The Daily Lectionary for FRIDAY, October 25, 2019

The Daily Lectionary

FRIDAY, October 25, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Psalm 65

(Your paths overflow with plenty)

Thanksgiving for Earth’s Bounty
To the leader. A Psalm of David. A Song.
1  Praise is due to you,
     O God, in Zion;
   and to you shall vows be performed,
2    O you who answer prayer!
   To you all flesh shall come.
3  When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us,
     you forgive our transgressions.
4  Happy are those whom you choose and bring near
     to live in your courts.
   We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,
     your holy temple.

5  By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance,
     O God of our salvation;
   you are the hope of all the ends of the earth
     and of the farthest seas.
6  By your strength you established the mountains;
     you are girded with might.
7  You silence the roaring of the seas,
     the roaring of their waves,
     the tumult of the peoples.
8  Those who live at earth’s farthest bounds are awed by
         your signs;
   you make the gateways of the morning and the evening
        shout for joy.

9  You visit the earth and water it,
     you greatly enrich it;
   the river of God is full of water;
     you provide the people with grain,
     for so you have prepared it.
10 You water its furrows abundantly,
     settling its ridges,
   softening it with showers,
     and blessing its growth.
11 You crown the year with your bounty;
     your wagon tracks overflow with richness.
12 The pastures of the wilderness overflow,
     the hills gird themselves with joy,
13 the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,
     the valleys deck themselves with grain,
     they shout and sing together for joy.

Joel 2:1-11

(The day of the Lord)

1  Blow the trumpet in Zion;
     sound the alarm on my holy mountain!
   Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,
     for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near—
2  a day of darkness and gloom,
     a day of clouds and thick darkness!
   Like blackness spread upon the mountains
     a great and powerful army comes;
   their like has never been from of old,
     nor will be again after them
     in ages to come.

3  Fire devours in front of them,
     and behind them a flame burns.
   Before them the land is like the garden of Eden,
     but after them a desolate wilderness,
     and nothing escapes them.

4  They have the appearance of horses,
     and like war-horses they charge.
5  As with the rumbling of chariots,
     they leap on the tops of the mountains,
   like the crackling of a flame of fire
     devouring the stubble,
   like a powerful army
     drawn up for battle.

6  Before them peoples are in anguish,
     all faces grow pale.
7  Like warriors they charge,
     like soldiers they scale the wall.
   Each keeps to its own course,
     they do not swerve from their paths.
8  They do not jostle one another,
     each keeps to its own track;
   they burst through the weapons
     and are not halted.
9  They leap upon the city,
     they run upon the walls;
   they climb up into the houses,
     they enter through the windows like a thief.

10 The earth quakes before them,
     the heavens tremble.
   The sun and the moon are darkened,
     and the stars withdraw their shining.
11 The Lord utters his voice
     at the head of his army;
   how vast is his host!
     Numberless are those who obey his command.
   Truly the day of the Lord is great;
     terrible indeed—who can endure it?

2 Timothy 3:10-15

(The persecution of the godly)

Paul’s Charge to Timothy
3:10 Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions, and my suffering the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13 But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, 15 and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

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 65; Joel 2:1-11; 2 Timothy 3:10-15

The Daily Prayer for FRIDAY, October 25, 2019

The Daily Prayer

FRIDAY, October 25, 2019

Andre Trocmé, who pastored the remarkable Le Chambon community during World War II, said, “Nonviolence was not a theory superimposed upon reality; it was an itinerary that we explored day after day in communal prayer and in obedience to the commands of the Spirit.”

Lord, teach us that spiritual formation takes time and discipline just as a seed must be watered, nurtured, and pruned as it grows. Deepen our roots in spiritual growth even as we are extended in our passion for peace and justice. Amen.

