The Daily Lectionary for TUESDAY, October 1, 2019

The Daily Lectionary

TUESDAY, October 1, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Psalm 119:49-56

49 Remember your word to your servant,
     in which you have made me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my distress,
     that your promise gives me life.
51 The arrogant utterly deride me,
     but I do not turn away from your law.
52 When I think of your ordinances from of old,
     I take comfort, O Lord.
53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
     those who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs
     wherever I make my home.
55 I remember your name in the night, O Lord,
     and keep your law.
56 This blessing has fallen to me,
     for I have kept your precepts.

Jeremiah 32:36-44

32:36 Now therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning this city of which you say, “It is being given into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence”: 37 See, I am going to gather them from all the lands to which I drove them in my anger and my wrath and in great indignation; I will bring them back to this place, and I will settle them in safety. 38 They shall be my people, and I will be their God. 39 I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me for all time, for their own good and the good of their children after them. 40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them, never to draw back from doing good to them; and I will put the fear of me in their hearts, so that they may not turn from me. 41 I will rejoice in doing good to them, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.

42 For thus says the Lord: Just as I have brought all this great disaster upon this people, so I will bring upon them all the good fortune that I now promise them. 43 Fields shall be bought in this land of which you are saying, It is a desolation, without human beings or animals; it has been given into the hands of the Chaldeans. 44 Fields shall be bought for money, and deeds shall be signed and sealed and witnessed, in the land of Benjamin, in the places around Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, of the hill country, of the Shephelah, and of the Negeb; for I will restore their fortunes, says the Lord.

James 5:1-6

Warning to Rich Oppressors
5:1 Come now, you rich people, weep and wail for the miseries that are coming to you. 2 Your riches have rotted, and your clothes are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you, and it will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days. 4 Listen! The wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous one, who does not resist you.

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 Daily Lectionary
Psalm 119:49-56; Jeremiah 32:36-44; James 5:1-6

The Daily Prayer for TUESDAY, October 1, 2019

The Daily Prayer

for TUESDAY, October 1, 2019

Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-1897)

Thérèse was born to a middle-class family in Lisieux, France. When she was fifteen, she got special permission to join her two older sisters at the Carmelite monastery in their hometown. When she died of tuberculosis nine years later at the age of twenty-four, she was little known outside her community. At the request of her spiritual director, however, Thérèse had written a memoir of her spiritual journey, titled The Story of a Soul. It became a spiritual classic almost immediately for its powerfully clear articulation of one ordinary person’s desire to give her whole life to Christ by following every moment in the “Little Way” of love and service to one’s neighbors. “After my death,” Therese wrote, “I will let fall a shower of roses. I will spend my heaven in doing good upon earth.”

Thérèse of Lisieux wrote, “My vocation is love! In the heart of the Church, who is my Mother, I will be love. So I shall be everything and so my dreams will be fulfilled—to make Love loved.”

Lord, strengthen our will to heed your commandments. We pray to be found faithful in the smallest things, that you might deem us worthy of more opportunities to serve you. Amen.

Verse of the Day for TUESDAY, October 1, 2019

Matthew 5:11-12 (NIV) “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Read all of Matthew 5

Listen to Matthew 5

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 01 de Octubre de 2019

Dios toca a tu puerta

He aquí, yo estoy a la puerta y llamo; si alguno oye mi voz y abre la puerta, entraré a él, y cenaré con él, y él conmigo.

~ Apocalipsis 3:20 (RV-60)

Cuando analizamos la frase «Dios toca a la puerta», de inmediato pensamos en su significado según la Palabra y lo que representa: El toque del Señor a la puerta de nuestro corazón.

A pesar de que Dios es el único que nos conoce de manera profunda y sabe todas las cosas que cometemos, Él no toma represalias en nuestra contra. Por el contrario, toca a nuestra puerta a fin de darnos salvación y guiarnos si nos desviamos o andamos en malos caminos.

Siempre tenemos varias oportunidades de cambiar y de enderezar nuestros caminos. A decir verdad, nuestro Padre quiere las aprovechemos con su ayuda y que lo hagamos a tiempo, no cuando toquemos fondo o la situación sea preocupante en realidad.

Hoy es tu día. Así que renuncia a todo lo que te aleja de Dios. Además, pídele que te guíe para hacer su voluntad.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Cuando analizamos la frase «Dios toca a la puerta», de inmediato pensamos en su significado según la Palabra y lo que representa: El toque del Señor a la puerta de nuestro corazón.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Tuesday, October 1, 2019

OVERCOMERS

To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.

~ Revelation 3:21 (NIV)

Christians in areas of persecution have used many metaphors and similes to describe the victory of following Jesus and becoming an overcomer as He was. Here are some examples:

In the former Soviet Union, believers said:

Overcomers are like nails. The harder you hit them, the deeper they go!

