The Daily Lectionary for WEDNESDAY, August 14, 2019

The Daily Lectionary

WEDNESDAY, August 14, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Psalm 11

Song of Trust in God
To the leader. Of David.
1  In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to me,
     “Flee like a bird to the mountains;
2  for look, the wicked bend the bow,
     they have fitted their arrow to the string,
     to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart.
3  If the foundations are destroyed,
     what can the righteous do?”

4  The Lord is in his holy temple;
     the Lord’s throne is in heaven.
     His eyes behold, his gaze examines humankind.
5  The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked,
     and his soul hates the lover of violence.
6  On the wicked he will rain coals of fire and sulfur;
     a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
7  For the Lord is righteous;
   he loves righteous deeds;
     the upright shall behold his face.

Isaiah 24:14-23

24:14 They lift up their voices, they sing for joy;
     they shout from the west over the majesty of the Lord.
15 Therefore in the east give glory to the Lord;
     in the coastlands of the sea glorify the name of the Lord,
    the God of Israel.
16 From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise,
     of glory to the Righteous One.
   But I say, I pine away,
     I pine away. Woe is me!
   For the treacherous deal treacherously,
     the treacherous deal very treacherously.

17 Terror, and the pit, and the snare
     are upon you, O inhabitant of the earth!
18 Whoever flees at the sound of the terror
     shall fall into the pit;
   and whoever climbs out of the pit
     shall be caught in the snare.
   For the windows of heaven are opened,
     and the foundations of the earth tremble.
19 The earth is utterly broken,
     the earth is torn asunder,
     the earth is violently shaken.
20 The earth staggers like a drunkard,
     it sways like a hut;
   its transgression lies heavy upon it,
     and it falls, and will not rise again.

21 On that day the Lord will punish
     the host of heaven in heaven,
     and on earth the kings of the earth.
22 They will be gathered together
     like prisoners in a pit;
   they will be shut up in a prison,
     and after many days they will be punished.
23 Then the moon will be abashed,
     and the sun ashamed;
   for the Lord of hosts will reign
     on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem,
   and before his elders he will manifest his glory.

Luke 12:41-48

The Faithful or the Unfaithful Slave
12:41 Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. 45 But if that slave says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful. 47 That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.

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
Parable of the Faithful and Unfaithful Slave, is told by Jesus to illustrate the seriousness of being ready for Jesus' return by truly acting like a Christian.

The Morning Prayer for WEDNESDAY, August 14, 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.

May Wednesday be a dwelling day,

Curled up on Abba's knee.

Following in the path of Christ,

With His Spirit I'm set free.

Let Wednesday always prompt my heart

To travel home to nest.

To feel the blessings of my faith

To know Your peace and rest.

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, August 14, 2019

Revelation 3:14,20 (NIV) “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Read all of Revelation 3

Listen to Revelation 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 - Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Recojamos los estragos (segunda parte)

En su angustia clamaron al Señor, y él los salvó de su aflicción. Los sacó de las sombras tenebrosas y rompió en pedazos sus cadenas.

~ Salmo 107:13-14, NVI

En estos días estamos reflexionando acerca de las cosas negativas que les permitimos llegar a nuestra vida y a las que les llamo «vientos». Quizá esto se deba a que, por estar en temporada de huracanes, deseara establecer el paralelo con nuestra vida.

Muchos de esos impactos que vivimos los ocasionamos nosotros mismos. Tomamos malas decisiones, no escuchamos a tiempo los consejos y hacemos lo que bien nos parece. En algunos casos, esto nos lleva a quedar literalmente en «zona de desastre». Entonces, una vez más, el nombre de Dios viene a nuestros labios y pensamientos. Volvemos a orar con tanta intensidad como no lo hacíamos por mucho tiempo. Después nos arrepentimos y le pedimos a Dios una nueva oportunidad.

La buena noticia es que nuestro Padre siempre está dispuesto a recibirnos y a recogernos, así sea que estemos hecho pedazos o que seamos solo escombros. Con su infinita misericordia nos empieza a sanar y a reconstruir hasta dejarnos una vez más en pie.

Lo más importante de todo, mis queridos amigos, es que aunque Dios nos perdona y olvida nuestras faltas, siempre viviremos las consecuencias de nuestros actos.

