The Daily Lectionary for MONDAY, Sept 2, 2019

The Daily Lectionary

MONDAY, September 2, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Psalm 58

Prayer for Vengeance
To the leader: Do Not Destroy. Of David. A Miktam.
1  Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods?
     Do you judge people fairly?
2  No, in your hearts you devise wrongs;
     your hands deal out violence on earth.

3  The wicked go astray from the womb;
     they err from their birth, speaking lies.
4  They have venom like the venom of a serpent,
     like the deaf adder that stops its ear,
5  so that it does not hear the voice of charmers
     or of the cunning enchanter.

6  O God, break the teeth in their mouths;
     tear out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord!
7  Let them vanish like water that runs away;
     like grass let them be trodden down and wither.
8  Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime;
     like the untimely birth that never sees the sun.
9  Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns,
     whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away!

10 The righteous will rejoice when they see vengeance done;
     they will bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 People will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous;
     surely there is a God who judges on earth.”

Jeremiah 2:23-37

2:23 How can you say, “I am not defiled,
     I have not gone after the Baals”?
   Look at your way in the valley;
     know what you have done—
   a restive young camel interlacing her tracks,
24   a wild ass at home in the wilderness,
   in her heat sniffing the wind!
     Who can restrain her lust?
   None who seek her need weary themselves;
     in her month they will find her.
25 Keep your feet from going unshod
     and your throat from thirst.
   But you said, “It is hopeless,
     for I have loved strangers,
     and after them I will go.”

26 As a thief is shamed when caught,
     so the house of Israel shall be shamed—
   they, their kings, their officials,
     their priests, and their prophets,
27 who say to a tree, “You are my father,”
     and to a stone, “You gave me birth.”
   For they have turned their backs to me,
     and not their faces.
   But in the time of their trouble they say,
     “Come and save us!”
28 But where are your gods
     that you made for yourself?
   Let them come, if they can save you,
     in your time of trouble;
   for you have as many gods
     as you have towns, O Judah.

29 Why do you complain against me?
     You have all rebelled against me,
       says the Lord.
30 In vain I have struck down your children;
     they accepted no correction.
   Your own sword devoured your prophets
     like a ravening lion.
31 And you, O generation, behold the word of the Lord!
   Have I been a wilderness to Israel,
     or a land of thick darkness?
   Why then do my people say, “We are free,
     we will come to you no more”?
32 Can a girl forget her ornaments,
     or a bride her attire?
   Yet my people have forgotten me,
     days without number.

33 How well you direct your course
     to seek lovers!
   So that even to wicked women
     you have taught your ways.
34 Also on your skirts is found
     the lifeblood of the innocent poor,
   though you did not catch them breaking in.
     Yet in spite of all these things
35 you say, “I am innocent;
     surely his anger has turned from me.”
   Now I am bringing you to judgment
     for saying, “I have not sinned.”
36 How lightly you gad about,
     changing your ways!
   You shall be put to shame by Egypt
     as you were put to shame by Assyria.
37 From there also you will come away
     with your hands on your head;
   for the Lord has rejected those in whom you trust,
     and you will not prosper through them.

Hebrews 13:7-21
13:7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings; for it is well for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by regulations about food, which have not benefited those who observe them. 10 We have an altar from which those who officiate in the tent have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the city gate in order to sanctify the people by his own blood. 13 Let us then go to him outside the camp and bear the abuse he endured. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. 15 Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls and will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with sighing—for that would be harmful to you.

18 Pray for us; we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you very soon.

Benediction
20 Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 make you complete in everything good so that you may do his will, working among us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. 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
In Hebrews 13:7-17, the author commands the congregation to remember, imitate, have confidence in and submit to godly leaders. The godly leaders who should be imitated are those who have a consistency in their relationship with Jesus, are biblically wise, and who equip the church to be distinct.

The Daily Prayer for MONDAY, Sept 2, 2019

The Daily Prayer

for Monday, September 2, 2019

Jean Vanier, founder of the L’Arche communities, said, “Jesus came to bring the good news to the poor, not to those who serve the poor! I think we can only truly experience the presence of God, meet Jesus, receive the good news, in and through our own poverty, because the kingdom of God belongs to the poor, the poor in spirit, the poor who are crying out for love.”

