The Daily Lectionary for TUESDAY, September 24, 2019

I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some.
1 Corinthians 9:22b

The Daily Lectionary

TUESDAY, September 24, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Psalm 106:40-48

40 Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against his
     people, and he abhorred his heritage;
41 he gave them into the hand of the nations,
     so that those who hated them ruled over them.
42 Their enemies oppressed them,
     and they were brought into subjection under their
     power.
43 Many times he delivered them,
     but they were rebellious in their purposes,
     and were brought low through their iniquity.
44 Nevertheless he regarded their distress
     when he heard their cry.
45 For their sake he remembered his covenant,
     and showed compassion according to the abundance
     of his steadfast love.
46 He caused them to be pitied
     by all who held them captive.

47 Save us, O Lord our God,
     and gather us from among the nations,
   that we may give thanks to your holy name
     and glory in your praise.

48 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
     from everlasting to everlasting.
   And let all the people say, “Amen.”
     Praise the Lord!

Jeremiah 10:1-16

Idolatry Has Brought Ruin on Israel
10:1 Hear the word that the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel. 2 Thus says the Lord:

   Do not learn the way of the nations,
     or be dismayed at the signs of the heavens;
     for the nations are dismayed at them.
3  For the customs of the peoples are false:
   a tree from the forest is cut down,
     and worked with an ax by the hands of an artisan;
4  people deck it with silver and gold;
     they fasten it with hammer and nails
     so that it cannot move.
5  Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field,
     and they cannot speak;
   they have to be carried,
     for they cannot walk.
   Do not be afraid of them,
     for they cannot do evil,
     nor is it in them to do good.

6  There is none like you, O Lord;
     you are great, and your name is great in might.
7  Who would not fear you, O King of the nations?
     For that is your due;
   among all the wise ones of the nations
     and in all their kingdoms
     there is no one like you.
8  They are both stupid and foolish;
     the instruction given by idols
     is no better than wood!
9  Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish,
     and gold from Uphaz.
   They are the work of the artisan and of the hands
     of the goldsmith;
     their clothing is blue and purple;
     they are all the product of skilled workers.
10 But the Lord is the true God;
     he is the living God and the everlasting King.
   At his wrath the earth quakes,
     and the nations cannot endure his indignation.

11 Thus shall you say to them: The gods who did not make the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens.

12 It is he who made the earth by his power,
     who established the world by his wisdom,
     and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.
13 When he utters his voice, there is a tumult of waters
     in the heavens,
     and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth.
   He makes lightnings for the rain,
     and he brings out the wind from his storehouses.
14 Everyone is stupid and without knowledge;
     goldsmiths are all put to shame by their idols;
   for their images are false,
     and there is no breath in them.
15 They are worthless, a work of delusion;
     at the time of their punishment they shall perish.
16 Not like these is the Lord, the portion of Jacob,
     for he is the one who formed all things,
   and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance;
     the Lord of hosts is his name.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

9:19 For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

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
There was no greater example, outside of Christ, of one who sought and loved the lost anymore than the Apostle Paul. He gave himself to the work of the kingdom. In his 1st letter to the Corinthians Paul wrote, “I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some.”

The Daily Prayer for TUESDAY, September 24, 2019

The Daily Prayer

for TUESDAY, September 24, 2019

A seventeenth-century French monk known as Brother Lawrence wrote of his experience with God: “I began to live as if there were not one in the world but Him and me. I adored Him as often as I could, keeping my mind in his holy presence and recalling it as often as it wandered. I had no little difficulty in this exercise, but I kept on despite all the difficulties and was not worried or distressed when I was involuntarily distracted. I did this during the day as often as I did it during the formal time specifically set aside for prayer; for at all times, at every hour, at every moment, even in the busiest times of my work, I banished and put away from my mind everything capable of diverting me from the thought of God.”

