The Daily Lectionary for FRIDAY, April 3, 2020

Psalm 31:9-16; Job 13:13-19; Philippians 1:21-30

The Daily Lectionary

FRIDAY, April 3, 2020

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Psalm 31:9-16

I commend my spirit

9  Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress;
     my eyes grow weak with sorrow,
     my soul and body with grief.
10 My life is consumed by anguish
     and my years by groaning;
   my strength fails because of my affliction,
     and my bones grow weak.
11 Because of all my enemies,
     I am the utter contempt of my neighbors
   and an object of dread to my closest friends—
     those who see me on the street flee from me.
12 I am forgotten as though I were dead;
     I have become like broken pottery.
13 For I hear many whispering,
     “Terror on every side!”
   They conspire against me
     and plot to take my life.

14 But I trust in you, Lord;
     I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hands;
     deliver me from the hands of my enemies,
     from those who pursue me.
16 Let your face shine on your servant;
     save me in your unfailing love.

Job 13:13-19

A servant keeps silence

13 “Keep silent and let me speak;
     then let come to me what may.
14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy
     and take my life in my hands?
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;
     I will surely defend my ways to his face.
16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,
     for no godless person would dare come before him!
17 Listen carefully to what I say;
     let my words ring in your ears.
18 Now that I have prepared my case,
     I know I will be vindicated.
19 Can anyone bring charges against me?
     If so, I will be silent and die.

Philippians 1:21-30

Seeing Christ in this life

1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

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. NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

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, April 3, 2020
Psalm 31:9-16; Job 13:13-19; Philippians 1:21-30

The Daily Prayer for FRIDAY, April 3, 2020

The Daily Prayer

FRIDAY, April 3, 2020

A reading from Paul’s letter to the Colossians: “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:15-20)

We thank you, Lord Jesus, that you have risen from the dead and won victory over the powers to save us from our sin. We praise you for our salvation, and ask for grace to praise you with our whole lives. Amen.

Verse of the Day for FRIDAY, April 3, 2020

Hebrews 12:2

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Read all of Hebrews 12

Listen to Hebrews 12

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, April 3, 2020 - Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent

40 Days of Lenten Prayers

Day 33 - Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Most forgiving Lord,

again and again you welcome me back into your loving arms.

Grant me freedom from the heavy burdens of sin

that weigh me down

and keep me so far from you.

Amen.

Un dia a la Vez - Viernes 03 de abril de 2020

Vive de día en día

Así que, no os afanéis por el día de mañana, porque el día de mañana traerá su afán. Basta a cada día su propio mal.

— Mateo 6:34, RV-60

No sé cuál es el interés de muchas personas, unas más que otras, en conocer lo que les pasará en el futuro y cómo serán sus vidas en el mañana. Quieren saber de enfermedades, traiciones y cosas negativas que, más que hacerles un favor, llenan su vida de confusión y zozobra.

Debes entender que el único interesado en tu vida, en tu futuro, en bendecirte y conceder las peticiones del corazón es Dios.

Ninguna persona de estas que se encargan de adivinar el futuro les importa cómo termine tu vida, porque ni siquiera conocen lo que Dios ya tiene predestinado para nosotros.

Claro, los brujos, espiritistas y adivinos, entre otros, adquieren poder porque el enemigo se encarga de dárselo. Sin embargo, ese poder no es para bendecir tu vida, pues quieren acercarse a ti con horóscopos y demás cosas que solo causan confusión.

En su Palabra, Dios presenta al enemigo con tres funciones muy definidas. Así que, por favor, memorízalas bien: El enemigo viene para robar, matar y destruir.

Dios, tu Padre, si es que así lo reconoces, te ofrece todo lo contrario. Él quiere darle paz a tu vida en medio de tu preocupación. Promete no abandonarte jamás. Quiere hacerte feliz y quiere sanarte. Te da la oportunidad de que te arrepientas y, como si fuera poco, te ofrece una vida eterna en su presencia cuando lo reconoces por medio de su Hijo Jesucristo.

