The Daily Lectionary for FRIDAY, March 27, 2020

Psalm 130; Ezekiel 33:10-16; Revelation 11:15-19

The Daily Lectionary

FRIDAY, March 27, 2020

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Psalm 130

Mercy and redemption

1  Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2    Lord, hear my voice.
   Let your ears be attentive
     to my cry for mercy.

3  If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
     Lord, who could stand?
4  But with you there is forgiveness,
     so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

5  I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
     and in his word I put my hope.
6  I wait for the Lord
     more than watchmen wait for the morning,
     more than watchmen wait for the morning.

7  Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
     for with the Lord is unfailing love
     and with him is full redemption.
8  He himself will redeem Israel
     from all their sins.

Ezekiel 33:10-16

The word of God: repent and live

33:10 “Son of man, say to the Israelites, ‘This is what you are saying: “Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?”’ 11 Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’

12 “Therefore, son of man, say to your people, ‘If someone who is righteous disobeys, that person’s former righteousness will count for nothing. And if someone who is wicked repents, that person’s former wickedness will not bring condemnation. The righteous person who sins will not be allowed to live even though they were formerly righteous.’ 13 If I tell a righteous person that they will surely live, but then they trust in their righteousness and do evil, none of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered; they will die for the evil they have done. 14 And if I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ but they then turn away from their sin and do what is just and right— 15 if they give back what they took in pledge for a loan, return what they have stolen, follow the decrees that give life, and do no evil—that person will surely live; they will not die. 16 None of the sins that person has committed will be remembered against them. They have done what is just and right; they will surely live.

Revelation 11:15-19

The word of God: thanksgiving and singing

11:15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:

   “The kingdom of the world has become
     the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah,
     and he will reign for ever and ever.”

16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying:

   “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
     the One who is and who was,
   because you have taken your great power
     and have begun to reign.
18 The nations were angry,
     and your wrath has come.
   The time has come for judging the dead,
     and for rewarding your servants the prophets
   and your people who revere your name,
     both great and small—
   and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”

19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.

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, March 27, 2020
Psalm 130; Ezekiel 33:10-16; Revelation 11:15-19

The Daily Prayer for FRIDAY, March 27, 2020

The Daily Prayer

FRIDAY, March 27, 2020

Sadhu Sundar Singh, an early twentieth-century Indian missionary, wrote, “A silkworm was struggling out of the cocoon and an ignorant man saw it battling as if in pain, so he went and helped it to get free, but very soon after it fluttered and died. The other silkworms that struggled out without help suffered, but they came out into full life and beauty, with wings made strong for flight by their battle for fresh existence.”

Lord, mold us and form us into the kind of people you want us to be. Be patient with us when we fall short of what love demands of us. And give us patience with ourselves. Catch us in the arms of your grace. Amen.

Verse of the Day for FRIDAY, March 27, 2020

Psalm 62:7

My salvation and my honor depend on God;
  he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Read all of Psalm 62

Listen to Psalm 62

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Lenten Prayer for FRIDAY, March 27, 2020 - Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent

40 Days of Lenten Prayers

Day 27 - Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Loving God of forgiveness,

I come before you humbled and sad

in the face of my own repeated failings.

I hold out my hands as a petitioner would,

asking for mercy.

It is then that I feel you reach out and take my hand

in your loving grasp.

Thank you for the love you pour out on me

so lavishly.

Help me to follow more closely

in the path you have set for me,

the path of your Son.

Amen.

Un dia a la Vez - Viernes 27 de marzo de 2020

Alimenta a la familia

Busquen primeramente el reino de Dios y su justicia.

— Mateo 6:33 (NVI)

Cuando hablo de alimentos, no me refiero a que seas un magnífico proveedor en tu casa. Es obvio que eso es lo que debes hacer como cabeza del hogar, aunque seas madre soltera.

Con todo, analiza lo que dice el Manual de Instrucciones: «No solo de pan vivirá el hombre» (Lucas 4:4, rv-60).

Así que me refiero a cómo estás alimentando a tu familia desde el punto de vista espiritual. Lo que hagas por tus pequeños, marcará su vida cuando sean adolescentes y adultos.

En estos tiempos tan difíciles, nunca ha sido más importante que comiences a implementar en tus hijos hábitos de oración, lectura bíblica y la búsqueda de una iglesia en la que puedan aprender a conocer de verdad a Dios y lo que Él hizo por cada uno de nosotros.