Verse of the Day for FRIDAY, October 25, 2019

Ephesians 5:19-20

[Be filled with the Spirit,] speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Read all of Ephesians 5

Listen to Ephesians 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 - Viernes 25 de Octubre de 2019

Jesús y la ira

Si estás presentando tu ofrenda en el altar y allí recuerdas que tu hermano tiene algo contra ti [...] ve primero y reconcíliate con tu hermano.

— Mateo 5:23-24 (NVI)

Le damos gracias a Dios por este cuarto día donde le hemos pedido que nos hable y toque de una manera especial.

En esta parte de la Biblia, Él nos habla de no estar enojados con nadie, de arreglar las cuentas con todos, aun antes de dar una ofrenda en la iglesia.

Es más, Dios desea que nuestras relaciones con amigos y familiares sean saludables. También nos recuerda que juzgará nuestros pecados de la misma manera que lo hace con el que comete un crimen, como el que le dice necio a su hermano.

Nosotros los humanos somos los que clasificamos los pecados. Creemos que es más pecador un adúltero que un mentiroso. Sin embargo, para Dios todos los pecados son iguales.

Hoy mi invitación es a ponerse a cuentas con Él. Asimismo, debemos pensar que tú y yo no sabemos hasta cuándo viviremos en este mundo y es mejor estar siempre a bien con Dios. ¿Cómo lo logras? Lo puedes hacer solo a través de una oración y un corazón arrepentido de verdad.

Dios es el único que ve tu corazón y en su Palabra nos dice que no rechaza un corazón que se arrepiente.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Nosotros los humanos somos los que clasificamos los pecados.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Friday, October 25, 2019

SUPERNATURAL ANSWERS

But before all this they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourself. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

— Luke 21:12-15 (NIV)

During her years of imprisonment in Eritrea’s wretched shipping containers, Helen Berhane was often interrogated and pressured to deny her faith. The Lord gave her supernatural answers each time as documents in her book Song of the Nightingale:

Yet another official visited and accused me of being anti-government. “Political agents are just using you,” he said. “Why do you let them do this? Why do you risk your life to please other people and support their cause? Why make yourself a sacrificial lamb? Perhaps you are a genuine believer, but the ones who have asked you to stick so rigidly to this rebellious religion are just taking advantage of you for their political agenda.”

I said, “If I may speak for myself: I have no other agenda but believing in the Bible. Since my childhood I have never had any other intention. This Bible is not new – my fathers and forefathers read it. I am reading the same Bible my grandfather read; the only difference is that he read it in Geez [old dialect] while I can read it in my language. He used to treat his Bible with special reverence and keep it in a sacred box, but I do not worry about handling mine. My grandfather went to church for fifty years but he didn’t understand the Bible; we know it better because it is in our language. If you are trying to take us back to the days of the older generation, then you cannot care about what is best for our country. Everything is changing and we have to adapt and move with the times. Each generation of inventors must bring new ideas, otherwise we will have nothing new and nothing will change or improve. In our generation, because we can understand the Bible, people are changing.”[1]

RESPONSE: Today I will trust the Lord for wisdom and words to answer those who challenge my faith.

PRAYER: Lord, give me grace to answer all challenges against You and Your Word with Your love and wisdom.

1. Helen Berhane, Song of the Nightingale, (Colorado Springs: Authentic Media, 2009), p. 72-73.

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 25, 2019

Peter

His name means: "Rock"

His work: A career fisherman on the Sea of Galilee.
His character: Peter was a determined and impetuous man who became bold in his witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
His sorrow: Like many impulsive people, Peter's greatest enemy was his mouth—speaking without thinking. This landed him in all kinds of trouble.
His triumph: The leadership of the disciples, the spread of the gospel to the Gentiles, and his martyrdom for the Savior he loved.
Key Scriptures: Luke 9

A Look at the Man

Simon Peter had heard about Jesus. Living close to the Sea of Galilee, as Peter did, it would have been hard to miss him. But Peter's career kept him busy. Being distracted by the Teacher wouldn't be good for business.

