The Daily Lectionary for WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2020

Psalm 143; Jeremiah 32:1-9, 36-41; Matthew 22:23-33

The Daily Lectionary

WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2020

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Psalm 143

Save me from death

1  Lord, hear my prayer,
     listen to my cry for mercy;
   in your faithfulness and righteousness
     come to my relief.
2  Do not bring your servant into judgment,
     for no one living is righteous before you.
3  The enemy pursues me,
     he crushes me to the ground;
   he makes me dwell in the darkness
     like those long dead.
4  So my spirit grows faint within me;
     my heart within me is dismayed.
5  I remember the days of long ago;
     I meditate on all your works
     and consider what your hands have done.
6  I spread out my hands to you;
     I thirst for you like a parched land.

7  Answer me quickly, Lord;
     my spirit fails.
   Do not hide your face from me
     or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
8  Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
     for I have put my trust in you.
   Show me the way I should go,
     for to you I entrust my life.
9  Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,
     for I hide myself in you.
10 Teach me to do your will,
     for you are my God;
   may your good Spirit
     lead me on level ground.

11 For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life;
     in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
     destroy all my foes,
     for I am your servant.

Jeremiah 32:1-9, 36-41

Jeremiah buys a field

32:1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar. 2 The army of the king of Babylon was then besieging Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was confined in the courtyard of the guard in the royal palace of Judah.

3 Now Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him there, saying, “Why do you prophesy as you do? You say, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am about to give this city into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it. 4 Zedekiah king of Judah will not escape the Babylonians but will certainly be given into the hands of the king of Babylon, and will speak with him face to face and see him with his own eyes. 5 He will take Zedekiah to Babylon, where he will remain until I deal with him, declares the Lord. If you fight against the Babylonians, you will not succeed.’”

6 Jeremiah said, “The word of the Lord came to me: 7 Hanamel son of Shallum your uncle is going to come to you and say, ‘Buy my field at Anathoth, because as nearest relative it is your right and duty to buy it.’

8 “Then, just as the Lord had said, my cousin Hanamel came to me in the courtyard of the guard and said, ‘Buy my field at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. Since it is your right to redeem it and possess it, buy it for yourself.’

“I knew that this was the word of the Lord; 9 so I bought the field at Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel and weighed out for him seventeen shekels of silver.

…

36 “You are saying about this city, ‘By the sword, famine and plague it will be given into the hands of the king of Babylon’; but this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 37 I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety. 38 They will be my people, and I will be their God. 39 I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them. 40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. 41 I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.

Matthew 22:23-33

God of the living

22:23 That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 24 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. 25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. 26 The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. 27 Finally, the woman died. 28 Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?”

29 Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. 30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 31 But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”

33 When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.

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 Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

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 what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Lectionary for WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2020
Psalm 143; Jeremiah 32:1-9, 36-41; Matthew 22:23-33

The Daily Prayer for WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2020

The Daily Prayer

WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2020

American humorist Garrison Keillor has said, “Some people think it is difficult to be a Christian and to laugh, but I think it’s the other way around. God writes a lot of comedy, it’s just that he has so many bad actors.”

You who led Israel through the waters, plant us by streams of living water. Root us in your love and grow us up to bear the fruit of your Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Amen.

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2020

Psalm 14:1

The fool says in his heart,
  “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
  there is no one who does good.

Read all of Psalm 14

Listen to Psalm 14

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

The Lenten Prayer for WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2020 - Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

40 Days of Lenten Prayers

Day 31 - Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Loving Creator,

I know in your great love for me,

you see the deep sorrow in my heart.

Hear my prayers which are offered

with such trust in you.

Be with me in both mind and heart

as I renew my life in your spirit.

Amen.

Un dia a la Vez - Miércoles 01 de abril de 2020

La pildorita contra el estrés

Aun los jóvenes se cansan, se fatigan [...] pero los que confían en el Señor renovarán sus fuerzas.

— Isaías 40:30-31, NIV

Muchas veces a lo largo de tu vida, sin importar la edad que tengas, te sentirás con la sensación de que ya no puedes más con las cosas que estás viviendo. Incluso, ni siquiera te motivará la búsqueda de Dios.