Es posible que me digas: «Pero como yo trabajo siempre, los fines de semana no tengo tiempo para ir a la iglesia y por las noches estoy tan cansado que tampoco tengo tiempo de orar con mis hijos, mucho menos crear en ellos el hermoso hábito de leer la Biblia».

Nunca es tarde para empezar, pues nuestros hijos necesitan conocer de Jesús. Esto los guardará de muchas cosas en la vida.

Ir a una iglesia no es fanatismo, sino que es un deber y a su vez es protección para ellos. Aun así, el ejemplo comienza por nosotros mismos.

De la misma manera que sea tu relación con Dios, asimismo será la de tus hijos con Él, ya que eres su ejemplo a seguir.

Comienza a dar el ejemplo hoy y cosecharás vidas victoriosas en ellos. Sin importar la edad que tengan… ¡comienza ya!

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
No solo de pan vivirá el hombre.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Friday, March 27, 2020

A PRIVILEGE TO DIE FOR CHRIST

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

— Philippians 1:21 (NIV)

The Apostle Paul was convinced that whether alive or dead, Christ is gain. This enabled him to minister amid severe hardship and persecution. It also helped him face the potential of premature death without fear and concern. When Christ is everything, life and death are left in His hands.

Bad news interrupted the Standing Strong Through the Storm (SSTS) training for pastors in a rural town of Colombia clouding the happy spirit felt in that meeting.

A letter was received from Pastor Manuel who explained that he was prevented from attending the workshop. Guerrilla leaders found out about the event. They told him that because of his insistence on preaching the gospel, they would not let him travel out of the village.

The amazing thing is that in spite of the continuous threats against Pastor Manuel, the guerrillas have not been able to carry them out against him. On repeated occasions, the army has come just in time to save him from some guerrilla attack.

While participants were grieving from this news about Pastor Manuel, another pastor, Hermes, told about two attempts against his own life by the same subversive band the previous month. Immediately participants expressed their desire to continue their ministry in places where the gospel is prohibited.

However, seven days later, the guerrillas brought together all the leaders that participated in the SSTS workshop and told them, “We are tired of the Christian’s disobedience. We do not want to kill anybody; the only thing we want is that you stop telling the people about the Bible. We will have to execute you. Tell Pastor Hermes that we will take drastic measures against him since we know that he is the one who encourages you…”

Pastor Hermes reported that instead of frightening the believers, this difficult situation generated a more intense plan of spiritual and ministerial action. The leaders want Open Doors seminars to come to places where it is impossible to preach.

How are they going to do it? Pastor Hermes said that a network of prayer was established during the time they were together. He believes the only way is through personalized training or delivering a booklet and training to only one person at a time. For now, it is the only way to use this tool to strengthen the believers. The training will take longer, but it is very dangerous to meet and to preach in houses because the guerrillas have cleverly infiltrated the area.

He concluded, “Materials from Standing Strong Through the Storm have been the driving force for us to continue preaching…Others also are striving to follow Christ and we have to do the same to prevent our church believers from losing their fervor.

“Besides prayer and fasting, we have to take action…God has protected us up to this moment, and if one day we die for preaching Christ, it will be a privilege.”

RESPONSE: Today I will live in such a way that Christ is honored and glorified. If it takes all my strength or even my death, I will sacrifice all for Him and consider it a privilege.

PRAYER: Pray for strength and endurance for pastors in rural Colombia facing death threats daily.

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, March 27, 2020

Achan

His name means: "Troublemaker"

His character: Achan's greed for the spoils of war and his attempt to hide his sin led to a situation that endangered Israel's relationship with God. By disregarding God's command, he brought trouble and judgment on his own people.
His sorrow: His disobedience resulted in the loss of many lives, including his own.
His triumph: To have participated in the victory over Jericho.
Key Scriptures: Joshua 7:1-8:2

A Look at the Man

Achan may not have been a bad man, at least to begin with. While living for many years in the desert, he may even have fed himself on dreams of what life would be like in the Promised Land, where he could build a life for his family. He may have rushed into Jericho fully intending to follow the Lord's commands. But then came an opportunity to do otherwise. And that's when his resolve faded.

