The Daily Lectionary for FRIDAY, January 17, 2020

Psalm 40:1-11; Genesis 27:30-38; Acts 1:1-5

The Daily Lectionary

FRIDAY, January 17, 2020

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Psalm 40:1-11

Doing the will of God

1  I waited patiently for the Lord;
     he turned to me and heard my cry.
2  He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
     out of the mud and mire;
   he set my feet on a rock
     and gave me a firm place to stand.
3  He put a new song in my mouth,
     a hymn of praise to our God.
   Many will see and fear the Lord
     and put their trust in him.

4  Blessed is the one
     who trusts in the Lord,
   who does not look to the proud,
     to those who turn aside to false gods.
5  Many, Lord my God,
     are the wonders you have done,
     the things you planned for us.
   None can compare with you;
     were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
     they would be too many to declare.

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
     but my ears you have opened—
     burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
7  Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
     it is written about me in the scroll.
8  I desire to do your will, my God;
     your law is within my heart.”

9  I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
     I do not seal my lips, Lord,
     as you know.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
     I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
   I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
     from the great assembly.

11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
     may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

Genesis 27:30-38

Isaac and Esau discover Jacob’s deceit

27:30 After Isaac finished blessing him, and Jacob had scarcely left his father’s presence, his brother Esau came in from hunting. 31 He too prepared some tasty food and brought it to his father. Then he said to him, “My father, please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing.”

32 His father Isaac asked him, “Who are you?”

“I am your son,” he answered, “your firstborn, Esau.”

33 Isaac trembled violently and said, “Who was it, then, that hunted game and brought it to me? I ate it just before you came and I blessed him—and indeed he will be blessed!”

34 When Esau heard his father’s words, he burst out with a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me—me too, my father!”

35 But he said, “Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.”

36 Esau said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? This is the second time he has taken advantage of me: He took my birthright, and now he’s taken my blessing!” Then he asked, “Haven’t you reserved any blessing for me?”

37 Isaac answered Esau, “I have made him lord over you and have made all his relatives his servants, and I have sustained him with grain and new wine. So what can I possibly do for you, my son?”

38 Esau said to his father, “Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, my father!” Then Esau wept aloud.

Acts 1:1-5

The promise of the Holy Spirit

1:1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

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 FRIDAY, January 17, 2020
Psalm 40:1-11; Genesis 27:30-38; Acts 1:1-5

The Daily Prayer for FRIDAY, January 17, 2020

The Daily Prayer

FRIDAY, January 17, 2020

Anthony of Egypt (251—356)

Anthony was born in Egypt in the middle of the third century and lost his parents at a young age, inheriting a fair amount of land and wealth. Soon after, when he heard a gospel reading in church prompting him to “go sell what you possess and give to the poor,” he did just that, vowing to dedicate his life thereafter to God. Anthony lived for a time in his native home, pursuing prayerful asceticism. After fifteen years, at the age of thirty-five, he withdrew to the solitude of the desert and began his monastic life of prayer, study, and work. After many years of living in the desert, Anthony remained whole and healthy, and he radiated compassion and joy. He lived to the age of 105 and is remembered as the father of the church’s first monastic movement.

Abba Anthony wrote, “From our neighbors is life and death. If we gain our brother, we gain God, but if we cause our brother to stumble, we sin against Christ.”

Lord, we know that to live by the flesh is death, but to live by the Spirit is life. Still, you have redeemed the flesh of the world through your incarnation. Teach us how to be in the world but not of it. Amen.

Verse of the Day for FRIDAY, January 17, 2020

Philippians 2:14-16

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

Read all of Philippians 2

Listen to Philippians 2

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 - Viernes 17 de enero de 2020

Lo dulce para el alma

El fruto del Espíritu es amor, alegría, paz, paciencia, amabilidad, bondad, fidelidad, humildad y dominio propio.

