The Daily Lectionary for MONDAY, November 4, 2019

The Daily Lectionary

SATURDAY, November 2, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Psalm 142

(The righteous will surround me)

Prayer for Deliverance from Persecutors
A Maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A Prayer.
1  With my voice I cry to the Lord;
     with my voice I make supplication to the Lord.
2  I pour out my complaint before him;
     I tell my trouble before him.
3  When my spirit is faint,
     you know my way.

   In the path where I walk
     they have hidden a trap for me.
4  Look on my right hand and see—
     there is no one who takes notice of me;
   no refuge remains to me;
     no one cares for me.

5  I cry to you, O Lord;
     I say, “You are my refuge,
     my portion in the land of the living.”
6  Give heed to my cry,
     for I am brought very low.

   Save me from my persecutors,
     for they are too strong for me.
7  Bring me out of prison,
     so that I may give thanks to your name.
   The righteous will surround me,
     for you will deal bountifully with me.

Habakkuk 2:12-20

(Knowledge of the glory of God)

12 “Alas for you who build a town by bloodshed,
     and found a city on iniquity!”
13 Is it not from the Lord of hosts
     that peoples labor only to feed the flames,
     and nations weary themselves for nothing?
14 But the earth will be filled
     with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,
     as the waters cover the sea.

15 “Alas for you who make your neighbors drink,
     pouring out your wrath until they are drunk,
     in order to gaze on their nakedness!”
16 You will be sated with contempt instead of glory.
     Drink, you yourself, and stagger!
   The cup in the Lord’s right hand
     will come around to you,
     and shame will come upon your glory!
17 For the violence done to Lebanon will overwhelm you;
     the destruction of the animals will terrify you—
   because of human bloodshed and violence to the earth,
     to cities and all who live in them.

18 What use is an idol
     once its maker has shaped it—
     a cast image, a teacher of lies?
   For its maker trusts in what has been made,
     though the product is only an idol that cannot speak!
19 Alas for you who say to the wood, “Wake up!”
     to silent stone, “Rouse yourself!”
     Can it teach?
   See, it is gold and silver plated,
     and there is no breath in it at all.

20 But the Lord is in his holy temple;
     let all the earth keep silence before him!

1 Corinthians 5:9-13

(Drive out the wicked)

Sexual Immorality Must Be Judged
5:9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral persons— 10 not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister who is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber. Do not even eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging those outside? Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge? 13 God will judge those outside. “Drive out the wicked person from among 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 142; Habakkuk 2:12-20; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13

The Daily Prayer for MONDAY, November 4, 2019

The Daily Prayer

MONDAY, November 4, 2019

Watchman Nee (1903-1972)

Watchman Nee was a Chinese church leader in the early twentieth century. He was born into a Methodist family on November 4, 1903. Nee was a courageous pastor and writer who saw a great revival in China. He had no formal theological training, but with a deep commitment, he undertook thirty years of ministry in the underground church in China. Eventually he was imprisoned for his faith and remained in prison for two decades until his death in 1972.

Salvadoran martyr Rutilio Grande said, “It is a dangerous thing to be a Christian in our world.”

Lord, remind us that we are resident aliens, called to be in the world but not of it. Show us today what it means to live as though your kingdom has come, while trusting that it is still coming. Amen.

Verse of the Day for MONDAY, November 4, 2019

2 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV)

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Read all of 2 Corinthians 3

Listen to 2 Corinthians 3

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 - Lunes 4 de Noviembre de 2019

Dios y las riquezas

Nadie puede servir a dos señores [...] No se puede servir a la vez a Dios y a las riquezas.

—Mateo 6:24 (NVI)

Hay una gran tendencia en el ser humano por el dinero y es algo que a veces se le escapa a la gente de las manos. Incluso, esto sucede a menudo de manera incontrolable sin saber el daño espiritual que ocasiona.