Has intentado de todo para hallar la paz y la solución a tus problemas, y ya te has dado cuenta que las pastillas para la depresión no dan resultado. Que las visitas al que se supone que conoce tu futuro ya te desilusionó porque al fin comprendes que te han quitado tu dinero, pues nadie conoce tu futuro sino solo Dios.

Hoy te digo que Dios es el único que basta. Él es el que saca del hoyo tu vida. El que te viste con ropas nuevas y el Dios de las oportunidades.

Hace unos meses escuché una vez más que un joven de veintiún años se había quitado la vida porque no pudo soportar la muerte de su novia. Entró en depresión y, pasado un tiempo, se quitó la vida. ¡Qué dolor para la familia!

Ni tú, ni él, ni ninguno de nosotros se puede aferrar a la vida de otras personas, incluyendo las de nuestras parejas e hijos, nuestros pastores o líderes. No debemos convertir esos seres especiales en la razón para vivir. Es idolatría y Dios la detesta. Debes entender hoy que no puedes poner tu vida y tu confianza en el hombre porque lo más seguro es que te va a fallar.

Dios es el que te ayudará en todas tus necesidades y te dará nuevos comienzos.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Muchas veces a lo largo de tu vida, sin importar la edad que tengas, te sentirás con la sensación de que ya no puedes más con las cosas que estás viviendo.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Wednesday, April 1, 2020

THE ROAD TO CALVARY

They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!”

— John 12:13, NIV

There were two crowds who greeted Jesus on that first Palm Sunday. The first crowd was Passover celebrators who came out from Jerusalem to meet Jesus as he approached from Bethany (John 12:12). The second crowd was made up of those accompanying Him from Bethany who had witnessed the recent miraculous resurrection of Lazarus (John 12:17). Both crowds loudly proclaimed praises to Jesus as he rode into town on a donkey on the road leading Him to Calvary.

John’s account of this day also indicates there were two types of responses to Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem. One outspoken group “continued to spread the word” about Jesus causing many people to look for Him. It even caused the Pharisees to say, “Look how the whole world has gone after him” (John 12:19).

A second group believed in Jesus but would not publicly confess their faith because of fear of losing their status in the local synagogue. They loved praise from men more than praise from God, John concluded (John 12:42-43).

Palm Sunday is thus a challenge to us about how outspoken or not we are about King Jesus. Do we continue to loudly proclaim Him as our King or are we so fearful of consequences that we hold back and hesitate, losing every opportunity to make Him known.

A pastor friend of Rev. Joseph Tson in Romania was told by an interrogating officer, “We know that Mr. Tson would love to be a martyr, but we are not so foolish as to fulfill his wish.”

Pastor Tson said:

Now that I had placed my life on the altar and decided I was ready to die for the Gospel, they were telling me they would not kill me. I could go wherever I wanted in the country and preach whatever I wanted knowing I was safe. As long as I tried to save my life, I was losing it. Now that I was willing to lose it, I found it…

Jesus taught us long ago: with Him, the road down leads upward. With Him, the path of suffering ends in victory. The road to Calvary does not stop until the resurrection.

RESPONSE: Today I commit to joining the group of disciples who “continue to spread the word.”

PRAYER: Lord, help me walk the Calvary road with You right through to resurrection!

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 April 1, 2020 - WHO STRUCK YOU?

"WHO STRUCK YOU?"

April 1, 2020

Then those who had seized Jesus led Him to Caiaphas the high priest ... And the high priest said to Him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God." Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard His blasphemy. What is your judgment?" They answered, "He deserves death." Then they spit in His face and struck Him. And some slapped Him, saying, "Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck You?"

— Matthew 26:57, 63b-68, ESV

It was a sadistic little game they were playing, slapping and hitting Jesus, and asking, "Who struck You?" I didn't understand the point of the question until I saw Luke 22:64, which says they blindfolded Jesus. Apparently, they were "testing" His abilities as Messiah. After all, the Son of God should surely be able to tell who was hitting Him, blindfolded or not!

