The Daily Lectionary for MONDAY, January 27, 2020

Psalm 27:7-14; Judges 6:11-24; Ephesians 5:6-14

The Daily Lectionary

MONDAY, January 27, 2020

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Psalm 27:7-14

Take courage in God

7  Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
     be merciful to me and answer me.
8  My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
     Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9  Do not hide your face from me,
     do not turn your servant away in anger;
     you have been my helper.
   Do not reject me or forsake me,
     God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
     the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
     lead me in a straight path
     because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
     for false witnesses rise up against me,
     spouting malicious accusations.

13 I remain confident of this:
     I will see the goodness of the Lord
     in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
     be strong and take heart
     and wait for the Lord.

Judges 6:11-24

God calls Gideon to lead the people

6:11 The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. 12 When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”

13 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”

14 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

15 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”

16 The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”

17 Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. 18 Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you.”

And the Lord said, “I will wait until you return.”

19 Gideon went inside, prepared a young goat, and from an ephah of flour he made bread without yeast. Putting the meat in a basket and its broth in a pot, he brought them out and offered them to him under the oak.

20 The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread, place them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” And Gideon did so. 21 Then the angel of the Lord touched the meat and the unleavened bread with the tip of the staff that was in his hand. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the angel of the Lord disappeared. 22 When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the Lord, he exclaimed, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!”

23 But the Lord said to him, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.”

24 So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

Ephesians 5:6-14

Live as children of the light

5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:

   “Wake up, sleeper,
     rise from the dead,
     and Christ will shine on you.”

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 MONDAY, January 27, 2020
Psalm 27:7-14; Judges 6:11-24; Ephesians 5:6-14

The Daily Prayer for MONDAY, January 27, 2020

The Daily Prayer

MONDAY, January 27, 2020

Twelfth-century mystic Hildegard of Bingen wrote, “Rivers of living water are to be poured out over the whole world, to ensure that people, like fishes caught in a net, can be restored to wholeness.”

Lord, to laugh in the midst of trial and to rejoice in the darkest valley is another way of saying, “Our hope is in you.” Fill us with laughter and joy while we work for peace and strive for justice. Amen.

Verse of the Day for MONDAY, January 27, 2020

Ephesians 6:12-13

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Read all of Ephesians 6

Listen to Ephesians 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 - Lunes 27 de enero de 2020

Oración por perdón y firmeza

Orará a ti todo santo en el tiempo en que puedas ser hallado [...] Tú eres mi refugio; me guardarás de la angustia; con cánticos de liberación me rodearás.

—Salmo 32:6-7 (RVR1960)

Señor Jesús, en esta hora busco tu presencia porque deseo limpiar mi corazón de toda maldad. Quiero que me des firmeza, Señor, en este día, a fin de seguir adelante y poder perdonar a quien me ha hecho daño.

También te pido, Dios mío, que me perdones por el daño que les he causado a los demás. Dame sabiduría para entender que cuando perdono, estoy siendo libre en ti.

Dios mío, quita de mí todo orgullo, todo pensamiento que no venga de ti y hazme humilde.

Señor, sé que la venganza es tuya y que tú eres mi Defensor. Así que estoy seguro en tus manos.

Quiero honrarte y adorarte. Por lo tanto, reafirma mi espíritu y no me dejes caer en tentación.

Te amo con todo mi corazón. Y sé que tienes grandes y maravillosas cosas para mí. Amén y amén.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Señor Jesús, en esta hora busco tu presencia porque deseo limpiar mi corazón de toda maldad.…

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Monday, January 27, 2020

THOSE WHO ARE MISTREATED

Continue to remember those…who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

—Hebrews 13:3b (NIV)

As we see in Hebrews chapter twelve, once we “keep our eyes fixed on Jesus,” we will be aware of how we should then live. The writer now turns to the issue of remembering those who are mistreated. And again he adds empathy and personalized application. Remember them as if you yourself were the one suffering!

Dr. Jan Pit often shared the poignant story of a young Christian in Egypt he met named Timothy. Through the Christian radio broadcasts of Trans World Radio Timothy was introduced to Jesus whom he received into his heart and began to follow.

But when he shared his new faith with his Muslim family, they reacted so strongly that he was told to leave home and never come back. After several years of living with other Christians, he decided to try and make contact with his family again. On his mother’s birthday, he bought some flowers and walked to his family’s home. When he knocked on the door, his mother opened it.

“Happy birthday, Mother!” Timothy said. “I brought you these flowers because I love you!” Timothy’s mother turned to him with a stern look and said, “I don’t know who you are!” And she slammed the door.

Timothy said to Jan with tears streaming down his face, “I don’t have a family anymore. Will you be my family?”

Today you can be a surrogate family for Christians treated this way. You can also remember to pray for Christians like fifteen-year-old Shirin who has gone through a difficult time of persecution.

