The Daily Lectionary for TUESDAY, November 19, 2019

The Daily Lectionary

TUESDAY, November 19, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Psalm 76

(God breaks the weapons of war)

Israel’s God—Judge of All the Earth
To the leader: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song.
1  In Judah God is known,
     his name is great in Israel.
2  His abode has been established in Salem,
     his dwelling place in Zion.
3  There he broke the flashing arrows,
     the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war.   Selah

4  Glorious are you, more majestic
     than the everlasting mountains.
5  The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil;
     they sank into sleep;
   none of the troops
     was able to lift a hand.
6  At your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
     both rider and horse lay stunned.

7  But you indeed are awesome!
     Who can stand before you
     when once your anger is roused?
8  From the heavens you uttered judgment;
     the earth feared and was still
9  when God rose up to establish judgment,
     to save all the oppressed of the earth.   Selah

10 Human wrath serves only to praise you,
     when you bind the last bit of your wrath around you.
11 Make vows to the Lord your God, and perform them;
     let all who are around him bring gifts
     to the one who is awesome,
12 who cuts off the spirit of princes,
     who inspires fear in the kings of the earth.

Isaiah 66:1-13

(Rejoice in mother Jerusalem)

The Worship God Demands
1  Thus says the Lord:
   Heaven is my throne
     and the earth is my footstool;
   what is the house that you would build for me,
     and what is my resting place?
2  All these things my hand has made,
     and so all these things are mine,
        says the Lord.
   But this is the one to whom I will look,
     to the humble and contrite in spirit,
     who trembles at my word.

3  Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who kills a human
        being;
     whoever sacrifices a lamb, like one who breaks a dog’s
         neck;
   whoever presents a grain offering, like one who offers
        swine’s blood;
     whoever makes a memorial offering of frankincense,
        like one who blesses an idol.
   These have chosen their own ways,
     and in their abominations they take delight;
4  I also will choose to mock them,
     and bring upon them what they fear;
   because, when I called, no one answered,
     when I spoke, they did not listen;
   but they did what was evil in my sight,
     and chose what did not please me.

The Lord Vindicates Zion
5  Hear the word of the Lord,
     you who tremble at his word:
   Your own people who hate you
     and reject you for my name’s sake
   have said, “Let the Lord be glorified,
     so that we may see your joy”;
     but it is they who shall be put to shame.

6  Listen, an uproar from the city!
     A voice from the temple!
   The voice of the Lord,
     dealing retribution to his enemies!

7  Before she was in labor
     she gave birth;
   before her pain came upon her
     she delivered a son.
8  Who has heard of such a thing?
     Who has seen such things?
   Shall a land be born in one day?
     Shall a nation be delivered in one moment?
   Yet as soon as Zion was in labor
     she delivered her children.
9  Shall I open the womb and not deliver?
     says the Lord;
   shall I, the one who delivers, shut the womb?
     says your God.

10 Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her,
     all you who love her;
   rejoice with her in joy,
     all you who mourn over her—
11 that you may nurse and be satisfied
     from her consoling breast;
   that you may drink deeply with delight
     from her glorious bosom.

12 For thus says the Lord:
   I will extend prosperity to her like a river,
     and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing
         stream;
   and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm,
     and dandled on her knees.
13 As a mother comforts her child,
     so I will comfort you;
     you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

1 Corinthians 10:23—11:1

(Do all to the glory of God)

Do All to the Glory of God
10:23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience, 26 for “the earth and its fullness are the Lord’s.” 27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— 29 I mean the other’s conscience, not your own. For why should my liberty be subject to the judgment of someone else’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why should I be denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, so that they may be saved. 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

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 TUESDAY, November 19, 2019
Psalm 76; Isaiah 66:1-13; 1 Corinthians 10:23—11:1

The Daily Prayer for TUESDAY, November 19, 2019

The Daily Prayer

TUESDAY, November 19, 2019

A reading from The Cloud of Unknowing: “For I tell you this: one loving, blind desire for God alone is more valuable in itself, more pleasing to God and to the saints, more beneficial to your own growth, and more helpful to your friends, both living and dead, than anything else you could do.”

Lord, we boldly and unabashedly declare our love for you and our faith in your precepts. You are the Lord of life, the light in the darkness, the salvation for the world, the God who was and is and is to come. We pray to make this day one of celebration simply because you are God. Amen.

