The Daily Lectionary for THURSDAY, January 30, 2020

Psalm 15; Deuteronomy 16:18-20; 1 Peter 3:8-12

The Daily Lectionary

THURSDAY, January 30, 2020

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Psalm 15

Abiding on God’s holy hill

1  Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
     Who may live on your holy mountain?

2  The one whose walk is blameless,
     who does what is righteous,
     who speaks the truth from their heart;
3  whose tongue utters no slander,
     who does no wrong to a neighbor,
     and casts no slur on others;
4  who despises a vile person
     but honors those who fear the Lord;
   who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
     and does not change their mind;
5  who lends money to the poor without interest;
     who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

Deuteronomy 16:18-20

Pursue only justice

16:18 Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. 19 Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent. 20 Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.

1 Peter 3:8-12

Repay evil with a blessing

3:8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,

   “Whoever would love life
     and see good days
   must keep their tongue from evil
     and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good;
     they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
     and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
   but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

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 30, 2020
Psalm 15; Deuteronomy 16:18-20; 1 Peter 3:8-12

The Daily Prayer for THURSDAY, January 30, 2020

The Daily Prayer

THURSDAY, January 30, 2020

Mohandas Gandhi (2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948)

While walking to evening prayer in New Delhi, India, Mohandas Gandhi was shot five times at point-blank range and died almost immediately. Gandhi was the primary political and spiritual leader of India during his country’s independence movement. He was one of the first in India to practice mass civil disobedience and nonviolence against the tyranny in his country, inspiring a host of twentieth-century activists.

Gandhi said, “If I have read the Bible correctly, I know many men who have never heard the name of Jesus Christ or have even rejected the official interpretation of Christianity who will, probably, if Jesus came in our midst today in the flesh, be owned by him more than many of us.”

We know, Lord, that the world will never cease to return hatred for love and violence for peace. Still we pray for the courage and confidence to walk in love and peace for the sake of those who have never known love or peace, for the sake of our own treacherous hearts. Amen.

Verse of the Day for THURSDAY, January 30, 2020

Ephesians 4:2

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Read all of Ephesians 4

Listen to Ephesians 4

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 30 de enero de 2020

La oración tiene poder

Pidan, y se les dará; busquen, y encontrarán; llamen, y se les abrirá.

—Mateo 7:7 (NVI)

Quizá tú no seas quien más ora. No seas el que separa unos segundos o minutos del día para orar y levantar una comunicación directa con tu Dios. Aun así, quiero decirte que la oración tiene muchas bendiciones en nuestra vida.

A través de la oración te acercas más al Padre. Cuando nuestros hijos necesitan algo, o quieren que les compremos algo, se acercan de manera confiada a nosotros. Incluso cuando han hecho algo malo se acercan para decirnos que les perdonemos, pues cometieron una falta, y casi suplican por misericordia.

Lo mismo sucede con nuestro Dios que desea que tú y yo tengamos una relación personal con Él. Que desea que nos acerquemos de manera confiada a Él. No para repetir como loros lo que queremos cada día, sino también para conocerle con mayor profundidad. Como Padre, desea que tú y yo le busquemos y le pidamos «TODO» lo que necesitemos.

Comienza a desarrollar momentos íntimos con Dios. Sepárate y establece esa comunión con Él. Al principio, sentirás que no sabrás qué decirle ni cómo hablarle, pero al poco tiempo te darás cuentas que tus palabras fluirán y serás capaz de derramar tu corazón ante Papá (Dios).

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Quiero decirte que la oración tiene muchas bendiciones en nuestra vida.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Thursday, January 30, 2020

COMMANDOS FOR JESUS

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

—Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

Brother Andrew continues his teaching on Satan’s strategic attacks:

Our methods of taking the Bible into places where it is not available nor permitted is actually very close to the New Testament concept of transmitting the Word of God. In our Western nations, we enjoy the rare privilege of seeing people come to us for the message. We even wait for them to come and we put up special buildings for them to come to. Then we open the doors and welcome them with a smile.

Such methods make me feel that we’ve responded very wrongly to Jesus’ announced intention to make us “fishers of men.” We have made a beautiful net of our church buildings and have set it up on the shore waiting for the fish to jump in of their own accord!

