The Daily Lectionary for THURSDAY, August 8, 2019

God’s Election
Romans 9:1-9

The Daily Lectionary

THURSDAY, August 8, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23

The Acceptable Sacrifice
A Psalm of Asaph.
1  The mighty one, God the Lord,
     speaks and summons the earth
     from the rising of the sun to its setting.
2  Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
     God shines forth.

3  Our God comes and does not keep silence,
     before him is a devouring fire,
     and a mighty tempest all around him.
4  He calls to the heavens above
     and to the earth, that he may judge his people:
5  “Gather to me my faithful ones,
     who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!”
6  The heavens declare his righteousness,
     for God himself is judge.                     Selah

7  “Hear, O my people, and I will speak,
     O Israel, I will testify against you.
     I am God, your God.
8  Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you;
     your burnt offerings are continually before me.

22 “Mark this, then, you who forget God,
     or I will tear you apart, and there will be no one to deliver.
23 Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor me;
     to those who go the right way
     I will show the salvation of God.”

Isaiah 9:8-17

Judgment on Arrogance and Oppression
9:8 The Lord sent a word against Jacob,
     and it fell on Israel;
9  and all the people knew it—
     Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria—
     but in pride and arrogance of heart they said:
10 “The bricks have fallen,
     but we will build with dressed stones;
   the sycamores have been cut down,
     but we will put cedars in their place.”
11 So the Lord raised adversaries against them,
     and stirred up their enemies,
12 the Arameans on the east and the Philistines on the west,
     and they devoured Israel with open mouth.
   For all this his anger has not turned away;
     his hand is stretched out still.

13 The people did not turn to him who struck them,
     or seek the Lord of hosts.
14 So the Lord cut off from Israel head and tail,
     palm branch and reed in one day—
15 elders and dignitaries are the head,
     and prophets who teach lies are the tail;
16 for those who led this people led them astray,
     and those who were led by them were left in confusion.
17 That is why the Lord did not have pity on their young people,
     or compassion on their orphans and widows;
   for everyone was godless and an evildoer,
     and every mouth spoke folly.
   For all this his anger has not turned away;
     his hand is stretched out still.

Romans 9:1-9

God’s Election of Israel
9:1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; 5 to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

6 It is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all Israelites truly belong to Israel, 7 and not all of Abraham’s children are his true descendants; but “It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as descendants. 9 For this is what the promise said, “About this time I will return and Sarah shall have a son.”

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
Being part of a church or calling yourself a Christian doesn't make you a Child of God.

The Morning Prayer for THURSDAY, August 8, 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 8, 2019

Psalm 149:4 (NIV) For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.

Read all of Psalm 149

Listen to Psalm 149

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 8, 2019

Día del perdón

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

~ Isaías 43:25, NVI

Esta semana hemos aprendido acerca de cómo debemos honrar a nuestros padres. También hemos reflexionado que no podemos permitir que el abuso de hijos a padres se siga desarrollando como una terrible enfermedad.

Por eso hoy es una oportunidad de arrepentimiento. Es el momento de ponernos a cuentas con Dios y cortar esa terrible maldición para la vida.

Tú quieres ser próspero, deseas tener éxito y la bendición de una larga vida, así que debes respetar y honrar a tus padres.

Hoy Dios te está llamando a que busques a tus padres, les pidas perdón y les digas que estás arrepentido.

Comienza una nueva relación con ellos donde Dios pueda reinar y restaurar todas esas heridas.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Esta semana hemos aprendido acerca de cómo debemos honrar a nuestros padres. También hemos reflexionado que no podemos permitir que el abuso de hijos a padres se siga desarrollando como una terrible enfermedad.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Thursday, August 8, 2019

THE PROCESS OF PERSECUTION–2: DISINFORMATION

Blessed are you when people…falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

~ Matthew 5:11 (NIV)

This stage of persecution is characterized by unchecked ridicule and disinformation against a targeted group (Christian or others) most often spread through media. In this stage Christians are robbed of their good reputation and the right to answer the accusations made against them. Media, politics, entertainment, publications and schools are most often the avenues used to spread such insinuations or lies.