Achan's disobedience then produced a kind of foolishness in him; he attempted to hide what he had done, burying stolen goods beneath his tent. But he was hiding from the God who made him, from the same God who parted the Red Sea and the Jordan River, and from the God who had just caused the walls of a fortified city to crumble without a weapon being raised against it. Why was Achan foolish enough to think that God would find it hard to see through his little deception?

The truth is that it's sin's nature to hide. Consider your own experience. Isn't it hard to admit your sins to others? Isn't it difficult to admit them to yourself? Most of us have found ingenious ways to hide the ugliness of sin from ourselves and others, by rationalizing, excusing, and even forgetting things we've done wrong. But Achan's story tells us that God is never fooled by such foolishness.

Simple obedience and the cleansing power of God's grace are the best defense against sin. But when we fail to do the right thing, we should remind ourselves not to compound the problem by hiding what we've done. Instead, we can go directly to God, expressing our sorrow and asking his forgiveness, confident that he will give it.

Reflect On: Deuteronomy 6:1–3
Praise God: Because his commandments are meant to bless us, not to enslave us.
Offer Thanks: That God has not hidden his commands from us.
Confess: Any tendency to value your opinion about a course of action more than you value God's.
Ask God: To make you humble enough to realize that you do not always know what is best.

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.
Achan may not have been a bad man, at least to begin with.

LHM Daily Devotions - March 27, 2020 - PICKING UP TRASH

"PICKING UP TRASH"

March 27, 2020

A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And He (Jesus) said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. ... I am among you as the One who serves."

— Luke 22:24-26, 27b, ESV

In the earliest days of our refugee church, we had a problem with trash. Our members believed that picking up trash was a lowly, servant-like thing to do—and people who have lost everything will sometimes cling to their social status because it's all that they have left. So no one was willing to humble themselves enough to put trash away in public.

At one church potluck, my husband and I decided "Enough is enough," and we grabbed a wheeled trash barrel. He began rolling it around the tables while I collected used napkins and plates and threw them in. The people were shocked. "Pastor, you shouldn't be doing this!" they said. It gave my husband the chance to explain to them what Jesus considers greatness. We never had a problem like that in the church again.

This is one of the many kinds of freedom Jesus won for us—the freedom to serve without worrying one little bit what other people will think of us. It simply doesn't matter. The real question is this: what will Jesus think of us? As long as that point is covered, we no longer mind being caught washing dishes or cleaning toilets or (as on one memorable occasion!) standing down in the sewer with a shovel, mud to the ears. We are free to do whatever needs doing—because our status in Jesus is set forever.

And what is that status? Child of God, born of the Spirit, beloved of Jesus Christ, citizen of the kingdom of heaven. Nothing can take away from us what Jesus suffered and died to win for us. This status is ours forever. Better yet, Jesus Himself is ours forever.

THE PRAYER: Dear Savior, help me to serve with the utter freedom You served, knowing who I belong to. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. What is the most humble chore you've ever had to do?
2. Are you ever embarrassed to be caught doing a particular job? If so, what and why?
3. What was embarrassing about the "job" Jesus did for us—and how does it show the depth of His love to you?

Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
What is the most humble chore you've ever had to do?

Devocional CPTLN del 27 de marzo de 2020 - Recogiendo la basura

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Recogiendo la basura

27 de Marzo de 2020

Los discípulos tuvieron una discusión en cuanto a quién de ellos sería el mayor. Pero Jesús les dijo: "... el mayor entre ustedes tiene que hacerse como el menor; y el que manda tiene que actuar como el que sirve. Porque, ¿quién es mayor? ¿El que se sienta a la mesa, o el que sirve? ¿Acaso no es el que se sienta a la mesa? Sin embargo, yo estoy entre ustedes como el que sirve.

— Lucas 22:24-27, RVC

En los primeros días de nuestra iglesia de refugiados tuvimos un problema con la basura. Nuestros miembros creían que recoger la basura era algo bajo y servil, y las personas que lo han perdido todo a veces se aferran a su estatus social porque es todo lo que les queda. Así que nadie estaba dispuesto a humillarse lo suficiente como para recoger la basura en público.

Durante una merienda en la iglesia, mi esposo y yo decidimos que "ya era suficiente", y agarramos un cubo de basura con ruedas. Él comenzó a moverlo alrededor de las mesas mientras yo recogía servilletas y platos sucios para ponerlos adentro. La gente estaba conmocionada. "Pastor, ¡no deberías estar haciendo esto!", dijeron. Eso le dio a mi esposo la oportunidad de explicarles lo que Jesús considera grandeza. Nunca más tuvimos un problema así en la iglesia.

