The Daily Lectionary for WEDNESDAY, Sept 11, 2019

The Rich Ruler
Luke 18:18-30

The Daily Lectionary

WEDNESDAY, September 11, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Psalm 2

God’s Promise to His Anointed
1  Why do the nations conspire,
     and the peoples plot in vain?
2  The kings of the earth set themselves,
     and the rulers take counsel together,
     against the Lord and his anointed, saying,
3  “Let us burst their bonds asunder,
     and cast their cords from us.”

4  He who sits in the heavens laughs;
     the Lord has them in derision.
5  Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
     and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6  “I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.”

7  I will tell of the decree of the Lord:
   He said to me, “You are my son;
     today I have begotten you.
8  Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
     and the ends of the earth your possession.
9  You shall break them with a rod of iron,
     and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
     be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
     with trembling 12 kiss his feet,
   or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way;
     for his wrath is quickly kindled.

   Happy are all who take refuge in him.

Jeremiah 20:1-18

Jeremiah Persecuted by Pashhur
20:1 Now the priest Pashhur son of Immer, who was chief officer in the house of the Lord, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things. 2 Then Pashhur struck the prophet Jeremiah, and put him in the stocks that were in the upper Benjamin Gate of the house of the Lord. 3 The next morning when Pashhur released Jeremiah from the stocks, Jeremiah said to him, The Lord has named you not Pashhur but “Terror-all-around.” 4 For thus says the Lord: I am making you a terror to yourself and to all your friends; and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies while you look on. And I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon; he shall carry them captive to Babylon, and shall kill them with the sword. 5 I will give all the wealth of this city, all its gains, all its prized belongings, and all the treasures of the kings of Judah into the hand of their enemies, who shall plunder them, and seize them, and carry them to Babylon. 6 And you, Pashhur, and all who live in your house, shall go into captivity, and to Babylon you shall go; there you shall die, and there you shall be buried, you and all your friends, to whom you have prophesied falsely.

Jeremiah Denounces His Persecutors
7  O Lord, you have enticed me,
     and I was enticed;
   you have overpowered me,
     and you have prevailed.
   I have become a laughingstock all day long;
     everyone mocks me.
8  For whenever I speak, I must cry out,
     I must shout, “Violence and destruction!”
   For the word of the Lord has become for me
     a reproach and derision all day long.
9  If I say, “I will not mention him,
     or speak any more in his name,”
   then within me there is something like a burning fire
     shut up in my bones;
   I am weary with holding it in,
     and I cannot.
10 For I hear many whispering:
     “Terror is all around!
   Denounce him! Let us denounce him!”
     All my close friends
     are watching for me to stumble.
   “Perhaps he can be enticed,
     and we can prevail against him,
     and take our revenge on him.”
11 But the Lord is with me like a dread warrior;
     therefore my persecutors will stumble,
     and they will not prevail.
   They will be greatly shamed,
     for they will not succeed.
   Their eternal dishonor
     will never be forgotten.
12 O Lord of hosts, you test the righteous,
     you see the heart and the mind;
   let me see your retribution upon them,
     for to you I have committed my cause.

13 Sing to the Lord;
     praise the Lord!
   For he has delivered the life of the needy
     from the hands of evildoers.

14 Cursed be the day
     on which I was born!
   The day when my mother bore me,
     let it not be blessed!
15 Cursed be the man
     who brought the news to my father, saying,
   “A child is born to you, a son,”
     making him very glad.
16 Let that man be like the cities
     that the Lord overthrew without pity;
   let him hear a cry in the morning
     and an alarm at noon,
17 because he did not kill me in the womb;
     so my mother would have been my grave,
     and her womb forever great.
18 Why did I come forth from the womb
     to see toil and sorrow,
     and spend my days in shame?

Luke 18:18-30

The Rich Ruler
18:18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother.’” 21 He replied, “I have kept all these since my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 He replied, “What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.”

28 Then Peter said, “Look, we have left our homes and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not get back very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”

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
The Rich young ruler was a good guy looking for the finishing touches on his life to secure eternal life. When he couldn't find this on his own he turns to Jesus for an answer.

