The Daily Lectionary for FRIDAY, November 1, 2019

The Daily Lectionary

FRIDAY, November 1, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Psalm 119:137-144

(Grant me understanding)

137 You are righteous, O Lord,
       and your judgments are right.
138 You have appointed your decrees in righteousness
       and in all faithfulness.
139 My zeal consumes me
       because my foes forget your words.
140 Your promise is well tried,
       and your servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised,
       yet I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
       and your law is the truth.
143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me,
       but your commandments are my delight.
144 Your decrees are righteous forever;
       give me understanding that I may live.

Habakkuk 1:5-17

(The wicked swallow the righteous)

5  Look at the nations, and see!
     Be astonished! Be astounded!
   For a work is being done in your days
     that you would not believe if you were told.
6  For I am rousing the Chaldeans,
     that fierce and impetuous nation,
   who march through the breadth of the earth
     to seize dwellings not their own.
7  Dread and fearsome are they;
     their justice and dignity proceed from themselves.
8  Their horses are swifter than leopards,
     more menacing than wolves at dusk;
     their horses charge.
   Their horsemen come from far away;
     they fly like an eagle swift to devour.
9  They all come for violence,
     with faces pressing forward;
     they gather captives like sand.
10 At kings they scoff,
     and of rulers they make sport.
   They laugh at every fortress,
     and heap up earth to take it.
11 Then they sweep by like the wind;
     they transgress and become guilty;
     their own might is their god!

12 Are you not from of old,
     O Lord my God, my Holy One?
     You shall not die.
   O Lord, you have marked them for judgment;
     and you, O Rock, have established them for
         punishment.
13 Your eyes are too pure to behold evil,
     and you cannot look on wrongdoing;
   why do you look on the treacherous,
     and are silent when the wicked swallow
     those more righteous than they?
14 You have made people like the fish of the sea,
     like crawling things that have no ruler.

15 The enemy brings all of them up with a hook;
     he drags them out with his net,
   he gathers them in his seine;
     so he rejoices and exults.
16 Therefore he sacrifices to his net
     and makes offerings to his seine;
   for by them his portion is lavish,
     and his food is rich.
17 Is he then to keep on emptying his net,
     and destroying nations without mercy?

2 Peter 1:1-11

(Participants of the divine nature)

Salutation
1:1 Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have received a faith as precious as ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

2 May grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

The Christian’s Call and Election
3 His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and may become participants of the divine nature. 5 For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love. 8 For if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For anyone who lacks these things is short-sighted and blind, and is forgetful of the cleansing of past sins. 10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to confirm your call and election, for if you do this, you will never stumble. 11 For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for 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 119:137-144; Habakkuk 1:5-17; 2 Peter 1:1-11

The Daily Prayer for FRIDAY, November 1, 2019

The Daily Prayer

FRIDAY, November 1, 2019

All Saints

Since its earliest centuries, the church has set aside a day to remember the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us in the faith, stretching across the centuries and around the globe. However hard it might seem to follow the way of Jesus in our own time and place, this is a day to remember that we may be crazy, but we are not alone.

Fourteenth-century mystic Meister Eckhart said, “Do not think that saintliness comes from occupation; it depends rather on what one is. The kind of work we do does not make us holy, but we may make it holy.”

Lord, your saints come from every nation and every tribe. Such is the beauty of your kingdom, where every race and people are honored and recognized as being made in your image. Help us live lives of peace and reconciliation that pay homage to the diversity of your great cloud of witnesses. Amen.

Verse of the Day for FRIDAY, November 1, 2019

Ephesians 1:18 (NIV)

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,

Read all of Ephesians 1

Listen to Ephesians 1

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 01 de Noviembre de 2019

Jesús y el ayuno

Cuando ores, entra en tu aposento, y cerrada la puerta, ora a tu Padre que está en secreto; y tu Padre que ve en lo secreto te recompensará en público.

— Mateo 6:6 ( RV-60)

Comenzamos un nuevo mes y una enseñanza más de nuestros veintiún días en los que recordamos lo que Dios dejó escrito en su Palabra para que lo entendamos y le podamos obedecer.