When Shirin became a believer he also met with much opposition from his relatives. They shouted at him, threatened him and finally gave him a choice: Jesus or the family.

He chose Jesus and then left his home. He was living on the streets; alone, hungry and very poor. A local Christian saw him, had pity on him and took him into his house.

“Shirin loves God with all his heart! His mother and father are in prison now for being drug addicts, but he is witnessing to many about God’s great love which has been revealed to him.

RESPONSE: Today I will remember those believers who are mistreated and do everything possible to assist them in the way I would want assistance if I was in their shoes.

PRAYER: Lord grant me empathy and a giving heart for those being severely persecuted today.

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

Women of the Bible - Monday, January 27, 2020

Rebekah

Her name means: "Loop" or "Tie"

Her character: Hardworking and generous, her faith was so great that she left her home forever to marry a man she had never seen or met. Yet she played favorites with her sons and failed to trust God fully for the promise he had made.
Her sorrow: That she was barren for the first twenty years of her married life, and that she never again set eyes on her favorite son, Jacob, after he fled from his brother Esau.
Her joy: That God had gone to extraordinary lengths to pursue her, to invite her to become part of his people and his promises.
Key Scriptures: Genesis 24; 25:19-34; 26:1—28:9

Her Story

The sun was dipping beyond the western rim of the sky as the young woman approached the well outside the town of Nahor, five hundred miles northeast of Canaan. It was women's work to fetch fresh water each evening, and Rebekah hoisted the brimming jug to her shoulder, welcoming its cooling touch against her skin.

As she turned to go, a stranger greeted her, asking for a drink. Obligingly, she offered to draw water for his camels as well. Rebekah noticed the look of surprised pleasure that flashed across his face. Ten camels could put away a lot of water, she knew. But had she overheard his whispered prayer just moments earlier, her astonishment would have exceeded his: "O Lord, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. May it be that when I say to a girl, 'Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels too'—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac."

A simple gesture. A generous response. A young woman's future altered in a moment's time. The man Rebekah encountered at the well, Abraham's servant, had embarked on a sacred mission—to find Isaac a wife from among Abraham's own people rather than from among the surrounding Canaanites. Like her great-aunt Sarah before her, Rebekah would make the journey south to embrace a future she could hardly glimpse. Betrothed to a man twice her age, whose name meant "Laughter," she felt a sudden giddiness rise inside her. The God of Abraham and Sarah was wooing her, calling her name and no other, offering a share in the promise. God was forging a new nation to be his own people.

Isaac was forty when he first set eyes on Rebekah. Perhaps his heart echoed the joy of that first man, "Here at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh!" So Isaac and Rebekah entered the tent of his mother Sarah and made love. And the Bible says that Rebekah comforted Isaac after the death of his mother.

Rebekah was beautiful and strong like Sarah, yet she bore no children for the first twenty years of her life with Isaac. Would she suffer as Sarah did the curse of barrenness? Isaac prayed and God heard, giving her not one, but two sons, who wrestled inside her womb. And God told her: "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger."

During the delivery, Jacob grasped the heel of his brother Esau, as though striving for first position. Though second by birth, he was first in his mother's affections. But his father loved Esau best.

Years later, when Isaac was old and nearly blind, he summoned his firstborn, Esau. "Take your quiver and bow and hunt some wild game for me. Prepare the kind of meal I like, and I will give you my blessing before I die."

But the clever Rebekah overheard and called quickly to Jacob, suggesting a scheme to trick the blessing from Isaac. Disguised as Esau, Jacob presented himself to his father for the much-coveted blessing.

Isaac then blessed Jacob, thinking he was blessing Esau: "May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed."

Isaac had stretched out his hand and passed the choicest blessing to his younger son, thus recalling the words spoken about the two children jostling for position in Rebekah's womb. The benediction thus given could not be withdrawn, despite the deceit, despite Esau's tears, and despite his vow to kill Jacob. Afraid lest Esau take revenge, Rebekah persuaded Isaac to send Jacob north to find a wife from among her brother Laban's daughters.

As the years passed, Rebekah must have longed to embrace her younger son, hoping for the privilege of enfolding his children in her embrace. But more than twenty years would pass before Jacob returned. And though Isaac would live to welcome his son, Rebekah would not.

When Rebekah was a young girl, God had invited her to play a vital role in the story of his people. He had gone to great lengths to pursue her. Like Sarah, she would become a matriarch of God's people, and like Sarah, her heart would divide itself between faith and doubt, believing that God's promise required her intervention. Finding it difficult to rest in the promise God had made, she resorted to trickery to achieve it.

The results, mirroring her own heart, were mixed. Though Jacob indeed became heir to the promise, he was driven from his home and the mother who loved him too well. In addition, he and his descendants would forever be at odds with Esau and his people, the Edomites. Two thousand years later, Herod the Great, who hailed from Idumea (the Greek and Roman name for Edom) would slaughter many innocent children in his attempt to destroy the infant Jesus.

