The Daily Lectionary for THURSDAY, October 10, 2019

The Daily Lectionary

THURSDAY, October 10, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Psalm 66:1-12

Praise for God’s Goodness to Israel
To the leader. A Song. A Psalm.
1  Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
2    sing the glory of his name;
     give to him glorious praise.
3  Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
     Because of your great power, your enemies cringe
        before you.
4  All the earth worships you;
     they sing praises to you,
     sing praises to your name.”   Selah

5  Come and see what God has done:
     he is awesome in his deeds among mortals.
6  He turned the sea into dry land;
     they passed through the river on foot.
   There we rejoiced in him,
7    who rules by his might forever,
   whose eyes keep watch on the nations—
     let the rebellious not exalt themselves.   Selah

8  Bless our God, O peoples,
     let the sound of his praise be heard,
9  who has kept us among the living,
     and has not let our feet slip.
10 For you, O God, have tested us;
     you have tried us as silver is tried.
11 You brought us into the net;
     you laid burdens on our backs;
12 you let people ride over our heads;
     we went through fire and through water;
   yet you have brought us out to a spacious place.

Jeremiah 25:1-14

The Babylonian Captivity Foretold
25:1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah, in the fourth year of King Jehoiakim son of Josiah of Judah (that was the first year of King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon), 2 which the prophet Jeremiah spoke to all the people of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem: 3 For twenty-three years, from the thirteenth year of King Josiah son of Amon of Judah, to this day, the word of the Lord has come to me, and I have spoken persistently to you, but you have not listened. 4 And though the Lord persistently sent you all his servants the prophets, you have neither listened nor inclined your ears to hear 5 when they said, “Turn now, every one of you, from your evil way and wicked doings, and you will remain upon the land that the Lord has given to you and your ancestors from of old and forever; 6 do not go after other gods to serve and worship them, and do not provoke me to anger with the work of your hands. Then I will do you no harm.” 7 Yet you did not listen to me, says the Lord, and so you have provoked me to anger with the work of your hands to your own harm.

8 Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: Because you have not obeyed my words, 9 I am going to send for all the tribes of the north, says the Lord, even for King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon, my servant, and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants, and against all these nations around; I will utterly destroy them, and make them an object of horror and of hissing, and an everlasting disgrace. 10 And I will banish from them the sound of mirth and the sound of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones and the light of the lamp. 11 This whole land shall become a ruin and a waste, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. 12 Then after seventy years are completed, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity, says the Lord, making the land an everlasting waste. 13 I will bring upon that land all the words that I have uttered against it, everything written in this book, which Jeremiah prophesied against all the nations. 14 For many nations and great kings shall make slaves of them also; and I will repay them according to their deeds and the work of their hands.

2 Timothy 1:13-18

1:13 Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.

15 You are aware that all who are in Asia have turned away from me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain; 17 when he arrived in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me 18 —may the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! And you know very well how much service he rendered in Ephesus.

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 66:1-12; Jeremiah 25:1-14; 2 Timothy 1:13-18

The Daily Prayer for THURSDAY, October 10, 2019

The Daily Prayer

THURSDAY, October 10, 2019

In 1991, the Women in Black began their regular Wednesday vigil against war in Belgrade, Serbia.

English poet and cleric John Donne wrote, “There we leave you in that blessed dependency, to hang upon him that hangs upon the cross, there bathe in his tears, there suck at his wounds, and lie down in peace in his grave, till he vouchsafe you a resurrection, and an ascension into that Kingdom, which he has purchased for you with the inestimable price of his incorruptible blood.”

Jesus, keep us near your cross, and reveal to us your glory. Amen.

Verse of the Day for THURSDAY, October 10, 2019

Proverbs 19:20-21 (NIV)

Listen to advice and accept discipline,
    and at the end you will be counted among the wise.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Read all of Proverbs 19

Listen to Proverbs 19

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 - Jueves 10 de Octubre de 2019

¿Qué reflejamos?

Todos nosotros, que con el rostro descubierto reflejamos como en un espejo la gloria del Señor, somos transformados a su semejanza con más y más gloria.

— 2 Corintios 3:18 (NVI)

¿Podemos decir que reflejamos a Jesús? Me gustaría mucho decir que reflejo a Jesús al cien por cien, pero sería una enorme desfachatez de mi parte. Estoy muy llena de defectos y debilidades que no sería justa con mi Dios. Sin embargo, su anhelo es que alcancemos la estatura del varón perfecto, ¡pero cuán lejos estamos de esto!

Nuestro Padre dice en su Palabra que nos hizo a su imagen y semejanza, pero hemos distorsionado ese concepto con el pecado. Así que me enternece mucho cuando en el Manual de Instrucciones dice que Él nos ve después del perdón de nuestros pecados limpios y sin manchas. De ahí que cada uno de nosotros deba reflexionar de manera individual, y desde el punto de vista espiritual, la clase de espejo que somos y lo que reflejamos.