Then one morning, as Jesus walked along the shore with the usual crowd of people surrounding him, he stopped and, without warning or permission, stepped into Peter's boat. Imagine the fisherman's shock when Jesus said to him, "Push out into the deep and drop your nets."

"But, Master," Peter protested, surprised that Jesus knew his name. "We've been up all night fishing and haven't caught anything."

Jesus turned to look at Peter with a glance that for the next three years would become familiar.

"Okay," Peter sighed. "Because it's you, I'll do it."

The moment the nets drifted below the water's surface, they filled with fish. Peter called for a second boat. But the nets were so full of fish that both boats nearly sank. Suddenly Peter made the connection between the miracle and his own wickedness. "Go away, Lord," he pleaded as he fell to his knees. "I'm a sinful man."

The Master must have instantly bonded to this rough but tenderhearted fisherman. "Don't be afraid, my friend," Jesus said to him. This may have been the first time anyone had ever said these words to this brave man. Then Jesus added, "Follow me."

The most outspoken and visible of Jesus' disciples, Simon Peter was a remarkably complex man. He was impulsive, brash, thickheaded, courageous, tough—and fearful. But there was a special place among Jesus' closest followers for this man. We have no record of there being an election of officers, but the gospel writers put Peter's name first when they list the disciples. He was their designated leader.

And there was a special place in Jesus' heart for Peter as well. He was the only disciple who received a new name—a nickname. "Blessed are you, Simon son of John," Jesus announced to him one day. "Now you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church. And against my church, the gates of hell don't have a chance."

But like the man who carried the name, the word rock had many faces. Certainly there was the kind of rock that provided stability—bedrock on which the church was to be built. But there was the rock that represented shallowness—an impediment for the seed to grow. There was the rock that got in the way of progress—the stumbling stone of offense. And there was the rock that was many Jews' weapon of choice. And in a contemporary setting, rock sometimes refers to a precious gem. Jesus couldn't have given Simon a more appropriate moniker.

But any instability that marked the man prior to Jesus' resurrection was permanently erased once he touched the risen Savior and heard his call once more: "Follow me!" It was Peter who stood at Pentecost and preached a radical conversion message. It was Peter who, like his Lord, healed the sick—even his shadow had healing power! It was Peter who confidently stood before the antagonists in the Sanhedrin, the same men who later murdered Stephen. "Salvation is found in no one else but Jesus," he declared. "There's no other name under heaven by which we must be saved!"

It was Peter who was singled out for an extremely unpopular assignment—to take the message of salvation to non-Jews. Peter, whom King Herod imprisoned for his refusal to stop preaching the Good News, was miraculously set free by an angel. And it was Peter whose death, Jesus said, would "glorify God."

While ministering in Rome, Peter was arrested by Nero and was later tried and crucified. However, unwilling to be killed in the same sacred way his Master had died, Peter requested that he be crucified upside down. His wish was granted, and God was glorified.

Reflect On: 1 Peter 4:12–13
Praise God: For his love.
Offer Thanks: For the wonder of a Savior who meets us where we are and transforms us by his Spirit.
Confess: Your inconsistency in wanting to follow him but so often neglecting to be his unfailing and faithful ambassador.
Ask God: For the will to be in his presence daily and to find in that encounter his redeeming power.

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.

LHM Daily Devotions October 25, 2019 - Seasoned with Light

"Seasoned with Light"

Oct. 25, 2019

(Jesus said) "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

— Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV)

If you've ever been on a salt-free diet, you know how the absence of salt affects the taste of food. Without salt many foods that are ordinarily pleasing to the palate become bland and tasteless.

Salt was considered such an important commodity in "Merrie Olde England" that the position of "keeper of the salt" at royal banquets held high prestige. And in the ancient world, salt was used as a medium of exchange. Salt was, quite literally, money.

Salt not only adds flavor to bland foods, it preserves foods that otherwise would go bad very quickly. But once salt has lost its "saltiness"—its flavor and preservative power—instead of being of great value, it is discarded.