If disinformation about any group is disseminated long enough, no one will help in later stages because of this negative brain-washing about them. It essentially dehumanizes the person and is a pattern of thinking that may make it easier for milder wrongs to ignite a chain reaction of events. It creates an “us-versus-them” mentality.

A classic historic example is the gross disinformation the German Nazis spread about the Jews which then developed into a literal negative symbol when Jewish homes and businesses were marked with Stars of David and then targeted.

This also can result in verbal stereotyping. In the Rwanda genocide, the term “cockroach” became a negative classification of all Tutsi as conspirators against the government.

There are many significant global examples of disinformation used against our Christian brothers and sisters. The influence and impact of negative television programs against Protestant Christians in an autonomous region in Central Asia is very strong. A local pastor was shown on TV and, without reference to any evidence, labelled “an enemy of the state.” His family members’ pictures were also shown at the same time causing them to be despised by their community.

Recently a Christian woman who was shown on TV was not able to continue her work in a kiosk in the market. Other vendors forced her to leave the bazaar.

One local pastor says, “Since the program is shown regularly on TV, persecution has become worse. Some people have left the church out of fear. When you start to preach (to the public), people close up and say, we have heard about you, we don’t want to listen.”

In North Korea, the entire society is controlled by propaganda and disinformation. Persecution is so severe that in many Christian families, children are not even told about the family’s faith in Jesus until they are young adults because they are encouraged and expected to inform on their parents while in their school years. Christians are considered enemies of the state and the disinformation about this is wide spread.

Similarly, in countries like Laos, the government disinformation is that Christianity is an American religion being used to infiltrate their country rather than the former military methods. All Christians are thus portrayed as being traitors and working for America.

RESPONSE: Today I will work for truth and quash all attempts at disinformation against followers of Jesus everywhere.

PRAYER: Lord, grant Your blessing today on Your followers suffering from lies and untruths.

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

Men's Devotional Bible - Thursday, August 8, 2019

Nothing but a Number

Joshua 13:1–7
Recommended Reading: Genesis 6:5—9:17 (especially 7:6); Luke 2:36–38

Japanese mountain climber Yuichiro Miura reached the summit of Mount Everest at age 70. George Brunstad was also 70 when he swam the English Channel. Naval officer Grace Hopper became the first female rear admiral of the United States Navy when she was 79. Margaret Haggerty completed her quest to run a marathon on each of the seven continents when she was 84.

If stories like these teach us anything, it’s that senior adults are capable of amazing things.

That was certainly true of Joshua. Even though he was probably nearing the century mark, God had a plan for him. Age didn’t matter to God. Rather than telling Joshua to rest, retire or step aside for a younger replacement, God instructed him to get to work.

Perhaps we should take a cue from God in our attitude toward older adults. From an early age most of us were taught to respect our elders. However, too often we confuse politeness for respect. What’s the difference? Politeness might include offering a hand to senior adults when they struggle with steps or making awkward small talk with aging relatives at family gatherings. Respect, however, would include realizing that with their years of challenges and experiences these adults are a rich, God-given resource.

In this age of politically correct labels, perhaps a better name for senior citizens is “ultra-experienced adults.” God entrusted Joshua with an important duty a quarter century after Joshua reached retirement age because of his vast military experience and knowledge.

Think of the older adults you know. How does God want to use them in your life? What experiences of theirs might benefit you? What life lessons have they learned that might keep you from making a bad decision? And what might you be able to learn from hearing their stories and asking for their advice?

To Take Away

• How would you describe your attitude toward senior adults?
• Think of two or three seniors you know. What might getting to know them better add to your life?
• What steps can you take this week to build a mutually beneficial relationship with an older adult?

Stories like these teach us that senior adults are capable of amazing things.