Lord, even the seraphim and cherubim hide their faces in your presence as they declare your praise. Help us mere mortals to humbly dethrone ourselves and bow before you, that in our weakness we might know your good news and forever sing your glory. Amen.

Verse of the Day for MONDAY, Sept 2, 2019

Psalm 119:64 (NIV) The earth is filled with your love, Lord; teach me your decrees.

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 - Monday, Sept 2, 2019

Disfruta la vida

¡Despierten, arpa y lira! ¡Haré despertar al nuevo día! [...] No [...] pongan su esperanza en las riquezas [...] sino en Dios, que nos provee de todo en abundancia para que lo disfrutemos.

~ 1 Timoteo 6:17, NVI

Creo que nunca sobrarán este tipo de libros llamados de inspiración o motivación, ya que necesitamos escuchar a cada momento cosas como estas. Todo se debe a que nada nos resulta suficiente para ser felices. Por cualquier asunto, por pequeño que sea, dejamos que se dañe nuestro día y nos preocupamos.

Dios hizo la vida para disfrutarla. La hizo para el deleite tuyo y mío. Los planes originales del Creador eran que viviéramos en el paraíso. Y no fue así por nuestra recordada Eva.

La mujer se dejó convencer por la serpiente y terminó haciendo lo que le prohibió Dios. Luego está Adán que, en vez de pararse firme y decir no, también cayó en la tentación y le falló a su Creador. A partir de allí comenzó el pecado.

Sin embargo, Dios en su amor nos ha permitido conocerle. Ha perdonado nuestros pecados y nos da el mejor regalo de todos: La vida eterna en su presencia.

Seamos conscientes de esto y no permitamos que las pequeñas cosas acaben con nuestra alegría.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Dios hizo la vida para disfrutarla. La hizo para el deleite tuyo y mío.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Monday, Sept 2, 2019

RECONCILIATION IN THE MIDST OF PAIN

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (NIV)

The first of September is a memorial day for the people of Beslan in North Ossetia as they remember the awful events of September first 2004. More than one thousand children and adults were taken hostage in School Number One and two days later more than three hundred and thirty of them were killed in the violence.

Memorial services are held and memories of the nightmare overwhelm everyone in town. Beslan’s cemetery is unique; it has the youngest average age in the world (7-12 years old). The sight of so many graves of children deeply affects any visitor. One said, “People who do not live in Beslan have often forgotten the tragedy already, but as soon as you enter the city, you cannot escape the atmosphere of grief and deep mourning that is still enveloping the city.”

When the tragedy occurred at School Number One, almost every family in Beslan was affected. A peculiarity in Ossetia is that nearly everybody is related to one another, so the catastrophe has affected many people in a personal way. Even those who were watching television during the event suffered diseases, heart attacks and strokes.

Pastor Taimuraz Totiev and his wife Ria had their five children at school; only the eldest daughter, Madina, survived the attack. Their four other children, Larissa, Luba, Albina and Boris, were buried on September 7, 2004.

The pastor’s brother, Sergey Totiev, also had children at the school. Sergey and his wife Bela buried two of their children on the same day: Dzerassa (15) and Anna (9). Their son Azamat lost his sight in one of his eyes and is having surgery to save his other eye.

Both men are pastors of the Beslan Baptist Church. At the children’s funeral Sergey spoke of forgiveness and advised people not to seek revenge, but to serve as peacemakers. His exact words were: “Yes, we have an irreplaceable loss, but we cannot take revenge. As Christians, the Bible teaches us that we must forgive. Vengeance is in God’s hands.” According to a Christian worker in the area, a demonic plan was broken when those words were spoken!

Since that time they have been doing everything they can think of to minister to families of the victims. Other churches and ministries have also taken up the enormous task of counseling and helping the survivors and the bereaved. Others decided to reach out to Chechen people (nationality of the neighboring terrorists) and are finding ways to minister God’s love to them.