Verse of the Day for TUESDAY, November 19, 2019

Psalm 1:1-2 (NIV)

   Blessed is the one
     who does not walk in step with the wicked
   or stand in the way that sinners take
     or sit in the company of mockers,
   but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
     and who meditates on his law day and night.

Read all of Psalm 1

Listen to Psalm 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 - Martes 19 de Noviembre de 2019

El gozo del Señor

No estén tristes, pues el gozo del Señor es nuestra fortaleza.

—Nehemías 8:10 (NVI)

Sin duda, recuerdas que hemos hablado que el gozo del Señor es nuestra fortaleza. Eso significa que si permanezco alegre, eso será lo que les transmitiré a los demás.

Sin embargo, quizá este no sea tu caso. Es posible que las deudas te estén ahogando, que tu hogar esté destruido o que tu hijo esté involucrado en las drogas. Entonces, quizá me digas: «Bueno, ¿cómo voy a tener gozo cuando tengo tantos problemas?».

La respuesta no la tengo yo, sino que la tiene el Dios de los imposibles. Aunque las cosas para ti no sean para nada fáciles, Él desea verte con gozo.

Si nos dejamos llevar por la tristeza o por el dolor, ¿cómo serían nuestros días y cómo testificaríamos de un Dios que nos ama? Es una bendición poder aprender y poner en práctica la vida con gozo a pesar de los pesares.

Si lo analizamos, podemos decir que el gozo es una decisión. Eso lo determiné hace ya varios años. Después de mi crisis de salud, aprendí a valorar más las cosas, a vivir feliz y a no dejar que me despojaran de las bendiciones de mi Padre. Por eso, mi oración diaria es por fortaleza para seguir mi vida con entusiasmo.

¿Y tú? No permitas que nada ni nadie te roben el gozo del Señor.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
¿Cómo voy a tener gozo cuando tengo tantos problemas?

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Tuesday, November 19, 2019

SOURCE OF PEACE

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

—John 14:27 (NIV)

Five Christian students were walking home from an Open Doors seminar in east Africa and passed a young Muslim man walking into the bush with a rope in his hand. He tied the rope around a tree. The students asked, “What are you doing?”

“I want to kill myself,” he replied. “Why?”

“I say my prayers five times a day and I read the Qur’an. I have money, a wife and children, but I have no peace. I want peace. That is my one big wish.”

The students applied what they have learned and witnessed to this man named Keder. They told him that the Qur’an teaches that Jesus is a prophet but He is also the Savior of everyone who accepts Him as Lord. He is the Prince of Peace. Keder left the rope in the tree and decided to give this Savior a try. The students took him to church and after prayer Keder said, “I’ve found the peace I was seeking.”

The following day Keder showed up at the seminar. A stranger wearing a Muslim hat scared the teacher at first but he continued. In the afternoon, Keder asked to give his testimony. “Until now, Islam was the only genuine religion for me because it was straightforward. I studied the Qur'an for five years and I did my rituals daily but none of that gave me peace. That is why I decided to kill myself. Then I met five of you Christians yesterday. I used to hate Christians, but when you witnessed and prayed for me, everything changed. Muslims are hurting without the knowledge of the Scriptures, therefore pray for them.” Keder is now secretly studying the Bible and attending church. He is the first Muslim in his area to accept Christ. His Bible study leader says that he attends regularly and arrives early to talk about Jesus before the Bible study starts. Jesus’ peace makes him unafraid and he wants to witness. He is even prepared to die for Jesus.

RESPONSE: Today I will rest in the promises of the Prince of Peace and not be fearful.

PRAYER: Pray for Muslims who are hurting from the lack of knowledge of the scriptures and the source of true peace.

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 19, 2019 - Hard Words

"Hard Words"

Nov. 19, 2019

"Your words have been hard against me, says the LORD. But you say, 'How have we spoken against You?' You have said, 'It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping His charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts? And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test, and they escape.'" Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed His Name. "They shall be Mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up My treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him."

—Malachi 3:13-18 (ESV)

It may sound odd, but I can almost hear the sound of hurt feelings in the first part of the reading for today. "Your words have been hard against Me, says the Lord." It sounds like ... like a hurt parent, or a friend, or a spouse. It does not sound like the King of the universe, the Maker of all things, the One who is so far above us. Why would He even notice our whining, let alone care?