—Gálatas 5:22-23 (NVI)

¿Cómo te sientes cuando estás rodeado de personas negativas? ¿Donde el amor brilla pero por su ausencia? Es feo verdad. Uno de mis propósitos cada nuevo día es no unirme a personas negativas. El de luchar y hacer hasta lo imposible para no dejar contaminar mi corazón ni mi mente de las palabras y actitudes que tienen ciertas personas que nos rodean en nuestro trabajo, en la calle y aun en la iglesia. Que desean robarte tu paz y felicidad.

Si decimos tener una relación con Dios, ¿por qué dejamos que de nuestra boca solo salgan palabras negativas? ¿Por qué nuestra capacidad de comprensión a los demás es cada vez menor y por qué dejamos que el «orgullo» sea la imagen de nuestra vida?

Cuando recibimos a Jesús como nuestro único y verdadero Salvador, Dios espera que nosotros a través de conocerle, leer su Palabra y congregarnos en una iglesia, empecemos a dar los frutos de su Espíritu. Así que mira lo alejados que podemos estar de esto con nuestra manera de ser. A veces, con la forma en que nos proyectamos a los demás, somos nosotros mismos los que alejamos a nuestros amigos y familiares de Dios, pues lo que hablamos no coincide con lo que somos.

Pidámosle a Dios que podamos ser buenos representantes suyos en la tierra.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
¿Cómo te sientes cuando estás rodeado de personas negativas?

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Friday, January 17, 2020

THE POWER OF LIFE AND DEATH

“See now that I myself am he! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand.

—Deuteronomy 32:39 (NIV)

January 17 will remain a vivid memory in the mind of forty-six-year-old Ali Moses for a very long time. The almost fatal attack on Ali’s life in central Nigeria turned out to be a powerful testimony destined to touch many more lives.

On the afternoon of that day, Ali was heading home to his family after a long day’s work. He got paid that day and like many previous pay-days had something special planned for the family.

On his way home Ali heard gunshots. Panic made him turn around with an urgency to get back to his working place as quickly as possible. But before Ali could make it back there, he ran into a group of irate jihadists. The incited protesters were proclaiming the name of Allah in Arabic, shouting profane slogans, insulting the Christian governor of Jos and called on the killing of Christians as infidels.

Within seconds Ali found himself surrounded by the violent mob. Brutal blows were raining down on him. More than eighteen hours later, Ali woke up in the hospital. His swollen body was throbbing and covered with bruises. Open Doors representative, Isaac, went to visit Ali in the hospital shortly after the incident to bring encouragement and assistance and learned about his near-death encounter with the Muslim radicals. Considering the course of events, it appears the assailants buried Ali alive while in a state of unconsciousness.

Ali refers to the person who came to his aid as the “Samaritan.”

On the morning following the incident, Ado was passing by what looked like a new grave. He noticed movement in the pile of sand and went closer to inspect. To his astonishment, he could tell from the motion that it was, in fact, a person. The man immediately called for help.

Military police dug Ali from the shallow grave and rushed him to the hospital. At first, the medical staff found it very hard to believe that he could still be alive after his eighteen-hour ordeal. But hearing Ali’s testimony gave skeptics food for thought. After spending some time in hospital he made a complete recovery.

“I am grateful to God Almighty for saving my life from the hole, it is a miracle. God rescued me in a special way…Now I believe that the power of life and death lies in no-one’s hand but the Lord’s. All thanks belong to Him,” shared Ali from his hospital bed.

RESPONSE: Today I will live victoriously in the realization that my life and my death are in the hands of my loving Lord.

PRAYER: Pray for many Christians in hot spots of the world—like central Nigeria—who face death and death threats on a regular basis. Pray they will have the same assurance as Ali about God’s power and protection.

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

Men of the Bible - Friday, January 17, 2020

Noah

His name means: "To Rest"

His work: We don't know what Noah did for a living before he heard from God, but following that encounter, he became an accomplished carpenter.
His character: Noah was a righteous man, obedient and faithful.
His sorrow: In spite of his admonitions and warnings, Noah was unable to convince his neighbors, friends, and extended family to repent. As a result, they were all drowned in the flood.
His triumph: Noah's obedience saved not only his life but the lives of his wife and children.
Key Scriptures: Genesis 6-7

A Look at the Man

Once in a while, a man comes along who's not afraid to obey.

