The Daily Lectionary for THURSDAY, January 9, 2020

Psalm 29; 1 Samuel 3:1-9; Acts 9:1-9

The Daily Lectionary

THURSDAY, January 9, 2020

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Psalm 29

The voice of God upon the waters

1  Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings,
     ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2  Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
     worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

3  The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
     the God of glory thunders,
     the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
4  The voice of the Lord is powerful;
     the voice of the Lord is majestic.
5  The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
     the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6  He makes Lebanon leap like a calf,
     Sirion like a young wild ox.
7  The voice of the Lord strikes
     with flashes of lightning.
8  The voice of the Lord shakes the desert;
     the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
9  The voice of the Lord twists the oaks
     and strips the forests bare.
   And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
     the Lord is enthroned as King forever.
11 The Lord gives strength to his people;
     the Lord blesses his people with peace.

1 Samuel 3:1-9

Samuel a boy says “Here I am”

1 The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.

2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel.

Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.

6 Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.

8 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

Acts 9:1-9

Saul on the road to Damascus

1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

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.

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 THURSDAY, January 9, 2020
Psalm 29; 1 Samuel 3:1-9; Acts 9:1-9

The Daily Prayer for THURSDAY, January 9, 2020

The Daily Prayer

THURSDAY, January 9, 2020

Cyprian of Carthage, a third-century North African bishop, wrote, “The Lord has given us a pattern of prayer, instructing us on how we are to pray. He has made it easy for us to be heard as we pray to the Father in the words taught us by the Son. What prayer could be more prayer in the truth than the one spoken by the lips of the Son, who is truth himself? To ask the Father in words his Son has given us, to let him hear the prayer of Christ ringing in his ears, is to make our prayer one of friendship, a family prayer. Let the Father recognize the words of his Son.”

Lord Jesus Christ, as we go about our day, we pray that you would recognize not only your word on our lips but also your actions in our deeds. Amen.

Verse of the Day for THURSDAY, January 9, 2020

Matthew 6:19-21

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Read all of Matthew 6

Listen to Matthew 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 - Jueves 9 de enero de 2020

Reconcíliate con Dios

El Señor tu Dios está en medio de ti [...] Se deleitará en ti con gozo, te renovará con su amor [...] como en los días de fiesta.

—Sofonías 3:17-18 (NVI)

Como seres humanos, es muy común que cuando una relación no da resultado, ni nos llena, la dejamos. Rompemos con ella y tratamos de olvidarnos para siempre de esa persona que nos ofendió o nos abandonó.

Aun así, he escuchado a través de la vida en Cristo que muchas personas se pelean con Dios por diferentes razones. Quizá perdieran un ser querido y culparan a Dios. O porque tuvieron una petición especial y Dios no la concedió. O a lo mejor sufrieron una amarga experiencia en una iglesia o le falló un líder en el que depositaron toda la confianza. Entonces prefieren cortar toda relación con Dios.

¿Sabes? Es un atrevimiento enojarse con quien te dio la vida. Debemos entender que muchas de nuestras decisiones son las causantes de lo que vivimos. Debemos entender que a Dios le interesa nuestra felicidad y que no se goza con nuestro dolor y sufrimiento. Quizá muchas veces antes de tomar decisiones equivocadas Él nos alertara de varias maneras y no lo escuchamos.

A pesar de eso, si fallamos, recuerda que Él no te falla. Él no es un Dios cambiante. Él permanece para siempre. Si estás enojado con Dios, hoy es el día de tu reconciliación con Él. Pídele perdón de todo corazón por haberle juzgado, por haberte alejado, y verás que Él, como un Dios Padre misericordioso, te recibe una vez más en sus brazos.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Como seres humanos, es muy común que cuando una relación no da resultado, ni nos llena, la dejamos.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Thursday, January 9, 2020

BOLDNESS, LOVE, AND NON-VIOLENCE

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

—Romans 12:17, 18 (NIV)

A few years ago I was leading a group from my home church in Canada on a mission trip to Cuba. The church in Cuba had experienced a significant revival movement and the fast-growing house church movement was overflowing with new believers.