In China believers said:

Overcomers are like bamboo. The more you cut them down, the faster and stronger they grow back.

In Iran believers said:

Overcomers are like rubber balls. The harder you throw them down on the floor, the higher they rebound!

Overcomers are like flowers. The more you crush them, the stronger and sweeter the fragrance.

In the Philippines believers said:

Overcomers are like stained-glass cathedral windows at night. Their true beauty is revealed only when there is light from within.

In India believers said:

Overcomers are like tea bags. You have to put them in hot water to know how strong they are!

You can be an overcomer! And you can stand strong through the storm!

RESPONSE: Today I will be an overcomer standing strong through the storm.

PRAYER: Pray that all Christians living under severe persecution will be encouraged and understand what it means to be an overcomer…as well as anticipate the many rewards Jesus promises to overcomers.

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 October 1, 2019 - Meltdown

"Meltdown"

Oct. 1, 2019

LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and You will not hear? Or cry to You "Violence!" and You will not save? Why do You make me see iniquity, and why do You idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted. ... I will take my stand at my watch post and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. And the LORD answered me ...

— Habakkuk 1:2-4; 2:1-2a (ESV)

When my son was a toddler he got very, very cranky on the ride home from church. He needed a nap desperately, but there was no way he was going to let himself fall sleep in the car.

And so he yelled at me instead. He was so mad; he didn't even know what he was mad about. And he yelled every bad thing he could think of, finally working up to an endless stream of "I hate you, Mommy! I hate you, Mommy. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you!"

Suddenly, there was a break in the hate. In a totally normal tone of voice, he asked, "Can I have some juice when we get home?"

I said, "Sure, sweetheart," and he said, "Thank you." Then he went right back to the screams of "I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!"

I told this story to someone once, and she was horrified. But she missed the real lesson of the story, which has to do with love and trust. My son could only let himself go that way because he was totally confident that I would still love him, no matter what he did or said. I wouldn't leave him on the side of the road. I wouldn't even take his fruit juice away from him, and he knew it. My toddler could safely have a meltdown because he knew his mother was trustworthy.

And that's basically what Habakkuk is doing in this Bible passage, isn't it? He says a lot of harsh things to God. He accuses God of not listening, of ignoring evil, even of forcing him to watch while wicked things go on. None of that is fair to God. But it doesn't really matter, does it? Because Habakkuk knows the same thing we know—that the truth about God is that He does love us, does care about evil, does intend to save us and rescue us and put an end to the terrible things around us.

When Habakkuk gets done with his yelling, look what he does. He goes off right away to keep an eye out for God's answer. This is his version of "Can I have some juice?" He trusts God not to abandon him. Better than that, he trusts God to answer him and to fix the terrible situation he's been so upset about. And sure enough, God answers.

What about you? You may be in the middle of a horrible situation right now. Is it safe for you to complain to God? Yes. God says to you, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me" (Psalm 50:15).

But God has done more than just make us a promise. God has acted to save us. He has come down into our world with all its evils to be one of us, the Man Jesus Christ. In order to rescue us from the power of death, sin, and evil, He lay down His life for us on the cross. And on the third day He broke the power of death by rising again. Now He promises to share that victory with us—any of us!—who trusts in Him and cries out for help.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, rescue us from the evils around us. Come quickly to help us, O Lord. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• When do you remember having a meltdown, and why?
• Who are the people you allow to see you at your worst?
• Do you feel okay allowing God to see you at your worst? Why or why not?

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).
When do you remember having a meltdown, and why?

CPTLN devocional del 01 de Octubre de 2019 - Colapso

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Colapso

01 de Octubre de 2019

¿Hasta cuándo, Señor, te llamaré y no me harás caso? ¿Hasta cuándo clamaré a ti por causa de la violencia, y no vendrás a salvarnos? ¿Por qué permites que vea yo iniquidad? ¿Por qué me haces espectador del mal? ¡Sólo veo destrucción y violencia! ¡Ante mis ojos surgen pleitos y contiendas! Por eso tu ley carece de fuerza, y la justicia no se aplica con verdad. Por eso los impíos asedian a los justos, y se tuerce la justicia... Decidí mantenerme vigilante. Decidí mantenerme en pie sobre la fortaleza. Decidí no dormir hasta saber lo que el Señor me iba a decir, y qué respuesta daría a mi queja.

— Habacuc 1:2-4; 2:1-2a (RVC)

Cuando mi hijo era pequeño, un día que regresábamos a casa de la iglesia se puso muy, muy malhumorado. Necesitaba una siesta desesperadamente, pero no se podía dormir en el auto de ninguna manera. Estaba tan enojado, que ni siquiera sabía de qué estaba enojado. Entonces me comenzó a gritar. Y me gritó todo lo malo que se le ocurrió, al punto de gritarme: "¡Te odio, mami! Te odio, mami. Te odio. Te odio. ¡Te odio!" De repente hubo una ruptura en el odio y en un tono de voz totalmente normal, preguntó: "¿Puedo tomar un poco de jugo cuando lleguemos a casa?" Le dije: "Claro, cariño", y él dijo: "Gracias". Luego volvió a gritar: "¡Te odio! ¡Te odio! ¡Te odio!"