¿Está nuestro espejo opaco y por más que le echas los mejores líquidos limpiadores siempre se ve opaco? ¿Está nuestro espejo tan manchado que aunque lo limpies le sigues viendo la mancha? ¿O está nuestro espejo roto y no lo limpias porque sabes que se ve deteriorado y feo?

En este día quiero que recuerdes que aunque tu vida esté opaca por tu pasado, manchada por el pecado o rota, porque crees que ya no tiene valor, hoy Jesucristo te dice que Él murió por ti para limpiar y restaurar tu vida y que ya nunca más serás el mismo. Por eso, Jesús te da la oportunidad de un nuevo comienzo a fin de que seas reflejo de su amor.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
¿Podemos decir que reflejamos a Jesús?

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Thursday, October 10, 2019

DOUBLE PORTION OF EVERLASTING JOY

Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.

— Isaiah 61:7 (NIV)

Yesterday we looked at some outcomes from Christian women’s conferences in Central Asia. When deep issues are discussed and prayed for, and when barriers of shame and dishonor are broken through, there are usually many tears. One participant said, “In fact enough tears have been shed to make many trees grow that we won’t have any desert places left!”

As a result of God’s healing movement new initiatives are born to bring healing to abused and rejected women and children in society: ministry in orphanages, to street children and abused children; outreach projects to women in prostitution, safe havens for abused women; involvement in politics to stop legislation on polygamy; preventive health care; teaching on HIV/Aids and caring for patients; involvement in pastoral care, intercession and prayer ministries; ministry to people in prison, etc.

There is a desire to not only participate in a conference, but also to use what has been learned and to develop more skills. Three young Uzbek women who had been to a conference before wanted to come back to be part of the prayer team, so that they can learn, and take back the skills to minister to their own women!

Others shared that they want to minister to other women when they go back home. Some churches used to have women’s ministry but for some reasons it had stopped. After this training the women wanted to revitalize the women’s ministry in their churches.

A speaker at one of the conferences says:

“In other countries, we saw Priscilla’s—Christian wives who were standing beside their husbands in loving and serving the Lord. In Central Asia, we not only saw the Priscilla’s, we also saw Esther’s and Deborah’s—women who by themselves are standing strong in their faith and for God. Whether they are single or have an unbelieving husband does not stop them.

“The women we have met in that training seem to have Esther’s character: ‘If I perish, I perish.’ They stand up despite the clear warnings of their husbands, neighbors or the authorities. They know the cost. One knew very well that her husband might lose his government job if a family member would be found witnessing for Jesus. She was warned by her husband to tone down her evangelistic zeal. But she could not keep herself from speaking of Jesus. Two others have marriages about to fail if it were not for their enduring stand as wives to keep the family intact. These participants are capable to lead other women even after just the first training.

As the women penetrate the walls of shame and break the silence, God fulfills His promise of Isaiah 61:7. Instead of shame and dishonor you shall have a double portion of prosperity and everlasting joy!

RESPONSE: Today I want to receive a double portion of prosperity and everlasting joy from the Lord.

PRAYER: Thank You, Lord that You can turn shame and dishonor into everlasting joy!

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

Men's Devotional Bible - Thursday, October 10, 2019

Job’s Performance Review

Job 22:1–30
Recommended Reading: Numbers 16:3; Proverbs 6:16–19; 2 Corinthians 8:20–21

Former hockey goalie Jacques Plante once quipped, “How would you like a job where, if you make a mistake, a big red light goes on and eighteen thousand people boo?”

Job didn’t face eighteen thousand booing people. Just a few so-called friends who made false accusations about his performance as a righteous man. Eliphaz started his attack on Job by criticizing his supposed lack of holiness. He accused Job of withholding water from the thirsty, keeping food from the hungry and turning away widows. Eliphaz claimed that Job’s problems stemmed from his wicked heart.

However, Eliphaz’s criticism was unfounded. God wouldn’t have made Job the poster child of righteousness if he’d really committed such horrible acts.

We all deal with criticism. But how we respond to it often determines how we feel about ourselves. Most of us respond in one of three ways: (1) We deny the accusation; (2) we become defensive and feel victimized; or (3) we look for what might be true about the criticism and weed out what’s not true.

Quite often critics just want to help solve problems—they’re not out to get the person they’re evaluating. If someone’s criticism carries a seed of truth, we need to acknowledge our mistakes and make corrections in that area of life. By doing this, we honor the critic’s judgment. And we show a willingness to take responsibility without feeling victimized.