The Daily Prayer for WEDNESDAY, Sept 11, 2019

The Daily Prayer

for WEDNESDAY, September 11, 2019

On this day in 1973, the democratically elected government of Salvador Allende was overthrown in Chile by a CIA-backed coup. On the same day in 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the United States Pentagon killed twenty-eight hundred people.

Theophilus of Antioch, a second-century bishop, wrote, “Say to those that hate and curse you, ‘You are our brothers!’”

You who prayed from the cross for your Father to forgive those who were killing you, grant us the courage to forgive those who harm us in our families, in our communities, and in our world. Help us recognize our own need to seek the forgiveness of others. Amen.

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, Sept 11, 2019

Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV) I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Read all of Psalm 121

Listen to Psalm 121
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, Sept 11, 2019

Solidaridad: Testimonio de sanidad

(quinta parte)

¡Cuán bueno y cuán agradable es que los hermanos convivan en armonía! [...] Donde se da esta armonía, el Señor concede bendición y vida eterna.

~ Salmo 133:1, 3 (NVI)

Esta semana te he contado partes de mi testimonio y hemos podido ver juntos cómo Dios tuvo misericordia, ya que en medio de tanta gravedad, Él intervino de una manera sobrenatural. Así lo hará en tu vida sin importar cuál sea tu situación. ¡Dios tiene la última palabra!

Durante este tiempo fue hermosísimo ver cómo mis oyentes, mi familia y amigos se volcaron en solidaridad, cadenas de oración, ofrendas, flores, llamadas, visitas y correos electrónicos con palabras de ánimo.

Pude darme cuenta de la magnitud del cariño de las personas y me dije varias veces: «Ha valido la pena todas las madrugadas para ir a la radio. Ha valido la pena el servicio que he realizado por los demás», pues lo coseché en ese tiempo.

Sé que Dios fue el que movió el corazón de muchos de ustedes para hacer lo que hicieron por mí y mis princesas. Fue tanta la solidaridad que hasta el personal del hospital le preguntaba a mi familia si yo era una persona de la política, ya que el teléfono no paraba de sonar. Era tanta la gente que venía a orar por mí, que tuvieron que prohibir las visitas.

Mi enseñanza con esta experiencia es que recogemos todo lo que sembramos y que también se recogen el amor y el afecto.

Por lo tanto, no dejemos de ser misericordiosos, pues lo que podamos hacer por los demás es de bendición. Todas las personas que están en los hospitales, las cárceles y los hogares de ancianos necesitan de nuestras oraciones y compañía.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Esta semana te he contado partes de mi testimonio y hemos podido ver juntos cómo Dios tuvo misericordia, ya que en medio de tanta gravedad, Él intervino de una manera sobrenatural.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Wednesday, Sept 11, 2019

DISPENSING GRACE

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

~ 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)

How can Christians dispense grace in a society that is or seems to be veering away from God? As we noted in earlier devotionals, Elijah hid out in caves. On the other hand, his contemporary Obadiah worked within the system running Ahab’s palace while sheltering God’s prophets on the side. Esther and Daniel were employed by heathen empires. Jesus submitted to the judgment of a Roman governor. Paul appealed his case all the way to Caesar. In his book, What’s So Amazing About Grace, Philip Yancey shares:

1. Dispensing God’s grace is the Christian’s main contribution
   
   The one big thing the church has over the world is showing grace. Jesus did not let any institution interfere with His love for individuals. Here is where the fruit of the Spirit are so important in our lives. Jesus said we are to have one distinguishing mark—neither political correctness nor moral superiority, but—love.
   
   
2. Commitment to grace does not mean Christians will always live in perfect harmony with the government
   
   Kenneth Kaunda, the former President of Zambia has written, “…what a nation needs more than anything else is not a Christian ruler in the palace but a Christian prophet within earshot.” Jesus warned that the world who hated him would hate us also. As the early church spread throughout the Roman Empire, the slogan “Jesus is Lord” was a direct affront to the Romans. When conflict came, brave Christians stood up against the state, appealing to a higher authority. Through the years, this same energy continued. In all of this, we are to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. All our actions—and even counteractions—are to be seasoned with grace. When we show just the opposite, then we must consider the wisdom of our choices.
   