What they didn't realize was that Jesus already knew the answer to that question—and on a deeper level than the purely physical. Just hours before, Jesus had warned His disciples, "You will all fall away, for it is written, 'I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered'" (Mark 14:27b). Who was doing the striking there? Not just human beings. It is God Himself.

Jesus was quoting Zechariah 13, where God Himself says, "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the man who stands next to Me ... Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered" (Zechariah 13:7). This came true in Jesus' suffering and death. By God's own plan, He bore the harm, and His followers were scattered.

Yet it didn't end there. God took that evil and turned it into our salvation. As He goes on to say through the prophet Zechariah, "They will call upon My Name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'They are My people'; and they will say, 'The Lord is my God'" (Zechariah 13:9b).

So now we know the answers to these questions. Who are You? God. Who struck You? God. Who received the benefits—forgiveness, mercy, and everlasting life? God's people—everyone who puts their trust in the Lord Jesus.

THE PRAYER: Lord, thank You for what You bore for me. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever played guessing games? When?
2. Have you ever borne suffering for the sake of someone else? When?
3. Why do you think God made sure that the suffering for human evil fell upon Himself?

Lenten 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).
Have you ever played guessing games? When?

Devocional CPTLN del 01 de abril de 2020 - ¿Quién te golpeó?

ALIMENTO DIARIO

¿Quién te golpeó?

01 de Abril de 2020

Los que aprehendieron a Jesús lo llevaron ante el sumo sacerdote Caifás, donde estaban reunidos los escribas y los ancianos... Pero Jesús guardó silencio. Entonces el sumo sacerdote le dijo: "Te ordeno en el nombre del Dios viviente, que nos digas si tú eres el Cristo, el Hijo de Dios." Jesús le respondió: "Tú lo has dicho."... El sumo sacerdote se rasgó entonces las vestiduras y dijo: "¡Ha blasfemado! ¿Qué necesidad tenemos de más testigos? ¡Ustedes acaban de oír su blasfemia! ¿Qué les parece?" Y ellos respondieron: "¡Que merece la muerte!" Entonces unos lo escupieron en el rostro, y le dieron puñetazos; y otros lo abofeteaban y decían: "¡Profetízanos, Cristo; dinos quién te golpeó!"

— Mateo 26:57, 63-68, RVC

Fue un juego sádico. Abofeteaban y golpeaban a Jesús, y le preguntaban: "¿Quién te golpeó?" No entendí esto hasta que vi Lucas 22:64, donde dice que a Jesús le vendaron los ojos. Estaban "probando" sus habilidades como Mesías. ¡Después de todo, el Hijo de Dios seguramente debería poder decir quién lo golpeó, con los ojos vendados o no!

De lo que no se dieron cuenta fue que Jesús ya sabía la respuesta a esa pregunta. Pocas horas antes, Jesús había advertido a sus discípulos: "Todos ustedes se escandalizarán de mí. Está escrito: 'Heriré al pastor, y las ovejas serán dispersadas'" (Marcos 14:27).

Jesús citó Zacarías 13, donde Dios dice: "¡Ataca al pastor, y se dispersarán las ovejas!" Esto se hizo realidad en el sufrimiento y la muerte de Jesús. Por el plan de Dios, él sufrió el daño y sus seguidores se dispersaron.

Sin embargo, no terminó allí. Dios tomó ese mal y lo convirtió en nuestra salvación. Como él continúa diciendo a través del profeta Zacarías: "Invocarán mi nombre, y yo les responderé... 'Ustedes son mi pueblo', y ellos me dirán: 'El Señor es nuestro Dios.'"

Entonces ahora sabemos las respuestas a estas preguntas. ¿Quién eres? Dios. ¿Quién te golpeó? Dios. ¿Quién recibió los beneficios de perdón, misericordia, y vida eterna? El pueblo de Dios: todos los que confían en el Señor Jesús.