However, some critics use words to degrade and control others. We don’t have to let them make our lives miserable. Job allowed Eliphaz to vent, but Job didn’t let the criticism define him. He was secure in the integrity of his actions, and that allowed him to deflect unfounded criticism.

Poet and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Criticism should not be querulous and wasting, all knife and root-puller, but guiding, instructive, inspiring.” False criticism never needs to define your self-worth. If someone throws an unjust accusation your way, don’t let it get under your skin. Look past it and move on. But if a critic’s words ring true, use them to make yourself a better person.

To Take Away

• How do you handle criticism?
• How does pride affect the way you respond to criticism?
• Would you describe your words of criticism toward others as cutting and destructive or as guiding, instructive and inspiring?

How would you like a job where, if you make a mistake, a big red light goes on and eighteen thousand people boo?

LHM Daily Devotions - October 10, 2019 - Beyond the Letter of the Law

"Beyond the Letter of the Law"

Oct. 10, 2019

On the way to Jerusalem He (Jesus) was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as He entered a village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." When He saw them He said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" And He said to him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."

— Luke 17:11-19 (ESV)

"Well, they're not wrong."

Every time I hear this phrase it makes me laugh. It's a kind of an understatement, isn't it? It means they, the lepers, technically, they were correct, but that's about the best we can say for them.

"Not wrong" applies to the nine lepers who didn't come back to Jesus. "Go and show yourselves to the priests," Jesus said. He was referring to the biblical law for people who were healed from leprosy. Before anything else, they were supposed to let the priests give them a medical going-over and then certify that they were in fact well again and free to go home. Until a priest said okay, all lepers were supposed to stay away from healthy people.

So the ten men knew what Jesus meant. And they were going—oh yes, as fast as their feet would carry them! At the end of that road was a new life—a return to home and family, a normal life with work and neighbors and worship and community—all the things they had missed for so long. So they did what Jesus told them to do—they were going to the priests. Well, they weren't wrong!

But they weren't entirely right, either. By following the letter of His command, they missed something even better—the chance to thank Him, to praise God, to show love and gratitude and happiness. Then they could have gotten back on the road to Jerusalem to see the priests. They would have been so much better than just "not wrong"—they would have been joyfully happy in Jesus' presence.

This applies to us, too, doesn't it? We can try to follow the letter of God's Law—after all, we know our catechisms, we've got the Ten Commandments memorized, we can just get on with it, right? But if that's our only focus, well, the best that can be said of us is that we're "not wrong." The heart of our lives as Christians isn't keeping the Law (as if we could ever manage it perfectly, anyway, but that's another story).

The heart of our lives is Jesus—the One who has seen us in our misery and comes to us and heals us. He is the One to whom we owe everything we are and have—the One who loves us so much He even lay down His life for us. He is the One we expect to spend all eternity with, celebrating His love and enjoying His company—yes, and that of our brothers and sisters in the faith. He is our heart and our life and our joy. May we never lose sight of Him.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for doing more than just healing and saving me from sin—thank You for giving me Yourself. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Can you think of a time when "not wrong" was the best thing you could say about a particular event or situation? What would have been better?
• When have you seen someone go above and beyond the bare minimum to show grace, mercy or kindness?
• When has God gone above and beyond to show you mercy and kindness in your daily life?

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).
Can you think of a time when "not wrong" was the best thing you could say about a particular event or situation?

CPTLN devocional del 10 de Octubre de 2019 - Al pie de la letra y más

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Al pie de la letra y más

10 de Octubre de 2019

En su camino a Jerusalén, Jesús pasó entre Samaria y Galilea. Al entrar en una aldea, le salieron al encuentro diez leprosos, los cuales se quedaron a cierta distancia de él, y levantando la voz le dijeron: «¡Jesús, Maestro, ten compasión de nosotros!» Cuando él los vio, les dijo: «Vayan y preséntense ante los sacerdotes.» Y sucedió que, mientras ellos iban de camino, quedaron limpios. Entonces uno de ellos, al ver que había sido sanado, volvió alabando a Dios a voz en cuello, y rostro en tierra se arrojó a los pies de Jesús y le dio las gracias. Este hombre era samaritano. Jesús dijo: «¿No eran diez los que fueron limpiados? ¿Dónde están los otros nueve? ¿No hubo quien volviera y alabara a Dios sino este extranjero?» Y al samaritano le dijo: «Levántate y vete. Tu fe te ha salvado.»

— Lucas 17:11-19 (RVC)

"Bueno, no están equivocados." Cada vez que escucho esa frase me da risa. Es una especie de eufemismo, ¿no? Significa: "Están técnicamente en lo correcto, pero no tienen toda la razón".

