The Daily Lectionary for TUESDAY, December 10, 2019

The Daily Lectionary

TUESDAY, December 10, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Psalm 21

(God comes with judgment and strength)

Thanksgiving for Victory
To the leader. A Psalm of David.
1  In your strength the king rejoices, O Lord,
     and in your help how greatly he exults!
2  You have given him his heart’s desire,
     and have not withheld the request of his lips.   Selah
3  For you meet him with rich blessings;
     you set a crown of fine gold on his head.
4  He asked you for life; you gave it to him—
     length of days forever and ever.
5  His glory is great through your help;
     splendor and majesty you bestow on him.
6  You bestow on him blessings forever;
     you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
7  For the king trusts in the Lord,
     and through the steadfast love of the Most High
         he shall not be moved.

8  Your hand will find out all your enemies;
     your right hand will find out those who hate you.
9  You will make them like a fiery furnace
     when you appear.
   The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath,
     and fire will consume them.
10 You will destroy their offspring from the earth,
     and their children from among humankind.
11 If they plan evil against you,
     if they devise mischief, they will not succeed.
12 For you will put them to flight;
     you will aim at their faces with your bows.

13 Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength!
     We will sing and praise your power.

Isaiah 41:14-20

(God will not forget the poor of Israel)

14 Do not fear, you worm Jacob,
     you insect Israel!
   I will help you, says the Lord;
     your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
15 Now, I will make of you a threshing sledge,
     sharp, new, and having teeth;
   you shall thresh the mountains and crush them,
     and you shall make the hills like chaff.
16 You shall winnow them and the wind shall
         carry them away,
     and the tempest shall scatter them.
   Then you shall rejoice in the Lord;
     in the Holy One of Israel you shall glory.

17 When the poor and needy seek water,
     and there is none,
     and their tongue is parched with thirst,
   I the Lord will answer them,
     I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
18 I will open rivers on the bare heights,
     and fountains in the midst of the valleys;
   I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
     and the dry land springs of water.
19 I will put in the wilderness the cedar,
     the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive;
   I will set in the desert the cypress,
     the plane and the pine together,
20 so that all may see and know,
     all may consider and understand,
   that the hand of the Lord has done this,
     the Holy One of Israel has created it.

Romans 15:14-21

(Gentiles are also called to the obedience of faith)

Paul’s Reason for Writing So Boldly
15:14 I myself feel confident about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another. 15 Nevertheless on some points I have written to you rather boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to boast of my work for God. 18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to win obedience from the Gentiles, by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and as far around as Illyricum I have fully proclaimed the good news of Christ. 20 Thus I make it my ambition to proclaim the good news, not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but as it is written,

   “Those who have never been told of him shall see,
     and those who have never heard of him shall
         understand.”

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 A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2020, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2019 was Year C. 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, December 10, 2019
Psalm 21; Isaiah 41:14-20; Romans 15:14-21

The Daily Prayer for TUESDAY, December 10, 2019

The Daily Prayer

TUESDAY, December 10, 2019

Thomas Merton (1915—1968)

Thomas Merton pursued the ideals of pleasure and freedom in early adulthood only to reject them as an illusion and embrace a life of prayer and silence as a Trappist monk. His 1949 conversion story, The Seven Storey Mountain, was a surprise bestseller, introducing millions of modern people to the gifts of monasticism. A mentor to many activists in the Catholic peace movement, Merton became a prophetic voice for peace and nonviolence in the twentieth century, despite the fact that his “political” writings were censored by his order. Convinced that contemplative life must engage the world, he prepared the way for a new monasticism.

Thomas Merton wrote, “The monk does not come to the monastery to ‘get’ something which the ordinary Christian cannot have. On the contrary, he comes there in order to realize and to appreciate all that any good Christian already has. He comes to live his Christian life, and thus to appreciate to the full his heritage as a son of God. He comes in order that he might see and understand that he already possesses everything.”

Lord, teach us to live as contemplative activists, trusting that your Spirit and your word provide all we need to dance with the angels on Jacob’s ladder between heaven and earth. Amen.

Verse of the Day for TUESDAY, December 10, 2019

Deuteronomy 18:15 (NIV)

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.

Read all of Deuteronomy 18

Listen to Deuteronomy 18

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 10 de Diciembre de 2019

Lo que no entendemos de Dios

Ahora conozco de manera imperfecta, pero entonces conoceré tal y como soy conocido.

—1 Corintios 13:12 (NVI)

Si lo analizamos, es imposible entender a Dios en su totalidad. Estoy segura que muchas veces tú, al igual que yo, le has preguntado: «Señor, ¿por qué suceden tantas cosas malas? ¿Por qué, Dios mío, permitiste que sucediera esto?». Incluso, algunas cosas nos parecen más injustas que otras.