Una vez le conté esta historia a una persona y quedó horrorizada: no comprendió la verdadera lección de la historia, que tiene que ver con el amor y la confianza. Mi hijo podía dejarse llevar por ese comportamiento porque estaba totalmente seguro de que yo aún lo amaría, sin importar lo que hiciera o dijera. No lo iba a dejar en la calle. Ni siquiera le iba a quitar su jugo de fruta, y él lo sabía. Mi niño podía sufrir un colapso porque sabía que su madre era confiable.

Y eso es básicamente lo que Habacuc está haciendo en este pasaje de la Biblia, donde le dice muchas cosas duras a Dios: lo acusa de no escuchar, de ignorar el mal, incluso de obligarlo a mirar mientras suceden cosas perversas. Nada de eso es justo para Dios. Pero en realidad no importa, ¿verdad? Porque Habacuc sabía lo mismo que sabemos nosotros: que Dios nos ama, se preocupa por el mal, tiene la intención de salvarnos y rescatarnos y poner fin a las cosas terribles que nos rodean.

Mira lo que hace Habacuc cuando termina de gritar: queda atento a la respuesta de Dios. Esa es su versión de: "¿Puedo tomar un poco de jugo?" Él confía en que Dios no lo abandonará. Más aún, confía en que Dios le responderá y solucionará la terrible situación por la que está tan molesto. Y, efectivamente, Dios le responde.

¿Cómo es contigo? Quizás estés pasando por una situación difícil. ¿Puedes quejarte con Dios? Claro que sí. Dios te dice: "Invócame en el día de la angustia; yo te libraré, y tú me honrarás" (Salmo 50:15).

Pero Dios hizo más que darnos una promesa: él actuó para salvarnos. Dios vino a este mundo lleno de males y se convirtió en uno de nosotros, en Jesucristo hombre. Para rescatarnos del poder de la muerte, el pecado y el mal, él dio su vida por nosotros en la cruz y al tercer día resucitó, quitándole el poder a la muerte... y promete compartir esa victoria con nosotros, ¡todos nosotros! los que confiamos en Él y clamamos por ayuda.

ORACIÓN: Querido Señor, rescátanos de los males que nos rodean. Ven pronto a ayudarnos, Señor. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

• ¿A quiénes les permites verte en tu peor momento?
• ¿Te sientes bien permitiendo que Dios te vea en tu peor momento? ¿Por qué sí o por qué no?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿A quiénes les permites verte en tu peor momento?

Nuestro Pan Diario - Comer y repetir

Comer y repetir

Leer: Éxodo 16:14-18 | La Biblia en un año: Isaías 11–13 Efesios 4

Pero ahora nuestro apetito se reseca, ya que no hay ante nuestros ojos más que el maná (Números 11:6 rva 2015).

Cuando Carina y Pablo se casaron, ninguno de los dos sabía cocinar. Pero una noche, Carina decidió intentar hacer espaguetis… hizo tantos que tuvieron que volver a comer lo mismo al día siguiente. El tercer día, Pablo se ofreció para cocinar, duplicando la cantidad de pasta y salsa, con la esperanza de que la enorme fuente durara todo el fin de semana. Esa noche, sin embargo, cuando la pareja se sentó a comer, Carina confesó: «Estoy harta de espaguetis».

Imagina comer la misma comida —como les sucedió a los israelitas— durante 40 años. Cada mañana, juntaban la dulce «súper comida» que Dios les proveía y la cocinaban (sin que quedara nada para el día siguiente, a menos que fuera para el día de reposo) (Éxodo 16:23-26). Ah, pero cuánto añoraban la buena comida que habían disfrutado en Egipto (v. 3; Números 11:1-9), ¡aunque el alto costo de tenerla implicó crueldad y esclavitud!

A veces, nosotros también lamentamos que nuestra vida no es como solía ser. O tal vez lo «rutinario» nos volvió insatisfechos. Pero Éxodo 16 nos habla de la fiel provisión de Dios para los israelitas, que los llevo a confiar en Él y depender de su cuidado día tras día.

Dios promete darnos todo lo que necesitamos. Él satisface nuestros anhelos y llena nuestra alma de «cosas buenas» (Salmo 107:9 ntv).

Padre, gracias por tu provisión fiel.

¿Cómo te proveyó Dios en el pasado? ¿Qué te impide confiar más en Él?

Por Cindy Hess Kasper

© 2019 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario
Cuando Carina y Pablo se casaron, ninguno de los dos sabía cocinar. Pero una noche, Carina decidió intentar hacer espaguetis…