Ahora volvamos al punto que vimos en días pasados. Dios desea que tú y yo tengamos bendiciones, una casa linda, un bello auto y, por qué no, algunos lujos. Sin embargo, lo que entristece su corazón es que empecemos a adorar el dinero, porque al único que debemos adorar es a nuestro Dios.

Tu felicidad no debe depender del dinero, porque el día que no lo tengas o que lo pierdas, te sentirás desdichado. Por eso Dios desea que agradezcamos y disfrutemos el dinero sin dejar de reconocer que el dueño del oro y la plata es Él.

La entrega de esta esfera es muy difícil, pero no imposible. Es mejor reconocer esta debilidad, pedir perdón y darle la gloria a Dios.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Hay una gran tendencia en el ser humano por el dinero y es algo que a veces se le escapa a la gente de las manos.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Monday, November 4, 2019

NO TURNING BACK

“Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

—Matthew 10:38 (NIV)

In northern Nigeria, confessing Christ by word of mouth is not the only test of a believer’s sincere submission to the authority of Christ—particularly one coming to Christ from Islam. A true follower of Jesus must be prepared to carry the cross, or else he falls away.

For 25-year-old Akin, his cross came quickly. His father and uncle took him from the home of one Islamic scholar to another, trying to convince him to compromise his faith in Christ. But all their efforts proved fruitless. Finally, as a last resort, Akin’s family took him to an Islamic reformatory where he must either accept Islam, or die.

“There, I lived with thieves, murderers, alcoholics and drug addicts whose parents or relatives had brought them there to be rehabilitated. I did not belong there…Immediately, they had my hands and feet chained. The chains fastened on my legs were worse, as they joined the metals directly on my legs. They also beat me consistently. The experience was agonizing, but I had to endure, because I had seen the light in Christ and accepted it,” said Akin.

“They maltreated us, but mine was more severe because the Islamic teacher told them I had blasphemed against the prophet of Islam,” said Akin. “I wore the same shirt and trousers for nine months. I could not even wash them since I was chained, hands and feet.”

After nine months in chains and under the cruel treatment of outcasts and the Islamic teacher, the Islamic teacher took Akin back to his father’s house in the village. “My father was very upset and asked the Islamic teacher to take me back, since I had not recanted my faith in Christ,” Akin said. But the teacher refused. “He handed me over to my father and left.”

Because staying with his parents would mean his death, he immediately fled to a pastor’s house for refuge. Akin stayed indoors for two weeks until the church relocated him to a more secure environment. Akin was discipled over the next two years, and then called into ministry.

Now in a Bible school, Akin still cannot go back home. The church in his village is small, with almost no means to support him. His Christian mentor is the only source of help for his school fees, books and provision of food.

“For me the battle continues, although I know it is Christ who rescued me,” says Akin. “This is a constant reminder that Christ actually gave up his life for me…So my experience in that [Islamic reformatory] was just a part of the road that leads to eternity with Christ. He has told us the journey will not be easy, but we must press on, no turning back.”

RESPONSE: Today I will persevere in following Jesus no matter what obstacles I face. I will not turn back!

PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for the example of believers like Akin whose example imitates Yours in teaching me to follow after You, no matter the cost.

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

Women of the Bible - Monday, November 4, 2019

Martha

Her name means: "Lady" (the feminine form of "Lord")

Her character: Active and pragmatic, she seemed never at a loss for words. Though Jesus chastened her for allowing herself to become worried and upset by small things, she remained his close friend and follower.
Her sorrow: To have waited, seemingly in vain, for Jesus to return in time to heal her brother, Lazarus.
Her joy: To watch as Jesus restored her brother to life.
Key Scriptures: Luke 10:38-42; John 11:1-12:3

Her Story

Martha, Mary, and their brother, Lazarus, lived together in Bethany, a village just two miles from Jerusalem, on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. All three were intimate friends of Jesus.