Vive de día en día porque cada día trae su propio afán.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
No sé cuál es el interés de muchas personas, unas más que otras, en conocer lo que les pasará en el futuro y cómo serán sus vidas en el mañana.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Friday, April 3, 2020

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS

Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

— John 12:25, NIV

A tentmaker missionary in Morocco struggled with the issue of dying for Christ. He shares these words:

Is faith in Christ worth dying for? I quickly saw that if it wasn’t, I had no business presenting the Gospel to Muslims. You see, when a Muslim receives Christ, he faces certain persecution and possible death. How can I ask a Muslim to receive Christ as Lord if I have doubts in my own heart. If Christ isn’t worth dying for, He isn’t worth living for. On the other hand, if Christ is worth living and dying for, then we have a Gospel that is of infinite value to Muslims...

Ahmed came to see me one day, honestly sharing his fears with me about following Christ. He asked, “What if I go to prison?” This kind of question had always intimidated me; I wasn’t sure that I could ask someone to be willing to go to prison when I myself had never gone. Yet now I realized that it was Jesus who was calling him to take up his cross and follow, not me. This was between Ahmed and the Lord.

A thirty-two-year-old pastor works in Upper Egypt, an area of intense persecution for Christians. He runs a daycare center, a medical clinic, a literacy training program as well as caring for the families of those in prison. He has been beaten twice by Muslim extremists and threatened daily with death. He knows they are trying to kill him...but he continues to daily bear his cross.

A leading pastor in Egypt shared about a parishioner who tearfully came for counseling. Young people she had trained at her work were recently promoted to be her supervisors. She was passed over solely because she was a Christian. The pastor concluded, “That’s the cross we must bear here in Egypt!”

The essence of these examples is that instead of exercising and asserting my will, I learn to cooperate with God’s wishes and comply with His will.

RESPONSE: Today I give my will over to God and comply with His will for me.

PRAYER: Lord, I want to cooperate with Your wishes and desires. Help me bear my cross for You.

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, April 3, 2020

Gideon

His name means: "Hewer, Slasher, Hacker"

His work: A farmer called to bring Israel back to the Lord (a task in which he partially succeeded) and to deliver God's people from their Midianite oppressors.
His character: A fearful man, living in a time when Israel had plenty to fear, Gideon questioned the Lord, demanding signs that would reassure him of God's faithfulness. Even though he was a reluctant warrior, he won a brilliant military victory and became one of Israel's greatest judges.
His triumph: That God's vision for his life turned out to be far greater than his own.
Key Scriptures: Judges 6-8

A Look at the Man

Gideon's story reminds us of the story of another man, centuries earlier, who also felt inadequate for the role God assigned him. His name was Moses, a man who had been hiding out just as Gideon had when God called him. Both Gideon and Moses made excuses, plausible-sounding ones to us though not to God. To both men, God simply said, "I am sending you."

When Gideon pleaded that his clan was the weakest in Israel and he the least of his family, he was unwittingly expressing his qualifications for the job. God wasn't looking for a born leader, a man who would be great in the eyes of his own people. He wasn't searching for a self-reliant man who would take credit for every victory. He needed someone whose weakness he could use, a man whose apparent unsuitability would eventually convince his people that their God was still with them, still powerful, still loving.

It's interesting that God called Gideon a mighty warrior precisely at the moment when such a description was hardest to believe. How could Gideon comprehend it when his own idea of himself was so contrary to God's idea? Because of the Lord's remarkable patience, Gideon was eventually able to overcome his doubts and become the man God intended him to be. By believing in God, he lived out his life, not as a timid man, but as a warrior who had won a brilliant victory.

Many of us are like Moses and Gideon were at the moment God first called them. We are hiding out, living our own lives, reluctant to alter the status quo, unable to believe we are capable of any kind of greatness. But God describes his plan for our lives, not in our terms, but in his. And that's how it should be because he's the only one who knows who we really are and what his power can do within us. If we want to experience God shaping our lives and using us—in our families, our churches, and our communities—we will have to set aside our own vision for ourselves in order to embrace his. Anyone who does that will one day look back, not with regret, but with gratitude, amazed at the great things God has done in a life yielded to him.