LHM Daily Devotions - August 8, 2019 - A Kingdom-Giving God

"A Kingdom-Giving God"

Aug. 8, 2019

And He (Jesus) said to His disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

~ Luke 12:22-34 (ESV)

As I write this, the cathedral of Notre Dame is burning.

People in my office are whispering and grieving. It seems impossible that something so beautiful, so famous, so old, should be destroyed. The first stone was laid in 1160—how could 2019 see it fall? Eight centuries of beauty gone in a day—no wonder we feel shaken. And we remember our own mortality—that we, too, have a time limit. We, too, must die.

Against this background, it is odd to hear Jesus saying, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. ... Which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" Anxious? Yes, indeed, we are anxious! We worry about our children, our jobs, our health. We grow anxious when a spouse is angry, an election draws near, a major bill comes in the mail. Our world is burning. Who can help us?

Against all of this, Jesus says, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious .... All the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

The cathedral may be burning, but the cathedral's Lord is still with us. Our lives may be full of stress, but Jesus is with us as He has always been—walking with us, holding us in His hands, keeping us in His care. Nothing can take God's love away from us. Nothing, not even death—not even death on a cross!—can keep Jesus from the people He came to save. He has risen from the dead, and He promises to be with us forever. He will never leave us alone—not in this life, and not in the life to come.

THE PRAYER: Dear Father, when we are shaken, help us to trust in Your Son Jesus, who is always with us. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• What are you most anxious about in life? How long has this been a stressor for you?
• Does the natural world (lilies, birds, etc.) make you think of God's care?
• What do you/can you do to "seek His kingdom" in your life?

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).
What are you most anxious about in life?

Devocional de la CPTLN del 08 de Agosto de 2019 - Un Dios que da el reino

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Un Dios que da el reino

08 de Agosto de 2019

Después, Jesús dijo a sus discípulos: «Por eso les digo que no se preocupen por su vida ni por lo que han de comer, ni por su cuerpo ni por lo que han de vestir. La vida es más que la comida, y el cuerpo es más que el vestido. Fíjense en los cuervos: no siembran, ni siegan; no tienen almacenes ni bodegas, y no obstante Dios los alimenta. ¿Acaso no valen ustedes mucho más que las aves? ¿Quién de ustedes, por mucho que lo intente, puede añadir medio metro a su estatura? Pues si ustedes no pueden hacer ni lo más pequeño, ¿por qué se preocupan por lo demás? Fíjense en los lirios, cómo crecen, y no trabajan ni hilan; pero yo les digo que ni Salomón, con todas sus riquezas, llegó a vestirse como uno de ellos. Y si Dios viste así a la hierba, que hoy está en el campo y mañana es echada al horno, ¡cuánto más hará por ustedes, hombres de poca fe! Así que no se preocupen ni se angustien por lo que han de comer, ni por lo que han de beber. Todo esto lo busca la gente de este mundo, pero el Padre sabe que ustedes tienen necesidad de estas cosas. Busquen ustedes el reino de Dios, y todas estas cosas les serán añadidas. Ustedes son un rebaño pequeño. Pero no tengan miedo, porque su Padre ha decidido darles el reino. Vendan lo que ahora tienen, y denlo como limosna. Consíganse bolsas que no se hagan viejas, y háganse en los cielos un tesoro que no se agote. Allí no entran los ladrones, ni carcome la polilla. Porque donde ustedes tengan su tesoro, allí también estará su corazón.»

~ Lucas 12:22-34 (RVC)

Mientras escribo esto, la catedral de Notre Dame se está quemando.

La gente en mi oficina está susurrando y llorando. Parece imposible que algo tan hermoso, tan famoso, tan antiguo, sea destruido. La primera piedra fue colocada en 1160. Ocho siglos de belleza desaparecieron en un día, no es de extrañar que estemos conmovidos. Esto nos hace recordar nuestra propia mortalidad: nosotros también tenemos un límite de tiempo. Nosotros también debemos morir.