"No estaban equivocados" se aplica a los nueve leprosos que no volvieron a Jesús. Jesús les había dicho: «Vayan y preséntense ante los sacerdotes.» Jesús se refería a la ley bíblica que aplicaba a las personas que habían sido sanadas de la lepra. Antes que nada debían ir para que los sacerdotes les hicieran una revisión médica y luego certificaran que, de hecho, estaban sanos y podían regresar a casa. Todos los leprosos tenían que estar alejados de las personas sanas hasta que un sacerdote los declarara sanos.

Estos diez hombres sabían a qué se refería Jesús. Y se fueron lo más rápido posible. Les esperaba una nueva vida, de regreso a sus hogares y familias, una vida normal con un trabajo y vecinos, iglesia y una comunidad, todo lo que habían perdido por tanto tiempo. Entonces hicieron exactamente lo que Jesús les dijo que hicieran: fueron donde los sacerdotes. ¡No estaban equivocados!

Pero tampoco tenían toda la razón. Al seguir el mandato de Jesús al pie de la letra y nada más, se perdieron algo aún mejor: la oportunidad de agradecerle, de alabar a Dios, de mostrarle amor, gratitud y alegría. Después de eso podían haber ido a Jerusalén para que los sacerdotes los declararan sanos. Eso hubiera sido mucho mejor que simplemente "no estar equivocados"; habrían estado felices y alegres en la compañía de Jesús.

Esto también se aplica a nosotros, ¿no? Podemos tratar de seguir la ley de Dios al pie de la letra y nada más; después de todo, sabemos el catecismo, tenemos los Diez Mandamientos memorizados, y podemos seguir con más, ¿verdad? Pero si ese es nuestro único enfoque, bueno, lo mejor que se puede decir de nosotros es que "no estamos equivocados". El corazón de nuestras vidas como cristianos no es guardar la Ley (como si pudiéramos hacerlo perfectamente, pero esa es otra historia).

El corazón de nuestras vidas es Jesús, quien nos ha visto en nuestra peor miseria y se nos acerca y nos cura. Él es a quien le debemos todo lo que somos y todo lo que tenemos: él nos ama tanto, que incluso dio su vida por nosotros. Él es con quien esperamos pasar toda la eternidad celebrando su amor y disfrutando su compañía y la de nuestros hermanos y hermanas en la fe. Él es nuestro corazón y nuestra vida y nuestra alegría. Que nunca perdamos eso de vista.

ORACIÓN: Querido Señor, gracias por hacer más que solo curarme y salvarme del pecado, gracias por darte a ti mismo. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

• ¿Qué piensas de alguien que va la milla extra y muestra gracia, misericordia o amabilidad?
• ¿Qué sientes al saber que Dios va más allá para mostrarte misericordia y amor todos los días?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
Qué piensas de alguien que va la milla extra y muestra gracia, misericordia o amabilidad?

Хлеб наш насущный - Не забывай!

Не забывай!

Читать сейчас: Деяния 1:1-11 | Библия за год: Исаии 34-36; 2 Коринфянам 11:16-32

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Он поднялся в глазах их, и облако взяло Его из вида их. — Деяния 1:9

Мы с моей племянницей и ее четырехлетней дочерью Кейлин прекрасно провели время вместе в субботу после обеда. Мы пускали мыльные пузыри во дворе, раскрашивали книжку с принцессами и ели сэндвичи с желе и арахисовым маслом. Когда они сели в машину, Кейлин мило сказала в открытое окно: «Не забывай меня, тетя Энн». Я тут же подошла к ней и прошептала: «Я никогда не забуду тебя. Обещаю, мы скоро увидимся».

В главе 1 книги Деяния апостолов ученики смотрели, как Иисус «поднялся в глазах их» на небо (Деян. 1:9). Возможно, у них появилась мысль, что Господь может забыть их? Но Он только что обещал послать Своего Духа, чтобы Он жил в них и дал силу выдержать будущие преследования (ст. 8). А еще Он говорил, что идет приготовить им место, а потом вернется, чтобы взять их к Себе (Ин. 14:3). Но, должно быть, они думали о том, сколько же им придется ждать. Возможно, им хотелось сказать: «Не забывай нас, Господь!»

В тех из нас, кто уверовал в Иисуса, Он живет Святым Духом. Мы можем рассуждать о том, когда же Он снова придет и полностью восстановит нас и Свое творение. Но это обязательно случится. Он нас не забудет. «Поэтому увещайте друг друга и назидайте один другого» (1 Фес. 5:10-11).

Как вы ощущаете Божье присутствие в своей жизни? Чего вы больше всего ожидаете в вечности?

Мы радуемся жизни с Тобой теперь, а также ждем дня, когда все будет полностью восстановлено. Приди скорее, Господь Иисус.

автор: Анн Ситас

© 2019 Хлеб Наш Насущный
Как вы ощущаете Божье присутствие в своей жизни? Чего вы больше всего ожидаете в вечности?