Tanto con la oración como con la ofrenda, Jesús nos hace la misma observación. Nos pide que lo hagamos en privado, sin ser llamativos y escandalosos, pues lo que hacemos es para el Señor y no para los hombres.

El ayuno es una oportunidad que tenemos para estar en verdadera comunión con Dios. Además, tiene poder y un gran valor para nuestro Padre celestial. En esos días de ayuno casi siempre hay peticiones específicas que ponemos delante de Dios y es impresionante cómo responde Él. Esto lo comprobamos en los testimonios que son poderosos de verdad.

Sin embargo, el día que ayunes, lo único que te pide Dios es que no lo estés divulgando. Porque si lo haces, te considerarán un hipócrita. ¿Sabes? Con solo de imaginarme que Dios piense de mí que soy una hipócrita, ya me hace ser obediente. Por eso quiero y trato de agradarle.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Comenzamos un nuevo mes y una enseñanza más de nuestros veintiún días en los que recordamos lo que Dios dejó escrito en su Palabra para que lo entendamos y le podamos obedecer.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Friday, November 1, 2019

IN CHAINS FOR CHRIST

As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

— Philippians 1:13 (NIV)

Authorities in Afghanistan arrested Said Musa on May 31, 2010, days after the local TV station broadcast images of Afghan Christians being baptized and worshiping the Lord. A Christian for eight years, he is married and the father of six. Before release from prison he wrote:

Hello my dear brothers and sisters, lovely and strong in faith. On Saturday I went to court, but my session was not held. I met then two persons. I became very happy when they introduced themselves [as my] defense attorneys…I immediately felt joy in my heart, like somebody gave me comfort, like stars, like lights. I one hundred percent believe it was the Holy Spirit healing my heart.

On Thursday some high officials came from the Attorney General’s office. They asked me, “What is your name?” I introduced myself to them. After that they asked me, “Are you truly a Christian?” I replied to them, I am one hundred percent Christian. I believe in the Son of God Almighty, He is my Savior and Lord. I told them the only way to come to God is to have faith in Jesus Christ, He’s the way, He’s eternal life, He’s truth, He’s love, He’s really God.

After that they asked me, “What is wrong with being a Muslim that you converted to the Christian religion?” I told them, it’s the plan of God. God chose his people to complete his work on the earth. Muslim is not bad. The Christian people are never against any religion in the world. Our fight is just with Satan. We love our enemies, like ourselves. They joked and mocked me. “You want to make us Christians now?”

Today a new person came. He asked me, “Why do you not accept Islam; why is this religion better?” I replied to him, the golden thing is this; love your enemy as yourself. In which religion do you find this word? Just in Christianity.

He told me, “You know your punishment. It’s death.” I told him, I am one hundred percent ready for the sake of my faith. My Savior gave his life for me. I am not afraid of a human; he just kills my body, but does not hurt my soul. I am afraid of my Lord and Savior; He will be able to punish my soul too. I told him I am holding on to my faith. I will never betray my faith. Without Jesus, what does the life in this world or the afterlife mean? Nothing!

RESPONSE: Today I will pray for those like Said Musa who are truly in prison for their faith.

PRAYER: Lord, may I have the strength and courage to confess You even under severe pressure.

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, November 1, 2019

Luke

His name means: "Light-Giving"

His work: He was a Gentile by birth, a physician by trade, and a journalist by calling.
His character: A humble man willing to be used rather than lauded.
His sorrow: An eyewitness to the sinfulness and jealousy of the religious elite in their support of the torture and execution of many faithful believers.
His triumph: The opportunity to chronicle the story of Jesus and the account of the founding of the church.
Key Scriptures: Luke 1-2; Acts 27

A Look at the Man

Luke may have been born in Antioch, just across the northeast corner of the Mediterranean from Paul's birthplace in Tarsus. There is no record of how Luke was converted to Christianity, but it may have been through the witness of Nicolas, who, along with Stephen, was one of the seven deacons selected by the apostles to care for the Greek-speaking believers.