And yet He does. "Your words have been hard against Me," He says. What words? Words that are problematic in two ways. First of all, they show a painful lack of faith in God's justice. "Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test, and they escape."

I have to admit that when I look around the world, I can see why people say this. There are any number of rich, powerful people who seem to get away with everything, up to and including murder. But that isn't me—and I'm guessing it isn't you, either. We walk a harder road. And when we see that undeserving others seem to have it easier, well, we complain, don't we? Even against God.

But there is a second, deeper problem with this complaint. "What is the profit of our keeping His charge?" the people ask. Or to put it in more familiar words, "What's in it for me? Why should I trouble to obey God if I'm getting nothing out of it? After all, it's not as if I loved Him and would do it for free!"

Ouch! Now that's hurtful. Hurtful to the Lord, and I'm guessing, to you as well. Because everything has changed for those who belong to Jesus. We have come to know Him as the One who died and rose for us—the One "who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20b). With a Savior like that, our life with God can never be a matter of spiritual accounting anymore—reckoning up losses and gains to figure out if serving God is worth it. Now it's a matter of love—like the love between a father and son.

"We love because He first loved us," says John (1 John 4:19). It's only the love of Jesus that can take a selfish, complaining human heart and change it into one that truly loves God for Himself. Now there is real love on both sides of the relationship—God's great love for us and our own miniature reflection of that love back to Him. The Holy Spirit has planted Jesus' own love for the Father in our hearts as well. What a wonderful gift!

THE PRAYER: Dear Father, I love You, and want to love You more. Please help me. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Is it possible to hurt God's feelings?
• Do you ever feel yourself to be God's "treasured possession"?
• Has God ever taken a certain trait or tendency of yours (quick anger, sharp tongue, critical attitude, etc.) and transformed it somehow? How did this happen? How is it still happening?

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Is it possible to hurt God's feelings?

CPTLN devocional del 19 de Noviembre de 2019 - Palabras duras

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Palabras duras

19 de Noviembre de 2019

El Señor ha dicho: «Las palabras de ustedes contra mí han sido violentas.» Pero ustedes dicen: «¿Qué es lo que hemos dicho contra ti?» Pues han dicho: «Servir a Dios no nos sirve de nada. ¿Qué ganamos con cumplir su ley y con que andemos afligidos en presencia del Señor de los ejércitos?» ¡Ahora resulta que tenemos que llamar bienaventurados a los soberbios! ¡Los malvados no sólo prosperan, sino que ponen a Dios a prueba y salen bien librados! Entonces los que temen al Señor hablaron el uno con el otro, y el Señor los escuchó atentamente. Luego, en su presencia se escribió un libro de actas para los que le temen y piensan en su nombre. Dijo entonces el Señor: «Ellos serán para mí un tesoro muy especial. Cuando llegue el día en que yo actúe, los perdonaré, como perdona un padre al hijo que le sirve. Entonces ustedes se volverán a mí, y sabrán distinguir entre los justos y los malvados, entre los que sirven a Dios y los que no le sirven.»

—Malaquías 3:13-18 (RVC)

Puede sonar extraño, pero me parece estar escuchando el sonido de las personas ofendidas con la primera parte de la lectura de hoy. "El Señor ha dicho: «Las palabras de ustedes contra mí han sido violentas»". Parece que estuviera hablando un padre, un amigo o un cónyuge muy ofendido. No me suena al Rey del universo, el Creador de todo, quien es muy superior a nosotros. ¿Por qué siquiera se daría cuenta de nuestras quejas, y mucho menos le importarían?

Sin embargo, lo hace. "Las palabras de ustedes contra mí han sido violentas", nos dice. Pero ¿qué palabras? Son palabras que nos incomodan de dos maneras diferentes. En primer lugar, muestran una dolorosa falta de fe en la justicia de Dios. "¡Los malvados no sólo prosperan, sino que ponen a Dios a prueba y salen bien librados!"

Tengo que admitir que, cuando veo el mundo a mi alrededor, me doy cuenta por qué la gente dice esto. Hay muchas personas ricas y poderosas que parecen salirse con la suya, hasta con el asesinato. Pero no es mi caso, y supongo que el tuyo tampoco. Y cuando vemos que parece irles mejor a quienes no lo merecen, bueno, nos quejamos, ¿no? Incluso contra Dios.

