The Daily Lectionary for FRIDAY, October 18, 2019

The Daily Lectionary

FRIDAY, October 18, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Psalm 119:97-104

(Your words sweeter than honey)

97  Oh, how I love your law!
      It is my meditation all day long.
98  Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
      for it is always with me.
99  I have more understanding than all my teachers,
      for your decrees are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the aged,
      for I keep your precepts.
101 I hold back my feet from every evil way,
      in order to keep your word.
102 I do not turn away from your ordinances,
      for you have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
      sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through your precepts I get understanding;
      therefore I hate every false way.

Jeremiah 26:16-24

(Jeremiah does not deserve death)

26:16 Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, “This man does not deserve the sentence of death, for he has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.” 17 And some of the elders of the land arose and said to all the assembled people, 18 “Micah of Moresheth, who prophesied during the days of King Hezekiah of Judah, said to all the people of Judah: ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts,

   Zion shall be plowed as a field;
     Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins,
     and the mountain of the house a wooded height.’

19 Did King Hezekiah of Judah and all Judah actually put him to death? Did he not fear the Lord and entreat the favor of the Lord, and did not the Lord change his mind about the disaster that he had pronounced against them? But we are about to bring great disaster on ourselves!”

20 There was another man prophesying in the name of the Lord, Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim. He prophesied against this city and against this land in words exactly like those of Jeremiah. 21 And when King Jehoiakim, with all his warriors and all the officials, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death; but when Uriah heard of it, he was afraid and fled and escaped to Egypt. 22 Then King Jehoiakim sent Elnathan son of Achbor and men with him to Egypt, 23 and they took Uriah from Egypt and brought him to King Jehoiakim, who struck him down with the sword and threw his dead body into the burial place of the common people.

24 But the hand of Ahikam son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah so that he was not given over into the hands of the people to be put to death.

2 Timothy 2:14-26

(About the Christian life)

A Worker Approved by God
2:14 Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. 16 Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already taken place. They are upsetting the faith of some. 19 But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.”

20 In a large house there are utensils not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for special use, some for ordinary. 21 All who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentioned will become special utensils, dedicated and useful to the owner of the house, ready for every good work. 22 Shun youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, 25 correcting opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, 26 and that they may escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

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 119:97-104; Jeremiah 26:16-24; 2 Timothy 2:14-26

The Daily Prayer for FRIDAY, October 18, 2019

The Daily Prayer

FRIDAY, October 18, 2019

Origen of Alexandria wrote, “Once the people of God had surrounded the city Jericho, it had to be stormed. How then was Jericho stormed? No sword was drawn against it, no battering ram was aimed at it, no javelins were hurled. The priests merely sounded their trumpets, and the walls of Jericho collapsed. Jericho will fall, then; this world will perish. How will the world be brought to an end, and by what means will it be destroyed? The answer of Scripture is, by the sound of trumpets. If you ask what trumpets, then let Paul reveal the secret: The trumpet will sound, and the dead who are in Christ will rise incorruptible.”

Lord, may your trumpet sound in the songs we sing, in the prayer we pray, in the lives we live, and in the bread we break. Come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen.

Verse of the Day for FRIDAY, October 18, 2019

Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

Wait for the Lord;
   be strong and take heart
   and wait for the Lord.

Read all of Psalm 27

Listen to Psalm 27

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 - Viernes 18 de Octubre de 2019

La risa alegra tu vida

Nuestra boca se llenó de risas; nuestra lengua, de canciones jubilosas.

— Salmo 126:2 (NVI)

Si supiéramos a ciencia cierta lo que ocasiona la risa en nuestro cuerpo, los muchos músculos de la cara que se activan y el beneficio que hace en el alma, creo que reiríamos más a menudo.

Yo me considero una persona muy feliz y muy alegre. Me fascina reírme y sé que esa alegría se contagia a otras personas que viven tristes por sus problemas. Además, tengo el privilegio y el hermoso trabajo en la radio de llevar positivismo y motivación a mis oyentes.

Tú también puedes hacer lo mismo que yo. Puedes alegrarte y llenarte de júbilo, como dice la Palabra, pues Dios te da la fortaleza para ver tus problemas de otra manera. No en vano la Biblia dice que «el corazón alegre hermosea el rostro» (Proverbios 15:13, RV-60).

