The Daily Lectionary for SATURDAY, January 4, 2020 — 11th Day of Christmas

The Daily Lectionary

SATURDAY, January 4, 2020 — 11th Day of Christmas

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Psalm 72

(Prayers for the king)

Prayer for Guidance and Support for the King
Of Solomon.
1  Give the king your justice, O God,
     and your righteousness to a king’s son.
2  May he judge your people with righteousness,
     and your poor with justice.
3  May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
     and the hills, in righteousness.
4  May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
     give deliverance to the needy,
     and crush the oppressor.

5  May he live while the sun endures,
     and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
6  May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
     like showers that water the earth.
7  In his days may righteousness flourish
     and peace abound, until the moon is no more.

8  May he have dominion from sea to sea,
     and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9  May his foes bow down before him,
     and his enemies lick the dust.
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles
     render him tribute,
   may the kings of Sheba and Seba
     bring gifts.
11 May all kings fall down before him,
     all nations give him service.

12 For he delivers the needy when they call,
     the poor and those who have no helper.
13 He has pity on the weak and the needy,
     and saves the lives of the needy.
14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life;
     and precious is their blood in his sight.

15 Long may he live!
     May gold of Sheba be given to him.
   May prayer be made for him continually,
     and blessings invoked for him all day long.
16 May there be abundance of grain in the land;
     may it wave on the tops of the mountains;
     may its fruit be like Lebanon;
   and may people blossom in the cities
     like the grass of the field.
17 May his name endure forever,
     his fame continue as long as the sun.
   May all nations be blessed in him;
     may they pronounce him happy.

18 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
     who alone does wondrous things.
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever;
     may his glory fill the whole earth.
   Amen and Amen.

20 The prayers of David son of Jesse are ended.

Exodus 3:1-5

(The burning bush)

Moses at the Burning Bush
3:1 Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. 3 Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.” 4 When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

Hebrews 11:23-31

(Moses acts on faith)

The Faith of Moses
11:23 By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw that the child was beautiful; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered abuse suffered for the Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, unafraid of the king’s anger; for he persevered as though he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

The Faith of Other Israelite Heroes
29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace.

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 what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Lectionary for SATURDAY, January 4, 2020 — 11th Day of Christmas
Psalm 72; Exodus 3:1-5; Hebrews 11:23-31

The Daily Prayer for SATURDAY, January 4, 2020

The Daily Prayer

SATURDAY, January 4, 2020

Contemporary American author Frederick Buechner has written, “A Christian is one who points at Christ and says, ‘I can’t prove a thing, but there’s something about his eyes and his voice. There’s something about the way he carries his head, his hands, the way he carries his cross—the way he carries me.’”

God, your word instructs us to be ready to give an answer for the faith that is within us. When that time comes, Lord, make us bold to proclaim that your love surpasses human knowledge. Let our answer be actions that mirror your love. Amen.

Verse of the Day for SATURDAY, January 4, 2020

Micah 6:8

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
 And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
 and to walk humbly with your God.

Read all of Micah 6

Listen to Micah 6

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 - Sábado 04 de enero de 2020

En la tormenta hay crecimiento

Cuando cruces las aguas, yo estaré contigo [...] Yo soy el Señor, tu Dios [...] tu salvador.

—Isaías 43:2-3 (NVI)

Ayer te comentaba que un divorcio es algo que te marca para toda la vida y que solo el amor de Dios nos ayuda a superar la pérdida y comenzar una nueva vida.

No sé cuál sea tu tormenta, ni cuál sea tu problema, ni qué clase de dolor estás sintiendo con esa situación que estás viviendo y que parece interminable. Lo que sí te puedo asegurar es que si en medio de lo que estás viviendo comprendes que Dios está contigo y no te levantas en su contra, la salida a esa situación estará más cercana.