Reflect On: Judges 6:36–40
Praise God: For his patience.
Offer Thanks: For the guidance God gives.
Confess: Any doubts you may have about God's desire to guide you.
Ask God: To help you use "the strength you have" as you seek to do his will.

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.
Gideon's story reminds us of the story of another man, centuries earlier, who also felt inadequate for the role God assigned him.

LHM Daily Devotions April 3, 2020 - WHAT KIND OF KING?

"WHAT KIND OF KING?"

April 3, 2020

So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to Him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about Me?" Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You over to me. What have You done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But My kingdom is not from the world."

— John 18:33-36, ESV

Pilate was confused. The prisoner, Jesus, was not behaving in any way that Pilate could understand. He refused to answer the charges against Him. When He did speak, He gave mysterious answers. And He agreed that He was in fact a King—but not the kind of king Pilate was familiar with.

Pilate was a soldier, a governor in service to the Roman emperor. The armies of the Roman empire had conquered huge areas of the ancient world, including the tiny country where Jesus lived. Pilate understood fighting, understood using your power to take what you wanted. But here was Jesus saying the exact opposite: "If My kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But My kingdom is not from the world."

What kind of a kingdom was that? What kind of a King was that—One who would choose to wear a crown of thorns, and take a shameful cross for His royal throne?

This is the king who came to set us free, God Himself in human flesh. He was turning the world upside down—setting the prisoners free, breaking the power of evil, destroying the power of death. And He chose to win this war in a way that nobody had ever seen before—through His own suffering, death, and resurrection.

This will never make sense to people who see the world as a place to use your power and take what you want. But for everyone who receives the free love and mercy of God, it makes perfect sense. Jesus didn't come to destroy or to dominate. He came to save us, to lift us up and make us free.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for giving Yourself for us. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever been under the authority of someone who managed people by fear? How did you feel about that person?
2. Have you ever been under the authority of someone who served people from a heart of love? How did you feel about that person?
3. Was there ever a time when you could have used your power against someone and chose not to? What was their reaction?

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).
Have you ever been under the authority of someone who managed people by fear? How did you feel about that person?

Devocional CPTLN del 03 de abril de 2020 - ¿Qué clase de rey?

ALIMENTO DIARIO

¿Qué clase de rey?

03 de Abril de 2020

Pilato volvió a entrar en el pretorio; llamó entonces a Jesús, y le preguntó: "¿Eres tú el Rey de los judíos?" Jesús le respondió: "¿Dices tú esto por ti mismo, o te lo han dicho otros de mí?" Pilato le respondió: "¿Soy yo acaso judío? Tu nación, y los principales sacerdotes, te han puesto en mis manos. ¿Qué has hecho?" Respondió Jesús: "Mi reino no es de este mundo. Si mi reino fuera de este mundo, mis servidores lucharían para que yo no fuera entregado a los judíos. Pero mi reino no es de aquí."

— Juan 18:33-36, RVC

Pilato estaba confundido. El prisionero, Jesús, no se comportaba de una manera que Pilato pudiera entender: se negaba a responder a los cargos en su contra; cuando hablaba daba respuestas misteriosas; y estuvo de acuerdo en que, si bien era un rey, no era el tipo de rey con que Pilato estaba familiarizado.

Pilato era un soldado, un gobernador al servicio del emperador romano. Los ejércitos del Imperio Romano habían conquistado el país donde vivía Jesús. Pilato sabía pelear, sabía usar su poder para tomar lo que quería. Pero Jesús decía exactamente lo contrario: "Si mi reino fuera de este mundo, mis servidores lucharían para que yo no fuera entregado a los judíos. Pero mi reino no es de aquí."