Si hablamos del amor de Dios, no debemos destilar amargura, odio, mal genio, ni tampoco soberbia. Hay personas que su misma frustración les roba la sonrisa de sus labios. Tampoco es justo contigo mismo consumirte en la tristeza y el dolor.

Sé que hay tiempo de llorar y tiempo de reír, pero es obvio que no debemos llevarlo a los extremos. También hay un cierto tipo de risa burlona que hace daño y la Palabra le llama a esto «vanidad».

Dios es Dios de nuevos comienzos. Así que hoy Él quiere devolverte la alegría y endulzar tu vida. ¡No pases por alto esta oportunidad!

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Si supiéramos a ciencia cierta lo que ocasiona la risa en nuestro cuerpo, los muchos músculos de la cara que se activan y el beneficio que hace en el alma, creo que reiríamos más a menudo.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Friday, October 18, 2019

VALUE DOUBTS AND MYSTERY

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

— 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

This is a scripture passage that many use in discipling new believers. The New International Version of the Bible footnotes this verse with the reminder that in the Greek language the word “temptation” or “tempted” can also mean “trial” or “testing.” It is a characteristic of the human condition that we often have doubts about God and we feel badly about them. But the story of Job in the Old Testament reveals that we should value our doubts because they bring God close.

Co-worker Ron Boyd-MacMillan tells the story of a missionary to Tibet at the time of the Communist takeover in China. He was imprisoned on the charge of being a counter-revolutionary. Every day for three years he thought he was going to be executed—a strain that ultimately broke him.

Daily he was taken outside and made to kneel down. They put a hood over his head and stated they were going to execute him. Then when he thought he was a goner, they pulled off the hood and laughed at his fear.

He was deprived of sleep and light; often placed in cells with hundreds of screaming people; demanded to renounce his Christian faith—all tactics of psychological torture. He said, “All I had were doubts: whether God was with me; whether God still loved me; even if I was truly a Christian since I was so broken…I was raised never to question God and that doubt was a sin.”

One day wanting to die, he finally prayed and said, “Lord, I have to talk about my doubts to you. I’m sorry it’s all I have to talk about. But I just want to be in touch with you again.”

That night he felt a warm breath in the dungeon, a comforting sweet breath. And he said, “I learned that nothing must keep me from talking to God. I knew from that breath that He even wants to know about my doubts.

Then he was taken to another cell which had a window and he saw the beauty of a colorful sunset. He wept. It was a picture God had drawn in majestic colors with the black ring of mountains in the distance looking like a crown of thorns. He commented, “The colorful sunset told me Jesus is still in charge…The world may be full of human suffering but it is more full of God’s beauty and grace. That got me through. I took my doubts to God and realized His beauty. The next time they took me to a mock execution I knelt and thanked God for the sunset I had seen. My sunset from my God! And when they took off the hood they saw no more fear—only a man at peace ready to die and meet his God.

RESPONSE: Today I will talk to God even about my doubts, trusting Him to help me sense His loving presence.

PRAYER: Thank You God that we can value doubt and we can value mystery assured that You still love us and care for us.

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

Men of the Bible - Friday, October 18, 2019

Mark

His name means: "A Large Hammer" 

His work: An eager journalist whose specialties were serving, following up on details, and making travel arrangements.
His character: A man who was willing to serve behind the scenes for others who were in ministry.
His sorrow: On his first major assignment as Paul and Barnabas's traveling secretary, Mark returned home, unable to finish the journey. This created a rift between Mark and Paul, as well as between Barnabas and Paul.
His triumph: Not only was the relationship breach healed, but Mark had the privilege of penning the first gospel—the good news of Jesus.
Key Scriptures: Mark 14:32-72

A Look at the Man

Just as soon as he had gathered all the information, Mark sat down and began to write. He was the first of the gospel writers*—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—to do so. As a young spectator, Mark was awestruck by Jesus. And because of his mother's influence, he was able to meet the disciples during the time of the Savior's ministry. This gave him special behind-the-scenes access, and he kept a record of what he saw.