Our pattern of waiting for people to come to us is exactly the reverse of the Great Commission. Because we have done it this way for so long we have even begun to question the original way that God intended for it to be. What a topsy-turvy world we live in!

We must have the courage, the Holy Spirit boldness, to live a life that is more revolutionary than that of any non-Christian faith. The Lord will give us the courage to work like commandos if we want Him to, but we must go and carry out His commission.

The command has been given by the risen Lord and the call is clear: prepare for spiritual battle! Let’s go in Jesus’ name and do it! We can do it because ever since He first issued the orders, Jesus has given to every generation the ability, the strength, the manpower, and the opportunity to do it.

Although every generation has failed in some way, the first generation almost accomplished it. Almost! In our generation, we don’t need to fail. We can fulfill the commission because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. He who holds all authority in heaven and on earth has authorized us to advance on His enemy everywhere, including across every “closed” border. He still endues us with the power of the Holy Spirit that we might be witnesses to the uttermost parts of the earth.

“Awake and strengthen what remains” (Revelation 3:2). That is the watchword of our ministry to fellow-believers in China, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. What constrains us is the love of Christ; for love, the Word of God tells us, is the fulfillment of all divine commands. I want others to have the one who makes me happy—Jesus. I want others to have what makes me grow spiritually—the Bible.

The God of miracles will bring it to pass!

RESPONSE: Today I commit to going—not waiting—to carry out Jesus’ commission and be a fisher of men in the power of His Holy Spirit.

PRAYER: Lord, give me the boldness to advance against our enemy everywhere—even in so-called “closed” countries.

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 30, 2020

Storms of Life

Matthew 8:23–27

Recommended Reading: Psalm 27:1–14; Isaiah 41:10–11; Matthew 6:31–34; 14:30–31

Billy Tyne, a down-on-his-luck captain of a sword-fishing boat, set out with his crew in October, 1991, for one last try at a big catch. However, when a unique confluence of weather conditions combined in the North Atlantic to form what meteorologists later called “The Perfect Storm,” Tyne and the rest of the crew of the Andrea Gail perished.

According to locals, weather over the Sea of Galilee in Israel can be equally unpredictable. A squall can rise up at a moment’s notice, hitting with such a fury that fishermen in the area must be quick on their feet and ready for anything. At least four of Jesus’ disciples—Peter, Andrew, James, and John—made their living as fishermen. Certainly, they knew of Galilee’s infamous storms. Yet as Jesus slept in the ship’s bow, even these seasoned sailors panicked when the storm rose. After waking Jesus from his slumber, they pleaded, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” (Matthew 8:25). Imagine a storm so intense that even hardened fishermen cowered in fear.

Jesus responded with a rebuke: “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” (Matthew 8:26). As the disciples faced the greatest storm Galilee had ever thrown at them, Jesus expected them to trust him first. And then he calmed the storm.

Life often seems to rise up against us when we least expect it. A dark spot shows up on an X-ray. A pink slip lands on our desk at work. A quarterly report reveals a serious downturn in revenues. Suddenly our deepest fears rise to the surface. So we look to the sky and plead, “Lord, save us!”

And Jesus responds, “Don’t be afraid. Trust me first.”

The next time the turbulence of life’s trials blows into your life, remember what Jesus asks. Trust him first, no matter how overwhelming the storm appears.

To Take Away

• What storms in life do you find most difficult to face?
• Why do most of us struggle with trusting God first?
• When you’ve trusted God during difficult times, what has resulted? How can those experiences help you place your trust in him during the next trial you face?

Billy Tyne, a down-on-his-luck captain of a sword-fishing boat, set out with his crew in October, 1991, for one last try at a big catch. However, when a unique confluence of weather conditions combined in the North Atlantic to form what meteorologists later called “The Perfect Storm,” Tyne and the rest of the crew of the Andrea Gail perished.

LHM Daily Devotions January 30, 2020 - Suffering—and Joy

"Suffering—and Joy"

Jan. 30, 2020

And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."

—Luke 2:34-35 (ESV)

What must Mary have felt, hearing those words? Her baby is only a little more than a month old, but already the Holy Spirit is speaking through Simeon to tell what will come in the future—the anger and bitter controversy, the opposition to Jesus' ministry, and finally the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross. All of this suffering would come—it could not be avoided, if mankind were to be saved—and Mary would have her share in it, too. This was the warning.