ORACIÓN: Señor, gracias por lo que cargaste por mí. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

1. ¿Alguna vez has sufrido por el bien de otra persona? ¿Cuándo?
2. ¿Por qué crees que Dios se aseguró de que el sufrimiento por el mal humano cayera sobre sí mismo?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Alguna vez has sufrido por el bien de otra persona? ¿Cuándo?

Ministérios Pão Diário - Aprendendo com Pedro

Aprendendo com Pedro

Leia: Lucas 5:1-11 | A Bíblia em um ano: Juízes 13–15; Lucas 6:27-49

…por ser o senhor quem nos pede, vou lançar as redes novamente.

— Lucas 5:5

Simão passara a noite no mar, sem pescar nada. Jesus entrou no seu barco e pediu que o afastasse da praia. Simão lavava as redes enquanto o Mestre pregava. O sermão de Jesus impactou Simão de tal forma que, quando Cristo lhe ordenou que voltasse a pescar, ele obedeceu. Então, o barco cheio de peixes ameaçava virar. Simão concluiu que Aquele que realizara esse milagre era Deus. Nisso, aprendemos que:

• Deus nos encontra e nos sustenta em nossa rotina diária. Simão obedeceu a Jesus e o fez sem reclamação ou preguiça.

• Devemos “lavar nossas redes”, em prontidão para Deus. Precisamos estar preparados para as oportunidades que Ele nos dará.

• A fé é generosa. Simão disponibilizou o seu barco para Jesus. Ele poderia questionar: “Por que o meu?”. O que Deus nos dá é para abençoar a nós, a nossa família e as nações!

• Simão obedeceu a Jesus. Comece a vida de fé fazendo o óbvio: o que Deus já falou.

• Simão seguiu a Jesus. Após viver 34 anos a serviço do Mestre, ele recomenda: “…cresçam na graça e no conhecimento de nosso Senhor e Salvador Jesus Cristo” (2 Pedro 3:18). Ele ainda crescia em graça.

Viver por fé significa: “lançar as redes”, ou seja, tentar de novo; renunciar ao que nos impede de prosseguir — Simão largou tudo, seguiu Jesus; e continuou a aprender, porque, na escola da fé, ninguém tira diploma.

Senhor, ajuda-me a agir sempre com fé, independentemente das circunstâncias.

Quando Deus fala as coisas acontecem. Tenha fé!

por Jeremias Pereira da Silva

© 2020 Ministérios Pão Diário
Quando Deus fala as coisas acontecem. Tenha fé!

The Daily Lectionary for TUESDAY, March 31, 2020

Psalm 143; 2 Kings 4:18-37; Ephesians 2:1-10

The Daily Lectionary

TUESDAY, March 31, 2020

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Psalm 143

Save me from death

1  Lord, hear my prayer,
     listen to my cry for mercy;
   in your faithfulness and righteousness
     come to my relief.
2  Do not bring your servant into judgment,
     for no one living is righteous before you.
3  The enemy pursues me,
     he crushes me to the ground;
   he makes me dwell in the darkness
     like those long dead.
4  So my spirit grows faint within me;
     my heart within me is dismayed.
5  I remember the days of long ago;
     I meditate on all your works
     and consider what your hands have done.
6  I spread out my hands to you;
     I thirst for you like a parched land.

7  Answer me quickly, Lord;
     my spirit fails.
   Do not hide your face from me
     or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
8  Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
     for I have put my trust in you.
   Show me the way I should go,
     for to you I entrust my life.
9  Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,
     for I hide myself in you.
10 Teach me to do your will,
     for you are my God;
   may your good Spirit
     lead me on level ground.

11 For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life;
     in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
     destroy all my foes,
     for I am your servant.

2 Kings 4:18-37

Elisha raises a child from death

4:18 The child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the reapers. 19 He said to his father, “My head! My head!”

His father told a servant, “Carry him to his mother.” 20 After the servant had lifted him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died. 21 She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and went out.

22 She called her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants and a donkey so I can go to the man of God quickly and return.”

23 “Why go to him today?” he asked. “It’s not the New Moon or the Sabbath.”

“That’s all right,” she said.

