The Daily Lectionary for WEDNESDAY, February 19, 2020

Psalm 119:9-16; Proverbs 2:1-15; Matthew 19:1-12

The Daily Lectionary

WEDNESDAY, February 19, 2020

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Psalm 119:9-16

I delight in the law

9  How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
     By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
     do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
     that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, Lord;
     teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
     all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
     as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
     and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
     I will not neglect your word.

Proverbs 2:1-15

The way of wisdom

1  My son, if you accept my words
     and store up my commands within you,
2  turning your ear to wisdom
     and applying your heart to understanding—
3  indeed, if you call out for insight
     and cry aloud for understanding,
4  and if you look for it as for silver
     and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5  then you will understand the fear of the Lord
     and find the knowledge of God.
6  For the Lord gives wisdom;
     from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7  He holds success in store for the upright,
     he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8  for he guards the course of the just
     and protects the way of his faithful ones.

9  Then you will understand what is right and just
     and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
     and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
     and understanding will guard you.

12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
     from men whose words are perverse,
13 who have left the straight paths
     to walk in dark ways,
14 who delight in doing wrong
     and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
15 whose paths are crooked
     and who are devious in their ways.

Matthew 19:1-12

Jesus teaches about divorce

19:1 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”

4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

7 “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”

8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

10 The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”

11 Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

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 WEDNESDAY, February 19, 2020
Psalm 119:9-16; Proverbs 2:1-15; Matthew 19:1-12

The Daily Prayer for WEDNESDAY, February 19, 2020

The Daily Prayer

WEDNESDAY, February 19, 2020

On February 19, 1942, following the bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japanese warplanes the previous December, US President Franklin Roosevelt signed an executive order calling for the displacement of one hundred and twenty thousand Japanese Americans to internment camps.

Oscar Romero, Archbishop of El Salvador, said, “Peace is not the product of terror or fear. Peace is not the silence of cemeteries. Peace is not the silent result of violent repression. Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all. Peace is dynamism. Peace is generosity. It is right and it is duty.”

Lord, keep us from fearfully persecuting the innocent among us. When we are tempted to use the cultural differences of our neighbors as excuses for injustice, convict us of our error. Keep us from turning difference into discrimination. Amen.

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, February 19, 2020

1 John 4:11-12

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Read all of 1 John 4

Listen to 1 John 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 - Miércoles 19 de febrero de 2020

¿Quién soy yo?

Porque el Señor es bueno y su gran amor es eterno; su fidelidad permanece para siempre.

—Salmo 100:5 (NVI)

La gran ventaja de poder declarar que somos hijos de Dios es entender que nuestra identidad debe estar en Él.

Dios es el Rey, y si somos sus hijos, no solo somos hijos del Rey, sino que debemos aprender a vernos como tales. Muchos que hacen este cambio se acercan muchísimo a Dios, pero se sienten muy pobres. ¿Crees que por ser cristiano debas tener escasez y mendigar? De seguro olvidas que tienes privilegios.

No importa la idea que te vendieron en tu niñez. Si te maltrataron, o fuiste la oveja negra de la familia, o si vienes de una iglesia legalista, Dios te recibe en sus brazos de amor. La prueba de que Dios nos lleva de su mano es que sentirás su presencia. Experimentarás cómo te concede las peticiones más profundas de tu corazón de una manera única.

Así que mi recomendación es que consigas una Biblia y una iglesia. ¡Esto es clave para alimentarte bien! También busca las más de tres mil promesas que Dios nos ofrece en su Palabra a cada uno de nosotros.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
La gran ventaja de poder declarar que somos hijos de Dios es entender que nuestra identidad debe estar en Él.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Wednesday, February 19, 2020

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

—John 8:36 (NIV)

Ron Boyd MacMillan is a perceptive communicator. He writes for the next two days:

As my plane touched down after a trip to the Middle East, I breathed a big sigh of relief. I was back where I did not have to watch my back, be careful what I said, or where I went. Whew. I was back in a country that had religious freedom. I prayed to God, “Thank you for the men and women who fought to bring me this freedom. Thank God they won.”

Then two incidents happened one after the other that made me think again.

I was at an art exhibition and looking at a painting entitled, Man startled on a horse. I sought out the artist and said, “Was that the Apostle Paul on the Damascus road you were depicting?” I thought he would be pleased I had figured it out.