RESPONSE: Today I commit to being a messenger of God’s reconciliation through Christ—even to those who may cause harm to me or my family.

PRAYER: Pray for the church to be an instrument of reconciliation and restoration in this volatile area of Central Asia.

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, Sept 2, 2019

Elizabeth

Her name means: "God is my oath"

Her character: A descendant of Aaron, Elizabeth was a woman the Bible calls "upright in the sight of God." Like few others, male or female, she is praised for observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations without blame. She is the first to acknowledge Jesus as Lord.
Her sorrow: To be barren for most of her life.
Her joy: To give birth to John, later known as John the Baptist, the Messiah's forerunner. His name, divinely assigned, means, "The Lord Is Gracious."
Key Scriptures: Luke 1:5-80

Her Story

Her eyes were a golden brown. Like currants set in pastry, they winked out at the world from cheeks that had baked too long in the sun. Snowy strands of hair straggled from beneath a woolen shawl, tickling her wrinkled face. Small hands rested tenderly on her rounded belly, softly probing for any hint of movement. But all was still. From her vantage point on the roof of the house, she noticed a figure walking up the pathway and wondered who her visitor might be.

She and Zechariah had been content enough in their quiet house these last few months, secluded in their joy. Each morning she had opened her eyes as though waking to a fantastic dream. Sometimes she shook with laughter as she thought about how God had rearranged her life, planting a child in her shriveled-up, old-woman's womb.

Six months ago, Zechariah had been chosen by lot to burn incense before the Most Holy Place, a once-in-a-lifetime privilege. But during his week of priestly service in the temple, he had been frightened half to death by a figure who appeared suddenly next to the altar of incense. "Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son," the angel told him, "and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord." It was Sarah and Abraham all over, Rebekah and Isaac, Rachel and Jacob. God was once again kindling a fire with two dry sticks.

For the life of her, Elizabeth couldn't understand her husband's response to the messenger that had so terrified him. Once you'd laid eyes on an angel, how could you fail to believe that anything was possible? But Zechariah had blurted out his skepticism and suffered the consequences. His voice had been snatched away and would not be given back until the angel's words came to pass. These days he communicated by scribbling on a wax tablet.

Elizabeth looked down again at the figure advancing up the path, a green sprig of a girl. The older woman stepped carefully down the stairs and into the house to welcome her guest. But with the young woman's words of greeting came something that felt like a gale force wind, shaking the beams and rafters of the house. Steadying herself, the older woman felt suddenly invigorated. Her unborn baby leapt inside her as she shouted out a welcoming response: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

Mary had made the journey all the way from Nazareth to visit her relative Elizabeth. The same angel who had spoken to Zechariah in the temple had whispered the secret of the older woman's pregnancy to the virgin, who was also with child. The magnificent song of praise that burst from Mary's lips during their meeting may have taken shape during the course of her sixty-mile journey south, to the hill country of Judea where Elizabeth lived.

The two women held each other, their bonds of kinship now stronger than what mere flesh and blood could forge. For Israel's God—the God of Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Leah, Miriam, Deborah, Naomi, Ruth, Abigail, and Hannah—was on the move again, bringing the long-ago promise to fulfillment. And blessed was she who did not doubt that what the Lord had said to her would be accomplished.

Her Promise

God always keeps his promises! For hundreds of years, God had been telling the people of Israel that he would send a Messiah. One who would provide a direct bridge to God himself. One whose sacrifice would provide redemption for all time. The events in this first chapter of Luke are just the beginning of the fulfillment of God's greatest promise to his people. With Mary we can say: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!"

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.
Her eyes were a golden brown. Like currants set in pastry, they winked out at the world from cheeks that had baked too long in the sun. Snowy strands of hair straggled from beneath a woolen shawl, tickling her wrinkled face. Small hands rested tenderly on her rounded belly, softly probing for any hint of movement. But all was still. From her vantage point on the roof of the house, she noticed a figure walking up the pathway and wondered who her visitor might be.