Pero hay un segundo problema más profundo con nuestra queja. "¿Qué ganamos con cumplir su ley?", nos preguntamos. O para decirlo en buen castellano "¿Y a mí qué? ¿Por qué debería molestarme en obedecer a Dios, si no obtengo nada a cambio?"

¡Ay! Eso dolió. Le dolió al Señor, y supongo que a ti también. Porque todo es diferente para quienes pertenecemos a Jesús. Hemos llegado a conocerlo como aquel quien murió y resucitó por nosotros, quien "me amó y se entregó a sí mismo por mí" (Gálatas 2:20b). Con un Salvador como ese, nuestra vida con Dios ya no puede ser una cuestión de contabilidad espiritual, calculando pérdidas y ganancias para determinar si vale la pena servir a Dios o no. Ahora es una cuestión de amor, como el amor que se tienen un padre y un hijo.

"Nosotros lo amamos a él, porque él nos amó primero", dice Juan (1 Juan 4:19). Sólo el amor de Jesús puede tomar un corazón humano egoísta y quejumbroso y convertirlo en uno que verdaderamente ama a Dios por quién es él. Ahora hay amor verdadero en ambos lados de la relación: el gran amor de Dios por nosotros y nuestro reflejo en miniatura de ese amor hacia Él. El Espíritu Santo ha plantado el amor de Jesús por el Padre en nuestros corazones. ¡Qué maravilloso regalo!

ORACIÓN: Querido Padre, te amo y quiero amarte más. Ayúdame en el nombre de Jesús. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

• ¿Es posible herir los sentimientos de Dios?
• ¿Ha transformado Dios algún rasgo o tendencia negativa tuya (enojo rápido, lengua hiriente, actitud crítica, etc.) en positiva? ¿Cómo lo hizo?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Es posible herir los sentimientos de Dios?

Nuestro Pan Diario - Deseo verdadero y profundo

Deseo verdadero y profundo

La escritura de hoy: Marcos 10:46-52

La Biblia en un año: Ezequiel 11–13; Santiago 1

Respondiendo Jesús, le dijo: ¿Qué quieres que te haga?… (v. 51).

Reepicheep, un ratón de voz chillona, es quizá el personaje más valiente de Las Crónicas de Narnia. Se lanzó a la batalla, blandiendo su pequeña espada; no temió mientras dirigía al Viajero del alba hacia la Isla Oscura. ¿Cuál era el secreto de la valentía de Reepicheep? Su profundo anhelo de llegar al País de Aslan. «Ese es el deseo de mi corazón», dijo. Reepicheep sabía lo que verdaderamente quería, y eso lo guió hacia el rey.

Bartimeo, un ciego de Jericó, estaba sentado en su lugar habitual, pidiendo limosnas, cuando oyó que Jesús y la multitud se acercaban. Exclamo: «¡Jesús, Hijo de David, ten misericordia de mí!» (Marcos 10:47). La gente trató de callarlo, pero no lo pudo detener.

Marcos dice que «Jesús, deteniéndose» (v. 49) en medio de todos, le preguntó a Bartimeo: «¿Qué quieres que te haga?» (v. 51).

La respuesta parecía evidente, ya que sin duda, Jesús sabía. Pero al parecer, sentía que había poder en dejar que Bartimeo expresara su profundo deseo. Este dijo: «que recobre la vista» (v. 51). Y Jesús lo envió a su casa viendo por primera vez colores, belleza y los rostros de sus amigos.

No todos los deseos se cumplen de inmediato, pero lo esencial aquí es que Bartimeo sabía lo que quería, y se lo dijo a Jesús. Y nosotros debemos hacer lo mismo.

Reflexiona y ora

Señor, solo tú satisfaces mis deseos más profundos.

¿Qué deseas realmente? ¿Cómo puede ese deseo guiarte a Cristo?

© 2019 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario
Reepicheep, un ratón de voz chillona, es quizá el personaje más valiente de Las Crónicas de Narnia. Se lanzó a la batalla, blandiendo su pequeña espada; no temió mientras dirigía al Viajero del alba hacia la Isla Oscura. ¿Cuál era el secreto de la valentía de Reepicheep?