoy perdiendo todo, ayúdame a aferrarme a ti. Nunca me dejes ir. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

• ¿Cómo pueden las posesiones materiales interponerse en el camino verdadero?
• ¿Qué podemos hacer para mantenemos atentos a los tesoros que solo Dios puede dar?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Cómo pueden las posesiones materiales interponerse en el camino verdadero?

Хлеб наш насущный - Бульдог и разбрызгиватель

Бульдог и разбрызгиватель

Читать сейчас: Ефесянам 3:14-21 | Библия за год: Псалтирь 56-58; Иакова 4

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Преклоняю колени мои пред Отцом Господа нашего Иисуса Христа... дабы вам исполниться всей полнотой Божией. — Ефесянам 3:14, 19

Летом в парке за нашим домом каждое утро разыгрывается забавная сцена. В ней участвует садовая поливалка-разбрызгиватель. И бульдог. Около 6:30 поливалки включаются. Вскоре после этого появляется Фифи (так мы называем девочку бульдога).

Хозяин Фифи спускает ее с поводка. Она со всех ног бежит к ближайшему разбрызгивателю, нападая на струйку воды, которая бьет прямо в нее. Если бы Фифи могла съесть разбрызгиватель, думаю, она бы это сделала. Для меня это иллюстрация полного изобилия и в то же время неуемной жажды собаки, которая никак не может напиться.

В Библии нет ни бульдогов, ни разбрызгивателей. Но эта картина напоминает мне молитву Павла в главе 3 Послания к ефесянам. Павел молится, чтобы верующие в Ефесе наполнились Божьей любовью и «могли постигнуть со всеми святыми, что есть широта и долгота, и глубина и высота, и уразуметь превосходящую разумение любовь Христову». Он просит Бога, чтобы через это им «исполниться всей полнотой Божией» (Еф. 3:18-19).

И к нам с вами обращен призыв познать Бога, любовь Которого превосходит все, что мы можем представить, чтобы мы тоже могли напиться и насытиться Его добротой. Нам дано ощутить полноту взаимоотношений с Тем, Кто может наполнить наши сердца и жизнь любовью, смыслом и целеустремленностью.

Как волны моря символизируют необъятную Божью любовь к вам? Какие преграды могут удерживать вас от погружения в Божью любовь?

Боже, благодарим Тебя за бесконечную и насыщающую любовь. Помоги нам познать и принять любовь, которую Ты испытываешь к каждому из нас.

автор: Адам Хольц

© 2019 Хлеб Наш Насущный
Летом в парке за нашим домом каждое утро разыгрывается забавная сцена. В ней участвует садовая поливалка-разбрызгиватель. И бульдог.