24 She saddled the donkey and said to her servant, “Lead on; don’t slow down for me unless I tell you.” 25 So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel.

When he saw her in the distance, the man of God said to his servant Gehazi, “Look! There’s the Shunammite! 26 Run to meet her and ask her, ‘Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?’”

“Everything is all right,” she said.

27 When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone! She is in bitter distress, but the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me why.”

28 “Did I ask you for a son, my lord?” she said. “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t raise my hopes’?”

29 Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take my staff in your hand and run. Don’t greet anyone you meet, and if anyone greets you, do not answer. Lay my staff on the boy’s face.”

30 But the child’s mother said, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her.

31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or response. So Gehazi went back to meet Elisha and told him, “The boy has not awakened.”

32 When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. 33 He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the Lord. 34 Then he got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out on him, the boy’s body grew warm. 35 Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out on him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.

36 Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, “Call the Shunammite.” And he did. When she came, he said, “Take your son.” 37 She came in, fell at his feet and bowed to the ground. Then she took her son and went out.

Ephesians 2:1-10

Alive in Christ

2:1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

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 Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

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 what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Lectionary for TUESDAY, March 31, 2020
Psalm 143; 2 Kings 4:18-37; Ephesians 2:1-10

The Daily Prayer for TUESDAY, March 31, 2020

The Daily Prayer

TUESDAY, March 31, 2020

Twentieth-century Jesuit theologian Henri de Lubac wrote, “The finest and boldest Christian effort, the freshest and most enduring, has always flourished from the roots of tradition.”

Lord, we mark time with hours, days, months, and years. You mark time in ways we cannot comprehend. Help us learn to mark time with worship, praise, and prayers, rooting our lives in the living tradition of your beloved community. Amen.

Verse of the Day for TUESDAY, March 31, 2020

Isaiah 53:5-6

But he was pierced for our transgressions,
  he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
  and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
  each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
  the iniquity of us all.

Read all of Isaiah 53

Listen to Isaiah 53

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

The Lenten Prayer for TUESDAY, March 31, 2020 - Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

40 Days of Lenten Prayers

Day 30 - Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Loving God,

You have heard my complaints, my impatience.

Sometimes I become frightened

when I move away from you.

Guide my heart back to you.

Help me to think beyond my own wants

and to desire only to do you will.

Thank you for the many blessings in my life

and for the ways I feel your presence.

Amen.

Un dia a la Vez - Martes 31 de marzo de 2020

Oración por la unión de la familia

Dichosos todos los que temen al Señor [...] En el seno de tu hogar, tu esposa será como vid llena de uvas [...] tus hijos serán como vástagos de olivo.

— Salmo 128:1, 3, NVI

¡Dios mío y Padre mío! Gracias por ser nuestro Padre. Gracias porque tú nunca nos dejarás ni nos abandonarás.

Te agradecemos porque de una manera sencilla puedo ver algunas de las cosas que esperas de mí como padre, como madre o como hijo.

Te pido perdón si no he desarrollado como es debido mi posición de hijo y de padre.

Te suplico que me des una nueva oportunidad para buscar más de ti y así obtener la sabiduría de cuidar a los míos de manera que sea un buen ejemplo para ellos.

Hoy, como familia, te rogamos que nos des un manto de unión y de protección. Que de una manera milagrosa sanes los corazones de cada uno de los que en este día se acogen a tu misericordia.

Te necesitamos y ponemos delante de ti todo hogar representado por cada persona que hoy hace esta oración.

Gracias, mi Dios, por la bendición de tener una familia.

Amén y amén.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Oración por la unión de la familia

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Tuesday, March 31, 2020

COMMISSIONING ASPECT OF COMMITMENT

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

— Luke 9:23, NIV

The personal and trusting relationship between God and His followers now leads the believer to the commissioning aspect of commitment—a task that is characteristic of being His true followers—“and follow me.” This commitment is not to a task but to a person. To be a follower of Jesus is to be a disciple of Jesus. A disciple is one who follows the teaching of another; one who is like another; one who models after another.