Luke accompanied Paul to the city of Troas during Paul's second missionary journey. They were compatible traveling companions, so Luke joined Paul as often as he could, eventually becoming his fulltime associate.

As a professional accustomed to disciplined study, Luke decided to undertake a massive assignment—writing an account of Jesus' life and chronicling the founding and early development of the church. Two years of waiting for Paul's trial in Rome gave him ample solitude to organize the documents and memories from his experiences and travels—then to document them in writing.

Before their voyage to Rome, Luke had also accompanied Paul during his two-year imprisonment under the custody of the Roman governor in Caesarea. During that time he had begun to organize his notes for his gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. He probably traveled throughout the region during those years to collect the material he would need to pen the gospel account. An accomplished historian, Luke knew the value of personally interviewing eyewitnesses. He carefully organized his work to insure accuracy.

Once Paul had been ordered to travel to Rome, Luke joined him on the harrowing voyage across the Great Sea. On their way, their ship was destroyed near the island of Malta. Everyone aboard narrowly escaped with their lives. So it was with a great deal of emotion, once they arrived in Rome, that Luke began writing.

Because Luke had personally visited many of the cities Paul had visited, he could collect detailed accounts of what happened as the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost and the message of Jesus spread throughout the known world. Visits with apostles and witnesses along the way gave Luke not only the information but also the inspiration to finish his task.

Luke soberly accepted his God-given assignment. He was fully aware that his account would be the only one penned by a non-Jew. Luke's greatest desire was that the truth of the message would go beyond its provincial beginnings to touch the souls of those who had never seen or heard for themselves. He probably hoped to reach hundreds, maybe thousands. What he couldn't have known was that these two documents—the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles—would be read and studied by millions for generations to come.

Reflect On: Psalm 95:1–7
Praise God: For his majesty.
Offer Thanks: For calling you to obedience and service.
Confess: Your eagerness for significance rather than your passion for submission.
Ask God: To give you a servant’s heart, to serve him with gratitude.

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.
He was a Gentile by birth, a physician by trade, and a journalist by calling.

LHM Daily Devotions - November 1, 2019 - There's Something Greater Than Koalas Here

"There's Something Greater Than Koalas Here"

Nov. 1, 2019

For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.

—Acts 4:20 (ESV)

A colleague and I met with the manager of a hall we were going to rent. It was a pleasant meeting, and the negotiations soon were concluded.

As we were about to leave, the manager asked if we could spare a few minutes. We agreed that we could and with that, the manager produced some colored photos of an albino koala. It seems the manager is also a professional photographer, and his favorite subjects are animals.

Well, in a few minutes, my colleague and I heard far more about the koala than we ever cared to know. But the manager was just getting warmed up. As he went on, we made several attempts to end the conversation and be on our way. Nothing doing. He kept talking to us, and we heard much about the koala: its habitat, its diet, the way it ate, and the state of koala populations worldwide. It was quite a lesson.

The point is here was a man so filled with enthusiasm about his affection for the koala that he just couldn't keep it to himself. He had to share what he knew with whomever would listen.

I tried to remember the last time I had felt similarly enthused about sharing something. I couldn't. I then tried to remember the last time I had encountered anyone with a similar on-fire enthusiasm. An instance there escaped me, too. And then I felt an indictment which, it seems to me, many Christians must likely share.

I know and believe that Jesus Christ is the most important thing in my life—and in my death. I know and have experienced what He has done for me in my life, and yet I seldom share this knowledge or faith with anyone. The enthusiasm of this man was up front and center, and he was delighted with the chance to share what clearly was a deep and abiding interest in his life.

I know talking about Jesus can be difficult. But I still have to ask myself, why I don't do it more than I do? Why don't I and my Christian friends have more stories to tell about our Gospel-sharing experiences? Is it because we feel these conversations have to look a certain way? Is it because we feel we have to impart some essential spiritual truth, or that we need a certain type of response from someone?

If so, this can certainly derail a chance to share our faith before it even begins. If we're looking for a certain formula for telling others about Jesus, or if we're convinced we're not the man or woman for the job, in all likelihood, these conversations will never occur.

