The Daily Lectionary for SATURDAY, Sept 14, 2019

The Daily Lectionary

SATURDAY, September 14, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Psalm 14

Denunciation of Godlessness
To the leader. Of David.
1  Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.”
     They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;
     there is no one who does good.

2  The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind
     to see if there are any who are wise,
     who seek after God.

3  They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse;
     there is no one who does good,
     no, not one.

4  Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers
     who eat up my people as they eat bread,
     and do not call upon the Lord?

5  There they shall be in great terror,
     for God is with the company of the righteous.
6  You would confound the plans of the poor,
     but the Lord is their refuge.

7  O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion!
     When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
     Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.

Jeremiah 4:13-21, 29-31

4:13 Look! He comes up like clouds,
     his chariots like the whirlwind;
   his horses are swifter than eagles—
     woe to us, for we are ruined!
14 O Jerusalem, wash your heart clean of wickedness
     so that you may be saved.
   How long shall your evil schemes
     lodge within you?
15 For a voice declares from Dan
     and proclaims disaster from Mount Ephraim.
16 Tell the nations, “Here they are!”
     Proclaim against Jerusalem,
   “Besiegers come from a distant land;
     they shout against the cities of Judah.
17 They have closed in around her like watchers of a field,
     because she has rebelled against me,
       says the Lord.
18 Your ways and your doings
     have brought this upon you.
   This is your doom; how bitter it is!
     It has reached your very heart.”

Sorrow for a Doomed Nation
19 My anguish, my anguish! I writhe in pain!
     Oh, the walls of my heart!
   My heart is beating wildly;
     I cannot keep silent;
   for I hear the sound of the trumpet,
     the alarm of war.
20 Disaster overtakes disaster,
     the whole land is laid waste.
   Suddenly my tents are destroyed,
     my curtains in a moment.
21 How long must I see the standard,
     and hear the sound of the trumpet?

29 At the noise of horseman and archer
     every town takes to flight;
   they enter thickets; they climb among rocks;
     all the towns are forsaken,
     and no one lives in them.
30 And you, O desolate one,
   what do you mean that you dress in crimson,
     that you deck yourself with ornaments of gold,
     that you enlarge your eyes with paint?
   In vain you beautify yourself.
     Your lovers despise you;
     they seek your life.
31 For I heard a cry as of a woman in labor,
     anguish as of one bringing forth her first child,
   the cry of daughter Zion gasping for breath,
     stretching out her hands,
   “Woe is me! I am fainting before killers!”

John 10:11-21

10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

19 Again the Jews were divided because of these words. 20 Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is out of his mind. Why listen to him?” 21 Others were saying, “These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

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
Jesus fulfills his role as the great shepherd of the sheep. He knows them, cares for them, gathers them from all over the earth, dies for them and raises them to new life.

The Daily Prayer for SATURDAY, Sept 14, 2019

The Daily Prayer

for SATURDAY, September 14, 2019

As a young man, John Chrysostom tried to be a desert monk, but he was deterred by poor health. So he decided to give his whole life to God in the city. He eventually became archbishop of Constantinople, but always insisted on a life of simplicity. John is remembered for his eloquence in preaching, especially against abuses of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders. After his death he was given the Greek surname Chrysostomos, meaning “golden-mouthed,” because of his eloquence with words. In a time filled with so many words, John reminds us that words of truth have power to convict and transform.

John Chrysostom said, “Prayer is the light of the spirit, and the spirit, raised up to heaven by prayer, clings to God with the utmost tenderness. Like a child crying tearfully for its mother, it craves the milk that God provides. Prayer also stands before God as an honored ambassador. It gives joy to the spirit, peace to the heart. I speak of prayer, not words. It is the longing for God, love too deep for words, a gift not given by humans, but by God’s grace.”

Lord Jesus, you taught us to pray. Now help us pray for our daily bread while laboring with love for those who hunger. Show us how to hallow your name while striving for justice in our relationships and in society. May our whole lives become a prayer, ever to your glory. Amen.

Verse of the Day for SATURDAY, Sept 14, 2019

Philippians 2:1-2 (NIV) Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

Read all of Philippians 2
Listen to Philippians 2

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 - Saturday, Sept 14, 2019

¿Por qué servir?

Servid a Jehová con alegría; Venid ante su presencia con regocijo.

~ Salmo 100:2 (RV-60)

El servicio es un privilegio. Es algo que podemos hacer y nos deja muchas satisfacciones. Es una manera muy especial de representar el corazón de Dios. En otros devocionales recordamos que el mejor ejemplo de servicio lo dejó Jesús cuando estuvo en la tierra sirviendo a los demás. Incluso les lavó los pies a sus discípulos. La Palabra dice que «hay más dicha en dar que en recibir» (Hechos 20:35).

Muchas personas se comunican conmigo para decirme que quieren servir a Dios, pero no saben cómo hacerlo ni en qué hacerlo. Lo importante es que tengas el deseo. No necesariamente tienes que servir en la iglesia. Puedes hacerlo en las cárceles, los hospitales, las casas de refugio para mujeres maltratadas, hogares de adopción, centros de rehabilitación de adicciones, etc. En realidad, la mies es mucha y los obreros son pocos.