And of course, she did have her share in it. She lived to see her oldest Son gossiped about and opposed by the religious leaders of their country. She saw Him nearly stoned after His first sermon. She knew of the public scorn and derision He endured from those who hated Him. She was there at the foot of the cross.

Did Mary understand why all this suffering was necessary? Surely, she did after Easter when Jesus rose from the dead. But before that? When Herod tried to kill the baby, when they were refugees in Egypt—were there ever days when she wondered why God would allow so much pain to come into their lives?

We do not know. But we do know that there is also suffering in our own lives—suffering we cannot understand or find a reason for. And so we ask God, "Why?" We may be in such pain that we cannot think of anything else, as Mary must have been when her Son hung on the cross. At times like that, the only thing we can do is hold on to God, trusting that there is a reason and that He will ultimately work all things together for good.

The only reason we can do this is Jesus Himself. He is the Savior who was born among us to carry our suffering and sin. Isaiah tells us, "He was despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief ... Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows ... by His wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:3a, 4a, 5b). By His suffering, He paid for all the sin of the world. By His death and resurrection, He gave us life.

The Bible warns us that as Christians we will share in Christ's sufferings, just as Mary did. "A servant is not greater than his master" (John 13:16b), Jesus tells us. We too will experience rejection for Christ's sake. And in the course of God's service, we can expect there to be times of great pain, times when we just don't understand what God is doing. But though we don't understand, we can trust Him, just as Mary did when she said to the angel, " Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38b) And trusting in Jesus and sharing in His sufferings, we can also hope and expect to share in His resurrection—and His joy.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, by Your Holy Spirit, keep us close to Your Son when times are good and when they're not. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever been party to treating someone unfairly only to learn later you were mistaken in your assessment?
2. Do you think Mary's faith was tested when she heard Simeon's words concerning her Son?
3. How do you feel when a family member or friend is treated unjustly and there's little to nothing you can do to stop it?

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).
Have you ever been party to treating someone unfairly only to learn later you were mistaken in your assessment?

CPTLN devocional del 30 de enero de 2020 - Sufrimiento compartido y gozo

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Sufrimiento compartido y gozo

30 de Enero de 2020

Simeón los bendijo, y a María, la madre del niño, le dijo: «Tu hijo ha venido para que muchos en Israel caigan o se levanten. Será una señal que muchos rechazarán y que pondrá de manifiesto el pensamiento de muchos corazones, aunque a ti te traspasará el alma como una espada.»

—Lucas 2:34-35 (RVC)

¿Qué habrá sentido María al escuchar esas palabras? Su bebé tenía apenas más de un mes, pero el Espíritu Santo ya estaba hablando a través de Simeón para anunciar lo que vendría en el futuro: la ira y la amarga controversia, la oposición a su ministerio y, finalmente, el sufrimiento y la muerte en la cruz. Ese sufrimiento no podría ser evitado, porque la humanidad tenía que ser salvada. Y María compartiría sus sufrimientos. Esa fue la advertencia.

Y por supuesto que lo hizo. Vio cómo los líderes religiosos se oponían a su hijo mayor. Vio cómo casi lo apedrean después de su primer sermón. Vio el desprecio público y la burla que él soportaba de parte de quienes lo odiaban. Y vio cómo lo colgaron de la cruz.

¿Habrá llegado a entender María por qué era necesario todo este sufrimiento? Seguramente lo entendió después de la Pascua, cuando Jesús resucitó de entre los muertos. ¿Pero y antes de eso, cuando Herodes intentó matarlo, cuando tuvieron que ir a refugiarse en Egipto? ¿Habrá tenido días en los que ella se pregunta por qué Dios permitía tanto dolor en sus vidas?

No lo sabemos. Pero sí sabemos que en nuestra vida también hay sufrimientos que no podemos entender ni encontrarle razón. Y entonces le preguntamos a Dios: "¿Por qué?" Llegamos a sentir tanto dolor, que no podemos pensar en otra cosa. Así debe haberse sentido María cuando su Hijo estaba colgado en la cruz. En momentos así, lo único que podemos hacer es aferrarnos a Dios confiando en que hay una razón, y que Él finalmente hará que todas las cosas obren para nuestro bien.

