The Daily Lectionary for MONDAY, November 11, 2019

The Daily Lectionary

MONDAY, November 11, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Psalm 98

(Earth sees the victory of God)

Praise the Judge of the World
A Psalm.
1  O sing to the Lord a new song,
     for he has done marvelous things.
   His right hand and his holy arm
     have gotten him victory.
2  The Lord has made known his victory;
     he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
3  He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
     to the house of Israel.
   All the ends of the earth have seen
     the victory of our God.

4  Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
     break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
5  Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
     with the lyre and the sound of melody.
6  With trumpets and the sound of the horn
     make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.

7  Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
     the world and those who live in it.
8  Let the floods clap their hands;
     let the hills sing together for joy
9  at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming
     to judge the earth.
   He will judge the world with righteousness,
     and the peoples with equity.

Haggai 2:10-19

(A rebuke and a promise)

A Rebuke and a Promise
2:10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came by the prophet Haggai, saying: 11 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Ask the priests for a ruling: 12 If one carries consecrated meat in the fold of one’s garment, and with the fold touches bread, or stew, or wine, or oil, or any kind of food, does it become holy? The priests answered, “No.” 13 Then Haggai said, “If one who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?” The priests answered, “Yes, it becomes unclean.” 14 Haggai then said, So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, says the Lord; and so with every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean. 15 But now, consider what will come to pass from this day on. Before a stone was placed upon a stone in the Lord’s temple, 16 how did you fare? When one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten; when one came to the wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty. 17 I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and mildew and hail; yet you did not return to me, says the Lord. 18 Consider from this day on, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Since the day that the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid, consider: 19 Is there any seed left in the barn? Do the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree still yield nothing? From this day on I will bless you.

2 Peter 1:16-21

(Prophecy comes not by human will)

Eyewitnesses of Christ’s Glory
1:16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.

19 So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

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 for MONDAY, November 11, 2019
Psalm 98; Haggai 2:10-19; 2 Peter 1:16-21

The Daily Prayer for MONDAY, November 11, 2019

The Daily Prayer

MONDAY, November 11, 2019

Originally called Armistice Day, November 11 is set aside to remember the 24.9 million military veterans in the United States.

Charles Péguy said, “We must be saved together. We cannot go to God alone; else he would ask, ‘Where are the others?’”

Lord, whether we face it or not, we do not live in isolation. Our words and our actions impact our communities. Help us to learn to speak after appropriate silence and reflection. Help us to recognize the work we can put our hands to so we are able to engage with it prayerfully and patiently. Amen.

Verse of the Day for MONDAY, November 11, 2019

1 John 2:15-16 (NIV)

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.

Read all of 1 John 2

Listen to 1 John 2

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Veterans Day

Veterans Day

Veterans Day is a time for us to pay our respects to those who have served. For one day, we stand united in respect for you, our veterans. It is a day to honor and tell a veteran, who is still living, “thank you for your service.”

This holiday started as a day to reflect upon the heroism of those who died in our country’s service and was originally called Armistice Day. It fell on Nov. 11 because that is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. However, in 1954, the holiday was changed to “Veterans Day” in order to account for all veterans in all wars.

We celebrate and honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

As someone wrote:

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN, not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the VETERAN, who salutes the Flag, Who serves under the Flag.

Today we honor all our armed service veterans. To you, veterans, we owe a debt of gratitude because you were willing to go, to serve and to give on behalf of the United States of America! God bless you!

Have you told a veteran “thank you” yet today?

Un dia a la Vez - Lunes 11 de Noviembre de 2019

Los dos cimientos

Todo el que me oye estas palabras y no las pone en práctica es como un hombre insensato que construyó su casa sobre la arena [...] y esta se derrumbó.

—Mateo 7:26-27 (NVI)

Hoy terminamos los veintiún días y sé que mi Dios nos ha dado tremendas armas, instrucciones y doctrinas para que seamos felices mediante la obediencia. Si no leíste estos veintiún días, léelos cuando puedas. Hay cosas sencillas y prácticas que nos dejó Dios y que estoy segura que, si las aplicamos, daremos mejores frutos.