El gran problema es que muchos no sirven porque no quieren compromisos. Creen que por servir tienen que dejar de hacer sus cosas o limitarse, pero no se imaginan que Dios restituye, premia y nos da todo lo que deseamos.

He escuchado en diferentes ocasiones esta frase: «El que no sirve, no sirve». Aunque no somos salvos por obras, «la fe sin obras está muerta» (Santiago 2:26). Tu salvación es posible cuando recibes a Jesús como tu Salvador, pero la fe se manifiesta con la acción.

Pídele a Dios que te muestre cuál es tu mejor campo de servicio y empieza a desarrollarlo.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
El servicio es un privilegio. Es algo que podemos hacer y nos deja muchas satisfacciones. Es una manera muy especial de representar el corazón de Dios.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Saturday, Sept 14, 2019

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.”

~ Luke 9:24 (NIV)

One of the Anabaptists of the 16th Century who died in flames was Dirk Willem. His story is particularly touching, because he forfeited a real chance to escape prison and death when he turned back to help one of his pursuers.

Dirk was captured and imprisoned in his home town of Asperen in the Netherlands. Knowing that his fate would be death if he remained in prison, Dirk made a rope of strips of cloth and slipped down it over the prison wall. An alert guard began to chase him.

Frost had covered a nearby pond with a thin layer of ice. Dirk risked a dash across it. He made it to safety, but the ice broke under his pursuer who cried for help. Dirk believed the scripture that a man should help his enemies. He immediately turned back and pulled the floundering prison guard from the frigid water.

In gratitude for his life, the man would have let Dirk escape, but a Burgomaster (chief magistrate) standing on the shore sternly ordered him to arrest Dirk and bring him back, reminding him of the oath he had sworn as an officer of the peace.

Back to prison went Dirk. He was condemned to death for being re-baptized, allowing secret church services in his home and letting others be baptized as adults there.

The record of his sentencing concludes: “all of which is contrary to our holy Christian faith, and to the decrees of his royal majesty, and ought not to be tolerated, but severely punished, for an example to others; therefore, we the aforesaid judges, having, with mature deliberation of council, examined and considered all that was to be considered in this matter, have condemned and do condemn by these presents in the name; and in the behalf, of his royal majesty, as Count of Holland, the aforesaid Dirk Willems, prisoner, persisting obstinately in his opinion, that he shall be executed with fire, until death ensues; and declare all his property confiscated, for the benefit of his royal majesty.”

Dirk was burned to death on May 16, 1569. He showed love to his enemy and “saved” his life.

RESPONSE: Love for our enemies even surpasses the love of our own lives. This is the Jesus way of the cross!

PRAYER: Help me, Lord, to show love to those who are my enemies—even giving up my life.

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

The NIV Couples Devotional - Saturday, Sept 14, 2019

Beauty in Submission

1 Peter 2:11—3:7

Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.

~ 1 Peter 3:1–2 (NIV)

For many people, the word submission implies serving someone else hand and foot. Submission seems dehumanizing. We assume that such deference would sap a marriage of the mutual respect and service that a marriage ought to have to make it strong and vital.

In 1 Peter 3, Peter was addressing a specific situation: how the wives of unsaved husbands might influence them to become Christians. He counseled the women to submit, but he was thinking of the kind of submission that is deeply catalytic, a potent secret remedy for a lost loved one.

The secret of a Christian wife’s submission is found in three phrases. The first is in verse 1: “in the same way.” It refers back to the Christlike submission described in the previous verses (2:21–24). In the same way that Jesus trusted God to work redemptively through his submission, we can trust God to work through our submission.

The second key phrase is in verse 2: “when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.” Purity and reverence ennoble a person; they are signs of spiritual strength. They are the marks of carefully guarded relationships with people and with God. Submission without purity and reverence has no potency, but when someone is the recipient of your humble submission and realizes that it springs not from his or her power over you but from your relationship with God, the person is changed by the experience.

The third important phrase is in verse 4: “a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” A gentle and quiet spirit is the opposite of a fearful spirit. Wives of unsaved husbands in Peter’s day had a lot to be afraid of, but those who learned to quiet their hearts in the promises of God took on an inner beauty that no dress or makeup could give them, a beauty that attracted others to Christ. The message, both then and now, is that while Christian wives serve their unsaved husbands, they are depending on God, and that is a transforming experience.

Notice that the goal is not a dominating husband, but a godly husband. God-shaped submission makes the people around us better, not worse. Furthermore, even if an unsaved husband never responds to Christ, the Christian wife may grow in such beautiful godliness that others will be attracted to Christ.

Peter didn’t apply to believing husbands the same recipe for winning over an unsaved wife, but we can be assured that the principles are similar. Paul instructed Christians to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21). If a husband has an unsaved wife, his loving and sacrificial behavior toward her will show her a picture of Christ’s love for the church (see Ephesians 5:25–32).