Este es uno de los muchos tipos de libertad que Jesús obtuvo para nosotros: la libertad de servir sin preocuparnos de lo que otras personas piensen de nosotros. Lo que importa es qué piensa Jesús de nosotros. Mientras esto esté cubierto, no nos debe importar que nos vean lavando platos o limpiando baños. Somos libres para hacer lo que sea necesario, porque nuestro estatus en Jesús está establecido para siempre.

¿Y cuál es ese estatus? Hijos de Dios, nacidos del Espíritu, amados por Jesucristo, ciudadanos del reino de los cielos. Nada puede quitarnos lo que el sufrimiento y la muerte de Jesús nos ganó. Este estatus es nuestro para siempre. Más aún, Jesús mismo es nuestro para siempre.

ORACIÓN: Querido Salvador, ayúdame a servir con la libertad con que tú serviste, sabiendo a quién pertenezco. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

1. ¿Cuál es la tarea más humilde que has tenido que hacer?
2. ¿Qué fue lo más humilde que Jesús hizo por nosotros, y cómo te muestra eso la profundidad de su amor?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Cuál es la tarea más humilde que has tenido que hacer?

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Sự Chết Quý Báu

Sự Chết Quý Báu

Đọc: Thi Thiên 116:12–19 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Các quan xét 1–3; Lu-ca 4:1–30

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Sự chết của những người thánh là quý báu dưới mắt Đức Giê-hô-va.

— Thi Thiên 116:15

Buổi triển lãm Sự Chờ Đợi của nhà điêu khắc Liz Shepherd năm 2018 được phóng viên của tờ Boston Globe mô tả là “gợi lên sự quý giá, trống trải và siêu việt trong cuộc sống”. Lấy cảm hứng từ khoảng thời gian Shepherd ở bên giường bệnh với người cha đang hấp hối, buổi triển lãm cố gắng truyền tải sự mong mỏi, sự trống vắng vì mất mát và cảm giác mong manh khi người thân yêu sắp qua đời.

Ý tưởng sự chết là quý báu có vẻ mâu thuẫn; tuy nhiên, tác giả Thi Thiên tuyên bố: “Sự chết của những người thánh là quý báu dưới mắt Đức Giê-hô-va” (Thi. 116:15). Chúa trân quý sự chết của con cái Ngài, vì khi họ qua đời, Ngài đón họ về nhà.

Những đầy tớ trung thành (người thánh) này là ai? Theo tác giả Thi Thiên, họ là những người phục vụ Chúa để tỏ lòng biết ơn vì sự giải cứu của Ngài, là những người kêu cầu danh Ngài và dùng môi miệng để tôn vinh Ngài (Thi. 116:16-18). Những hành động này nói lên ý chí quyết tâm bước đi với Chúa, nhận lấy sự tự do mà Ngài ban và vun đắp mối liên hệ với Ngài.

Khi làm những điều đó, chúng ta thấy mình đồng đi với Chúa Jêsus, Đấng “được Đức Chúa Trời chọn lựa và quý trọng… Vì Kinh Thánh chép: “Nầy, Ta đặt tại Si-ôn một hòn đá, hòn đá góc nhà đã được chọn lựa và quý trọng; ai tin đá ấy sẽ không bị hổ thẹn” (I Phi 2:4-6). Khi chúng ta có niềm tin nơi Chúa thì sự qua đời của chúng ta là quý giá trước mặt Ngài.

Nhận thức của bạn về sự chết có giống với cái nhìn của Chúa về sự qua đời của con cái Ngài không? Nhận thức của bạn chịu sự ảnh hưởng của Kinh Thánh ở mức độ nào?

Lạy Chúa, xin giúp con tin cậy Ngài ngay cả khi đối diện với thử thách và mất mát.

bởi Remi Oyedele

© 2020 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày
Lấy cảm hứng từ khoảng thời gian Shepherd ở bên giường bệnh với người cha đang hấp hối, buổi triển lãm cố gắng truyền tải sự mong mỏi, sự trống vắng vì mất mát và cảm giác mong manh khi người thân yêu sắp qua đời.