Este último llamado de nuestro Padre tiene que ver con lo más importante: La base de todo lo que hacemos, o sea, la estructura que determinará nuestra vida. ¿Dónde vamos a construir? ¿Sobre la arena o sobre la Roca que es Cristo? La vida construida sobre la Roca resistirá cualquier ataque, tormenta y desafío que se presente en nuestro diario vivir.

Por favor, dejemos la vida trivial. Dejemos de vivir a nuestra manera y de tomar decisiones que distorsionen lo que Dios ya planeó para cada uno de nosotros. Aprendamos de una vez por todas de las equivocaciones y de los golpes que hemos sufrido. Luego, permitamos que nuestro Señor nos dé esos cimientos para ser absolutamente felices en Cristo.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Hoy terminamos los veintiún días y sé que mi Dios nos ha dado tremendas armas, instrucciones y doctrinas para que seamos felices mediante la obediencia.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Monday, November 11, 2019

REMEMBER

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.”

—Exodus 17:14 (NIV)

Joshua led the Israeli army in the fight against their long-time enemies, the Amalekites. Moses went up to the top of the nearby hill. As long as his hands were held up, the Israelis were winning. When he grew tired of holding up his hands, he sat on a rock and Aaron and Hur each held up one of Moses’ arms till sunset when Joshua finally overcame the enemy.

The Lord instructs this event to be “remembered.” It was to be written down—the first time in scripture—as a permanent reminder. God’s people are explicitly called to remember both God’s deliverance and His judgment of the wicked.

The Bible records a number of events that people remembered. After Jacob’s dream at Bethel, he used the stone pillow on which he slept as a pillar of remembrance. After the Israelis finally crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land, they took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan and set them up as a memorial about which they were to tell their children. Memorials help us to remember what God has done and enable us to trust Him for the future.

Esdras is a church leader in southern Mexico. He is also a lawyer and therefore is able to stand up for the rights of many indigenous people who are persecuted for their Christian faith.

He will always remember a significant event when God’s protection was evident. He says, “I was visiting in Mitziton, an area where more than half of the community are Christians. The authorities wanted to turn two hundred Christians out of their homes and drive them out of the town. I intervened and was able to prevent them from having to leave. After this, I was publicly threatened with death. That day I was not able to return to my hometown and we spent the night in the home of a Christian. It was outside the town and there were no houses nearby.

“At about eleven o’clock in the evening, a strange sensation came over me. Something seemed wrong, but I didn’t know what the matter was. At a quarter to twelve, two trucks turned up with twelve men. They were heavily armed with guns. I was completely alone with Marilene and our little baby. That day, we happened not to have any connection to the radio or mobile phone. I couldn’t phone anyone and there was no chance of calling for help. The attackers came closer and closer. They called out, ‘Now we’ve got him. He can’t get away now. Now we’re going to shoot him dead.’

“Suddenly something unexpected happened. The gardener, an old man who lived in the grounds, turned on the lights around the house. I hadn’t asked him to do anything. When the attackers saw all those lighted lamps, they cried, ‘Where have all those guards come from?’

“They slunk off and we were spared. Maybe they saw angels, who had come to guard us.” Esdras now travels the world and remembers publicly God’s great deliverance.

RESPONSE: Today I will commit to remember the acts of God in my life and record them for the future.

PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for remembrance days we have of Your blessings and Your deliverance.

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 11, 2019

Mary of Bethany

Her name means: "Bitterness"

Her character: Mary appears to have been a single woman, totally devoted to Jesus. The gospel portrays her, by way of contrast with her sister, Martha, as a woman of few words. As Jesus neared the time of his triumphal entry into Jerusalem prior to Passover, she performed a gesture of great prophetic significance, one that offended Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus.
Her sorrow: She wept at the tomb of her brother, Lazarus, and must have experienced great sorrow at the death of Jesus.
Her joy: To have done something beautiful for Christ.
Key Scriptures: Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; Luke 10:38-42; John 11:1-12:11

Her Story

Jerusalem was swollen with a hundred thousand worshipers, pilgrims who had come to celebrate the annual Passover feast. Every one of them, it seemed, had heard tales of the rabbi Jesus.