We cannot imagine what it must have been like to be Noah. He lived in a culture that was corrupted by immorality and violence. According to the story, the earth was literally "full" of it.

So reprehensible were people's lives that God regretted having created these divine image-bearers. So much so that he decided to remove every living thing from the face of the earth, like a man clearing a table with the back of his hand. Can you imagine?

But on his way to starting all over again, the Lord looked at Noah. His life was so exemplary that in the middle of all this debauchery, he found favor in God's eyes. This man, Noah, was righteous and blameless among the people of his time. Because of his faithfulness, he was the one man whom the Lord chose not to destroy.

We don't have to look very far to find a lesson in this man's life. Like Noah's culture, the one that surrounds us is drowning in immorality, corruption, and violence. And like Noah, we can choose to quietly capitulate or to stand against it. Once we decide to stand firm—to live in obedience to God—the tricky part comes with trying to understand how. What does submission to him look like? And what should we expect as the result of this obedience?

Tucked away in this story is the secret to Noah's success. Noah walked with God. For Noah, surrender was not a single decision or noteworthy event; it was a process. A routine. A journey. A walk. Obedience was the natural result of this methodical approach. Walking with God meant knowing him. Knowing God meant loving him. Loving meant hearing. Hearing, obeying.

And obeying God meant salvation.

We can imagine that decades of subtle and overt ridicule may have led Noah to question God. There had to have been moments of loneliness and genuine doubt. But taking one step at a time along the path God had laid out for him kept Noah on track.

Noah's obedience led to the preservation of not only his own life but of the lives of his wife and children. Once the project was complete and everyone around him had rejected the notion that God would actually destroy the earth with a catastrophic flood, Noah and his whole family entered the safety of the ark. Then the Lord shut him in. Noah's obedience not only led to the preservation of his own life but the lives of his wife and children.

In fact, Noah's faithfulness—in the form of a great ark—became one of the early church's symbols for refuge. The interiors of many great cathedrals were built to resemble the inside of a boat—a shelter in the time of a storm, a reminder of an obedient man who went before us and was saved.

Reflect On: Genesis 8
Praise God: For using his followers to accomplish his purposes.
Offer Thanks: For God’s mercy toward the human race.
Confess: Any tendency to care more about what the world thinks of you than about what God thinks.
Ask God: To show you what it means, not just to obey a set of laws, but to stay close to him throughout your life—to walk with him.

Today's reading is a brief excerpt from Men of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Men in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Robert Wolgemuth (Zondervan). © 2010 by Ann Spangler. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Enjoy the complete book by purchasing your own copy at the Bible Gateway Store. The book's title must be included when sharing the above content on social media.
Once in a while, a man comes along who's not afraid to obey.

LHM Daily Devotions - January 17, 2020 - Word to Heart

"Word to Heart"

Jan. 17, 2020

Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge. God has graciously provided for us in His life-giving Word. The Scriptures give us meaningful direction for our lives and generous help in times of trouble. The Bible is full of encouragements for God's people to devote themselves to His Word, to His vital truths, and to the things that bless the lives of others.

—Proverbs 23:12 (ESV)

As we mature as God's people, we want to become more like Him. This means seeking Him in His Word, so He can change us from the inside out. To do that we need to read it, study, it, pray it, meditate on it, and confess it. As we grow, the Holy Spirit will guide our efforts, convict us of our sins, and lead us to repentance, to turning back to God. By God's grace, our minds are transformed by the power of His Word—a word unlike any other: "For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).

Aa God's Word works within us, it shapes us—conforming us daily to the image of Jesus, His beloved Son. Our lives will change as the Holy Spirit works through us. The Spirit of God is the Spirit of love; as such the voice of God is the sound of love. As we seek God and yearn for lives motivated by love, we become a blessing to others. Our aim is to put God and others first. Having God's love, joy, and peace in our hearts is a sign we are hearing and trusting the Word of God.