Lord, you have brought us in safety to this new day. Preserve us by your mighty power that we may not fall into sin nor be overcome by adversity, and in all that we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Verse of the Day for TUESDAY, September 24, 2019

Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV) So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

Read all of Hebrews 10

Listen to Hebrews 10

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 - Martes 24 deS septiembre de 2019

Perseguidos y atacados

La hierba se seca y la flor se cae, pero la palabra del Señor permanece para siempre.

~ 1 Pedro 1:24-25 (NVI)

¿Darías tú vida por Dios? Nuestra respuesta debería ser afirmativa, sin siquiera dudarlo. No obstante, si lo pensáramos mejor, ¿moriríamos por Él?

¿Sabes que ese mismo decreto de muerte se lo entregó Dios a su Hijo? Determinó que muriera por nosotros para darnos vida eterna y Él le obedeció. Así que murió por pagar nuestros pecados y salvar de ese modo a la humanidad.

¡Qué precio tan caro y tan grande! Lo que ocurre es que Dios veía más allá de los sufrimientos y, aunque sabía que sería doloroso, era un sacrificio a favor de sus hijos.

Si lo analizamos, toda la vida los cristianos han sufrido persecución y ataques. En el peor de los casos, los asesinan solo por seguir a Cristo. Según lo registra el Manual de Instrucciones, eso no dejará de pasar.

Cada vez podremos tener más oposición, más ataques, secuestros, torturas de pastores y misioneros, pues estamos en un mundo donde se levantan falsos profetas y mucha gente no sabrá a quién seguir. Sin embargo, recordemos que aunque las cosas de este mundo se pongan peor, la batalla ya se ganó. Tú y yo no debemos olvidar quién es Dios y lo que está escrito en la Biblia: «El cielo y la tierra pasarán, pero mis palabras jamás pasarán» (Mateo 24:35).

Así que no te canses de seguir a Jesús, ya que la recompensa está en los cielos.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
¿Darías tú vida por Dios?

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Tuesday, September 24, 2019

THE FORMS OF THE CHURCH

Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

~ Acts 5:42 (NIV)

The place in which a church meets varies. The use of big buildings, complex organizations, involved programs, huge budgets that provide for schools, hospitals, orphanages and other social activities are only possible in financially strong unrestricted societies.

Although the Lord has blessed these activities in many places in the world, we must recognize that they are not essential to the existence of the church. In some countries these activities are forbidden by the government, while in others, the local economic situation makes them impossible. Still the church can thrive, because it is not dependent on these things. Serious problems have arisen when Christians have become confused on this point.

A number of years ago, for example, some Vietnamese leaders thought that their lack of funds for such things was the cause of the slow growth of Christianity there. On one occasion, the following conversation was overheard:

"Do you have communists in your part of the country?" the observer asked. "Most assuredly. They are there," the leader replied.

“Are they growing in numbers and influence?" he then asked. The leader hesitated momentarily, then admitted sadly, “Yes, they are growing very fast."

“Can you show me their meeting places and schools or introduce me to their leaders?" the observer continued. "Certainly not," the leader said in disgust. "If they are known, they will be arrested."

"You mean they are secret, without buildings or property and still they grow in number?" the observer asked in amazement. "Yes, you could say that," the leader responded.

"Then it must be that their growing influence does not depend on such things. If they can be wrong in their beliefs and still grow without money and buildings, why do you think the church of Jesus Christ needs these things?" the man concluded.

If God provides these things, then use them for His glory. If He does not, remember that the New Testament church had none of these things, but they turned their world upside down (Acts 17:6). The early Christians did not confuse the church’s functions with methods. If they had done so, the church would have died in the bondage of Jewish legalism. The early churches were not encumbered by the presence of buildings, nor hindered by the lack of them. They met in public places, when they were permitted to do so, but when they were not, they went from house to house.

RESPONSE: I will no longer confuse the forms of the church with the biblical functions of the church.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for those who use their homes as centers for Your worship and declaration of the good news of Your love.

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 - September 24, 2019 - Heard

"Heard"

Sep. 24, 2019

And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you." And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. Then he said to me, "Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words."