Por favor, que no se nos olvide el dolor por el que pasamos y de dónde nos sacó Dios.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
En estos días estamos reflexionando acerca de las cosas negativas que les permitimos llegar a nuestra vida y a las que les llamo «vientos». Quizá esto se deba a que, por estar en temporada de huracanes, deseara establecer el paralelo con nuestra vida.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Wednesday, August 14, 2019

ENCOURAGEMENT

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

~ Romans 15:4 (NIV)

In Eritrea, Helen Berhane, with more than twenty other young women, was imprisoned in a shipping container that held only eighteen people. In her book, Song of the Nightingale, she shares what happened:

When [the guard] had locked us in and left, many of the women were furious and upset, and began to complain and cry. I tried to find ways to encourage them, and to make our situation more bearable. I encouraged everyone to sit on the floor in a circle and I began to speak to them.

‘Remember that the walls of Jericho came down because of praises. If we keep complaining, we cannot win. Instead we must continue to pray, praise and sing. Satan wants to use discouraging words as a weapon against us, so we must continue to praise God in all circumstances.’

I could see some of the women nodding.

I continued, “When the Israelites were approaching the Promised Land they sent spies ahead. Many of them returned saying that the people were so huge the Israelites could not hope to beat them, and so they cried all night. But crying and complaining cannot solve our problems. Let us be like Caleb and Joshua. The larger our enemies are, the more of a feast they will make for us! Just think about the woman who suffered from bleeding and who believed that if she only touched the hem of Jesus’ robe she would be healed. In the crowd she was the one who had faith and it was rewarded. We should not be like these people endlessly fighting amongst themselves. We should just reach out to Jesus and have faith.

This helped us to feel more accepting of our situation, and so we got into the habit of talking about the Bible, praying and singing in the container every day.[1]

RESPONSE: Today I will pray, sing, and talk about the Bible rather than focus on my discouraging situations and relationships.

PRAYER: Lord, may I use Your Word as an encouragement to endure with hope in You.

1. Helen Berhane, Song of the Nightingale (Colorado Springs: Authentic Media, 2009), pp. 38-39.

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

LHM Daily Devotions August 14, 2019 - Playing to the Crowd

"Playing to the Crowd"

Aug. 14, 2019

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

~ Hebrews 12:1-3 (ESV)

I was watching a PGA golf tournament recently where the leader was playing in his home country. It was a major tournament. It was a victory that would seal, even at the player's young age, his inclusion in the record books of the annals of professional golf. Competition was fierce, as it always is in these events, but he had an edge. You could tell that from watching. The crowd was with him, cheering him on. They wanted to see him win.

And he did.

In his comments to the sportscaster's questions about what got him through those last difficult holes when his challenger was gaining ground, he said it was the people who were there. "They kept me focused," he said, humbly. "I wanted to do it for me, but even more, I wanted to do it for them. I wanted to do it for all those who supported and believed in me. This victory is as much for them as it is for me."

While golf is only a game, it's somewhat exceptional among sporting events in how it pits the player against so many variables: his confidence level, tournament jitters, head games, and the like—not to mention the weather and the course itself. Still for the tournament winner above, he found his edge in doing it for others.

Perhaps, as Christians, we can take a lesson from this. There are many who have walked the walk of faith before us, and who do so now, alongside us. This "cloud of witnesses" both encourages and uplifts us to endure the race we run. Has there been a teacher or counselor whose spirited words have more than once rung in your ears when you faced an option to quit? Has a child shown you—as only a child can—that you did the right thing? Has the thought of letting a spouse down checked your thinking and lifted you to a higher standard?

These are witnesses in your life. Your performance matters to them. What you do and how you live speak volumes as both an encouragement to them and as a testimony to "the Founder and Perfecter of our faith." His Name is Jesus, our Champion—the One who gives us strength, so we do not "grow weary or fainthearted," as we carry forward the mission He gave us.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, through the ages Your sons and daughters of faith have left a wonderful witness for us. Let us do the same for those who are counting on us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Have you ever been in an event where a crowd was cheering you on? What was it?
• How does looking to Jesus—knowing what He endured—give you strength to press on?
• Are there people you regularly encourage?

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).
Have you ever been in an event where a crowd was cheering you on? What was it?

Devocional de la CPTLN del 14 de Agosto de 2019 - Testigos a nuestro alrededor

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Testigos a nuestro alrededor

14 de Agosto de 2019

Por lo tanto también nosotros, que tenemos tan grande nube de testigos a nuestro alrededor, liberémonos de todo peso y del pecado que nos asedia y corramos con paciencia la carrera que tenemos por delante. Fijemos la mirada en Jesús, el autor y consumador de la fe, quien por el gozo que le esperaba sufrió la cruz y menospreció el oprobio, y se sentó a la derecha del trono de Dios. Por lo tanto, consideren a aquel que sufrió tanta contradicción de parte de los pecadores, para que no se cansen ni se desanimen.