As Christians we have the Holy Spirit. It is He and He alone who convicts of sin, who moves people to repentance and faith, and who wins hearts for God. And that's good to know; it takes the burden off of us. As for you and me, we are God's mouthpieces. We are to declare the mercies of the Father who has redeemed us through the blood of His Son and who wants all people to be saved.

God is for us. Let us go forth and boldly share His Good News.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, give us tongues to speak and voices to lift up Your Son to others. In His Name we pray. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Can you remember the last time you were so excited about something you just had to share it?
• Why do you think it is that sharing our faith is such a challenge? Shouldn't we be busting at the seams to share God's love and what He has done for us?
• Do you welcome or resist spiritual conversations? If you resist, what do you do to work through that resistance?

From The Lutheran Layman, April 1978 issue, "What Do You Share Enthusiastically?" by Jon Suel. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Can you remember the last time you were so excited about something you just had to share it?

CPTLN devocional del 01 de Noviembre de 2019 - Hay algo más importante que los koalas aquí

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Hay algo más importante que los koalas aquí

01 de Noviembre de 2019

Porque nosotros no podemos dejar de hablar acerca de lo que hemos visto y oído.

—Hechos 4:20 (RVC)

Un colega y yo nos reunimos con el gerente de un salón que íbamos a alquilar. Fue una reunión agradable y las negociaciones pronto concluyeron.

Cuando estábamos a punto de irnos, el gerente nos preguntó si podíamos darle unos minutos. Le dijimos que sí y el gerente nos mostró algunas fotos a color de un koala albino. Parece que era fotógrafo profesional, y los animales eran sus modelos favoritos.

En unos minutos, mi colega y yo escuchamos mucho más sobre el koala de lo que nunca quisimos saber. Pero el gerente apenas comenzaba. Mientras se adentraba en el tema, hicimos varios intentos de terminar la conversación y seguir con nuestro día. Pero no logramos nada. Seguía hablando y hablando: su hábitat, su dieta, la forma en que comía y cuántos koalas de ese tipo hay en todo el mundo. Fue toda una lección.

El punto es que este hombre estaba tan entusiasmado por su afecto por el koala que simplemente no podía quedarse callado. Tenía que compartir lo que sabía con quien fuera que estuviera dispuesto a escucharlo.

Intenté recordar la última vez que me había sentido tan entusiasmado por compartir algo, pero no pude. Luego traté de recordar la última vez que me había encontrado con alguien con un entusiasmo tan voraz, y tampoco pude. Entonces sentí una culpa que, me parece, muchos cristianos sienten.

Sé y creo que Jesucristo es lo más importante para mi vida y después de ella. Sé y he experimentado lo que ha hecho por mí en mi vida y, sin embargo, rara vez comparto este conocimiento o mi fe con alguien. El entusiasmo de ese hombre era directo y específico, y estaba encantado con la oportunidad de compartir lo que claramente era un interés profundo y fuerte en su vida.

Sé que hablar de Jesús puede ser difícil. Pero aún tengo que preguntarme, ¿por qué no lo hago más seguido? ¿Por qué mis amigos cristianos y yo no tenemos más historias que contar sobre nuestras experiencias en la vida cristiana? ¿Es porque sentimos que esas conversaciones para compartir el Evangelio tienen que ser de cierta manera? ¿O porque sentimos que tenemos que impartir alguna verdad espiritual esencial o necesitamos un cierto tipo de respuesta de la gente?

Si es así, esto ciertamente puede acabar con la oportunidad de compartir nuestra fe antes de que comience. Si estamos buscando una determinada fórmula para contarles a otros acerca de Jesús, o si estamos convencidos de que no somos las personas indicadas, con toda probabilidad esas conversaciones nunca van a ocurrir.

Los cristianos tenemos el Espíritu Santo. Es Él y solo Él quien convence del pecado, quien mueve a las personas al arrepentimiento y la fe y quien gana corazones para Dios. Y saber eso nos quita una carga de encima. Tú y yo somos los portavoces de Dios. Debemos declarar las misericordias del Padre, quien nos ha redimido a través de la sangre de su Hijo y quien quiere que todos se salven.