Sin embargo, en muchas ocasiones no hay respuesta de parte de Dios. Así que empezamos a juzgarlo, a refutarlo y, en el peor de los casos, nos peleamos con Él.

Se han escrito libros muy buenos acerca de las cosas que no entendemos de Dios y creo que, aunque se sigan escribiendo y predicando, nadie tiene la respuesta a las cosas incomprensibles de nuestro Padre celestial. Lo que yo entendí, y lo aplico a mi vida, es que aunque no comprenda ciertas cosas que me suceden, o que suceden a mi alrededor, sé que todo tiene un propósito por el cual lo permitió Dios.

Querido amigo, si estás viviendo algo que aún no entiendes, no cuestiones al Señor y le preguntes: «¿Por qué?». En su lugar, pregúntale: «¿Para qué?». Nadie puede entender por completo los misterios de Dios. Quizá algún día, en su presencia, podamos preguntarle el porqué de todo lo que no entendemos hoy.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Estoy segura que muchas veces tú, al igual que yo, le has preguntado: «Señor, ¿por qué suceden tantas cosas malas? ¿Por qué, Dios mío, permitiste que sucediera esto?».

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Tuesday, December 10, 2019

GOD’S WORK IN CHANGING LIVES

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

—2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

The more you travel, the more you realize that God is at work changing lives all over the globe. Whether people have committed crimes against God (rebellion, blasphemy, hatred etc.) or crimes against society (murder, violence, theft etc.) or crimes against themselves (shame, guilt, despair etc.), He is able to bring about a complete transformation of their lives and fill them with His Holy Spirit.

Standing Strong Through the Storm (SSTS) teaching partner, Jim Cunningham, was sharing in a SSTS seminar with rural pastors in Colombia, South America. After the final session, Rauel (not his real name) approached Jim, almost shyly. With a warm smile and moist eyes, he extended his hand for what Jim thought was a handshake, but instead he gently offered a small piece of paper with some writing.

“For you, Santiago.”

They hugged each other. Between Rauel’s “No English” and Jim’s “No Spanish” there was an unspoken bond of Christian love. They said their “good-byes” pointing heavenward as if to say, “See you again my brother!”

Jim’s interpreter later translated the note. It read:

May the Lord bless your life and enrich your ministry. And may the angel of the Lord always encamp around you and all your family and nation. Take with you my remembrances and those of Colombia to the people of Canada. Rauel

“Do you know who Brother Rauel is?” the interpreter asked. Jim shook his head “No.” “He used to be a guerrilla leader against the government forces,” said his interpreter. “He came to faith as a follower of Jesus Christ a while back and this is his first time gathering with our pastors and leadership team. We earnestly prayed and had to have God’s peace before inviting him here.”

Jim concluded, “What an amazing story of God’s grace. God is changing hearts—one at a time. Keep praying for peace in Colombia!”

RESPONSE: Today I will praise God for His ministry in my life—and others—making changes and renewing my heart.

PRAYER: Lord, we continue to pray for peace in countries like Colombia and in the hearts of those who struggle with injustice and inequality. And make me a totally new creation, I pray.

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 -December 10, 2019 - GREATLY TROUBLED

"GREATLY TROUBLED"

Dec. 10, 2019

And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.

—Luke 1:28-29 (ESV)

Mary was greatly troubled by the angel's greeting. Well, who wouldn't be? There she was, probably doing her daily work in her mother's house—cooking, cleaning, carrying water, just like any other day. Then suddenly an angel comes in, and says, "Greetings, O favored one!"

Favored one? There she was, an ordinary girl in a nondescript town in the backlands of Galilee. She might have been holding a broom or a cooking spoon at that very moment. She knew she was nobody special. Favored one? Had the angel got a wrong number?

But he explained right away. "The Lord is with you," he said. It is as if the angel said, "You belong to God, and He is pleased with you, and you are never apart from Him. And soon He will be with you in an entirely new way—as a human baby developing inside your own body." Favored? Oh, yes!

We too are favored, and for the same reason. Not because we are anybody special, but because the Lord Himself is with us. He has chosen to be with us—to become a human baby, to grow up to save us through His suffering and death, and to rise again. He has joined Himself to humanity forever, and He will never desert us.

Specifically, He has joined Himself to you—for you are a baptized child of God who trusts in Jesus and belongs to Him forever. Yes, you are favored. The Lord of everything has drawn you close to Him.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me realize that You are always with me. Bring me closer to You in trust and love. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Who do you spend the most time with in your daily life? Why?
• What are some ways you see that God has favored you?
• How does it make you feel to realize that God wants you—you, yourself—and has laid down His life to make you His?