   
3. Coziness between church and state is good for the state and bad for the church
   
   Herein lies the chief danger to grace. The state, which runs by rules of ungrace—the entire “world” does—gradually drowns out the church’s sublime message of grace.
   The church works best as a force of resistance, a counterbalance to the consuming power of the state. The cozier it gets with government, the more watered-down its message becomes. Can you imagine any government enacting a set of laws based on Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount?” A state government can shut down stores and theaters on Sunday, but it cannot compel worship. It can arrest and punish murderers, but cannot cure their hatred much less teach them love…It can give subsidies to the poor, but cannot force the rich to show them compassion and justice. It can ban adultery but not lust, theft but not covetousness, cheating but not pride. It can encourage virtue but not holiness.[1]

RESPONSE: Today I will operate in the world I encounter and in my church dispensing grace.

PRAYER: Help me, Lord, to be a person who is known for my ability to live like Jesus—with grace.

1. Philip Yancey, What’s So Amazing About Grace? (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing, 1997), pp. 219-227.

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 - Sept 11, 2019 - What Only God Can Do

"What Only God Can Do"

Sep. 11, 2019

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

~ 1 Timothy 1:15-17 (ESV)

Have you ever met a person who's "turned it all around"?

These folks stand out. They inspire us to go back to the "drawing board"—to find a new job or make changes to how we take care of ourselves physically. They help us change the way we view our lives by showing us what they did with theirs. They didn't just take a night class or cut a few cookies; they took a sober look at what lasting modification means. They pursued their goals in earnest—mindful of strategy and execution, day in and day out. And it shows.

For most of us, there's a thing or two we'd like to change about ourselves. And if we're honest here, the list is probably longer than a thing or two. If we considered all we've left undone or what we'd like to do differently, it might be just a little embarrassing. It's something most of us would rather keep to ourselves.

No so with the apostle Paul though—he put it all out there. There was no escaping his past. He didn't sugarcoat it; indeed, he couldn't sugarcoat it. His pre-Christian way of life had left a bloody stain on many believers' lives—one, sad to say, he was probably proud of at the time. He had brutishly served the cause of outward religion with a strict adherence to Jewish law—a law against which he proudly considered himself "blameless" (see Philippians 3:4-6). To any up-and-coming Pharisaic "stars" under his wing, Paul was the real deal. Cold, hard, callous—everything you want your student Pharisee to be.

But God had bigger plans for this sinner extraordinaire. His achievements as a misguided religious zealot, in the end, amounted to nothing. In fact, the apostle's life away from God before his conversion became an object lesson in God's "perfect patience" toward sinners—sinners just like you and me.

Such is the God we serve, worship, and adore. He enters our lives and makes something new of us. And it's not just a skin-deep remodel either. It's a transformation through and through, given as a gift and wrapped in His mercy.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, through Your Son our sins are forgiven, and death has been conquered. Grant us the grace to live out this victory each day of our lives. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Is a redeemed life of whopper sins more effective as a witness to others in the long run than a life saved from average, run-of-the-mill sins?
• Do you think Paul kept anything from his old life as a Pharisee to use in his new life in Christ?
• What works for you to keep your witness "top of mind" as you converse with others each day?

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).
Is a redeemed life of whopper sins more effective as a witness to others in the long run than a life saved from average, run-of-the-mill sins?

Devocional del CPTLN del 11 de Septiembre de 2019 - Lo que solo Dios puede hacer

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Lo que solo Dios puede hacer

11 de Septiembre de 2019

Esta palabra es fiel y digna de ser recibida por todos: Cristo Jesús vino al mundo para salvar a los pecadores, de los cuales yo soy el primero. Pero por esto fui tratado con misericordia, para que en mí, el primer pecador, Jesucristo mostrara toda su clemencia para ejemplo de los que habrían de creer en él para vida eterna. Por tanto, al Rey de los siglos, al inmortal e invisible, al único y sabio Dios, sean el honor y la gloria por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.

~ 1 Timoteo 1: 15-17 (RVC)

¿Conoces a alguien que "lo haya cambiado todo"?

Por lo general son personas destacadas que nos inspiran a revisar los planes, ya sea para encontrar un nuevo trabajo o para hacer cambios en la forma en que nos cuidamos, ayudándonos a cambiar la forma en que vemos nuestra vida al mostrarnos lo que hicieron con las suyas. No es que simplemente hayan tomado una clase a la noche, sino que analizaron seriamente lo que significa un cambio duradero y persiguieron sus objetivos día tras día, sin perder de vista su estrategia y ejecución.