En este contexto, es extraño escuchar a Jesús diciendo: "Por eso les digo que no se preocupen por su vida ni por lo que han de comer, ni por su cuerpo ni por lo que han de vestir". ¿Preocupados? Sí, ¡estamos preocupados! Nos preocupamos por nuestros hijos, nuestro trabajo, nuestra salud. Nos preocupamos cuando nuestro cónyuge está enojado, cuando se acerca una elección, cuando recibimos una factura importante en el correo. Nuestro mundo se está consumiendo constantemente. ¿Quién nos puede ayudar?

En contraposición con todo esto, Jesús dice: "Así que no se preocupen ni se angustien... Todo esto lo busca la gente de este mundo, pero el Padre sabe que ustedes tienen necesidad de estas cosas. Busquen ustedes el reino de Dios, y todas estas cosas les serán añadidas. Ustedes son un rebaño pequeño. Pero no tengan miedo, porque su Padre ha decidido darles el reino".

La catedral puede estar ardiendo, pero el Señor de la catedral todavía está con nosotros. Nuestra vida puede estar llena de estrés, pero Jesús está con nosotros como siempre lo ha estado: caminando a nuestro lado, sosteniéndonos en sus manos, manteniéndonos bajo su cuidado. Nada puede separarnos del amor de Dios. Nada, ni siquiera la muerte—la muerte en una cruz—puede impedir que Jesús permanezca con aquellos a quienes vino a salvar. Él ha resucitado de entre los muertos y promete estar con nosotros para siempre. Él nunca nos dejará solos, ni en esta vida ni en la venidera.

ORACIÓN: Amado Padre, cuando nos angustiamos, ayúdanos a confiar en tu hijo Jesús, que siempre está con nosotros. En su Nombre. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

• ¿Qué es lo que más te preocupa en la vida?
• ¿Qué puedes hacer para "buscar primero su reino" en tu vida?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Qué es lo que más te preocupa en la vida?

Хлеб наш насущный - Наследие веры

Наследие веры

Читать сейчас: 2 Тимофею 1:5-14 | Библия за год: Псалтирь 73-75; 2 Петра 1

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Приводя на память нелицемерную веру твою, которая прежде обитала в бабушке твоей Лоиде и матери твоей Евнике. — 2 Тимофею 1:5

Задолго до того как Билли Грэм в возрасте шестнадцати лет обратился ко Христу, жизнь его родителей была посвящена Господу. Они оба выросли в христианских семьях, где и пришли к вере. После женитьбы родители Билли принесли это наследие в свою молодую семью. Они с любовью воспитывали детей, вместе с ними молились и читали Библию, регулярно посещали церковь. Твердое основание, заложенное родителями, стало почвой, которую Бог использовал, чтобы привести их сына к вере, а потом к призванию великого евангелиста.

Тимофей, молодой ученик апостола Павла, также унаследовал крепкое духовное основание. Павел писал: «[Привожу] на память нелицемерную веру твою, которая прежде обитала в бабушке твоей Лоиде и матери твоей Евнике» (2 Тим. 1:5). Это наследие подготовило и направило сердце Тимофея к вере в Иисуса Христа.

А теперь Павел побуждал Тимофея продолжать эту традицию веры (ст. 5) и «возгревать дар Божий» Святым Духом, Который дает нам силу (ст. 6-7). Благодаря силе Духа, Тимофей мог бесстрашно жить для Евангелия (ст. 8). Хорошее духовное наследие не гарантирует, что мы придем к вере. Однако добрый пример и наставление могут проложить путь к спасению. А после обращения ко Христу Дух направит нас в служении, в жизни для Него и даже в воспитании веры в других людях.

Кого или что использовал Бог, чтобы заложить основание вашей веры? Кому вы сегодня можете помочь похожим образом?

Господь, благодарю Тебя за тех, кто помогал формировать мою веру, и за постоянный труд Святого Духа. Помоги мне положиться на силу Христова Духа и смело свидетельствовать о Тебе.

автор: Алисон Киеда

© 2019 Хлеб Наш Насущный
Кого или что использовал Бог, чтобы заложить основание вашей веры?