But he looked horrified, and glancing around he hissed, “For goodness sake keep quiet. Do you want me to get labeled as a religious artist? I’d never sell another painting if that happened.”

Then I was talking to a priest in charge of a large church in my city. His church had just received a large sum of money from the state for the refurbishment of a church hall. Then he said, “Well, we had to sign an agreement that the church would be available for everyone of any religion, and that we would not try to convert anyone. But we were happy to do that. We just want to be a community resource.”

Suddenly I became aware that I had to fight for religious liberty in my own country. I had thought that because certain toleration laws were in place, I was safe.

But no, it was clear from the artist that to admit one’s Christian faith in a public context was professional suicide.

How did my society suddenly get so prejudiced?

And look at the priest blithely giving up his right to evangelize, without a thought to the long-term cost. Who was asking him to refrain from evangelizing? And how could he be so unaware of the freedom he just signed away?

RESPONSE: Today I will not assume that freedom is automatic. I will stand up for the truth of God’s Word and be truly free.

PRAYER: Lord, may I never take the free expression of my faith for granted. Help me to understand the challenges that representing Your truth will bring.

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

LHM Daily Devotions - February 19, 2020 - Though We Betray Him

"Though We Betray Him"

Feb. 19, 2020

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with Him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic Word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

—2 Peter 1:16-21 (ESV)

Do you know someone you're proud of just to be associated with? Perhaps he or she is a high-level business executive. Maybe they're a professional athlete, a musician, or a top-ranking officer in the military. Maybe it's their people skills you admire. They're accepting and tactful, capable of showing great concern and compassion. Whatever it is, this person enlarges your view of life—and its possibilities—by the way they live theirs. In a word, your life is simply better for knowing that person and, if you're really honest, you're a better person because of it.

Peter met Someone like that by the Sea of Galilee: The Son of a carpenter, Jesus of Nazareth. How their friendship must have developed! As they shared experiences, Peter must have yearned to tell people about God's grace in Jesus. He had seen Him go about the countryside, comforting the sick and afflicted, encouraging those with little hope in this world. Peter was there for the healings and miracles, and for the humane touch, Jesus showed those who were at wits' end. And he was there "when He (Jesus) received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to Him by the Majestic Glory, 'This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.'"

How Peter must have ached to tell others all that he knew about Jesus—this Friend who continually surprised him. Here was Someone who understood the fisherman and accepted him for all his faults and shortcomings. Here was Someone Peter boldly said he would die for and just as boldly denied even knowing a few hours later. If only he could take those words back!

But it's for sins like these that the Savior went to the cross, taking Peter's betrayal—and ours—to the grave, triumphing over them in resurrection victory three days later.

Jesus did this—the One who knows the fickleness of our faithless hearts ... and loves us anyway.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, keep us faithful to Jesus to the end of our lives. In His Name. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Do you know someone exceptional on a number of levels? What makes him or her so?
2. What "cleverly devised myths" do you think the writer is referring to?
3. Have you ever betrayed a friend or a loved one in a devastating way? Has that situation been resolved somehow?

This Daily Devotion was written by Paul Schreiber. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Do you know someone exceptional on a number of levels? What makes him or her so?

CPTLN devocional del 19 de febrero de 2020 - Aun cuando lo traicionamos

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Aun cuando lo traicionamos

19 de Febrero de 2020

Porque, cuando les hicimos saber que nuestro Señor Jesucristo vendrá con todo su poder, no lo hicimos siguiendo fábulas artificiosas, sino como quienes han visto su majestad con sus propios ojos. Pues cuando él recibió de Dios Padre la honra y la gloria, desde la magnífica gloria le fue enviada una voz que decía: «Éste es mi Hijo amado, en quien me complazco.» Y nosotros oímos esa voz que venía del cielo, mientras estábamos con él en el monte santo. Además, contamos con la muy confiable palabra profética, a la cual ustedes hacen bien en atender, que es como una antorcha que alumbra en la oscuridad, hasta que aclare el día y el lucero de la mañana salga en el corazón de ustedes. Pero antes que nada deben entender esto: Ninguna profecía de la Escritura es de interpretación privada, porque la profecía nunca estuvo bajo el control de la voluntad humana, sino que los santos hombres de Dios hablaron bajo el control del Espíritu Santo.