La mayoría de nosotros quisiéramos cambiar una o dos cosas de nosotros mismos. Y, si somos honestos, quizás sean más que una o dos. Si consideramos todo lo que hemos dejado sin hacer o lo que nos gustaría hacer de manera diferente, quizás hasta nos dé vergüenza.

Con el apóstol Pablo no fue así: él expuso todo su pasado. No lo endulzó; de hecho, no podia endulzarlo. Su estilo de vida precristiano había dejado una mancha sangrienta en la vida de muchos: había servido brutalmente a la causa de una religión con estricta adhesión a la ley judía, una ley contra la cual orgullosamente se consideraba "irreprensible" (ver Filipenses 3:4-6). Para cualquier "estrella" farisaica prometedora bajo su ala, Pablo era auténtico, frío, duro, insensible... todo lo que un fariseo estridente debía ser.

Pero los planes de Dios para ese extraordinario pecador eran más grandes. Al final, sus logros como fanático religioso no llegaron a nada. De hecho, la vida del apóstol lejos de Dios antes de su conversión se convirtió en una lección de la "paciencia perfecta" de Dios hacia los pecadores, pecadores como tú y yo.

Tal es el Dios al que servimos, alabamos y adoramos. Él entra en nuestras vidas y hace algo nuevo de nosotros. Y no se trata de una remodelación superficial. No, es una transformación de principio a fin, dada como un regalo y envuelta en su misericordia.

"Porque la paga del pecado es muerte, pero la dádiva de Dios es vida eterna en Cristo Jesús, nuestro Señor" (Romanos 6:23).

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, a través de tu Hijo nuestros pecados son perdonados y la muerte ha sido conquistada. Concédenos la gracia de vivir esta victoria cada día de nuestras vidas. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén.

Paul Schreiber

Para reflexionar:

• ¿Crees que Pablo mantuvo algo de su antigua vida como fariseo en su nueva vida en Cristo?
• ¿Qué haces para mantener presente tu testimonio cuando conversas con otras personas?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Crees que Pablo mantuvo algo de su antigua vida como fariseo en su nueva vida en Cristo?

Ministérios Pão Diário - Aquele que compreende

Aquele que compreende


Leia: João 1:1-18
 | A Bíblia em um ano: Provérbios 10–12; 2 Coríntios 4


Baixe a versão MP3

E o Verbo se fez carne e habitou entre nós, cheio de graça e de verdade, e vimos a sua glória… v.14


O capelão da polícia e dos departamentos de bombeiros em sua comunidade, afastou-se do trabalho por 22 semanas para participar de treinamentos na Academia de Polícia. Queria entender melhor as situações que os agentes enfrentam para a aplicação da lei. Ao investir esse tempo com os cadetes e aprender sobre os intensos desafios dessas profissões, teve mais humildade e empatia. E espera ser mais eficaz ao aconselhar os que lutam com tanto estresse emocional, fadigas e perdas.

Sabemos que Deus entende as situações que enfrentamos porque Ele nos criou e vê tudo o que nos acontece. Sabemos que Ele entende porque esteve na Terra e viveu como um de nós. Ele “se fez carne e habitou entre nós” na pessoa de Jesus Cristo (v.14).

A vida terrena de Jesus incluiu uma ampla gama de dificuldades. Ele sentiu o calor abrasador do sol, a dor do estômago vazio e a incerteza da falta de moradia. Emocionalmente, Ele suportou a tensão gerada por desentendimentos, a traição e a contínua ameaça da violência.

Jesus experimentou as alegrias da amizade e do amor familiar, e os piores problemas que enfrentamos aqui. Ele oferece esperança. É o Maravilhoso Conselheiro que escuta pacientemente nossas preocupações com perspicácia e cuidado (ISAÍAS 9:6). Ele pode lhe dizer: “Passei por isso e o entendo.”

Deus compreende 
as lutas que enfrentamos.

por Jennifer Benson Schuld

© 2019 Ministérios Pão Diário
O capelão da polícia e dos departamentos de bombeiros em sua comunidade, afastou-se do trabalho por 22 semanas para participar de treinamentos na Academia de Polícia.