Las pruebas nos dan crecimiento espiritual, desarrollan cada vez más nuestra fe y nos acercan más a Dios. Así que, no te rindas. Recuerda que hay promesas para ti. Aunque ahora no entiendas el porqué Dios te está llevando por esta situación, sí puedes descansar pensando que después de la tormenta viene la calma.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Ayer te comentaba que un divorcio es algo que te marca para toda la vida y que solo el amor de Dios nos ayuda a superar la pérdida y comenzar una nueva vida.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Saturday, January 4, 2020

FAITH AND FEAR

Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

—Mark 4:38-40 (NIV)

Storms often bring out our true spiritual condition. Jesus was in the boat but the disciples still feared for their lives. He chastised them for their fear and their little faith! Thus our greatest need is not for the storm to end but to be freed from fear and have faith in Him while the storm rages.

At an SSTS seminar in Central Asia, our translator looked at us at the close of our three-day session and commented, “Thank you for teaching us how to stand strong. God spoke to me a lot through this seminar. I was afraid to die but not anymore. I have peace to go and spread God’s Word.” She is now serving the Lord in a dangerous but strategic mission in her region.

A middle-aged man in North Korea was arrested after the police found a Bible in his home. He was terribly beaten and certain he would die. A Christian friend said, “When he came to faith, he made the decision that one day he would die for Christ. Every Christian in North Korea have made that choice. Every Christian in the country has the spirit of martyrdom in him. If you lose that spirit for one second, you cannot carry the burden of being a follower of Jesus.”

A significant factor in dealing with fear—especially fear of dying—is realizing that we are already dead in Christ (Galatians 2:20). Former Open Doors colleague, Hector Tamez, says that this concept is clearly seen in the lives of Christians living in war zones of Latin America. The Christians, who were caught in the civil war between the government and Shining Path guerrillas in Peru, are a classic example for us. Here is how Hector expresses their commitment:

They know that they are going to be killed. And they say, “In order to be a Christian here, you have to recognize that you are already dead in Christ. Once you recognize this, then any day that passes by in your life is a gain.”

In some countries, surviving one day or one year means that you have one God-given day or year to testify not only with your words but with your deeds. Fear should not control your life! Christ should control your life!

RESPONSE: When storms come my way, I will let them help me assess my own spiritual condition. I will affirm God’s power to overcome fear and live by faith in Him.

PRAYER: Ask God to forgive you for your times of fearfulness and lack of faith. Pray that all members of the persecuted church would have faith in Jesus like these Peruvian believers.

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

The NIV Couples Devotional - Saturday, January 4, 2020

When You Have to Say No

Esther 1:1–22

“This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen’s conduct will respond to all the king’s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord.”

—Esther 1:18 (NIV)

King Xerxes, the military leader of the Medes and Persians, tried to fulfill his father’s failed plan to conquer Greece. Darius had been defeated at Marathon in 490 B.C. and had died soon after. Xerxes amassed one of the largest armies ever and marched back toward Greece. His army managed to get around the Spartan forces at Thermopylae but went down outside Athens when the Persian fleet was sunk in the bay of Salamis.

Esther 1 records what may have been Xerxes’ planning meeting for the military campaigns of 482–479 B.C. During this lengthy meeting (lasting 180 days), the men feasted and drank extensively. At one point, Xerxes commanded his wife, Vashti, to appear before the assembled men. We are not told why Vashti refused but given the circumstances and the rate at which we can assume the men were consuming alcohol, perhaps Vashti was afraid they would ask her to act immodestly—or worse.

Xerxes reacted like a spoiled child. He was furious that his order had not been obeyed. His advisers encouraged the king’s stupidity. They proposed deposing Vashti as queen and banishing her from the presence of the king. Then they planned the first Miss Universe pageant to replace Vashti with someone more beautiful and (hopefully) more compliant.

Enter Mordecai and Esther, two Jews who were still living in Persia. Although Mordecai may have also had a Hebrew name, his Babylonian name may betray the comfort his family had with Babylonian life; it is derived from Marduk, the god Nebuchadnezzar followed and to whom he dedicated Babylon, his capital.