What is the task to which he has called us? The task is none other than the words of what we call “The Great Commission”:

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18–20)

The Christian’s task is nothing short of being a servant of Jesus Christ proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ and helping others become followers of Jesus. Our primary responsibility is neither overthrowing governments nor opposing ideologies but a proactive one of making disciples of all nations.

In the course of our obedience to God’s authority, we may come in conflict with the existing government. We have been called to be good citizens and history has proven that Christians are generally law-abiding and hard-working. But when conflicts come, the Christian is ready to choose his commitment to Christ over his or her commitment to local authorities (Acts 4:19–20).

RESPONSE: Today I complete my commitment to follow Jesus in sharing His love with others.

PRAYER: As a true disciple, I give myself, Lord, to the task of world evangelization starting where You place me today.

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 - March 31, 2020 - THE END—OR NOT

"THE END—OR NOT"

March 31, 2020

Then those who had seized Jesus led Him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. And Peter was following Him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end.

— Matthew 26:57-58, ESV

I've often wondered why hope is considered to be a virtue. They call faith, hope, and love the three theological virtues, and I can see the point for faith and love. But hope? I'm used to thinking of that as something that just happens to me, depending on my life circumstances. I don't usually think of myself as responsible for having hope!

But then we have Peter in this story—and I begin to see the point. What is going on in Peter's head? Whatever it is, it doesn't include hope at all, in spite of everything Jesus has said so clearly about His death and resurrection. Peter follows Jesus at a distance, manages to get inside the courtyard, and goes to sit with the guards, of all people. He doesn't stand with John or the servants. He is sitting with Jesus' oppressors—the people who look like the winning side.

And Matthew says, "He sat with the guards to see the end." Peter is expecting an end—an end to Jesus, in the most literal sense. He is not expecting anything good, in spite of Jesus' promises about His death and resurrection. For all the hope Peter has, Jesus might just as well have never said a word about the future.

I imagine Peter cringed when he thought about this later in life—after the resurrection when it became clear that all Jesus' promises were true. But at the time, it seemed reasonable. Maybe that's the point. Because there are times in our own lives when losing hope in God's promises seems like the reasonable thing to do. Hope looks foolish. We are tempted to go and sit down with the guards.

So how do we keep up our hope when we are surrounded by trouble on every side? We remember God's good promises. None of them have ever failed—not "I forgive you," not "I will be with you and deliver you," not "I will come again and take you to Myself." None of them have ever failed. Jesus is utterly trustworthy. You know it from your own life. Put your hope in Him when things seem darkest—and wait to see what He will do.

THE PRAYER: Lord, help me to hope in You when things seem hopeless. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. What are you hoping for right now—whether great or small?
2. When has God helped you in a hopeless time?
3. What promise of God means the most to you at this time?

Lenten 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).
What are you hoping for right now—whether great or small?

Devocional CPTLN del 31 de marzo de 2020 - El fin o tal vez no

ALIMENTO DIARIO

El fin o tal vez no

31 de Marzo de 2020

Los que aprehendieron a Jesús lo llevaron ante el sumo sacerdote Caifás, donde estaban reunidos los escribas y los ancianos. Pero Pedro lo siguió de lejos hasta el patio del sumo sacerdote, y entró y se sentó con los alguaciles, para ver cómo terminaba aquello.

— Mateo 26:57-58, RVC

A menudo me he preguntado por qué la esperanza se considera una virtud. Llaman fe, esperanza y amor a las tres virtudes teologales, y puedo entenderlo respecto de la fe y el amor. ¿Pero la esperanza? Estoy acostumbrado a pensar en ella como algo que simplemente me sucede, dependiendo de las circunstancias de mi vida. ¡Normalmente no me considero responsable de tener esperanza!

Pero entones tenemos a Pedro en esta historia, y empiezo a ver el punto. ¿Qué está pasando por la cabeza de Pedro? Sea lo que sea, no incluye ninguna esperanza, a pesar de todo lo que Jesús ha dicho tan claramente sobre su muerte y resurrección. Pedro sigue a Jesús a cierta distancia, logra entrar al patio y va a sentarse con los guardias. Él no está con Juan o los sirvientes. Está sentado con los opresores de Jesús.