—2 Pedro 1:16-21 (RVC)

¿Estás orgulloso de conocer a alguien en particular? Quizás sea un ejecutivo de negocios de alto nivel, un atleta profesional, un gran músico o un oficial de alto rango en el ejército. O tal vez admiras la manera en que trata a las personas, siendo discreto y capaz de mostrar compasión. Sea lo que sea que ves en ella, esa persona amplía tu visión de la vida y sus posibilidades. En una palabra, tu vida es simplemente mejor por conocerla y, si eres honesto, gracias a ella también eres una persona mejor.

Pedro conoció a alguien así en el Mar de Galilea: el hijo de un carpintero, Jesús de Nazaret.

Mientras compartían experiencias, Pedro debe haber anhelado poder contarle a las personas acerca de la gracia de Dios en Jesús. Lo había visto recorrer el campo consolando a los enfermos y afligidos, alentando a los que tenían pocas esperanzas en este mundo. Pedro estuvo presente en las curaciones y los milagros, y cada vez que Jesús ayudó a quienes ya habían perdido toda esperanza. Y también estaba allí cuando él (Jesús) "recibió de Dios Padre la honra y la gloria, desde la magnífica gloria le fue enviada una voz que decía: «Éste es mi Hijo amado, en quien me complazco.»."

Cómo habrá querido Pedro contarles a los demás todo lo que sabía sobre Jesús, ese amigo que continuamente lo sorprendía, Alguien que entendía al pescador y lo aceptaba con todas sus fallas y defectos, Alguien por quien Pedro dijo con valentía que moriría y a quien con la misma valentía negó unas horas más tarde. ¡Si pudiera recuperar esas palabras!

Pero es por pecados como esos que el Salvador fue a la cruz, llevando la traición de Pedro y la nuestra a la tumba, triunfando sobre ellos tres días después en la victoria de la resurrección.

Jesús, quien conoce la inconstancia de nuestros corazones infieles, hizo eso... y nos ama de todos modos.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, mantennos fieles a Jesús hasta el final de nuestras vidas. En su Nombre Amén.

Paul Schreiber

Para reflexionar:

1. ¿Conoces a alguien excepcional? ¿Qué hace que sea así?
2. ¿Alguna vez has traicionado a alguien? ¿Cómo se resolvió esa situación?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Conoces a alguien excepcional? ¿Qué hace que sea así?

Ministérios Pão Diário - Não é suficiente?

Não é suficiente?

Leia: 2 Coríntios 9:10-15 | A Bíblia em um ano: LEVÍTICO 25; MARCOS 1:23-45
Baixe a versão MP3

E não se esqueçam de fazer o bem e de repartir o que têm com os necessitados…

—Hebreus 13:16

Voltando da igreja para casa, minha filha sentou-se no banco de trás saboreando biscoitos, enquanto meus outros filhos imploravam para que ela os compartilhasse. Tentando mudar a conversa, perguntei à dona dos biscoitos: “Como foi a classe bíblica hoje?”. Ela contou-nos que tinham feito uma cesta de pães e peixes porque uma criança dera a Jesus cinco pães e dois peixes, os quais Ele usou para alimentar mais de 5.000 pessoas (JOÃO 6:1-13).

“Foi muito gentil da parte do garoto. Você não acha que Deus talvez esteja pedindo a você para dividir o seu peixe?”, perguntei. “Não, mãe”, ela respondeu. Tentei encorajá-la a não ficar com todos os biscoitos para si. Mas ela não se convenceu e disse: “Não tem o suficiente pra todo mundo”!

É difícil compartilhar. É mais fácil nos apegarmos ao que vemos à nossa frente. Talvez façamos os cálculos e argumentemos que simplesmente não há o suficiente para todos. E a presunção é: se eu der, vai me fazer falta.

Paulo nos lembra de que tudo o que temos vem de Deus, que quer nos enriquecer “em tudo, para toda generosidade” (2 CORÍNTIOS 9:10,11). A matemática do Céu não é um cálculo de escassez, mas de abundância. Podemos dividir com alegria, porque Deus promete cuidar de nós, enquanto somos generosos com os outros.

Pai, cuidas bem de mim. Ajuda-me a pensar nos outros hoje e a dividir a Tua bondade com eles.

Quando cremos que Deus é bom, podemos aprender a abrir nossas mãos aos outros.

por Administrador do site

© 2020 Ministérios Pão Diário
Voltando da igreja para casa, minha filha sentou-se no banco de trás saboreando biscoitos…