"I wouldn't have believed it myself if I hadn't been there," one man exclaimed. "I tell you, Lazarus drew his last breath a full four days before the Nazarene ever arrived."

"My cousin saw the whole thing," said another. "According to her, Jesus simply shouted his name and Lazarus came out of the tomb, still bound in his grave clothes."

"I hear the rabbi is coming to Jerusalem to be crowned king during Passover," said the first man.

"Better if he stayed home," said another. "The chief priests say the whole story is nonsense, that Jesus is a rabble-rouser who'll soon have the Romans up in arms against us all."

The rumors spread quickly, like floodwater spilling over a riverbank. The curious kept chasing after Mary, inquiring about her brother. Had he really been dead four days? Didn't he smell when he came stumbling out of the tomb? What was it like to live in the same house with a ghost? Did he eat and sleep? Could you see straight through him? Did he simply float through the air wherever he went?

She could hardly blame them for their crazy questions. Why shouldn't they be curious about the amazing event that had taken place in Bethany just weeks earlier? How could they know that Lazarus was as normal as any other living man? After all, raising people from the dead wasn't your everyday kind of miracle. These days she felt a rush of joy run through her, like wine overflowing a cup, whenever she looked at Lazarus. Her own flesh and blood had been called out of darkness by a man who was filled with light. How she longed to see Jesus again!

But shadows framed the edges of her happiness. No amount of celebrating could erase the memory of Jesus as he wept that day outside her brother's tomb. Even as others were celebrating the most spectacular miracle imaginable, he seemed strangely quiet. What was he thinking as he gazed at them? she wondered. She wished he would tell her, that she could plumb the secrets of his heart.

When Jesus finally returned to Bethany before the Passover, Martha served a feast in his honor. As Jesus was reclining at table with the other guests, Mary entered the room and anointed his head with a pint of expensive perfume. Its fragrance filled the whole house.

The disciple Judas Iscariot, failing to appreciate her gesture, objected strenuously: "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." Though he cared nothing for the destitute, Judas was the keeper of the common purse, a man always looking for a chance to fatten his own pockets.

But rather than scolding Mary for her extravagance, Jesus praised her, saying: "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, whenever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her."

From her first encounter with Christ, Mary seems to have pursued one thing above all—the deepest possible relationship with him. She soaked up his teaching, took his promises to heart, listened for every change of inflection that would yield more clues about him. Love gave her insights that others missed. Somehow, she must have understood that Jesus would not enter Jerusalem to lasting acclaim but to death and dishonor. For a time, the light itself would appear to be smothered by the darkness. While everyone else was busy celebrating Jesus' triumph in raising Lazarus, Mary stood quietly beside him, sharing his grief.

Christ found Mary's extravagant act of adoration a beautiful thing, assuring everyone that she would be remembered forever for the way she lavished herself upon him. Mary of Bethany was a woman unafraid of expressing her love, determined to seek the heart of God—a prophetess whose gesture speaks eloquently even from a distance of two thousand years.

Her Promise

The Old Testament Passover lamb was only a shadow of what was to come. As our Passover Lamb, Jesus has completely and thoroughly accomplished our redemption from sin. Just as the little lamb died so that the firstborn in the Hebrew families would not die and would go free from Egypt, so Jesus, our Passover Lamb, has died so that we can be freed from our slavery to sin.

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.
The rumors spread quickly, like floodwater spilling over a riverbank.

LHM Daily Devotions - November 11, 2019 - In the Sight of the Nations

"In the Sight of the Nations"

Nov. 11, 2019

Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done marvelous things! His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him. The LORD has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations.

—Psalm 98:1-2 (ESV)

On Veterans Day, we remember with gratitude the service of men and women in our Armed Forces, those who faithfully serve during days of peace and through times of conflict. They risk their lives and even sacrifice their lives to defend our freedom. The date of Veterans Day marks the end of World War I, as hostilities ceased at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. What was hopefully but wrongly called "the war to end all wars" had involved countries around the world, and the nations rejoiced to see the horrifying conflict come to an end.