LHM Daily Devotions - Sept 2, 2019 - Planted and Growing

"Planted and Growing"

Sep. 2, 2019

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

~ Psalm 1:2-3 (ESV)

Gloves, trowel, mulch, seedlings, and seeds—all the necessary supplies are assembled and close at hand. Gardening may be an enjoyable and relaxing hobby, but often it is a lot of work. The newly planted seeds and seedlings enjoy, literally, the fruit of the gardener's labors. In the same way, through no effort on our part, we who are called blessed by the psalmist, we who delight in the law—the teachings-of the LORD, find ourselves planted like healthy, fruit-bearing trees that thrive beside a stream.

In this sacred planting, our Heavenly Father is the gardener, "the vinedresser" (John 15:1b). In Baptism He carefully placed us, rooting us deeply in Christ our Savior. The Word of the Gospel is the powerful, implanted seed that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, gave us new life. The Word is also the living soil in which we grow and thrive. Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31b-32). Through the witness of the Word, we know the truth about our Lord Jesus, who is Himself the truth and who suffered, died, and rose from death to set us free from sin and death. By God's grace, through faith in Jesus, our sins are forgiven, and we receive the gift of eternal life. Through the witness of the Word we know that we thrive and bear fruit only when we are joined to Jesus, the true Vine, our Source of life. Our living faith is nourished as we hear and read His Word and receive His body and blood in His Holy Supper.

Blessed by the Lord and empowered by His Spirit as by a life-giving stream, we no longer seek to stand with sinners or keep company with those who scoff and deny our Savior. Planted and growing in Christ Jesus, we remain rooted in the Word and prosper in bearing the fruit of faith, the fruit of humble acts of love and service that glorify our Heavenly Father. With the psalmist we exclaim in grateful praise, "Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day" (Psalm 119:97).

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, how we love Your Word! Through that life-giving Word, draw us ever closer to You so that we might grow in faith and bear the fruit of love that will glorify our Heavenly Father. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• What do you "work" at as a recreational pursuit (hobby) that's demanding, but that you find truly satisfying?
• Can you say that you actually "delight" in the Lord's law, His instruction?
• How can we amp up our study of God's Word so that its truth becomes more a part of our waking lives?

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).
What do you "work" at as a recreational pursuit (hobby) that's demanding, but that you find truly satisfying?

Devocional del CPTLN del 02 de Septiembre de 2019 - Plantado y creciendo

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Plantado y creciendo

02 de Septiembre de 2019

... que, por el contrario, se deleita en la ley del Señor, y día y noche medita en ella. Ese hombre es como un árbol plantado junto a los arroyos: llegado el momento da su fruto, y sus hojas no se marchitan. ¡En todo lo que hace, prospera!

~ Salmo 1:2-3 (RVC)

Guantes, pala y semillas: todo lo necesario para trabajar en el jardín listo y al alcance de la mano. Este puede ser un pasatiempo agradable y relajante, pero a menudo es trabajo arduo. Las semillas y plantas recién sembradas disfrutan, literalmente, del fruto del trabajo del jardinero. Del mismo modo, sin ningún esfuerzo de nuestra parte, los que somos llamados bendecidos por el salmista, los que nos deleitamos en la ley y enseñanzas del Señor, nos encontramos plantados como árboles sanos y fructíferos que prosperan junto a los arroyos.

En esta plantación sagrada nuestro Padre Celestial es el jardinero, "el labrador" (Juan 15:1b). En el bautismo nos colocó cuidadosamente, enraizándonos profundamente en Cristo nuestro Salvador. La Palabra del Evangelio es la semilla poderosa e implantada que, por el poder del Espíritu Santo, nos dio nueva vida. La Palabra es también el suelo vivo en el que crecemos y prosperamos. Jesús dijo: "Si ustedes permanecen en mi palabra, serán verdaderamente mis discípulos; y conocerán la verdad, y la verdad los hará libres" (Juan 8:31b-32). A través del testimonio de la Palabra sabemos la verdad acerca de nuestro Señor Jesús, quien es la verdad y quien sufrió, murió y resucitó de la muerte para liberarnos del pecado y la muerte. Por la gracia de Dios, a través de la fe en Jesús, nuestros pecados son perdonados y recibimos el regalo de la vida eterna. A través del testimonio de la Palabra sabemos que prosperamos y damos frutos solo cuando estamos unidos a Jesús, la verdadera vid, nuestra fuente de vida. Nuestra fe viva se nutre cuando escuchamos y leemos su Palabra y recibimos su cuerpo y sangre en su Santa Cena.