~ Hebreos 12: 1-3 (RVC)

Estaba viendo un torneo de golf donde el líder jugaba en su país de origen. La victoria significaría, incluso para este jugador joven, ingresar a los récords del golf profesional. La competencia era feroz, como siempre lo es en estos eventos, pero él tenía una ventaja obvia: la multitud estaba con él y lo animaba; querían verlo ganar.

Y lo hizo.

Cuando el comentarista deportivo le preguntó qué le había ayudado a superar esos últimos hoyos difíciles cuando su retador estaba ganando terreno, dijo humildemente: "Fue la audiencia; me mantuvieron enfocado. Quería hacerlo por mí, pero aún más, quería hacerlo por ellos. Quería hacerlo por todos aquellos que me apoyaban y creían en mí. Esta victoria es tanto para ellos como para mí".

Si bien el golf no es más que un juego, es un evento deportivo que presenta muchos desafíos al jugador: desde su nivel de confianza, nerviosismo y confusión, hasta el clima y el campo en sí. Aun así, el ganador del torneo antes mencionado encontró su inspiración en hacerlo para otros.

Como cristianos, quizás podamos aprender algo de esto. Hay muchos que han ido antes que nosotros por el camino de la fe, y otros que lo hacen ahora, junto a nosotros. Esta "nube de testigos" nos alienta y anima a perseverar en la carrera que corremos. ¿Alguna vez un maestro o consejero te ayudó a no rendirte? ¿Te ha mostrado un niño, como solo un niño puede, que hiciste lo correcto? ¿La idea de decepcionar a tu cónyuge te ayudó a tomar una decisión mejor?

Todos ellos son testigos en tu vida. Tu comportamiento es importante para ellos. Lo que haces y cómo vives dice mucho. Es un estímulo para ellos y es un testimonio del "autor y consumador de la fe". Su nombre es Jesús, nuestro Campeón, quien nos da fuerzas para que no "nos cansemos ni nos desanimemos" mientras avanzamos en la misión que él nos dio.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, a través de los siglos tus hijos en la fe nos han dejado un maravilloso testimonio. Permítenos hacer lo mismo con aquellos que cuentan con nosotros. En el nombre de Jesús oramos. Amén.

Paul Schreiber

Para reflexionar:

• ¿De qué manera el recordar lo que Jesús sufrió te da fuerzas para seguir adelante?
• ¿Qué puedes comenzar a hacer para convertirte en testigo de quienes te rodean?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿De qué manera el recordar lo que Jesús sufrió te da fuerzas para seguir adelante?

Ministérios Pão Diário - Amor pelas crianças

Amor pelas crianças


Leia: Mateus 18:1-10
 | A Bíblia em um ano: Salmos 89–90; Romanos 14


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…Deixai os pequeninos, não os embaraceis de vir a mim, porque dos tais é o reino dos céus. v.14


Thomas Barnado entrou para a escola de medicina em Londres em 1865, sonhando ser missionário na China. Porém, logo descobriu a necessidade extrema no próprio quintal — as muitas crianças sem-teto vivendo e morrendo nas ruas de Londres. Decidiu fazer algo sobre essa horrenda situação. Abriu lares para as crianças destituídas, e resgatou cerca de 60 mil meninos e meninas da pobreza e possível morte precoce. O teólogo e pastor John Stott disse: “Hoje podemos chamá-lo de ‘o santo padroeiro das crianças de rua’”.

Jesus disse: “Deixai os pequeninos, não os embaraceis de vir a mim, porque dos tais é o reino dos céus” (v.14). Imagine a surpresa que as multidões, e os próprios discípulos de Jesus, devem ter sentido nessa declaração. Na antiguidade, as crianças tinham pouco valor e eram muito relegadas às margens da vida. Contudo, Jesus as acolheu, abençoou e as valorizou.

Tiago, autor de uma das cartas do Novo Testamento, desafiou os seguidores de Cristo dizendo: “A religião pura e sem mácula, para com o nosso Deus e Pai, é esta: visitar os órfãos […] nas suas tribulações” (1:27). Hoje, como aqueles órfãos do primeiro século, crianças de todas as camadas sociais, etnia e ambiente familiar estão sob riscos devido à negligência, tráfico de seres humanos, abuso e drogas dentre outras coisas. Como podemos honrar o Pai que nos ama mostrando o Seu cuidado por esses pequeninos que Jesus acolhe?

Demonstre o amor de Jesus com as suas ações.

por Bill Crowder

© 2019 Ministérios Pão Diário
Thomas Barnado entrou para a escola de medicina em Londres em 1865, sonhando ser missionário na China. Porém, logo descobriu a necessidade extrema no próprio quintal ...