In Havana, we visited the Baptist Seminary and were delighted to have some time with its then elderly president, Dr. Vegilla. He spoke perfect English and shared with us how he had spent five years in Castro’s prison system in the 1960s just because he was a Christian pastor. He further itemized the pressures the church had experienced at the hand of the regime over the past five decades. Then he smiled and in his very positive style of expression concluded, “But we have learned three things through all of this. We learned not to fear, not to hate and not to harm!”

I have meditated on this statement for some time and concluded that it expresses very succinctly the biblical essence of standing strong through any storm. And although his three-point outline is stated negatively, there are very positive aspects of each:

• learning “not to fear” infers a development of boldness and courage

• learning “not to hate” implies a focus on love, forgiveness, and grace

• learning “not to harm” indicates a commitment to the biblical principles of non-violence and aggressive love

Dr. Vegilla summed it up perfectly and as you continue to read these devotionals, you will see dozens of specific applications for all aspect of discipleship in following our Lord Jesus.

RESPONSE: Today I want to live in boldness, love, and non-violence. I am committed not to fear, not to hate, and not to harm anyone.

PRAYER: Lord, this kind of living is counter-culture. I need Your strength and power to live this way. Help me—as well as Your persecuted church—to keep this as my focus.

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

Men's Devotional Bible - Thursday, January 9, 2020

Joseph: The Father of a Messiah

Matthew 1:16—2:23; Luke 1:26—2:52

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

—Matthew 1:20–21 (NIV)

What was the most difficult part about being Jesus’ earthly father?

There were times when I felt very common and not at all up to the task. Occasionally the weight and seriousness of the responsibility would fall on me, and I felt completely inadequate. I was inadequate. Who is worthy to raise the Son of God? I asked God daily for strength and wisdom.

After Jesus was born and you had to flee to Egypt, were you afraid?

Initially, yes, I was very afraid. After the alarming vision, there was this urgency in me. I felt as though Herod’s guards were on their way, and if I didn’t move quickly, then … well, you know. But on our way to Egypt, I realized that God was directing the events here, not Herod or I. I said to myself, Wait a second. God knows the future. If something bad were going to happen, he would help us. I thought about the Israelites on their way out of Egypt, and if ever things started closing in around us to that degree, I knew we could be confident of a miracle.

How was your faith changed by that whole string of events surrounding the birth of Jesus?

It wasn’t just my faith. This child upended my whole life. I was talking about this with Zechariah one time, about how we had our whole lives planned until God showed up. Everything about our lives changed. But what a joy!

You mentioned joy. Explain what you mean.

Most people, when they think of Jesus, think about his strong teachings or his miracles or maybe even his death. But when I think of him, my mind goes back to this time, right after he was born. He had just awakened, I was holding him and he was looking around. Very alert. And he looked up at me and with his little fingers grabbed my finger. They say babies that young don’t smile, but he smiled as if to say, “I’m glad to be here.” You know, Mary witnessed his death, and Peter felt his forgiveness on the beach after the denial. Thomas touched the scars in his hands, and John even saw a vision of him coming back as King. But I held that baby before all that. And that’s something I’ll never forget.

Back to the Future

• The course of Joseph’s life was entirely redirected by God, and yet he reacted with grace and obedience. How difficult would it be for you to make massive life changes like Joseph? Why?
• God entrusted the care of his Son Jesus to a man without much in the way of monetary resources. What does this show about God’s view of wealth? Of parenting?
• Joseph was a man of faith. What have you learned from Joseph’s life that has strengthened your own faith?

Read Joseph’s Story:
For more on Joseph, read Matthew 1:16—2:23; Luke 1:26—2:52.

What was the most difficult part about being Jesus’ earthly father?

LHM Daily Devotions - January 9, 2020 - A Different Kind of Leader

"A Different Kind of Leader"

Jan. 9, 2020

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so for now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented.