¿Qué clase de reino era ese? ¿Qué clase de rey era ese, que eligió usar una corona de espinas y tomar una cruz vergonzosa como su trono real? Ese es el rey que vino a liberarnos, Dios mismo en carne humana. Vino a liberar a los prisioneros, a romper el poder del mal, a destruir la muerte. Y eligió ganar esta guerra de una manera que nadie había visto antes: a través de su propio sufrimiento, muerte y resurrección.

Para todos los que reciben el amor y la misericordia gratuitos de Dios, esto tiene mucho sentido. Jesús no vino a destruir ni a dominar. Él vino para salvarnos, para levantarnos y hacernos libres.

ORACIÓN: Querido Señor, gracias por entregarte por nosotros. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

1. ¿Alguna vez has estado bajo la autoridad de alguien que manejaba a las personas con miedo? ¿Cómo te sentiste?
2. ¿Alguna vez has estado bajo la autoridad de alguien que sirvió a las personas con amor? ¿Cómo te sentiste?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Alguna vez has estado bajo la autoridad de alguien que manejaba a las personas con miedo? ¿Cómo te sentiste?

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Điều Gì Sẽ Đến?

Điều Gì Sẽ Đến?

Đọc: II Ti-mô-thê 4:1–8 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Các quan xét 19–21; Lu-ca 7:31–50

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Từ nay mão triều thiên công chính đã dành sẵn cho ta; Chúa... sẽ ban mão ấy cho ta trong ngày đó.

— II Ti-mô-thê 4:8

Vào đêm ngày 3 tháng 4 năm 1968, Tiến sĩ Martin Luther King đã có bài phát biểu cuối cùng “Tôi đã lên đến Đỉnh Núi”. Khi nói thế, ông có ý rằng mình sẽ không còn sống lâu nữa. Ông nói: “Chúng ta đã có những ngày khó khăn trước mắt. Nhưng điều đó giờ đây không còn quan trọng với tôi nữa. Vì tôi đã lên đến đỉnh núi. Tôi nhìn xuống. Và tôi đã thấy vùng đất hứa. Có thể tôi không đến đó với các bạn được… [Nhưng] tối nay tôi rất vui. Tôi không còn lo lắng về điều gì nữa. Tôi không sợ bất kỳ ai. Mắt tôi đã nhìn thấy vinh quang của ngày Chúa đến”. Ngày hôm sau, ông bị ám sát.

Sứ đồ Phao-lô, không lâu trước khi qua đời, đã viết thư cho Ti-mô-thê – người con thuộc linh của ông rằng: “Về phần ta, ta đang bị đổ ra như làm lễ quán, giờ qua đời của ta gần rồi… Từ nay mão triều thiên công chính đã dành sẵn cho ta; Chúa là thẩm phán công minh sẽ ban mão ấy cho ta trong ngày đó” (II Ti. 4:6, 8). Phao-lô biết thời hạn trên đất của mình sắp hết, Tiến sĩ King cũng vậy. Cả hai đều đã sống cuộc đời vô cùng ý nghĩa, nhưng không quên chú tâm đến sự sống thật phía trước. Cả hai người đều chào đón điều xảy đến kế tiếp.

Cũng giống như họ, mong rằng chúng ta “không chú tâm đến những điều thấy được, nhưng chú tâm đến những điều không thấy được. Vì những điều thấy được chỉ là tạm thời, còn những điều không thấy được là vĩnh cửu” (II Cô. 4:18).

Bạn hiểu gì về bản chất tạm bợ của cuộc sống này? Bạn nghĩ cuộc sống này có vai trò thế nào đối với cuộc đời hầu đến?

Thưa Cha Thiên Thượng, xin giúp chúng con chăm xem Ngài chứ không phải chăm vào những nan đề hay thử thách của đời này.

bởi Remi Oyedele

© 2020 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày
Vào đêm ngày 3 tháng 4 năm 1968, Tiến sĩ Martin Luther King đã có bài phát biểu cuối cùng “Tôi đã lên đến Đỉnh Núi”. Khi nói thế, ông có ý rằng mình sẽ không còn sống lâu nữa.