Lee Eclov

Let’s Talk

• How can Christian submission as Peter described it actually empower rather than dehumanize us in marriage?
• How does fear sour submission (see 1 Peter 3:6)? What is it like to be around a fearfully submissive person?
• How does the purity and reverence of our lives change the character of submission?

For many people, the word submission implies serving someone else hand and foot. Submission seems dehumanizing. We assume that such deference would sap a marriage of the mutual respect and service that a marriage ought to have to make it strong and vital.

LHM Daily Devotions - Sept 14, 2019 - There Is a Day Coming

"There Is a Day Coming"

Sep. 14, 2019

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

~ Romans 8:22-23 (ESV)

Nature is groaning?

It is, according to the apostle Paul. It is waiting for something to happen, something great: the disclosure of the glory of God in the sons of God when their natural bodies will be redeemed from the earth and transformed as the body of Jesus was transformed in His glorious resurrection.

And what a day that will be!

This is no vain hope, my friend. It is no mirage. It is your destiny in Christ. Receive Him as your Savior and share in His glory. In Christ, God has something magnificent in store for you. (See Jeremiah 29:11.)

You don't live in the future, of course. You live in the present—the here and now, with all its heartache and frustration. Don't let the problems of the present getting your way. Don't let them block your view of the bigger picture of God at work in the world.

With your mind enlightened by the eyes of faith in Jesus as your Savior, don't worry about what you will meet around the bend. Everything fits into a pattern of good to those who love God. It is His Word to you: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).

Have joy in Christ! The day of your liberation is coming. Follow the Savior in faith, worship God with your life, and celebrate the day of independence that is soon coming. It will be here "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" (1 Corinthians 15:52a).

Forget your groaning, and live with assurance—the assurance that goes with confident trust in Jesus Christ. Wait on God with the patience of hope. You don't have to wait, however, to rejoice. You can rejoice. Right now, even in the midst of what St. Paul called, "the sufferings of this present time" (Romans 8:18b).

Endure patiently and take gracefully everything life has to offer. Accept gratefully the goodness of God that leads to repentance and to faith in Jesus Christ. Have a clear eye for Christ, crucified and risen again. He is the Lord who suffered, and He is the King of kings who has risen victoriously. He is the One who humbled Himself, even unto death on a cross, and He is the One who has entered into His glory.

And He is coming back for those who put their trust in Him.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, draw us closer to You that we might live with daily confidence in the knowledge of Your love for us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Do you experience any unexplained anxieties?
• What does it mean that "the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now"? Is this something we can see?
• How do you patiently endure the circumstances of life without being unduly burdened by them?

From "The Vision We Need," a sermon excerpt from Rev. Dr. Oswald Hoffmann, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Do you experience any unexplained anxieties?

Хліб Наш Насущній - Будь-якою ціною

Будь-якою ціною

Читати: Івана 12:37-43 | Біблія за рік: Приповістей 19–21 ; 2 Коринтян 7

Завантажити MP3 

У Нього ввірували, та не признавались. — Івана 12:42

У фільмі “Павло, апостол Христа” яскраво розповідається про гоніння на ранню церкву. Навіть життя другорядних персонажів показує, наскільки небезпечно було вірити в Ісуса.

Часто за ототожнення з Христом треба платити високу ціну. У багатьох регіонах світу й досі небезпечно слідувати за Ісусом Христом. Сьогодні багато віруючих можуть зазнавати подібних гонінь. Втім деякі з нас можуть передчасно почувати себе “підданими гонінню”, коли над нашою вірою насміхаються або коли нам здається, що нас не підвищили на роботі через наші релігійні переконання.

Звичайно, існує величезна різниця: пожертвувати соціальним статусом чи пожертвувати власним життям. Однак корисливість, фінансова стабільність і соціальне прийняття завжди були сильними людськими мотиваторами. Ми це бачимо в діях деяких перших послідовників Ісуса Христа. Хоч більшість ізраїльтян продовжували відкидати Ісуса (Ів. 12:37), апостол Іван оповідає, що за декілька днів до Його розп’яття “багато хто навіть із старших у Нього ввірували” (в. 42). Однак вони “не признавались… бо любили вони славу людську більше, аніж славу Божу” (вв. 42-43).

Сьогодні ми також зазнаємо соціального тиску. Але якою б не була ціна, будемо стояти разом, як люди, які шукають Божого схвалення більше, ніж людської слави.

Можливо, ми схильні засуджувати перших віруючих за приховування своєї віри, однак чи не робимо ми так само? Чи трапляються випадки, коли ми вирішуємо промовчати, щоб приховати своє ототожнення з Ісусом?

Господи, я хочу бути Твоїм близьким другом.

Автор Тім Густавсон

© 2019 Хліб Наш Насущні
Часто за ототожнення з Христом треба платити високу ціну. У багатьох регіонах світу й досі небезпечно слідувати за Ісусом Христом.