Bendecidos por el Señor y fortalecidos por su Espíritu como arroyo que da vida, ya no buscamos estar con quienes hacen mal, ni acompañar a quienes se burlan y niegan a nuestro Salvador. Plantados y creciendo en Cristo Jesús, permanecemos arraigados en la Palabra y prosperamos llevando el fruto de la fe, el fruto de nuestros humildes actos de amor y servicio que glorifican a nuestro Padre Celestial. Con el salmista exclamamos agradecidos: ¡Cuánto amo yo tus enseñanzas! ¡Todo el día medito en ellas!" (Salmo 119:97).

ORACIÓN: Señor Jesús, gracias por darnos tu Palabra. A través de esa Palabra que da vida, llévanos cada vez más cerca de Ti para que podamos crecer en la fe y llevar el fruto del amor que glorificará a nuestro Padre Celestial. Amén.

Dra. Carol Geisler

Para reflexionar:

• ¿Qué significa para ti "deleitarte" en la ley e instrucción del Señor?
• ¿De qué manera puedes crecer en el estudio de la Palabra de Dios?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Qué significa para ti "deleitarte" en la ley e instrucción del Señor?

Notre Pain Quotidien - Un héritage durable

Un héritage durable

Lisez : Genèse 4.1,2

La Bible en un an : Psaumes 137 – 139 ; 1 Corinthiens 13

Ève […] dit : J’ai acquis un homme de par l’Éternel. V. 1

Thomas Edison a inventé la première ampoule électrique fonctionnelle. Jonas Salk a mis au point un vaccin efficace contre la polio. Amy Carmichael a composé nombre des cantiques que nous chantons aujourd’hui. Mais qu’en est-il de vous ? Pourquoi êtes-vous sur la terre ? Dans quoi investirez-vous votre vie ?

Genèse 4 nous dit qu’Ève « conçut et enfanta Caïn ». En prenant Caïn dans ses bras pour la première fois, Ève a déclaré : « J’ai acquis un homme de par l’Éternel » (V. 1). Pour expliquer l’étonnante expérience de la toute première naissance, Ève emploie une expression révélant son entière dépendance de l’aide souveraine de Dieu : « de par l’Éternel ». En donnant à Ève d’enfanter un autre fils, Dieu a secouru son peuple (JN 3.16). Quel héritage !

La maternité et la paternité ne sont que deux des nombreuses contributions durables que les gens peuvent apporter au monde. Peut-être les vôtres s’expriment-elles par l’écriture, le tricot ou la peinture. Il est aussi possible que vous donniez l’exemple à une personne ne bénéficiant pas d’une influence empreinte de piété. Il se peut même que votre investissement ne produise ses fruits qu’après votre mort par des moyens que vous n’auriez jamais pu imaginer. Il peut s’agir du travail que vous laissez derrière vous ou de votre réputation de personne intègre en affaires. Quoi qu’il en soit, vos propos feront-ils écho à la dépendance d’Ève envers Dieu ? Avec l’aide du Seigneur, que ferez-vous pour l’honorer ?

Précieux Seigneur, aide-moi à m’appuyer sur toi dans tout ce que je fais.

par Elisa Morgan

© 2019 Ministères NPQ
Thomas Edison a inventé la première ampoule électrique fonctionnelle. Jonas Salk a mis au point un vaccin efficace contre la polio. Amy Carmichael a composé nombre des cantiques que nous chantons aujourd’hui. Mais qu’en est-il de vous ? Pourquoi êtes-vous sur la terre ? Dans quoi investirez-vous votre vie ?