During one of his frequent stays in their home, Martha became annoyed with Mary, her indignation spilling over like water from a boiling pot. Instead of helping with the considerable chore of feeding and housing Jesus and his retinue of disciples, Mary had been spending her time sitting happily at his feet. Feeling ignored and unappreciated, Martha marched over to Jesus and demanded: "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

But Jesus wouldn't oblige. Instead, he chided her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her."

Jesus' tender rebuke must have embarrassed and startled her, calculated as it was to break the grip of her self-pity and reveal what was really taking place under her own roof and in her own heart. Perhaps this competent woman realized for the first time just how much she had been missing. Distracted by the need to serve Jesus, she had not taken time to enjoy him, to listen and learn from him. Her anger at Mary may have stemmed more from envy than from any concern about being overworked, for her sister had made her way into the circle of men to sit at the feet of the Teacher and learn from him.

Martha's story, of course, points to what is really important in life. She seemed confused and distracted, conned into believing her ceaseless activity would produce something of lasting importance. But Martha does more than simply instruct through her mistakes. She shows what it is like to have a relationship with Jesus so solid and close that no posturing or hiding is necessary. Martha seemed free to be herself in his presence. Where else should she have taken her frustration and anger, after all, but to Jesus?

Martha seems to have worked out her faith directly and actively, questioning, challenging, asking Jesus to rectify whatever had gone wrong. Her spirituality was like that of Jacob, who wrestled all night with an angel, or Job, who questioned God in the midst of his suffering, or Peter, who stumbled brashly forward into faith despite his mistakes.

In a later scene, after her brother died, we see Martha running to meet Jesus as soon as she heard he was near. Her greeting to Jesus was tinged with complaint: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." But faith, too, was present: "I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."

"Your brother will rise again," Jesus assured her.

"I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day, " Martha replied.

"I am the resurrection and the life, " Jesus said. "Anyone who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

"Yes, Lord, " she told him. "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

But right after her tremendous expression of faith, Martha's practical side reasserted itself. When Jesus asked for the stone to be removed from Lazarus's tomb, she objected, raising the concern on everyone's mind: "But, Lord, there will be a terrible stink. Lazarus has been there four days!" How amazed she must have been when instead of the stench of death, Lazarus himself emerged from the tomb.

The more we delve into Martha's story, the more familiar it seems—as familiar as the face gazing at us in the bathroom mirror. A woman who placed too much importance on her own activity and not enough on sitting quietly before Jesus, she pleaded for fairness without realizing that her version of fairness was itself unfair. Her commonsensical approach to life made faith difficult. But she also loved Jesus and was confident of his love for her. How else could she have found the courage to keep pressing him for answers to her many questions? Martha offers a warmly human portrait of what it means to have Jesus as a friend, allowing him to stretch her faith, rebuke her small vision of the world, and show her what the power of God can do.

Her Promise

Martha meets Jesus again in John 11 after the death of her brother, Lazarus. With characteristic forthrightness, she tells Jesus that if he had come earlier, Lazarus would not have died. Her statements open the way for Jesus to declare for all to hear—including us today—that he alone is the resurrection and the life. If we believe in him, even if we die, we live. What a promise! What a comfort! Through Jesus, death no longer has any power over us.

This devotional is drawn from Women of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda. Used with permission.
Active and pragmatic, she seemed never at a loss for words.

LHM Daily Devotions - November 4, 2019 - Created for Praise

"Created for Praise"

Nov. 4, 2019

Praise Him, sun and moon, praise Him, all you shining stars! Praise Him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the Name of the LORD! For He commanded and they were created. And He established them forever and ever; He gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.

—Psalm 148:3-6 (ESV)

The world appears to be anything but orderly. In fact, it very often seems to be in complete disarray. Military and political conflicts stir up the nations. Disasters, natural and man-made, swirl across the globe. Yet there is order in this disordered world. The sun rises and sets, just as expected, giving predictability to our days. The waxing and waning moon marks the months. The stars and planets maintain their courses and, as they go, their motion is a song of praise to their Creator, who set them on their way.

