The Daily Lectionary for WEDNESDAY, November 13, 2019

The Daily Lectionary

WEDNESDAY, November 13, 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.

Zechariah 8:1-17

(God’s promise to Zion)

God’s Promises to Zion
8:1 The word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying: 2 Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. 3 Thus says the Lord: I will return to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts shall be called the holy mountain. 4 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of their great age. 5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets. 6 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Even though it seems impossible to the remnant of this people in these days, should it also seem impossible to me, says the Lord of hosts? 7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: I will save my people from the east country and from the west country; 8 and I will bring them to live in Jerusalem. They shall be my people and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.

9 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Let your hands be strong—you that have recently been hearing these words from the mouths of the prophets who were present when the foundation was laid for the rebuilding of the temple, the house of the Lord of hosts. 10 For before those days there were no wages for people or for animals, nor was there any safety from the foe for those who went out or came in, and I set them all against one another. 11 But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days, says the Lord of hosts. 12 For there shall be a sowing of peace; the vine shall yield its fruit, the ground shall give its produce, and the skies shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. 13 Just as you have been a cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you and you shall be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.

14 For thus says the Lord of hosts: Just as I purposed to bring disaster upon you, when your ancestors provoked me to wrath, and I did not relent, says the Lord of hosts, 15 so again I have purposed in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah; do not be afraid. 16 These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another, render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace, 17 do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath; for all these are things that I hate, says the Lord.

John 5:19-29

(The authority of the Son)

The Authority of the Son
5:19 Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. 20 The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. 21 Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes. 22 The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life.

25 “Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; 27 and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and will come out—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

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 WEDNESDAY, November 13, 2019
Psalm 98; Zechariah 8:1-17; John 5:19-29

The Daily Prayer for WEDNESDAY, November 13, 2019

The Daily Prayer

WEDNESDAY, November 13, 2019

John Scotus Eriugena, a ninth-century Irish monk, wrote, “Christ wears ‘two shoes’ in the world: Scripture and nature. Both are necessary to understand the Lord, and at no stage can creation be seen as a separation of things from God.”

Thank you, Lord, for the endless ways you reveal yourself to us. We are so quick to separate heaven from earth, but you shine forth in all things created by your hand. Teach us that to delight in the beauty of the earth is another way of praising you. Amen.

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, November 13, 2019

1 Peter 2:15-16 (NIV)

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.

Read all of 1 Peter 2

Listen to 1 Peter 2

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 - Miércoles 13 de Noviembre de 2019

Apunta hacia la excelencia

Consideren bien todo lo verdadero, todo lo respetable, todo lo justo, todo lo puro, todo lo amable [...] todo lo que sea excelente o merezca elogio.

—Filipenses 4:8 (NVI)

Estamos casi a las puertas del último día del año. Así que es muy importante que todo lo que Dios nos mostró en estas pequeñas meditaciones diarias las empecemos a poner en práctica. De esa manera no solo llegaremos a tener éxito en la iglesia, sino en todo lo que emprendamos en la vida.

Procuremos siempre modelar a Jesús para que nos vaya bien en las cosas que emprendamos. Que siempre esté delante de nosotros la sinceridad, la honestidad, la transparencia, la humildad, la integridad y la verdad. Aunque a los demás les moleste esto de ti, recuerda que servimos a un Dios bueno e íntegro y Él espera lo mejor de nosotros.

No importa cuál sea tu trabajo, hazlo de buena gana. Sé que a veces nos ha tocado hacer cosas que nunca nos imaginamos, sobre todo en este país, y eso nos puede frustrar. Sin embargo, nosotros debemos ver las cosas diferentes. Así que piensa que esto que haces hoy es pasajero y que Dios tiene un mejor futuro para ti.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Estamos casi a las puertas del último día del año. Así que es muy importante que todo lo que Dios nos mostró en estas pequeñas meditaciones diarias las empecemos a poner en práctica. De esa manera no solo llegaremos a tener éxito en la iglesia, sino en todo lo que emprendamos en la vida.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Wednesday, November 13, 2019

HOPE IN THE FACE OF REJECTION

Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.

—Mark 10:29-30 (NIV)

A young lady from India who received Standing Strong Through the Storm (SSTS) training shares her poignant story:

Though I long to see my family, I cannot go home. I haven’t been home in three years, ever since my family poured hot water on me to show their hostility. They were extremely upset when I accepted Christ as my Savior as a teenager. I stopped worshiping idols and other gods that my family worshiped. I began to pray and read the Bible every day. My family, who kept food from me, even poured hot meals on me. They tore Bibles from my hand and burned them, six of them.

I was beaten severely for attending church services. One time so badly that I was half dead. While I was still on my sick bed I heard the voice of God saying, “Leave your family whom you love and follow me.” It was a very difficult decision for me, but I agreed to do His word. So I told my father that I would be leaving for Bible College to study and learn about Jesus. On hearing my words he was furious and said that if I was to do my own will then I could leave for good. He demanded money that he had spent for my upbringing. It broke my heart.