Mark served quietly and unobtrusively. When Paul and Barnabas, Mark's cousin, traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch, they took Mark along as their assistant. When they set out for their first extensive missionary journey, again they asked him to come along. In this role, Mark advanced their trip by arranging for travel, food, and lodging. But when they got to Perga, Mark left the troupe and returned to Jerusalem, although the exact reason he left isn't known.

When Paul and Barnabas decided to revisit the cities they had traveled to on their first missionary journey, Barnabas wanted to take Mark along again. But Paul wasn't interested, so he chose Silas as his traveling companion. Barnabas asked Mark to join him on his trip to Cyprus, where he was given the chance to serve again.

The conflict between Paul and Mark was eventually healed. Ten years later Paul asked the people in Colosse to receive Mark with a welcome. In his letter from prison to Philemon, he called Mark "my fellow worker." And in Paul's final letter to his protégé, Timothy, he asked him to "bring Mark with you; he is helpful to me in my ministry."

Mark's special relationship with Simon Peter is mentioned in Peter's first letter to the new Christians scattered throughout Asia Minor. Mark must have been on the road with Peter in Rome, because Peter sent greetings to the believers from Mark and called him "my son." It was most likely during this time that Mark penned the gospel.

Traveling with Simon Peter, certainly the most zealous and emotive of the disciples, Mark reviewed his notes about Jesus' life. This, combined with his own firsthand experiences as a young man, gave him a special passion as he recalled the life of this Nazarene.

Mark's mission was to be sure that anyone reading his account would know that Jesus was the incarnate Son of God—the Messiah. The activities and miracles of Jesus were just as important to Mark as his words. The proof of his deity was in his person.

Mark followed Jesus as an observer. His perspective was real. He saw Jesus' humanity with his own eyes—exhausted (Mark 4:38), amazed (6:6), disappointed (8:12), displeased (10:14), angry (11:15-17), and sorrowful (14:34).

Moving quickly from scene to scene, Mark's account is filled with youthful impatience and urgency—"And straightway coming up out of the water"(1:10 KJV); and "At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert" (1:12).

In spite of what he saw at Gethsemane, Mark didn't give up on the possibility of the resurrection. If Jesus would really do what he implied during his ministry—conquer death—imagine what would happen!

Reflect On: Psalm 8:1–9
Praise God: For his holiness.
Offer Thanks: For his presence that fills you and his love that constrains you to follow him.
Confess: Your indifference to his power, your willingness to reduce your relationship to him to the ordinary and the mundane rather than delighting in the thrill and wonder of it all.
Ask God: To fill you with his empowering Spirit so that the gifts he has given you will be fully used for his glory

Today's reading is a brief excerpt from Men of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Men in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Robert Wolgemuth (Zondervan). © 2010 by Ann Spangler. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Enjoy the complete book by purchasing your own copy at the Bible Gateway Store. The book's title must be included when sharing the above content on social media.
Just as soon as he had gathered all the information, Mark sat down and began to write.

LHM Daily Devotions - October 18, 2019 - The Potter's Graceful Hands

"The Potter's Graceful Hands"

Oct. 18, 2019

But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our Potter; we are all the work of Your hand.

— Isaiah 64:8 (ESV)

"When the Lord sends you tribulation, He expects you to tribulate." So preaches a fire and brimstone evangelist from Mississippi, reported Paul Harvey in one of his Rest of the Story broadcasts.

Given our choice, few of us would choose tribulating as a way of life. Yet our Father allows many of His children to pass through experiences we feel unbearable. After a devasting loss or after weeks and months of perpetual anguish, we numbly ask, "Why?"

Isaiah once wrote, "Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the Potter, 'What are You making?'" This stern warning has become for me a solid source of comfort. Perhaps the Holy Spirit will use these words in your life as well.

Lord, You know your children are but clay. Often life cracks and breaks us until we believe our lives themselves are useless, worthless.

Yet, You delight to pick us up, Father, You shape and mold and press us until we become pleasing vessels—beautiful objects to contain Your love. You expend much effort on us. Much creative thought goes into Your craftsmanship, until gradually, we become uniquely made vessels for the service of the King of kings. We become Your new creation. We who were but one of countless broken and useless potsherds have been given purpose and value. And we praise You for Your work.