—Matthew 3:13-15 (ESV)

On Tuesday, we spoke about Jesus and how we celebrate His Baptism during Epiphany. Here in Matthew we again see a reference to Jesus' Baptism and God the Father's voice of approval: "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17b).

Jesus came into the world to do what no one else could do: to bring justice to the nations and to overcome the power of evil. Only a leader with complete and perfect power could save the world from evil. So Jesus has the power to do God's work. That is good. But if you think about it, that's also pretty scary.

Whenever someone is strong and powerful, it's easy to be afraid of them. We know that a powerful person can do whatever they want, and we cannot stop them. And we worry about what they will do to us.

Many people feel this way about God. They know that He has all power, that He can give life and take it away. And that makes them afraid of God.

It's even worse because as sinful human beings, we know that we have done many wrong things. We know that we deserve for God to be angry with us. And so many, many people run away from God or try to hide from Him. They are afraid that God will use His power to punish them.

But while Jesus has all power in heaven and earth, He doesn't use that power to abuse us, even when we deserve it. No, He uses that power to save us. He leads differently—not as an angry king or warrior, shouting in anger, destroying every weak and tiny thing He comes across.

Instead, He leads gently, tenderly. When we're bruised and bleeding, He comforts and heals us. When our faith is burning low and about to go out, He makes us strong again (see Isaiah 42:3). He never gives up on us, no matter how weak or broken we are.

And this is what He did for us, He laid down His life on the cross. What leader dies for his people!? But that is what Jesus did for us. That is how much He loved us.

And then Jesus rose from the dead three days later, breaking the power of death for all of us.

So this is our hope. Yes, we are very weak. And there are many days when we feel as if our lives were about to go out like a dying candle. But we know Jesus, the real Servant of the Lord, and we know what kind of Leader He is. He is strong, but He is also gentle and caring. And He has given His life for us. Thanks be to God for giving us such a Savior.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Your Son has done all things well. We praise You and bless You for the gift of Jesus in our lives. In His Name, we pray. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• In general, would you say you're a follower or a leader? Are you good with that?
• How was the Baptism of Jesus supposed to "fulfill all righteousness"?
• How does God support you when your faith is weak?

This Daily Devotion was written by Rev. Minh Chau Vo. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
In general, would you say you're a follower or a leader?

CPTLN devocional del 09 de enero de 2020 - Un líder diferente

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Un líder diferente

09 de Enero de 2020

Jesús fue de Galilea al Jordán, donde estaba Juan, para ser bautizado por él. Pero Juan se le oponía, diciendo: «Yo necesito ser bautizado por ti, ¿y tú vienes a mí?» Jesús le respondió: «Por ahora, déjalo así, porque conviene que cumplamos toda justicia.» Entonces Juan aceptó.

—Mateo 3:13-15 (RVC)

El martes hablamos sobre Jesús y cómo durante la Epifanía celebramos su bautismo. Aquí en Mateo nuevamente vemos una referencia al bautismo de Jesús y la voz de aprobación de Dios Padre: «Éste es mi Hijo amado, en quien me complazco» (Mateo 3:17b).

Jesús vino al mundo para hacer lo que nadie más podía hacer: traer justicia a las naciones y vencer el poder del mal. Solo un líder con un poder completo y perfecto podría salvar al mundo del mal. Jesús tiene todo el poder para hacer la obra de Dios. Eso es bueno. Pero si lo piensas, también da bastante miedo. Cuando alguien es fuerte y poderoso, es fácil tenerle miedo. Sabemos que una persona poderosa puede hacer lo que quiera y no podemos detenerla. Y nos preocupa lo que pueda hacernos.

Mucha gente se siente así en cuanto a Dios. Saben que tiene todo el poder, que puede dar vida y quitarla. Y eso los hace tenerle miedo a Dios.

Nos sentimos aún peor, porque como seres humanos pecaminosos, sabemos que hemos hecho muchas cosas malas. Sabemos que merecemos que Dios se enoje con nosotros. Y mucha, mucha gente huye de Dios, o trata de esconderse de Él. Temen que Dios use su poder para castigarlos.