The psalm celebrates another conflict and another victory revealed long ago, "in the sight of the nations." This conflict involved service and sacrifice, not of multiple military forces, but of one individual: the Son of God, Jesus Christ. The conflict and victory were determined according to the counsel of God, who had made a promise—an unbreakable covenant—to destroy the power of Satan, Eden's ancient, tempting serpent. Satan would war against the Son of God, and Christ Jesus would, by falling in death and rising from the grave, crush the serpent's power.

In Jesus Christ, God "has made known His salvation." In the sight of the nations, the Son of God was lifted up on a cross, offered up as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world, for our sins. It was not at the 11th hour, but at the 9th hour when, as darkness veiled the land, the Son of God cried out, "It is finished" (John 19:30b). He had accomplished the work He came to do: "to give His life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45b). God's promise was kept, His covenant fulfilled. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God had "made known His salvation."

In World War I, hostilities were declared over on that 11th day, but conflict continued for a time in many places. So now too, our struggle against sin, death, and Satan continues. But through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the victory has already been won. The psalm continues as it celebrates the day of Jesus' return, when every conflict will cease and death, "the last enemy," will be destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:26a). Until that day, we sing "a new song," a song of victory, celebrating anew the marvelous things that our God has done. On that great day when our Savior returns, creation will join with us in praise: "Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together before the LORD, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity" (Psalm 98:8-9).

THE PRAYER: Almighty God, we give You thanks and praise for the marvelous things You have done, for the gift of Your Son, our Savior, and for the salvation that is ours through faith in His Name. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• What does your family do to honor/acknowledge military veterans?
• Do you have favorite Bible books or passages that deal with battles or conflicts?
• Is it meaningful to veterans to thank them for their service in the Armed Forces? Do you think they appreciate hearing that?

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).
What does your family do to honor/acknowledge military veterans?

CPTLN devocional del 11 de Noviembre de 2019 - Ante todas las naciones

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Ante todas las naciones

11 de Noviembre de 2019

¡Cantemos al Señor un cántico nuevo por las proezas que ha realizado! ¡Con su diestra, con su santo brazo, ha alcanzado la victoria! El Señor ha dado a conocer su salvación; ¡ha revelado su justicia ante todas las naciones!

—Salmo 98:1-2 (RVC)

En el Día de los Veteranos, recordamos con gratitud el servicio de hombres y mujeres en nuestras Fuerzas Armadas, quienes sirven fielmente durante los días de paz y también en tiempos de conflicto. Ellos arriesgan e incluso sacrifican sus vidas para defender nuestra libertad. La fecha en que celebramos el Día de los Veteranos marca el final de la Primera Guerra Mundial, ya que las hostilidades cesaron a las 11 horas del día 11 del mes 11 en 1918. Se esperaba erróneamente que esa guerra, la cual había involucrado a países de todo el mundo, fuera "la guerra que terminaría todas las guerras", así que las naciones se regocijaron al ver que ese horrible conflicto llegaba a su fin.

Este salmo también celebra un conflicto y una victoria revelada hacía mucho tiempo "ante todas las naciones". Este conflicto involucró el servicio y el sacrificio, no de múltiples fuerzas militares, sino de un individuo: Jesucristo, el Hijo de Dios. El conflicto y la victoria se determinaron de acuerdo con el consejo de Dios, quien había hecho una promesa, un pacto inquebrantable, de destruir el poder de Satanás, la antigua y tentadora serpiente del Edén. Satanás pelearía contra el Hijo de Dios y Cristo Jesús aplastaría el poder de la serpiente al morir y resucitar.