Yet a price must be paid. The potter consigns the greenware to the kiln. Into the furnace soft and full, the vessels emerge from the fire diamond hard, mirror smooth. Pottery that is forever unfired will be forever unfit.

I know in my heart of hearts that this is so. But in the suffocating darkness of the kiln, I cry out to You: "My God, my God, why? Why have You made me thus? What are You making? What is this design You have for my life?"

I sometimes doubt the process and lash out at the Designer. Father, I forget Your unalterable love. I forget the excruciating burden of Your Son who bore the world's pain and in doing so cried out, too: "My God, My God—why?"

In all my uncertainly and distress, Jesus went before me. He suffered alone that He might calm forever my doubts of Your love, so that I might never doubt Your presence, even when I pass through the fire. Fill the yawning loneliness of my anguish with Your peace. Give me strength to go on. I who am but clay yearn for Your glory. By the Savior's blood, reveal to me a glimmer of the glory in Your plan.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are the Potter; I am the clay. Make of me a vessel fit for service in Your kingdom. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Do you take time to consider how God is working in your life to make you into something suitable for His purposes?
• Can you think of instances in the life of Isaiah where he adhered to the idea of being clay in the potter's hands?
• How do you keep yourself amenable, moldable to what God is doing in your life?

From The Lutheran Layman, August 1980 issue, "Clay and the Glint of Glory" by Jane Fryar. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Do you take time to consider how God is working in your life to make you into something suitable for His purposes?

CPTLN devocional del 18 de Octubre de 2019 - Las talentosas manos de un alfarero

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Las talentosas manos de un alfarero

18 de Octubre de 2019

Pero tú, Señor, eres nuestro padre; nosotros somos el barro y tú eres quien nos da forma; todos nosotros somos obra de tus manos.

— Isaías 64:8 (RVC)

"Cuando el Señor te envía aguas de tribulación, Él espera que nades en ellas". Algo así dijo un evangelista de Mississippi en una de las transmisiones del programa "El resto de la historia", de Paul Harvey.

Nadie elegiría nadar en las aguas de las tribulaciones por el resto de su vida. Sin embargo, nuestro Padre permite que muchos de sus hijos pasen por experiencias que parecen ser insoportables. Después de una pérdida devastadora o después de semanas y meses de perpetua angustia, nos preguntamos aturdidos: "¿Por qué?"

Isaías escribió: "¡Ay de aquel que discute con su Hacedor! ¡Un tiesto más entre los tiestos de la tierra! El barro no le pregunta al alfarero: "¿Qué es lo que haces?" ¿Acaso le señala: "Tu obra no tiene manos?". Esta severa advertencia se ha convertido para mí en una fuente sólida de consuelo. Quizás el Espíritu Santo también usa estas palabras en tu vida.

Señor, sabes que tus hijos no son más que barro. A menudo la vida nos rompe y nos rompe hasta que creemos que nuestras vidas son inútiles, sin valor.

Sin embargo, te deleitas al recogernos, Padre, nos das forma, nos moldeas y nos aprietas hasta que nos convertimos en recipientes agradables, hermosas vasijas que contienen tu amor. Te esfuerzas mucho en nosotros. Dedicas mucho tiempo a pensar creativamente en Tu artesanía hasta que, poco a poco, nos convertimos en vasijas únicas al servicio del Rey de reyes. Nos convertimos en tu nueva creación. A nosotros, que éramos solo uno de los innumerables tiestos rotos e inútiles, se nos ha dado un propósito y un valor. Y te alabamos por tu obra en nosotros.

Sin embargo, debemos pagar el precio. El alfarero entrega las vasijas al horno y ellas salen fuertes como un diamante y brillantes como un espejo. Pero el barro que nunca pasa por el fuego nunca será fuerte. En el fondo de mi corazón sé que esto es así. Pero en la sofocante oscuridad del horno, yo también grito: "Dios mío, Dios mío, ¿por qué? ¿Por qué me has hecho esto? ¿Qué estás haciendo? ¿Cuál es este diseño que tienes para mi vida?