Dios está con nosotros. Avancemos y compartamos audazmente sus Buenas Nuevas.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, que nuestras voces compartan siempre a tu Hijo a los demás. En su Nombre oramos. Amén.

The Lutheran Layman, abril de 1978, Jon Suel

Para reflexionar:

• ¿Por qué crees que compartir nuestra fe es un desafío? ¿No deberíamos estar desesperados por compartir el amor de Dios y lo que Él ha hecho por nosotros?
• ¿Aceptas o te resistes a las conversaciones espirituales? Si te resistes, ¿qué has hecho para superar esa resistencia?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Por qué crees que compartir nuestra fe es un desafío?

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Cánh Cửa Hòa Giải

Cánh Cửa Hòa Giải

Đọc: II Cô-rinh-tô 5:14–21 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Giê-rê-mi 24–26; Tít 2

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Mọi điều đó đến từ Đức Chúa Trời, Đấng đã cho chúng ta được hòa giải với Ngài qua Đấng Christ, và giao cho chúng tôi chức vụ hòa giải. II Cô-rinh-tô 5:18

Bên trong nhà thờ Thánh Patrick ở Dublin, Ireland có một cánh cửa kể lại câu chuyện cách đây năm thế kỷ. Năm 1492, hai nhà Butlers và FitzGeralds đánh nhau để giành lấy địa vị cao trong vùng. Cuộc chiến leo thang nên nhà Butlers đến trú ẩn trong nhà thờ. Khi nhà FitzGeralds đến để yêu cầu đình chiến, nhà Butlers không dám mở cửa. Vì vậy, nhà FitzGeralds đã đục một cái lỗ trên cửa, và người lãnh đạo đưa tay qua cầu hòa. Sau đó hai gia đình hòa giải, và hai kẻ thù trở thành bạn hữu.

Đức Chúa Trời có một cánh cửa hòa giải mà sứ đồ Phao-lô say sưa kể trong bức thư gửi cho hội thánh Cô-rinh-tô. Theo kế hoạch và bởi tình yêu vô hạn của Ngài, Đức Chúa Trời đã biến mối liên hệ tan vỡ của con người thành mối liên hệ được phục hồi thông qua sự chết của Đấng Christ trên thập tự giá. Chúng ta bị phân cách với Đức Chúa Trời, nhưng trong ơn thương xót của Ngài, Ngài không bỏ mặc chúng ta. Ngài ban cho chúng ta sự phục hồi với chính Ngài – “không kể tội lỗi cho loài người” (II Cô. 5:19). Công lý được làm trọn khi “Đức Chúa Trời đã làm cho [Chúa Jêsus] Đấng không hề biết tội lỗi trở nên tội lỗi vì chúng ta”, để trong Đấng ấy chúng ta được hòa thuận với Đức Chúa Trời (c.21).

Ngay khi chấp nhận sự hòa giải của Chúa, chúng ta được giao cho nhiệm vụ quan trọng là mang thông điệp đó đến với người khác. Chúng ta đại diện cho Đức Chúa Trời vĩ đại và yêu thương, Đấng ban sự tha thứ và phục hồi trọn vẹn cho những ai tin nhận Ngài.

Bạn cảm nhận gì khi Chúa ban sự hòa giải cho bạn? Hôm nay, làm thế nào để bạn đem sự hòa giải của Ngài đến với những người cần nghe?

Lạy Chúa, cảm ơn Ngài đã không bỏ mặc con trong chỗ tuyệt vọng và xa cách Ngài mãi mãi. Cảm ơn Ngài vì qua sự hy sinh của Con yêu dấu Ngài là Chúa Jêsus, con được đến với Ngài.

bởi Estera Pirosca Escobar

© 2019 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày
Bên trong nhà thờ Thánh Patrick ở Dublin, Ireland có một cánh cửa kể lại câu chuyện cách đây năm thế kỷ.