Ultimately, Esther was chosen to be the new queen, placing her in a position to intervene at a time when her people were threatened. Esther and Mordecai were able to save the Jews, but the dire threat made to exterminate them as a people during that time made its mark. Perhaps it was an impetus for Ezra and Nehemiah to go back to Jerusalem to help the Jews there rebuild the city’s walls and reclaim their spiritual foundations.

Within this story, Vashti often goes unrecognized as a heroine. Yet perhaps that should be acknowledged, particularly within the context of marriage. For while Vashti had been obedient to her husband in all things, there came a point when her moral fiber pulled tautly and would not allow her to cross a line that required her to do something she knew was wrong.

In our marriages, we need mutual submission and respect, as the apostle Paul wrote (see Ephesians 5:21–33). But we also need personal courage to say no to one another when decency is twisted or when obedience to little things would deny obedience to God’s greater ways.

Wayne Brouwer

Let’s Talk

• What iffy spots of moral behavior have caused disagreement in our marriage?
• Has one of us ever asked the other to do something morally questionable? How do we balance mutual submission to each other with saying no to behavior that compromises our integrity?
• How can we keep our relationship unified so that we avoid situations that cause conflict when our morals differ?

In our marriages, we need mutual submission and respect …

LHM Daily Devotions January 4, 2020 - CHRIST BEFORE DEATH

"CHRIST BEFORE DEATH"

Jan. 4, 2020

And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. ... And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus ... he took Him up in his arms and blessed God.

—Luke 2:26-28 (ESV)

Simeon had it in the right order. "It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ." What a comfort that promise must have been to him!

We know that death is waiting for all of us unless the Lord returns first. We try to keep this fact in mind, to plan wisely, to have insurance and guardianship papers and funeral plans laid out. We think about the serious illnesses that may precede death, and try to plan for that as well.

But in the end, that's all we can do: plan. We cannot stop death. In most ways, we can't even make it easier, either for ourselves or for the people who will go through the dying process with us. Money, talking, plans—they only do so much. And it's not enough.

But what we cannot do, the Lord did. He sent His own Son, His Christ, into human flesh as a living, vulnerable baby. Simeon rejoiced to see Him, and so should we. Because that baby is the One who actually did something about death—who grew up to overcome sin, death, and the devil—those enemies of the human race. He did it through His own personal suffering and death. By laying down His life for us, He set us free from the power of death. And by taking up His life again forever, He gave us that same everlasting, joyful life.

Death is the one thing no Christian has to do on his or her own. Jesus has already been through suffering and death before us. He knows the way through death and the way back to life, too. Our friends and family cannot go with us—but Jesus can. He will never let go of our hands. And He will bring us back to life with Him, because He has promised, and He will never lie.

THE PRAYER: Lord, be with me when my time comes to die and keep me with You forever. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• What plans have you made concerning the end of your life?
• Are you afraid to die? Why or why not? Is it okay to be afraid?
• How does Jesus help you when you think about death?

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).
What plans have you made concerning the end of your life?

CPTLN devocional del 04 de enero de 2020 - Cristo antes de la muerte

ADVIENTO—NAVIDAD 2019

Cristo antes de la muerte

04 de Enero de 2020

El Espíritu Santo ... le había revelado que no moriría antes de que viera al Ungido del Señor ... Y cuando los padres del niño Jesús lo llevaron al templo ... él tomó al niño en sus brazos y bendijo a Dios.

—Lucas 2:25b-28 (RVC)

Simeón lo tenía todo en el orden correcto. "El Espíritu Santo le había revelado que no moriría antes de que viera al Ungido del Señor." ¡Qué consuelo debe haber sido esa promesa!

Sabemos que la muerte nos está esperando a todos, a menos que el Señor regrese primero. Tratamos de tener en cuenta este hecho, y planificamos lo mejor que podemos.