Yet God was still at work, graciously using a woman whose response to him was far less than perfect, in order to accomplish his purposes.

Her Promise

Rebekah heard Abraham's servant describe how he had prayed and how he was sure she was the woman God intended for Isaac. God himself had divinely orchestrated the events. Rebekah seemed to have known that and, when asked, answered simply, "I will go."

Did Rebekah fully realize God's plan for her? Was she open to following that plan? Or was she simply entranced with the romantic notions of a young girl looking for her knight in shining armor? Whatever her motivation, the events were planned by God, and he was able and willing to faithfully continue to fulfill his promises through her.

God's faithfulness, despite our waywardness and contrariness, is evident both throughout Scripture and throughout our lives. He will be faithful; he promises.

This devotional is drawn from Women of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda. Used with permission.
Hardworking and generous, her faith was so great that she left her home forever to marry a man she had never seen or met.

LHM Daily Devotions January 27, 2020 - One Thing

"One Thing"

Jan. 27, 2020

Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple.

—Psalm 27:3-4 (ESV)

Folk tales and legends tell of people who receive three wishes, perhaps granted by a magic lamp or a captured leprechaun. As the stories go, the supposedly fortunate individuals usually get into trouble with foolish requests (resulting in the need to use their last wish to get themselves out of trouble).

David, the inspired author of our psalm, has no need of folk tales and imaginary wishes. With confident faith, he brings his single request before the throne of God. Before he voices his request, David speaks of the evildoers and adversaries who attack him. False witnesses have risen against him. We might expect the psalmist to ask God for a powerful army of his own or maybe a personal bodyguard of angels.

David asks for none of those things. He asks only one thing of the Lord, that he might be allowed to dwell in the temple—in the house of the Lord—all the days of his life. There the Lord will conceal him "under the cover of His tent" (Psalm 27:5b). But David isn't simply seeking safety. He wants to dwell in the Lord's house "to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple." The psalmist wants to praise the beauty and majesty of the God who saves him from his enemies. He wants to inquire in the temple, to learn more about his Lord and Savior. Surrounded by enemies, yet sheltered by the Lord, David is concerned above all else with the beauty of the Lord and the precious wisdom of His Word.

Physical enemies, or the unseen, but no less real foes of guilt, worry, and doubt may surround us. Three wishes—or wishful thinking—are no help. Like the psalmist, we seek that "one thing": to be in the Lord's house, sheltered by His presence and learning from His Word. The Word testifies to a victory over our enemies that has already been won. Like His ancestor David, Jesus our Lord was surrounded by enemies. False witnesses rose up against Him. But Jesus was not delivered from His foes. For our sake, He was condemned and crucified, carrying our sins in His body to the cross, suffering the penalty of death in our place. For us, He rose from death, and sin, death, and Satan fell in defeat.

It is the "one thing" we need, to dwell in the house of the Lord, praising His glory, praising Him for all that He has done for us and learning from His Word. Jesus, like His ancestor David, spoke of our anxious fears and that one necessary thing: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).

THE PRAYER: Lord, we look forward to the day when we will dwell in Your presence forever. Until then, lead us by Your Spirit to worship in Your house and learn from Your holy Word. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Does your faith in God give you a sense of safety and protection during uncertain times?
2. Have you ever felt as if you had enemies encamped round about you? Care to elaborate?
3. How much do you get from your church attendance? Do you wish your church did some things differently?

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Does your faith in God give you a sense of safety and protection during uncertain times?

CPTLN devocional del 27 de enero de 2020 - Solo esto

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Solo esto

27 de Enero de 2020

Aunque un ejército acampe contra mí, mi corazón no se amedrentará; aunque me ataquen y me declaren la guerra, en esto fincaré mi confianza: Le he pedido al Señor, y sólo esto busco: habitar en su casa todos los días de mi vida, para contemplar su hermosura y solazarme en su templo.

—Salmo 27:3-4 (RVC)

Las leyendas populares hablan de personas que reciben tres deseos, tal vez concedidos por una lámpara mágica o un duende capturado. Muchas veces esas personas, supuestamente afortunadas, se meten en problemas por pedir deseos tontos y, como consecuencia, se ven en la necesidad de usar su último deseo para salir de esos problemas.

David, el autor inspirado de nuestro salmo, no necesita leyendas populares ni deseos imaginarios. Con fe confiada, él lleva su única petición ante el trono de Dios. Antes de expresarla, David habla de los malhechores y adversarios que lo atacan y de los falsos testigos se han levantado contra él. Podríamos esperar que el salmista le pidiera a Dios un poderoso ejército o tal vez unos ángeles de guardaespaldas personales.