Learning of the terrible condition I was in, an evangelist reached out to me with help and brought me to a Bible College supported by Open Doors. After a year I went home expecting my family to accept me. But they remained unchanged.

Two years later, my father attended my Bible College graduation in secret, coming in late to the back and leaving early. He did not want to speak to me. My family has only given me pain and sorrow and I think about it and weep.

But I believe in God’s promise, “Let your heart not be troubled, believe in God and also in me, there are many rooms in my father’s house…I will come back and take you with me” (John 14:1-3). So one day I will be with Him in His heavenly home where there will be no more sorrow, crying or pain.

RESPONSE: Today I will be encouraged that no matter what happens; following Jesus gives me hope.

PRAYER: Pray for many believers, like the young lady above, who endure the pain of rejection.

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

LHM Daily Devotions - November 13, 2019 - Spoken Like a True Theologian and Pragmatist

"Spoken Like a True Theologian and Pragmatist"

Nov. 13, 2019

Now we command you, brothers, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.

—2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 (ESV)

The church at Thessalonica had been grappling with some concerns that "the day of the Lord had come" (2 Thessalonians 2:2b). This was a big deal, and Paul earlier in this letter goes on at length to reiterate what he had told them previously—that things like a "rebellion" and the "man of lawlessness" and the "son of destruction" who proclaims "himself to be God" will all make their appearance before the coming of the Lord (see 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12).

Notwithstanding Paul's earlier teaching, however, speculation that these things had already occurred had possibly led some to take advantage of the church's charity by unnecessarily drawing from its resources to support their idle behavior.

In regard to his instruction on end-time matters, Paul urges believers to "stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter" (2 Thessalonians 2:15b). On the wholly practical matter of day-to-day living, he advises them to "keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us" (2 Thessalonians 3:6b).

To all this, Paul gives some down-to-earth basics to the believers at Thessalonica: watch out for those who are idle; if they won't work, neither should they eat. Paul backs this up by telling them that even though he had the "right," so to speak, to receive food from them when he and his fellow evangelists were among them, he didn't exercise it. Instead, he reminded them how they toiled "night and day," so as not to be a "burden to any."

Paul knew that the Gospel he liberally proclaimed was life changing in its effects. If he could be turned from his life of extremism against the early church to embrace the salvation God offers in Christ, then surely those guilty of slacking in their work could be brought around.

How practical God is in His Word and provision to us! These ancient believers were on the front lines of first hearing the Good News of eternal life in Jesus and then combating wayward philosophies and attitudes that might disturb their faith. In their circumstance, God provided for them in Paul a man who shared both the divine Word of life and the practical truths of living out the Christian life.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, give us a yearning to know Your Word and the strength to live it out in our everyday lives. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• How do people react or get unsettled when they hear "news" about end-time events?
• Paul and his fellow evangelists were more interested in giving the Thessalonians an example to imitate than in tapping into their resources. Do you know of church leaders who do this today—either give good examples to imitate or tap into church resources?
• Do you feel like your participation in your church's life and mission is all that it could/should be?

This Daily Devotion was written by Paul Schreiber. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
How do people react or get unsettled when they hear "news" about end-time events?

CPTLN devocional del 13 de Noviembre de 2019 - Compartiendo la palabra

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Compartiendo la palabra

13 de Noviembre de 2019

Hermanos, en el nombre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo les ordenamos que se aparten de todo hermano que viva desordenadamente y no siga las enseñanzas que ustedes recibieron de nosotros. Ustedes mismos saben cómo seguir nuestro ejemplo. Porque nosotros no vivimos entre ustedes de manera desordenada, ni comimos el pan de nadie sin pagarlo, sino que día y noche trabajamos muy duro y sin descanso, para no ser una carga a ninguno de ustedes. Y no es que no tuviéramos derecho de hacerlo, sino que quisimos darles un buen ejemplo a seguir. Cuando estábamos con ustedes, también les ordenamos esto: «Si alguno no quiere trabajar, que tampoco coma.» Y es que nos hemos enterado de que algunos de ustedes viven desordenadamente, y no trabajan en nada, y se entrometen en lo ajeno. A tales personas les ordenamos y exhortamos, por nuestro Señor Jesucristo, que simplemente se pongan a trabajar y se ganen su propio pan. Y ustedes, hermanos, no se cansen de hacer el bien.

—2 Tesalonicenses 3:6-13 (RVC)

La iglesia en Tesalónica había estado lidiando con algunas preocupaciones "en el sentido de que el día del Señor está cerca" (2 Tesalonicenses 2:2b). Esta preocupación se convirtió en un gran problema así que Pablo, al principio de su carta, continúa y reitera lo que les había dicho anteriormente: que ciertas cosas, como una "rebelión", el "hombre pecado" y el "hijo de perdición que se hace pasar por Dios" pasarían antes de la venida del Señor (ver 2 Tesalonicenses 2:3-12).