Y Mateo dice: "Se sentó con los alguaciles, para ver cómo terminaba aquello". Pedro espera un final, un final para Jesús, en el sentido más literal. No espera nada bueno.

Me imagino que Pedro se sintió un cobarde cuando pensó en esto después de la resurrección, cuando quedó claro que todas las promesas de Jesús eran verdaderas. Pero en ese momento parecía razonable. Quizás ese sea el punto. Porque hay momentos en nuestras vidas en que perder la esperanza en las promesas de Dios parece ser lo más razonable. Tener esperanza parece algo tonto.

Entonces, ¿cómo mantenemos la esperanza cuando estamos rodeados de problemas por todos lados? Recordando las promesas de Dios. Ninguna de ellas ha fallado nunca: ni "Te perdono", ni "Estaré contigo y te libraré", ni "Vendré otra vez por ti". Jesús es completamente confiable. Lo sabes por tu propia vida. Pon tu esperanza en él cuando las cosas parezcan oscuras, y espera a ver qué hará.

ORACIÓN: Señor, ayúdame a esperar en ti cuando las cosas parecen desesperadas. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

1. ¿De qué manera te ha ayudado Dios en un tiempo sin esperanza?
2. ¿Qué promesa de Dios significa más para ti en este momento?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿De qué manera te ha ayudado Dios en un tiempo sin esperanza?

Nuestro Pan Diario - La herencia no se gana

La herencia no se gana

La escritura de hoy: Efesios 1:3-14
La Biblia en un año: Jueces 11–12; Lucas 6:1-26

… habiéndonos predestinado para ser adoptados hijos suyos por medio de Jesucristo, según […] su voluntad.

— Efesios 1:5

«Gracias por la cena, papá», dije mientras ponía mi servilleta en la mesa del restaurante. Había vuelto a casa durante unas vacaciones de la universidad, y después de haberme ido desde hacía tiempo, me pareció extraño que mis padres pagaran por mí. «De nada, Julie —respondió mi padre—; pero no tienes que agradecerme todo el tiempo. Sé que te has ido, pero sigues siendo mi hija y parte de la familia». Sonreí y dije: «Gracias, papá».

No he hecho nada para ganarme el amor de mis padres ni lo que ellos hacen por mí. Pero ese comentario me recuerda que yo tampoco he hecho nada para merecer ser parte de la familia de Dios.

En Efesios, Pablo dice a sus lectores que Dios los escogió para que fueran «santos y sin mancha» (1:4), o para ser presentados sin mancha delante de Él (5:25-27). Pero esto es posible solo por medio de Cristo, en quien tenemos «redención por su sangre, el perdón de pecados según las riquezas de su gracia» (1:7). No tenemos que ganar la gracia de Dios, el perdón ni la entrada a su familia. Simplemente, aceptamos su regalo.

Al creer en Cristo, nos convertimos en hijos de Dios, lo cual significa que recibimos vida eterna y tenemos una herencia que nos espera en el cielo. ¡Alabado sea Dios por ofrecer un regalo tan maravilloso!

De:  Julie Schwab

Reflexiona y ora

Padre, gracias por entregar a tu Hijo para poder ser parte de tu familia.

¿De qué maneras sientes o actúas como que te ganaste el amor de Dios? ¿Cómo puedes experimentar a diario la libertad de su amor?

© 2020 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario
No he hecho nada para ganarme el amor de mis padres ni lo que ellos hacen por mí.

The Daily Lectionary for MONDAY, March 30, 2020

Psalm 143; 1 Kings 17:17-24; Acts 20:7-12

The Daily Lectionary

MONDAY, March 30, 2020

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Psalm 143

Save me from death

1  Lord, hear my prayer,
     listen to my cry for mercy;
   in your faithfulness and righteousness
     come to my relief.
2  Do not bring your servant into judgment,
     for no one living is righteous before you.
3  The enemy pursues me,
     he crushes me to the ground;
   he makes me dwell in the darkness
     like those long dead.
4  So my spirit grows faint within me;
     my heart within me is dismayed.
5  I remember the days of long ago;
     I meditate on all your works
     and consider what your hands have done.
6  I spread out my hands to you;
     I thirst for you like a parched land.