The Holy Spirit reminds us of the truths in God's Word. That's why reading the Bible and consistent study is really important. For instance, as we grow in our comprehension of the Scriptures, we will find the Spirit bringing God's Word to our minds when we are faced with difficult questions or problems. This is why a growing knowledge of the Scriptures is essential. They act as a safeguard against an enemy who is bent on our destruction. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12).

But you may ask, "How can I be led by the Spirit of God?" "Can I really understand His direction for my life?" "Why is everything such a struggle?" First, know that if you have asked these questions you are not alone; you are like many other Christians who have asked them before you. Second, you can be assured that God is leading you through His Word. And we are to be actively engaged in living that Word, living as His people, looking to follow Jesus in all we do.

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:5-8).

As we live out God's Word in our lives, we take His Word to heart—and become changed because of it.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, may Your Word dwell richly in our hearts. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• What's the best advice you've ever received from someone?
• Where do you go in the Scriptures to find some real nuggets of wisdom and common sense?
• Based on your life experiences, do you have any time-tested gems of advice to give to others?

From the Bible study "Growing up Spiritually," by Rev. Leroy Johnson. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
What's the best advice you've ever received from someone?

CPTLN devocional del 17 de enero de 2020 - De la Palabra al corazón

ALIMENTO DIARIO

De la Palabra al corazón

17 de Enero de 2020

Abre tu corazón a la enseñanza, y tus oídos a las palabras del saber.

—Proverbios 23:12 (RVC)

Dios nos ha provisto con gracia en su Palabra que da vida. Las Escrituras nos dan una dirección significativa para nuestras vidas y una ayuda generosa en medio de problemas. La Biblia está llena de razones para que el pueblo de Dios se dedique a su Palabra, a sus verdades vitales y a las cosas que bendicen la vida de los demás.

A medida que maduramos como pueblo de Dios, queremos llegar a ser más como Él. Esto significa buscarlo en su Palabra para que pueda cambiarnos desde adentro hacia afuera. Para hacer eso necesitamos leerlo, estudiarlo, orarlo, meditarlo y confesarlo. A medida que crecemos, el Espíritu Santo guiará nuestros esfuerzos, nos convencerá de nuestros pecados y nos llevará al arrepentimiento. Por la gracia de Dios, nuestras mentes se transforman por el poder de Su Palabra, una palabra diferente a todas: "La palabra de Dios es viva y eficaz, y más cortante que las espadas de dos filos, pues penetra hasta partir el alma y el espíritu, las coyunturas y los tuétanos, y discierne los pensamientos y las intenciones del corazón" (Hebreos 4:12).

La Palabra de Dios obra en nosotros, nos da forma y nos confronta a diario con la imagen de Jesús, su Hijo amado. Nuestras vidas cambiarán a medida que el Espíritu Santo trabaje en nosotros. El Espíritu de Dios es el Espíritu de amor; como tal, la voz de Dios es el sonido del amor. A medida que buscamos a Dios y anhelamos vidas motivadas por el amor, nos convertimos en una bendición para los demás. Nuestro objetivo es poner a Dios y a los demás primero. Tener el amor, la alegría y la paz de Dios en nuestros corazones es una señal de que estamos escuchando y confiando en la Palabra de Dios.

El Espíritu Santo nos recuerda las verdades de la Palabra de Dios. Es por eso que es importante leer y estudiar constantemente la Biblia. A medida que crecemos en nuestra comprensión de las Escrituras, encontramos al Espíritu trayendo la Palabra de Dios a nuestra mente cuando nos enfrentamos a preguntas o problemas difíciles. Es por eso que un conocimiento creciente de las Escrituras es esencial. Su Palabra actúa como salvaguarda contra un enemigo que está empeñado en nuestra destrucción. "La batalla que libramos no es contra gente de carne y hueso, sino contra principados y potestades, contra los que gobiernan las tinieblas de este mundo, ¡contra huestes espirituales de maldad en las regiones celestes!" (Efesios 6:12).