Sin embargo, a pesar de las enseñanzas anteriores de Pablo, la especulación de que posiblemente estas cosas ya habían ocurrido llevó a algunos, en su comportamiento ocioso, a aprovecharse de la caridad de la iglesia al extraer innecesariamente de sus recursos.

Con respecto a su instrucción sobre asuntos del fin del mundo, Pablo insta a los creyentes y les dice: "Por lo tanto, hermanos, manténganse firmes y retengan la doctrina que personalmente y por carta les hemos enseñado" (2 Tesalonicenses 2:15b). En cuanto al aspecto práctico de la vida cotidiana, les aconseja "que se aparten de todo hermano que viva desordenadamente y no siga las enseñanzas que ustedes recibieron de nosotros" (2 Tesalonicenses 3:6b).

A todo esto, Pablo da algunos conceptos básicos y relevantes a los creyentes en Tesalónica: cuidado con los que son ociosos; si no trabajan, tampoco deberían comer. Pablo respalda esto diciéndoles que a pesar de que tenía el "derecho", por así decirlo, de recibir comida de ellos cuando él y sus compañeros evangelistas los ayudaban, no lo ejerció. En cambio, les recordó que ellos trabajaban "día y noche" para no ser una "carga para nadie".

Pablo sabía que el Evangelio que proclamó libremente cambiaría sus vidas. Si Dios lo pudo cambiar a él y apartarlo de su vida de extremismo contra la iglesia primitiva y lo llevó a abrazar la salvación que Dios ofrece en Cristo, entonces también los holgazanes podrían ser cambiados por Dios.

¡Qué práctico es Dios en su Palabra y en su provisión para nosotros! Los antiguos creyentes estaban en primera fila de guerra al escuchar las Buenas Nuevas de la vida eterna en Jesús y tener que combatir las filosofías y actitudes descarriadas que podrían perturbar su fe. Pablo fue para ellos un hombre quien compartía tanto la Palabra divina como las verdades prácticas para vivir la vida cristiana.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, danos el anhelo de conocer tu Palabra y la fuerza para vivirla en nuestra vida cotidiana. En el nombre de Jesús, amén.

Paul Schreiber

Para reflexionar:

• ¿Cómo has visto que reaccionan las personas cuando escuchan los eventos de los últimos tiempos?
• Pablo y sus compañeros evangelistas estaban más interesados en dar a los tesalonicenses un ejemplo de vida que pudieran imitar en vez de aprovecharse de sus recursos. ¿Conoces líderes de la iglesia que hacen esto hoy?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Cómo has visto que reaccionan las personas cuando escuchan los eventos de los últimos tiempos?

Ministérios Pão Diário - Generosidade multiplicada

Generosidade multiplicada


Leia: 2 Coríntios 8:1-9
 | A Bíblia em um ano: Lamentações 1–2; Hebreus 10:1-18


Baixe a versão MP3

…E nesse novo serviço de amor queremos também que façam mais do que os outros. v.7


Cíntia foi entregar uma pizza e surpreendeu-se, pois estava diante de uma igreja. Ao entrar para entregar a pizza foi recebida pelo pastor.

“É justo dizer que a vida não tem sido fácil para você?”, perguntou-lhe o pastor. Cíntia concordou. E com isso, ele trouxe dois pratos de ofertas que os membros da igreja tinham doado. Então, colocou aproximadamente 3 mil reais, como gorjeta, na sacola que embalava a caixa da pizza. Sem o conhecimento dela, o pastor tinha solicitado ao gerente da pizzaria para enviar o motorista que tivesse mais problemas financeiros. Cíntia sentiu-se atordoada, sabendo que agora poderia pagar algumas contas.

Os primeiros cristãos em Jerusalém enfrentaram a pobreza e uma igreja os ajudou prontamente. Embora eles mesmos tivessem necessidades, os cristãos macedônios ofertaram sacrificialmente, considerando-se por isso, privilegiados (vv.1-4). Paulo citou essa generosidade como exemplo para os coríntios, e para nós. Quando usamos a nossa abundância para abastecer a necessidade de quem mais precisa, refletimos a presença de Jesus em nós. Ele deu as Suas riquezas para atender a nossa pobreza espiritual (v.9).

Cíntia contou a todos os seus clientes sobre a bondade dessa igreja naquele dia, e, seguindo esse exemplo, ela doou o restante de suas gorjetas daquele dia para outras pessoas necessitadas.

A nossa generosidade atende às necessidades dos outros e glorifica a Jesus.

por Sheridan Voysey

© 2019 Ministérios Pão Diário
Cíntia foi entregar uma pizza e surpreendeu-se, pois estava diante de uma igreja. Ao entrar para entregar a pizza foi recebida pelo pastor.