7  Answer me quickly, Lord;
     my spirit fails.
   Do not hide your face from me
     or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
8  Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
     for I have put my trust in you.
   Show me the way I should go,
     for to you I entrust my life.
9  Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,
     for I hide myself in you.
10 Teach me to do your will,
     for you are my God;
   may your good Spirit
     lead me on level ground.

11 For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life;
     in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
     destroy all my foes,
     for I am your servant.

1 Kings 17:17-24

Elijah raises the widow’s son

17:17 Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing. 18 She said to Elijah, “What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?”

19 “Give me your son,” Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed. 20 Then he cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, have you brought tragedy even on this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?” 21 Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, let this boy’s life return to him!”

22 The Lord heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived. 23 Elijah picked up the child and carried him down from the room into the house. He gave him to his mother and said, “Look, your son is alive!”

24 Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth.”

Acts 20:7-12

Paul raises a young man

20:7 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. 9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” 11 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12 The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

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 Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

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 what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Lectionary for MONDAY, March 30, 2020
Psalm 143; 1 Kings 17:17-24; Acts 20:7-12

The Daily Prayer for MONDAY, March 30, 2020

The Daily Prayer

MONDAY, March 30, 2020

Peter Maurin, co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement, said, “The world would be better off if people tried to become better. And people would become better if they stopped trying to become better off.”

Lord, our efforts at faithfulness are fraught with failure more often than we care to admit. Thank you that your love for us is never wasted. Keep us rooted in your word, eating at your table, and praying by your Spirit, so that we may remember when we fail that we are part of your family not because we deserve to be but because you want us. Amen.

Verse of the Day for MONDAY, March 30, 2020

Isaiah 53:3-4

He was despised and rejected by mankind,
  a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
  he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

Surely he took up our pain
  and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
  stricken by him, and afflicted.

Read all of Isaiah 53

Listen to Isaiah 53

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

The Lenten Prayer for MONDAY, March 30, 2020 - Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent

40 Days of Lenten Prayers

Day 29 - Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent

God of love,

I know that you are the source of all

that is good and graced in my life.

Help me to move from the life of sin

to which I so often cling,

into the new life of grace you offer me.

You know what I need to prepare for your kingdom.

Bless me with those gifts.

Amen.

Un dia a la Vez - Lunes 30 de marzo de 2020

Hijos, valoremos a nuestros padres

Escucha a tu padre, que te engendró, y no desprecies a tu madre cuando sea anciana.

— Proverbios 23:22, NVI

Padres y madres, no se vayan de la meditación de hoy. Nosotros también somos hijos.

Aunque ya lo mencioné al inicio de este libro, el único mandamiento con promesa es que honremos a nuestros padres para tener una larga vida.

¿Te imaginas lo que para Dios significa el respeto a ellos que hasta puede ser una condición para vivir muchos años?

Sé que cuando somos jóvenes y adolescentes, los consejos de papá y mamá son a veces hasta fastidiosos. Su compañía en ciertas edades hasta molesta en determinadas etapas de la vida. Salir con ellos… ¡huy, qué pena!

No obstante, todo esto pasa y, a medida que vamos creciendo, madurando, aprendiendo y perdonando, vamos cambiando la manera de verlos y respetarlos.

Cuando llegamos a la etapa de ser padres, es que al fin apreciamos todo lo que hicieron por nosotros. Cuando esos hijos crecen y nos faltan al respeto o nos hacen sufrir, por fin nos ponemos en los zapatos de nuestros papás que nos aconsejaban y velaban por nuestro bienestar.

Nunca es tarde para atenderlos, para acompañarlos, para disfrutarlos y hacer lo que dice la Biblia: «Honra a tu padre y a tu madre» (Éxodo 20:12).

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Padres y madres, no se vayan de la meditación de hoy. Nosotros también somos hijos.