"You are the salt of the earth," Jesus said. What does a Christian do as the salt of the earth? How do we add Gospel-seasoned words of hospitality to our conversations? How can we more effectively "spice up" our speech with others at work, at home, and in the places we hang out?

And then Jesus speaks of light. Without it, darkness rules, and we struggle to do the simplest of things. Light at night was a welcome sight in the ancient world. Light was provided by the flicker of oil lamps or larger fires. Their illumination dispelled the darkness and allowed living to continue, even after nightfall.

You are the light of the world," Jesus said to His disciples. Then He adds a somewhat telling sentence: "A city set on a hill cannot be hid." In a word, Christians are to shine, to be illumination for others. In the darkness of an increasingly secular world, their faith should be visible to everyone.

So, how can we live our lives as lights for others to see? What distinct opportunities do we have through our relationships to be "the light of the world"? How can we shine brightly, blessing others with lives of salt?

The next time you reflect on the great salvation we have through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, think about how that news can be "salt" to someone's life, "light" to their world of darkness.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, remind us that we are the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world," always pointing to our Savior Jesus. In His Name we pray. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• What is it about someone's character that often stays in your mind long after they've gone?
• What are some concrete ways Christians are to be the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world"?
• Can you recall instances in your recent life where you could have been saltier, brighter in the way you related to others?

From The Lutheran Layman, February 1978 issue, "A Life of Salt and Light," by Ron Schlegel. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
What is it about someone's character that often stays in your mind long after they've gone?

CPTLN devocional del 25 de Octubre de 2019 - Sazonados con luz

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Sazonados con luz

25 de Octubre de 2019

»Ustedes son la sal de la tierra, pero si la sal pierde su sabor, ¿cómo volverá a ser salada? Ya no servirá para nada, sino para ser arrojada a la calle y pisoteada por la gente. »Ustedes son la luz del mundo. Una ciudad asentada sobre un monte no se puede esconder. Tampoco se enciende una lámpara y se pone debajo de un cajón, sino sobre el candelero, para que alumbre a todos los que están en casa. De la misma manera, que la luz de ustedes alumbre delante de todos, para que todos vean sus buenas obras y glorifiquen a su Padre, que está en los cielos.

— Mateo 5:13-16 (RVC)

Si alguna vez has hecho una dieta sin sal, sabes que la falta de sal afecta el sabor de los alimentos. Sin sal, muchos alimentos que normalmente son agradables al paladar se vuelven insípidos.

La sal se consideraba una mercancía tan importante en el mundo antiguo, que el puesto de "guardián de la sal" en los banquetes reales tenía un alto prestigio. Y en el mundo antiguo, la sal se usaba como medio de intercambio. La sal era, literalmente, dinero.

La sal no solo agrega sabor a los alimentos insípidos, sino que también conserva los alimentos que de otra forma se echarían a perder muy rápidamente. Pero una vez que la sal no "sala", que pierde su sabor y poder conservante, en lugar de ser de gran valor, se descarta.

"Tú eres la sal de la tierra", dijo Jesús. ¿Qué tiene que hacer un cristiano para ser la sal de la tierra? ¿Cómo agregamos palabras sazonadas con el Evangelio a nuestras conversaciones? ¿Cómo podemos "salar" más eficazmente nuestras conversaciones en el trabajo, en casa y en los lugares donde pasamos el rato?

Jesús también nos habla de la luz. Sin ella, la oscuridad nos gobierna y nos cuesta hacer las cosas más simples. La luz en la noche es un paisaje agradable del mundo antiguo. La luz era proporcionada por el parpadeo de las lámparas de aceite o las fogatas. Su iluminación disipaba la oscuridad y permitía que la vida continuara, incluso después del anochecer.

"Ustedes son la luz del mundo", dijo Jesús a sus discípulos. Luego agrega una frase un tanto reveladora: "Una ciudad asentada sobre un monte no se puede esconder". En una palabra, los cristianos deben brillar, ser luz para otros. En la oscuridad de un mundo cada vez más perdido, tu fe debe ser visible para todos.