Pero aunque Jesús tiene todo el poder en el cielo y en la tierra, no usa ese poder para abusar de nosotros, incluso cuando lo merecemos. No, Él usa ese poder para salvarnos. Él lidera de manera diferente, no como un rey o guerrero enojado, gritando con ira, destruyendo cada cosa débil y pequeña con la que se encuentra.

Al contrario, Él guía gentil y tiernamente. Cuando estamos lastimados y sangrando, nos consuela y nos cura. Cuando nuestra fe se está agotando y está a punto de apagarse, Él nos fortalece nuevamente (véase Isaías 42:3). Él nunca se rinde con nosotros, no importa cuán débiles o quebrantados estemos.

Esto es lo que hizo por nosotros: dio su vida en la cruz. ¿Qué líder muere por su pueblo? Pero eso es lo que Jesús hizo por nosotros. Eso es lo mucho que nos amó. Y Jesús resucitó de la muerte tres días después, rompiendo el poder de la muerte sobre todos nosotros.

Entonces esta es nuestra esperanza. Sí, somos muy débiles. Y hay muchos días en que sentimos que nuestras vidas están a punto de apagarse como una vela agonizante. Pero conocemos a Jesús, el verdadero Siervo del Señor, y sabemos qué tipo de líder es. Él es fuerte, pero también es gentil y cariñoso. Y ha dado su vida por nosotros. Gracias a Dios por darnos tal Salvador.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, tu Hijo ha hecho todo por nosotros. Te alabamos y te bendecimos por el regalo de Jesús en nuestras vidas. En su nombre oramos. Amén.

Rev. Minh Chau Vo

Para reflexionar:

• ¿Cómo se suponía que el bautismo de Jesús "cumpliría toda justicia"?
• ¿Cómo te apoya Dios cuando tu fe es débil?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Cómo se suponía que el bautismo de Jesús "cumpliría toda justicia"?

Хлеб наш насущный - Падающая башня

Падающая башня

Читать сейчас: Матфея 7:24-27 | Библия за год: Бытие 23-24; Матфея 7

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«Всякого, кто слушает слова Мои эти и исполняет их, уподоблю человеку благоразумному, который построил дом свой на камне».

—Матфея 7:24

Вы, наверное, слышали о знаменитой падающей башне в городе Пиза (Италия). А вы знали, что в Сан-Франциско тоже есть падающая башня? Она называется Millennium Tower (Башня тысячелетия). Этот небоскреб в пятьдесят восемь этажей, построенный в 2008, гордо (хотя и немного криво) возвышается над центром города.

В чем проблема? Инженеры недостаточно углубили фундамент. Поэтому теперь им приходится его модифицировать, что может обойтись дороже, чем вся башня на время постройки. Это необходимо, чтобы небоскреб не обрушился при землетрясении.

Какой в этом урок? Фундамент играет важную роль. Если ваше основание недостаточно твердо, может произойти катастрофа. Иисус говорил об этом в конце Своей Нагорной проповеди (Мф. 7:24-27). Там Он сравнил двух строителей. Один построил дом на камне, другой – на песке. Буря была неизбежна. Когда она налетела, остался стоять только дом, построенный на твердом основании.

Что это значит для нас? Иисус ясно говорит, что наша жизнь должна строиться на послушании и доверии Ему (ст. 24). Если мы покоимся в Нем, наша жизнь обретает твердое основание, благодаря Божьей силе и бесконечной благодати.

Христос не обещает, что не будет бурь. Но Он говорит, что если Он – наша скала, то эти бури никогда не смоют укрепленный верой фундамент.

Как вера помогла вам выдержать худшие бури? Назовите несколько практических способов ежедневно укреплять свою веру.

Небесный Отец, бури неизбежны в жизни. Помоги нам принять решение ежедневно пребывать в Писании и укреплять свое твердое основание в Тебе.

автор: Адам Хольц

© 2020 Хлеб Наш Насущный
Вы, наверное, слышали о знаменитой падающей башне в городе Пиза (Италия). А вы знали, что в Сан-Франциско тоже есть падающая башня?