The creation account in Genesis reflects this ordered majesty. God calls the earth, the seas and the sky into existence and marks the passing of each new day. On the sixth day, God creates man—male and female—in His own image: people created to serve and praise Him and to care for the world He has made.

The people God created did not continue in the order into which their Creator placed them. They rebelled against His Word and ate the fruit forbidden to them; "they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator" (Romans 1:25a). Their sinful disorder spread through the world and, like an inherited disease, carried down through the generations to infect our lives, as we too rebel against God.

Yet even in this fallen world, "the heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork" (Psalm 19:1). For before the foundation of the world God planned to restore His creation, including the people made in His image, to the ordered majesty He first decreed. Jesus, God's own Son, would come to "reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross" (Colossians 1:20b).

By God's grace, through faith in Jesus, our sins are forgiven, and we are reconciled to God. Each of us is, in Christ Jesus, a new creation. The psalmist declares, "Praise Him, sun and moon, praise Him, all you shining stars! Praise Him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!" We joyfully join in as creation praises its Creator, an echo of the praise to come, when "at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10-11).

THE PRAYER: Our God and Creator, the earth and skies declare Your majesty. For the sake of Jesus our Savior, accept our grateful praise until the day comes when all creation bows down to confess that He is Lord. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• When you look at the stars at night, what do you think about? What strikes you most about the insignificance of planet earth in respect to the enormity of the universe?
• How do you envision God's creation of the universe beyond the earth? Was there more of a process, do you think, that took place than God simply speaking the stars, planets, and galaxies into existence?
• What is your favorite kind of earth environment—mountains, beach, desert, or someplace else? Why?

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
When you look at the stars at night, what do you think about?

CPTLN devocional del 04 de Noviembre de 2019 - Creados para alabar

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Creados para alabar

04 de Noviembre de 2019

¡Que alaben al Señor el sol y la luna! ¡Que alaben al Señor las estrellas refulgentes! ¡Que alaben al Señor los cielos de los cielos, y las aguas que están sobre los cielos! ¡Alabado sea el nombre del Señor! El Señor dio una orden, y todo fue creado. Todo quedó para siempre en su lugar; el Señor dio una orden que no se debe alterar.

—Salmo 148:3-6 (RVC)

Este mundo parece lejos de estar en orden; de hecho, parece ser un desorden total. Los conflictos militares y políticos agitan a las naciones. Los desastres naturales y los provocados por el hombre, se arremolinan en todo el mundo. Sin embargo, en este mundo desordenado sí hay orden. El sol sale y se pone sin fallar, dando previsibilidad a todos nuestros días. La luna creciente y menguante marca los meses. Las estrellas y los planetas mantienen su curso y, a medida que avanzan, su movimiento es una canción de alabanza a su Creador.

El relato de la creación en Génesis refleja esta majestad ordenada. Con el poder de su Palabra hablada, Dios hizo que existieran la tierra, los mares y el cielo y es él quien marca el paso de cada nuevo día. En el sexto día Dios creó al ser humano, hombre y mujer, a su propia imagen: creados para servirlo y alabarlo y para cuidar del mundo que él había hecho.

Pero las personas que Dios creó no se mantuvieron en el orden en que fueron creados. Se rebelaron contra su Palabra y comieron de la fruta prohibida; "cambiaron la verdad de Dios por la mentira, y honraron y dieron culto a las criaturas antes que al Creador" (Romanos 1:25a). Su desorden pecaminoso se extendió por el mundo y, como una enfermedad hereditaria, se transmitió de generación en generación infectando nuestras vidas.

Sin embargo, incluso en este mundo caído, "los cielos proclaman la gloria de Dios; el firmamento revela la obra de sus manos" (Salmo 19:1). Porque antes de la fundación del mundo, Dios planeó restaurar su creación a la majestad ordenada que decretó al principio, incluyendo a los seres humanos hechos a su imagen. Jesús, el Hijo de Dios, vendría a "reconciliar consigo todas las cosas, tanto las que están en la tierra como las que están en los cielos, haciendo la paz mediante la sangre de su cruz" (Colosenses 1:20b).