Entonces, ¿cómo podemos ser luces para que otros puedan ver? ¿Qué oportunidades tenemos para ser luz para el mundo? ¿Cómo podemos bendecir a otros con siendo sal?

La próxima vez que reflexiones sobre la salvación que tienes gracias a la vida, muerte y resurrección de Jesús, piensa en cómo eso puede ser "sal" para la vida de alguien y "luz" para su mundo oscuro.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, recuérdanos que somos la "sal de la tierra" y la "luz del mundo", siempre apuntando a nuestro Salvador Jesús. En su nombre oramos. Amén.

The Lutheran Layman, febrero de 1978, "Una vida de sal y luz", de Ron Schlegel

Para reflexionar:

• ¿En qué formas concretas podemos los cristianos ser la "sal de la tierra" y la "luz del mundo"?
• ¿Puedes recordar momentos en los que podrías haber sido más "salado" y más "brillante" en tu relacionamiento con otros?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿En qué formas concretas podemos los cristianos ser la "sal de la tierra" y la "luz del mundo"?

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Bện Lại Với Nhau

Bện Lại Với Nhau

Đọc: Truyền Đạo 4:9-12 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Giê-rê-mi 6-8; I Ti-mô-thê 5

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Một sợi dây bện ba tao thật khó đứt. Truyền Đạo 4:12

Một người bạn cho tôi chậu kiểng mà cô đã giữ hơn bốn mươi năm. Cây đó cao khoảng bằng tôi và có những chiếc lá to mọc ra từ ba nhánh khẳng khiu riêng biệt. Thời gian trôi qua, sức nặng của những chiếc lá khiến cả ba thân cây oằn xuống. Để làm cho cây thẳng, tôi chêm dưới chậu và đặt cây gần cửa sổ để ánh mặt trời khiến những chiếc lá hướng lên, và giúp cải thiện dáng cây.

Một thời gian ngắn sau khi nhận cái cây, tôi nhìn thấy một cây kiểng cũng giống như vậy trong phòng chờ ở một doanh nghiệp địa phương. Nó cũng phát triển từ ba thân cây dài khẳng khiu, nhưng được bện lại với nhau tạo thành một lõi lớn hơn, vững chắc hơn. Cây này đứng thẳng mà không cần sự giúp đỡ nào.

Có thể hai người cùng ở trong “một chậu” suốt nhiều năm nhưng lại phát triển riêng biệt và kinh nghiệm rất ít những lợi ích mà Chúa muốn họ tận hưởng. Tuy nhiên, khi đời sống của họ gắn chặt với nhau và với Chúa, thì họ được vững chắc và gần gũi hơn rất nhiều. Mối quan hệ của họ sẽ tăng trưởng mạnh mẽ hơn. “Một sợi dây bện ba tao thật khó đứt” (Tđ. 4:12).

Giống cây kiểng đó, hôn nhân và tình bạn cũng cần sự nuôi dưỡng. Việc gìn giữ các mối quan hệ này cần đến sự hiệp nhất về thuộc linh để Chúa hiện diện trong mỗi mối liên kết quan trọng. Ngài là nguồn yêu thương và ân điển vô tận – là điều chúng ta cần nhất để sống vui vẻ và hiệp nhất với nhau.

Bạn sẽ làm gì để làm vững mạnh mối liên kết thuộc linh với những người quan trọng trong cuộc đời bạn? Các mối liên hệ của bạn sẽ thay đổi thế nào nếu cùng nhau ưu tiên phục vụ và thờ phượng Chúa?

Lạy Chúa, xin bước vào những mối liên hệ thân thiết của con. Xin dạy con tôn kính và nương cậy Ngài trong mọi khía cạnh của cuộc đời con.

bởi Jennifer Benson Schuldt

© 2019 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày
Một người bạn cho tôi chậu kiểng mà cô đã giữ hơn bốn mươi năm.