Pero, "¿Cómo puedo ser guiado por el Espíritu de Dios?" "¿Será que puedo entender Su dirección para mi vida?" "¿Por qué todo es tan difícil?" Si te has hecho estas preguntas, eres como muchos otros cristianos. Pero mientras Dios nos guía, debemos participar activamente en vivir como Su pueblo, buscando seguir a Jesús en todo lo que hacemos.

"Por eso, ustedes deben esforzarse por añadir virtud a su fe, conocimiento a su virtud, dominio propio al conocimiento; paciencia al dominio propio, piedad a la paciencia, afecto fraternal a la piedad, y amor al afecto fraternal. Si todo esto abunda en ustedes, serán muy útiles y productivos en el conocimiento de nuestro Señor Jesucristo."(2 Pedro 1:5-8).

A medida que vivimos la Palabra de Dios en nuestra vida, vamos siendo transformados por él.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, haz que Tu Palabra habite ricamente en nuestros corazones. Amén.

Del studio bíblico "Creciendo espiritualmente", por el reverendo Leroy Johnson

Para reflexionar:

• ¿Cuál es el mejor consejo que has recibido de alguien?
• Basado en tus experiencias de vida, ¿tienes algún consejo probado con el tiempo para darle a otros?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Cuál es el mejor consejo que has recibido de alguien?

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Những Người Săn Bão

Những Người Săn Bão

Đọc: Thi Thiên 107:23–32 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Sáng thế ký 41-42; Ma-thi-ơ 12:1–23

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Ngài làm ngừng bão tố, khiến ba đào lặng yên.

—Thi Thiên 107:29

Ông Warren Faidley nói rằng: “Săn lốc xoáy thường giống như trò chơi cờ vua 3D khổng lồ diễn ra trong hơn hàng ngàn kilomet vuông”. Các phóng viên ảnh và người săn bão nói thêm: “Việc ở đúng chỗ vào đúng thời điểm là sự kết hợp hài hòa giữa dự báo và sự định hướng trong lúc né tránh mọi thứ, từ mưa đá có kích cỡ quả bóng chày đến bão bụi và nông cụ di chuyển chậm”.

Lời của Faidley khiến lòng bàn tay tôi đổ mồ hôi và tim đập nhanh hơn. Dù ngưỡng mộ những người săn bão quả cảm và đam mê khoa học, nhưng tôi không muốn lao mình vào những hiện tượng thời tiết có thể gây thiệt mạng.

Tuy nhiên, trong kinh nghiệm của mình thì không phải tôi đuổi theo những cơn bão cuộc đời, mà dường như chúng đang đuổi theo tôi. Kinh nghiệm đó được phản ánh trong Thi Thiên 107, khi mô tả các thủy thủ bị mắc kẹt trong cơn bão. Họ đang bị truy đuổi bởi hậu quả của những lựa chọn sai lầm, nhưng tác giả Thi Thiên cho biết: “Trong cơn gian truân, họ kêu cầu Đức Giê-hô-va, và Ngài giải cứu họ khỏi cảnh hoạn nạn. Ngài làm ngừng bão tố, khiến ba đào lặng yên. Họ vui mừng vì sóng êm biển lặng” (Thi. 107:28-30).

Cho dù những cơn bão cuộc đời do chính chúng ta tạo ra hay do sống trong một thế giới đổ vỡ, thì Cha Thiên Thượng vĩ đại hơn tất cả. Khi chúng ta đang bị giông bão đuổi theo, chỉ duy Ngài có thể dẹp yên bão tố hoặc làm dịu cơn bão trong lòng chúng ta.

Khi gặp khó khăn, bạn tìm sự giúp đỡ từ đâu? Hôm nay làm thế nào để tin cậy Cha Thiên Thượng, Đấng vĩ đại hơn những cơn bão trong cuộc đời bạn?

Lạy Cha, cảm ơn Ngài đã ở cùng con trong những lúc khó khăn, quyền năng Ngài lớn hơn bất kỳ cơn bão nào trong cuộc đời con.

bởi Bill Crowder

© 2020 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày
Săn lốc xoáy thường giống như trò chơi cờ vua 3D khổng lồ diễn ra trong hơn hàng ngàn kilomet vuông.