~ Daniel 10:10-12 (ESV)

The prophet Daniel was a Jewish man living in exile in the land of Babylon. He was a government official, but he loved and served the Lord, and he never forgot the situation of his own people, the Jewish exiles. He was painfully aware that God had sent them far away from their own land because they kept following false gods, and he knew that God had promised He would bring them home again after 70 years. So when he knew the time was almost up, Daniel began praying and fasting and seeking God with all his heart.

Think about that for a moment. This is a man, a single man, who has spent pretty much his entire life almost 2,000 miles from home. His whole career has been spent among strangers, working in a foreign government, speaking a foreign language. He is one cog in the vast Babylonian empire. And yet he prays. He cries out to God asking for help. And when he seems to get no answer, for such a long time, he still goes on praying.

That is where this Bible passage starts. An angel has finally come to Daniel—and Daniel is totally overwhelmed. He collapses. The angel has to pick him up and strengthen him. He calls him "Daniel, man greatly loved" by God—how wonderful!—and he says, "Stand up, for now I have been sent to you. From the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words."

I wonder how long it took Daniel to get over that. A great and glorious angel was standing there saying, "I have come because of your words." I think I would have fainted from the shock.

What about you? How seriously do you take prayer? It is an incredible gift we have been given. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God," says the Lord (Philippians 4:6). "Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear you," He says (Jeremiah 29:12). And John reminds us, "This is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us" (1 John 5:14).

Why should this be? There is only one reason—because God has loved us and has given His Son Jesus to become our Savior. We are not outsiders and strangers anymore. Now that we have come to trust in Jesus, He has made us children of God Himself. And any good father hears his children when they call. Small and weak as we are, God listens to us. Let's thank Him for the privilege of prayer—and use it, too!

THE PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for letting us pray to You through Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Would you be surprised if an angel popped up in your room? Why or why not?
• What is easiest for you about praying?
• What is hardest for you about praying?

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).
Would you be surprised if an angel popped up in your room?

Devocional del CPTLN del 24 de Septiembre de 2019 - Él nos oye

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Él nos oye

24 de Septiembre de 2019

Aquel hombre me tocó con la mano y me hizo ponerme de rodillas y apoyarme sobre las palmas de mis manos. Y me dijo: «Tú, Daniel, eres muy amado. Ponte de pie y presta atención a lo que voy a decirte, porque he sido enviado a ti. Mientras aquel hombre me decía esto, yo me puse en pie, aunque tembloroso. Entonces aquel hombre me dijo: «No tengas miedo, Daniel, porque tus palabras fueron oídas desde el primer día en que dispusiste tu corazón a entender y a humillarte en la presencia de tu Dios. Precisamente por causa de tus palabras he venido.

~ Daniel 10:10-12 (RVC)

El profeta Daniel era un judío que vivía exiliado en Babilonia. Era un funcionario del gobierno, quien amaba y servía al Señor, y quien nunca había olvidado el dolor de su pueblo, los judíos exiliados. Estaba dolorosamente consciente de que Dios los había enviado lejos de su tierra porque adoraban a dioses falsos, pero también sabía que Dios había prometido que les permitiría regresar después de 70 años. Entonces, cuando supo que el tiempo se acercaba, Daniel comenzó a orar, a ayunar y a buscar a Dios con todo su corazón.

Piensa en eso por un momento. Daniel es un hombre soltero quien ha pasado casi toda su vida a casi 2,000 millas de su casa. Durante toda su carrera laboral ha estado entre extraños, trabajando en un gobierno extranjero y hablando un idioma diferente al suyo. Es una hormiga en el vasto imperio babilónico, sin embargo él habla con Dios. Él clama a Dios pidiendo ayuda. Y cuando parece no obtener respuesta, durante mucho tiempo, él sigue orando.