Y la única razón por la que podemos confiar así es Jesús mismo, el Salvador que nació entre nosotros para llevar nuestro sufrimiento y pecado. Isaías nos dice: "Será despreciado y desechado por la humanidad entera. Será el hombre más sufrido, el más experimentado en el sufrimiento... Con todo, él llevará sobre sí nuestros males, y sufrirá nuestros dolores... y por su llaga seremos sanados" (Isaías 53:3a, 4a, 5b ) Con su sufrimiento pagó por todos los pecados del mundo. Con su muerte y resurrección nos dio la vida.

La Biblia nos advierte que los cristianos compartiremos los sufrimientos de Cristo, tal como lo hizo María. "El siervo no es mayor que su señor" (Juan 13:16b), nos dice Jesús. Nosotros también vamos a experimentar rechazo por amar a Cristo. Y en el curso de nuestro servicio a Dios podemos esperar que haya momentos de gran dolor, momentos en los que simplemente no entendemos lo que Dios está haciendo. Pero aunque no entendamos, podemos confiar en Él, tal como lo hizo María cuando le dijo al ángel: «Yo soy la sierva del Señor. ¡Cúmplase en mí lo que has dicho!» (Lucas 1:38b) Y confiando en Jesús y compartiendo sus sufrimientos, también podemos esperar y compartir su resurrección y su gozo.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, por tu Espíritu Santo, mantennos cerca de tu Hijo cuando los tiempos sean buenos y cuando no lo sean. En el nombre de Jesús oramos. Amén.

Rev. Minh Chau Vo

Para reflexionar:

1. ¿Crees que la fe de María se puso a prueba cuando escuchó las palabras de Simeón sobre su Hijo?
2. ¿Cómo te sientes cuando un familiar o amigo es tratado injustamente y hay poco o nada que puedas hacer para ayudarlo?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Crees que la fe de María se puso a prueba cuando escuchó las palabras de Simeón sobre su Hijo?

Хлеб наш насущный - Укрепить слабые колени

Укрепить слабые колени

Читать сейчас: Исаии 35:1-4 | Библия за год: Исход 23-24; Матфея 20:1-16

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Укрепите ослабевшие руки и утвердите колени дрожащие.

— Исаии 35:3

В детстве я услышала песню, написанную христианской поэтессой Дотти Рэмбо. Там были слова: «И к воде склоняются олени». Как это часто бывает с детьми, я не разобралась в тексте и решила, что там поется «склоняются колени». После чего задумалась: отчего это колени вдруг стали склоняться? Наверное, потому что ослабели. Еще мне было известно, что колени могут подкашиваться от страха. Только много времени спустя я узнала, что Дотти написала эту песню о безусловной Божьей любви в ответ на опасения ее брата Эдди, что Бог его не любит из-за совершенных им плохих поступков. Дотти заверяла брата, что Бог видел его недостатки, но все равно любил.

Божья безусловная любовь проявлялась во многих трудных эпизодах истории народа Израиля и Иуды. Он посылал пророков, подобных Исаии, со словами вразумления для непокорных людей. В главе 35 Книги Исаии пророк говорит о надежде Божьего восстановления. Он пишет: «Укрепите ослабевшие руки и утвердите колени дрожащие» (Ис. 35:3). Через это ободрение верные Богу люди должны были получить способность ободрять других. Поэтому Исаия призывает: «Скажите робким душой: “Будьте тверды, не бойтесь: вот Бог ваш”» (Ис. 35:4).

У вас подкашиваются колени? Поговорите с Небесным Отцом. Он укрепит вас истиной Писания и силой Своего присутствия. А после этого вы сможете ободрить других.

Как Бог поддерживал вас в последнее время? Как вы можете ободрить тех, кто переживает трудные времена?

Небесный Отец, мне нужна твоя сила и благодать для сегодняшнего дня.

автор: Линда Вашингтон

© 2020 Хлеб Наш Насущный
В детстве я услышала песню, написанную христианской поэтессой Дотти Рэмбо. Там были слова: «И к воде склоняются олени».…