Pero al final, eso es todo lo que podemos hacer: planificar. No podemos detener la muerte. En la mayoría de los casos, ni siquiera podemos hacerla más fácil, ni para nosotros ni para las personas que nos acompañarán en nuestros últimos días. Dinero, conversación, planificación, solo hacen algo, pero no lo suficiente.

Lo que no podemos hacer, el Señor lo hizo por nosotros. Él envió a su propio Hijo, su Cristo, a hacerse carne en un vulnerable bebé. Simeón se regocijó de verlo, y nosotros también deberíamos. Porque ese bebé es el que realmente hizo algo con respecto a la muerte. El creció para vencer el pecado, la muerte, y el diablo, esos enemigos de la raza humana. Lo hizo a través de su propio sufrimiento y muerte. Al dar su vida por nosotros, nos liberó del poder de la muerte. Y al retomar su vida para siempre, nos dio esa misma vida eterna y gozosa.

La muerte es lo único que ningún cristiano tiene que lidiar por su cuenta. Jesús ya ha pasado por el sufrimiento y la muerte antes que nosotros. Él conoce el camino a través de la muerte y el camino de regreso a la vida también. Nuestros amigos y familiares no pueden acompañarnos, pero Jesús sí. Nunca nos soltará las manos. Y él nos traerá de vuelta a la vida con él, porque así lo ha prometido.

ORACIÓN: Señor, quédate conmigo cuando me llegue el momento de morir, y mantenme contigo para siempre. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

• ¿Tienes miedo de morir? ¿Por qué sí o por qué no? ¿Está bien tener miedo?
• ¿Cómo te ayuda Jesús cuando piensas en la muerte?

© 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.
¿Tienes miedo de morir? ¿Por qué sí o por qué no? ¿Está bien tener miedo?

Хліб Наш Насущній - Досконале розміщення

Досконале розміщення

Читати: Йова 38:4-11 | Біблія за рік: Буття 10–12 ; Матвія 4

Завантажити MP3

Де ти був, коли землю основував Я? — Йова 38:4

Вчені знають, що наша планета перебуває на правильній відстані від сонця, аби отримувати користь від його тепла. Трохи ближче – і вся вода випарується, як на Венері. Трохи далі – і все замерзне, як на Марсі. Земля також має відповідний розмір для забезпечення належної сили тяжіння. Менша сила тяжіння зробить усе невагомим і безплідним, як на Місяці, а більша – виділить отруйні гази, від яких задихнеться усе живе, як на Юпітері.

Складна фізична, хімічна і біологічна взаємодія в нашому світі містить відбиток руки мудрого Творця. Ми побіжно бачимо цю складну майстерність у розмові Бога з Йовом про незбагненні для нас речі. “Де ти був, коли землю основував Я? – питає Бог. – Хто основи її положив, чи ти знаєш? Або хто розтягнув по ній шнура? У що підстави її позапущувані, або хто поклав камінь наріжний її?” (Йов 38:4-6).

Цей проблиск величі світу викликає у нас подив могутніми океанами Землі, які схиляються перед Тим, Хто “море воротами загородив, як воно виступало, немовби з утроби виходило… Аж досі ти дійдеш, не далі’” (Йов 38: 8-11). Ми з подивом можемо співати разом з ранковими зорями і радісно вигукувати з ангелами (в. 7), бо цей складний світ створений, аби ми могли пізнати Бога і повірити Йому.

Як дивовижне Боже творіння спонукає вас прославляти Його? Як будова світу відображає свого Творця?

Прочитайте брошуру “Відроджений з попелу: Божа присутність у страждання Йова”.

Бог Творець, дякуємо за дивовижний світ, який Ти для нас створив.

Автор Ремі Оєділ

© 2019 Хліб Наш Насущні

Вчені знають, що наша планета перебуває на правильній відстані від сонця, аби отримувати користь від його тепла.