Advent Devotions were 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).
Who do you spend the most time with in your daily life? Why?

CPTLN devocional del 10 de Diciembre de 2019 - ADVIENTO—NAVIDAD 2019 Grandemente atribulado

ADVIENTO—NAVIDAD 2019

Grandemente atribulado

10 de Diciembre de 2019

El ángel entró en donde ella estaba y le dijo: "¡Salve, muy favorecida! El Señor está contigo." Cuando ella escuchó estas palabras, se sorprendió y se preguntaba qué clase de saludo era ése.

—Lucas 1:28-29 (RVC)

María estaba muy preocupada por el saludo del ángel. ¿Quién no lo estaría? Allí estaba ella, probablemente haciendo su trabajo diario en la casa de su madre: cocinando, limpiando, transportando agua, como cualquier otro día, cuando de repente entra un ángel y le dice: "¡Salve, muy favorecida!"

¿Favorecida? ¿Ella, una niña común y corriente en una insignificante ciudad en las tierras de Galilea? Podría haber estado sosteniendo una escoba o una cuchara de cocina en ese momento. Sabía que no era nadie especial. ¿Favorecida? ¿Marcó el ángel un número equivocado?

Pero de inmediato él se explicó. "El Señor está contigo", dijo. Es como si el ángel dijera: Tú perteneces a Dios y él está complacido contigo. Pronto, Dios estará contigo de una manera completamente nueva, estará como un bebé humano desarrollándose dentro de tu propio cuerpo. ¿Favorecida? ¡Claro que sí!

Nosotros también somos favorecidos, y por la misma razón. No porque seamos alguien especial, sino porque el Señor mismo está con nosotros. Él ha elegido estar con nosotros, convertirse en un bebé y crecer para salvarnos a través de su sufrimiento, muerte y resurrección. Se ha unido a la humanidad para siempre y nunca nos abandonará.

Específicamente, se ha unido a ti, porque eres un hijo bautizado de Dios que confía en Jesús y le perteneces para siempre. Sí, eres favorecido. El Señor del universo ha venido a ti para quedarse contigo.

ORACIÓN: Querido Señor, ayúdame a darme cuenta de que siempre estás conmigo. Acércame a ti con confianza y amor. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

• ¿De qué maneras te ha favorecido Dios?
• ¿Cómo te hace sentir cuando te das cuenta de que Dios te quiere a ti, y que ha dado su vida para hacerte suyo?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. ¡Utilice estas devociones en sus boletines! Usado con permiso. Todos los derechos reservados por la Int'l LLL.
¿De qué maneras te ha favorecido Dios?

Nuestro Pan Diario - Final con gracia

Final con gracia

La escritura de hoy: Marcos 5:25-34

La Biblia en un año: Oseas 1–4; Apocalipsis 1

Y él le dijo: Hija, tu fe te ha hecho salva; ve en paz, y queda sana de tu azote.

—Marcos 5:34

Ruthless Trust [Confianza implacable], la obra maestra de escultura del artista Doug Merkey, presenta una figura humana de bronce aferrada desesperadamente a una cruz de madera. Merkey escribe: «Es una expresión muy simple de nuestra postura constante y apropiada en la vida: una intimidad total e irrestricta con Cristo y el evangelio, y una dependencia de ambos».

Esta es la clase de confianza que vemos en las acciones y las palabras de la mujer anónima de Marcos 5:25-34. Durante doce años caóticos, «había sufrido mucho de muchos médicos, y gastado todo lo que tenía, y nada había aprovechado, antes le iba peor» (vv. 25-26). Pero al oír sobre Jesús, se le acercó, tocó su manto y quedó «sana de aquel azote» (vv. 27-29).

¿Has llegado al punto de ya no dar más? ¿Has agotado todos tus recursos? Las personas ansiosas, desesperanzadas, perdidas y angustiadas no tienen que desesperarse. El Señor Jesús sigue respondiendo ante la fe apremiante; fe como la de aquella mujer sufriente y la de la escultura de Merkey; esa fe que describe Charles Wesley en uno de sus himnos: «Padre, a ti extiendo mis manos; no conozco otra ayuda». ¿Tienes esta clase de fe? Pídele a Dios, el Autor de la fe, que te ayude a confiar en Él.

De:  Arthur Jackson

Reflexiona y ora

Padre, gracias por tu poder para rescatarme. Ayúdame a confiar en ti para suplir todas mis necesidades.

¿Cuándo te aferraste desesperadamente a Cristo? ¿Cómo suplió Dios tu necesidad?

© 2019 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario
Ruthless Trust [Confianza implacable], la obra maestra de escultura del artista Doug Merkey, presenta una figura humana de bronce aferrada desesperadamente a una cruz de madera.