Ahí es donde comienza este pasaje de la Biblia. Un ángel finalmente visita a Daniel y lo deja totalmente abrumado, tanto que se derrumba. Entonces el ángel tiene que levantarlo y darle fuerzas. El ángel se refiere a él como "Daniel, hombre muy amado" por Dios, ¡qué maravilloso! - y le dice: "Ponte de pie y presta atención a lo que voy a decirte, porque he sido enviado a ti. Tus palabras fueron oídas desde el primer día en que dispusiste tu corazón a entender y a humillarte en la presencia de tu Dios. Precisamente por causa de tus palabras he venido".

Me pregunto cuánto tiempo le tomó a Daniel asimilar lo que estaba viviendo. Un ángel grande y glorioso estaba parado en frente suyo diciéndole: "He venido por tus palabras". Creo que me habría desmayado de la impresión.

¿Y tú? ¿Tomas en serio la oración? La oración es un regalo increíble que se nos ha dado. "No se preocupen por nada. Que sus peticiones sean conocidas delante de Dios en toda oración y ruego, con acción de gracias", dice el Señor (Filipenses 4:6). "Entonces ustedes me pedirán en oración que los ayude, y yo atenderé sus peticiones", dice (Jeremías 29:12). Y Juan nos recuerda: "Y ésta es la confianza que tenemos en él: si pedimos algo según su voluntad, él nos oye" (1 Juan 5:14).

¿Por qué? Solo hay una razón: porque Dios nos ama y nos dio a Su Hijo Jesús como Salvador. Ya no somos rechazados ni extraditados. Por la fe en Jesús, Él nos ha hecho hijos suyos. Y cualquier buen padre escucha a sus hijos cuando le hablan. Aunque seamos como pequeñas hormigas débiles, Dios nos escucha. Seamos agradecidos por el privilegio de la oración, ¡y usémosla!

ORACIÓN: Querido Padre, gracias por dejarnos orar a través de Tu Hijo Jesucristo. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

• ¿Te sorprendería si apareciera un ángel en tu habitación? ¿Por qué sí o por qué no?
• Cuando piensas en la tu vida de oración ¿qué es lo que más te cuesta?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Te sorprendería si apareciera un ángel en tu habitación?

Nuestro Pan Diario - Calificado a los ojos de Dios

Calificado a los ojos de Dios

Leer: Génesis 6:9-18 | La Biblia en un año: Cantar de los Cantares 4−5 Gálatas 3

Descargar MP3

… siempre anduvo [Noé] con Dios (v. 9 RVC).

Una empresa consultora en tecnología me contrató después de terminar la universidad, aunque yo no podía escribir ni una línea en código informático y sabía muy poco de negocios. Durante la entrevista de trabajo, me enteré de que la empresa no tenía muy en cuenta la experiencia laboral, sino que lo más importante eran las cualidades personales: capacidad de resolver creativamente los problemas, sensatez en el juicio y buen desempeño en equipo. Suponían que los nuevos trabajadores podían aprender las habilidades necesarias siempre y cuando fueran la clase de personas que buscaban.

Noé no tenía el currículo apropiado para la tarea de construir el arca, ya que solo era granjero; un hombre que se sentía cómodo con tierra en la túnica y un arado en las manos. Sin embargo, cuando Dios decidió tratar con el mal en el mundo en aquel momento, Noé sobresalió porque «siempre anduvo con Dios» (Génesis 6:9 RVC). Dios valoró la docilidad del corazón de Noé; su fortaleza para resistir la corrupción que lo rodeaba, y hacer lo correcto.

Aunque no nos sintamos calificados para servir a Dios, el Señor no está particularmente interesado en nuestros talentos, sino que valora nuestro carácter, amor a Él y disposición a confiar en su Persona. Entonces, puede utilizarnos para cumplir sus propósitos.

Señor, capacítame por tu Espíritu para servirte.

¿Qué cualidades de carácter necesitas que Dios desarrolle en ti? Pregúntale.

Por Jennifer Benson Schuldt

© 2019 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario
¿Qué cualidades de carácter necesitas que Dios desarrolle en ti?