En Jesucristo, Dios "ha dado a conocer su salvación; ¡ha revelado su justicia ante todas las naciones!", cuando el Hijo de Dios fue levantado en una cruz y ofrecido como el sacrificio perfecto por los pecados del mundo, por nuestros pecados. No fue a la hora 11 sino a la hora 9, cuando la oscuridad cubrió la tierra y el Hijo de Dios gritó: "Consumado es" (Juan 19:30b). Jesús había terminado el trabajo que vino a hacer: "dar su vida en rescate por muchos" (Marcos 10:45b). La promesa de Dios y su pacto fueron cumplidos, pues a través de la muerte y resurrección de Jesucristo, Dios dio "a conocer su salvación".

En la Primera Guerra Mundial se declararon las hostilidades en el día 11, pero el conflicto continuó por un tiempo más en muchos lugares. De igual forma nuestra lucha contra el pecado, la muerte y Satanás todavía continúa. Pero a través de la muerte y resurrección de Jesucristo, la victoria ya ha sido ganada. Este salmo continúa celebrando hasta el día del regreso de Jesús, cuando cada conflicto cesará y la muerte, "el último enemigo", será destruido (1 Corintios 15:26a). Hasta ese día, seguiremos cantando "una nueva canción", una canción de victoria, celebrando de nuevo las cosas maravillosas que nuestro Dios ha hecho. En ese gran día, cuando nuestro Salvador regrese, la creación se unirá a nosotros en alabanza: "¡Que aclamen al Señor los ríos, y que todos los montes se regocijen! El Señor viene a juzgar la tierra, y juzgará al mundo con justicia, y a los pueblos con rectitud" (Salmo 98:8-9).

ORACIÓN: Dios Todopoderoso, te damos gracias y te alabamos por las cosas maravillosas que has hecho, por el regalo de tu Hijo, nuestro Salvador, y por la salvación que es nuestra por medio de la fe en su Nombre. Amén.

Dra. Carol Geisler

Para reflexionar:

• ¿Qué hace tu familia para honrar / reconocer a los veteranos de guerra?
• ¿Cuál es tu libro o pasaje favorito de la Biblia que habla de batallas o conflictos?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Qué hace tu familia para honrar / reconocer a los veteranos de guerra?

Notre Pain Quotidien - À Dieu de choisir

À Dieu de choisir

Lisez : Matthieu 6.5-15

La Bible en un an : Jérémie 50 ; Hébreux 8

[Que] ta volonté soit faite. V. 10

Nate et Sherilyn ont aimé leur arrêt dans un restaurant omakase durant leur visite de New York. Omakase est un mot japonais qui signifie « À vous de choisir », en ce sens que les clients permettent au chef de choisir leur repas. Même s’ils en étaient à leur premier essai de ce type de cuisine et que la chose leur semblait risquée, ils se sont régalés du choix du chef.

Cette idée pourrait s’étendre à notre attitude envers Dieu dans le choix de nos requêtes de prière : « À toi de choisir. » Les disciples ont souvent vu Jésus se retirer pour prier (voir LU 5.16), si bien qu’ils lui ont demandé un jour de leur enseigner à prier. Il leur a alors recommandé de présenter au Père céleste leurs besoins quotidiens, ainsi que de solliciter son pardon et son aide pour surmonter la tentation. Une partie de sa réponse suggérait aussi une attitude de soumission : « [Que] ta volonté soit faite sur la terre comme au ciel » (MT 6.10).

Nous pouvons soumettre nos besoins à Dieu, car il désire entendre ce qui nous tient à cœur – et il se plaît à donner. Par contre, comme nous sommes des êtres humains et finis, nous ne savons pas toujours ce qui est le mieux pour nous. Il est donc logique que nous lui fassions nos demandes avec humilité et soumission. Nous pouvons aussi lui laisser le soin de choisir sa réponse, ayant l’assurance qu’il se montrera digne de confiance et qu’il choisira de nous préparer ce qu’il y a de mieux pour nous.

Nous pouvons répandre nos besoins devant Dieu dans la prière, sachant qu’il est digne de confiance et qu’il agira au mieux de nos intérêts.

par Anne Cetas

© 2019 Ministères NPQ
Nate et Sherilyn ont aimé leur arrêt dans un restaurant omakase durant leur visite de New York.