Sin embargo, David no pide ninguna de esas cosas. Solo le pide una cosa al Señor: que le permita morar en el templo (en la casa del Señor) todos los días de su vida. Allí el Señor lo ocultará "en lo más recóndito de su templo" (Salmo 27:5b). Pero David no solo busca seguridad. Quiere morar en la casa del Señor "para contemplar su hermosura y (solazarse) en su templo". El salmista quiere alabar la belleza y la majestad del Dios que lo salva de sus enemigos. Quiere aprender más sobre su Señor y Salvador. Rodeado de enemigos, pero protegido por el Señor, David se interesa sobre todo por la belleza del Señor y la preciosa sabiduría de su Palabra.

Nuestros enemigos físicos o invisibles (pero no menos reales) como la culpa, la preocupación y la duda, pueden rodearnos. Pero pedir tres deseos no sería de mucha ayuda. Al igual que el salmista, debemos buscar "solo esto": estar en la casa del Señor, protegidos por su presencia y aprendiendo de su Palabra. La Palabra da testimonio de la victoria que ya ha sido ganada sobre nuestros enemigos. Al igual que su antepasado David, Jesús nuestro Señor estaba rodeado de enemigos. Testigos falsos se levantaron contra él. Pero Jesús no fue liberado de sus enemigos. Por nuestro bien, Jesús fue condenado y crucificado, llevando nuestros pecados en su cuerpo a la cruz, sufriendo la pena de muerte en nuestro lugar. Por nosotros resucitó de la muerte y el pecado. La muerte y Satanás fueron derrotados.

Es "solo esto" lo que necesitamos: morar en la casa del Señor, alabar su gloria, alabarlo por todo lo que ha hecho por nosotros y aprender de su Palabra. Jesús, así como su antepasado David, habló de nuestros temores y de una sola cosa necesaria: "Por lo tanto, busquen primeramente el reino de Dios y su justicia, y todas estas cosas les serán añadidas." (Mateo 6:33).

ORACIÓN: Señor, esperamos el día en que moraremos en tu presencia para siempre. Hasta entonces, guíanos por tu Espíritu para adorar en tu casa y aprender de tu santa Palabra. Amén.

Dra. Carol Geisler

Para reflexionar:

1. ¿El tener fe en Dios te da seguridad y protección en tiempos de incertidumbre?
2. Si alguna vez sientes como si tuvieras muchos enemigos a tu alrededor, ¿qué harías?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿El tener fe en Dios te da seguridad y protección en tiempos de incertidumbre?

Notre Pain Quotidien - Le banc de l’amitié

Le banc de l’amitié

Lisez : Exode 33.9-11
La Bible en un an : Exode 16 – 18 ; Matthieu 18.1-20

L’Éternel parlait avec Moïse face à face, comme un homme parle à son ami.

—Exode 33.11

Au Zimbabwe, en Afrique, les traumatismes de guerre et un taux de chômage élevé acculent des gens au désespoir – jusqu’à ce qu’ils trouvent l’espoir sur un « banc de l’amitié ». On peut s’y rendre pour s’entretenir avec des « grands-mères » formées à cette fin. Il s’agit de femmes âgées à qui l’on a enseigné à écouter les gens qui luttent contre la dépression, que l’on décrit dans la langue shona de ce pays comme kufungisisa, ou « penser trop ».

Le projet Friendship Bench s’implante aussi ailleurs, dont au Zanzibar, à Londres et à New York. « Les résultats nous épatent », de dire un chercheur londonien. Un conseiller new-yorkais lui a d’ailleurs donné raison : « Avant même de s’en rendre compte, on n’est plus sur un banc, mais bien au chaud dans une conversation avec quelqu’un qui s’intéresse à soi. »

Ce projet évoque le côté accueillant et merveilleux d’un dialogue avec notre Dieu tout-puissant. Moïse n’a pas installé un banc, mais une « tente d’assignation » où communier avec Dieu et où « [l’Éternel] parlait avec [lui] face à face, comme un homme parle à son ami » (EX 33.11). Josué, son aide, ne sortait même jamais de cette tente, peut-être parce qu’il accordait une immense valeur à son temps passé avec Dieu (V. 11).

Plus besoin d’une tente d’assignation. Jésus nous a rapproché du Père : « Je ne vous appelle plus serviteurs, parce que le serviteur ne sait pas ce que fait son maître ; mais je vous ai appelés amis, parce que je vous ai fait connaître tout ce que j’ai appris de mon Père » (JN 15.15).

Lorsque l’inquiétude nous gagne, concentrons-nous sur Dieu.

par Patricia Raybon

© 2020 Ministères NPQ

Au Zimbabwe, en Afrique, les traumatismes de guerre et un taux de chômage élevé acculent des gens au désespoir – jusqu’à ce qu’ils trouvent l’espoir sur un « banc de l’amitié ».