A veces dudo del proceso y culpo al Diseñador. Padre, olvidé tu amor inalterable. Olvidé la carga insoportable que Tu Hijo soportó por el dolor del mundo. Él también gritó: "Dios mío, Dios mío, ¿por qué?"

Jesús sufrió antes que yo toda mi incertidumbre y angustia. Sufrió para poder calmar para siempre mis dudas de Tu amor, para que nunca dudara de Tu presencia, incluso cuando paso por el fuego. Llena la soledad de mi angustia con Tu paz. Dame fuerzas para seguir. Yo que no soy más que arcilla, anhelo tu gloria. Por la sangre del Salvador, revélame un destello de la gloria de Tu plan para mí.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, tú eres el alfarero; yo soy el barro. Haz de mí una vasija apta para el servicio en tu reino. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén.

The Lutheran Layman, agosto de 1980, Jane Fryar.

Para reflexionar:

• ¿Te has puesto a pensar en cómo Dios está trabajando en tu vida para convertirte en un instrumento para Sus propósitos?
• ¿Cómo haces para mantenerte dispuesto y moldeable a lo que Dios está haciendo en tu vida?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Te has puesto a pensar en cómo Dios está trabajando en tu vida para convertirte en un instrumento para Sus propósitos?

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Khi Chúng Ta Ngợi Khen

Khi Chúng Ta Ngợi Khen

Đọc: Công vụ 16:25-34 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Ê-sai 53-55; II Tê-sa-lô-ni-ca 1

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Lập tức, tất cả các cửa mở tung, xiềng của các tù nhân đều rớt ra cả. Công vụ 16:26

Khi cậu bé Willie 9 tuổi bị bắt cóc ở sân trước nhà vào năm 2014, cậu đã liên tục hát bài thánh ca yêu thích mang tên “Mọi Lời Ngợi Khen”. Trong suốt ba giờ thử thách, Willie cứ phớt lờ yêu cầu yên lặng của bọn bắt cóc khi chúng lái xe vòng quanh. Cuối cùng, bọn bắt cóc đã thả Willie và không gây thương tích nào. Sau này, khi kể lại câu chuyện, Willie nói rằng khi sợ hãi nhường chỗ cho đức tin, dường như bài hát đã lay động kẻ bắt cóc.

Phản ứng của Willie trong hoàn cảnh đáng sợ khiến chúng ta nhớ lại kinh nghiệm của Phao-lô và Si-la. Sau khi bị đánh đập và bỏ tù, họ cứ “cầu nguyện và ca ngợi Đức Chúa Trời; các tù nhân đều lắng nghe. Thình lình, có cơn động đất rất lớn, đến nỗi các nền ngục rúng động. Lập tức, tất cả các cửa mở tung, xiềng của các tù nhân đều rớt ra cả” (Cv. 16:25-26).

Sau khi chứng kiến quyền năng đáng sợ được bày tỏ, viên cai ngục đã tin Chúa của Phao-lô và Si-la, và cả gia đình ông đều cùng chịu phép báp-têm với ông (c.27-34). Qua sự ngợi khen, xiềng xích thuộc thể và tâm linh đều bị phá vỡ trong đêm đó.

Không phải lúc nào chúng ta cũng kinh nghiệm sự giải cứu diệu kỳ như trường hợp của Phao-lô và Si-la, hoặc như cậu bé Willie. Nhưng chúng ta biết rằng Chúa đáp lại sự ngợi khen của con dân Ngài! Khi Ngài hành động, mọi xiềng xích đều bị phá vỡ.

Bạn học được điều gì từ sự ngợi khen và cầu nguyện của Phao-lô và Si-la? Làm thế nào để bạn áp dụng những nguyên tắc này vào hoàn cảnh khó khăn mà bạn đối diện?

“Chúa là thánh, Ngài ngự giữa sự ca ngợi của Y-sơ-ra-ên” (Thi Thiên 22:3)

bởi Remi Oyedele

© 2019 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày
Phản ứng của Willie trong hoàn cảnh đáng sợ khiến chúng ta nhớ lại kinh nghiệm của Phao-lô và Si-la.