Por la gracia de Dios, a través de la fe en Jesús, nuestros pecados son perdonados y somos reconciliados con Dios. Cada uno de nosotros es, en Cristo Jesús, una nueva creación. El salmista declara: "¡Que alaben al Señor el sol y la luna! Que alaben al Señor las estrellas refulgentes! ¡Que alaben al Señor los cielos de los cielos, y las aguas que están sobre los cielos!" Nos unimos alegremente a la alabanza de la creación a su Creador, que es un eco de la alabanza que viene, cuando "en el nombre de Jesús se doble toda rodilla de los que están en los cielos, y en la tierra, y debajo de la tierra; y toda lengua confiese que Jesucristo es el Señor, para gloria de Dios el Padre" (Filipenses 2:10-11).

ORACIÓN: Nuestro Dios y Creador, la tierra y los cielos declaran tu gloria. Por Jesús nuestro Salvador, acepta nuestra alabanza de agradecimiento hasta que llegue el día en que toda la creación doble sus rodillas para confesar que Él es el Señor. Amén.

Dra. Carol Geisler

Para reflexionar:

• ¿Qué es lo que más te sorprende de la insignificancia del planeta tierra con respecto a la enormidad del universo?
• ¿Qué significa para ti que Dios te haya creado?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Qué es lo que más te sorprende de la insignificancia del planeta tierra con respecto a la enormidad del universo?

Notre Pain Quotidien - Rien à craindre

Rien à craindre

Lisez : Sophonie 3.9-17

La Bible en un an : Jérémie 32 – 33 ; Hébreux 1

[Mais] ils paîtront, ils se reposeront, et personne ne les troublera V. 13

Lorsque la police éthiopienne a retrouvé l’adolescente de douze ans une semaine après son enlèvement, trois lions à crinière noire l’entouraient pour la protéger comme si elle était des leurs. Sept hommes l’avaient kidnappée, l’avaient emmenée dans les bois et l’avaient rouée de coups. Par miracle, un trio de félins ayant entendu les cris de la jeune fille, avait accouru et avait chassé ses assaillants. Le sergent Wondimu a indiqué à un journaliste : « [Les lions] ont veillé sur elle jusqu’à ce qu’on la retrouve, puis l’ont tout simplement laissée là comme un présent avant de retourner dans la forêt. »

Certains jours, la violence et le mal, comme ceux infligés à cette jeune fille, nous déconcertent, nous désespèrent et nous terrifient. Dans l’Antiquité, le peuple de Juda en a fait l’expérience lorsque des armées impitoyables ont triomphé de lui et qu’il en est venu à ne plus imaginer comment leur échapper. La peur le consumait, mais le Seigneur lui a rappelé sa présence incessante : « [Le] roi d’Israël, l’Éternel, est au milieu de toi ; tu n’as plus de malheur à éprouver » (SO 3.15). Même si notre propre rébellion nous mène à la catastrophe, Dieu vient malgré tout à notre secours : « L’Éternel, ton Dieu, est au milieu de toi, comme un héros qui sauve » (V. 17).

Quels que soient les problèmes et les maux qui nous assaillent, Jésus – le Lion de Juda et notre Sauveur – reste toujours à nos côtés (AP 5.5). Et cela, même si nous nous sentons seuls au monde et en proie à la terreur.

Jésus se tient à nos côtés, et cela, quels que soient les problèmes et les maux que nous devons surmonter.

par Winn Collier

© 2019 Ministères NPQ
Lorsque la police éthiopienne a retrouvé l’adolescente de douze ans une semaine après son enlèvement, trois lions à crinière noire l’entouraient pour la protéger comme si elle était des leurs.