The Daily Lectionary for TUESDAY, April 14, 2020

The Daily Lectionary

TUESDAY, April 14, 2020

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

On this day God has acted

1  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
     his love endures forever.

2  Let Israel say:
     “His love endures forever.”

[…]

14 The Lord is my strength and my defense;
    he has become my salvation.

15 Shouts of joy and victory
     resound in the tents of the righteous:
   “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
16   The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
     the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
17 I will not die but live,
     and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
18 The Lord has chastened me severely,
     but he has not given me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of the righteous;
     I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord
     through which the righteous may enter.
21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
     you have become my salvation.

22 The stone the builders rejected
     has become the cornerstone;
23 the Lord has done this,
     and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 The Lord has done it this very day;
     let us rejoice today and be glad.

Exodus 15:1-18

Song at the sea

15:1 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:

   “I will sing to the Lord,
     for he is highly exalted.
   Both horse and driver
     he has hurled into the sea.

2  “The Lord is my strength and my defense;
     he has become my salvation.
   He is my God, and I will praise him,
     my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
3  The Lord is a warrior;
     the Lord is his name.
4  Pharaoh’s chariots and his army
     he has hurled into the sea.
   The best of Pharaoh’s officers
     are drowned in the Red Sea.
5  The deep waters have covered them;
     they sank to the depths like a stone.
6  Your right hand, Lord,
     was majestic in power.
   Your right hand, Lord,
     shattered the enemy.

7  “In the greatness of your majesty
     you threw down those who opposed you.
   You unleashed your burning anger;
     it consumed them like stubble.
8  By the blast of your nostrils
     the waters piled up.
   The surging waters stood up like a wall;
     the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea.
9  The enemy boasted,
     ‘I will pursue, I will overtake them.
   I will divide the spoils;
     I will gorge myself on them.
   I will draw my sword
     and my hand will destroy them.’
10 But you blew with your breath,
     and the sea covered them.
   They sank like lead
     in the mighty waters.
11 Who among the gods
     is like you, Lord?
   Who is like you—
     majestic in holiness,
   awesome in glory,
     working wonders?

12 “You stretch out your right hand,
     and the earth swallows your enemies.
13 In your unfailing love you will lead
     the people you have redeemed.
   In your strength you will guide them
     to your holy dwelling.
14 The nations will hear and tremble;
     anguish will grip the people of Philistia.
15 The chiefs of Edom will be terrified,
     the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling,
   the people of Canaan will melt away;
16   terror and dread will fall on them.
   By the power of your arm
     they will be as still as a stone—
   until your people pass by, Lord,
     until the people you bought pass by.
17 You will bring them in and plant them
     on the mountain of your inheritance—
   the place, Lord, you made for your dwelling,
     the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established.

18 “The Lord reigns
     for ever and ever.”

Colossians 3:12-17

The new life in Christ

3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

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 TUESDAY, April 14, 2020
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Exodus 15:1-18; Colossians 3:12-17

The Daily Prayer for TUESDAY, April 14, 2020

The Daily Prayer

TUESDAY, April 14, 2020

Kateri Tekakwitha (1656—1680)

Kateri Tekakwitha was born in 1656 in present-day New York. Her mother was Algonquin, a Christian Native, and her father was a non-Christian Mohawk Turtle chief. When Tekakwitha was four years old, a smallpox epidemic killed her parents and her brother, and left her with seriously impaired eyesight and a disfigured face. Inspired by Jesuit missionaries at an early age, Tekakwitha was baptized and assumed the name Kateri, probably in honor of Catherine of Siena. The following year, French conquerors reached her community of Ossernenon and destroyed much of it, burning it to the ground and massacring many of the Natives. Kateri escaped on the St. Lawrence River to a village of Christian Natives, where she dedicated her life to chastity, prayer, and care for the sick. She was the first Native American saint in the Catholic Church and is often called the Lily of the Mohawks, and the Apostle of the Indians.

Martin Niemoller, a Lutheran pastor in Nazi Germany, wrote, “First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.”

Go before us, God, that we may follow in your steps. Go behind us, God, to steer us when we stray. Go beside us, God, as our strength and our joy for the journey. Amen.

Verse of the Day for TUESDAY, April 14, 2020

1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. […] For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 15

Listen to 1 Corinthians 15

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 - Martes 14 de abril de 2020

Lo mejor para mí

De este modo todos sabrán que son mis discípulos, si se aman los unos a los otros.

— Juan 13:35, NVI

Dios a veces tiene que mover fichas para llamar nuestra atención.

En mi caso, aunque ya estaba segura que escribir este libro era una idea de papito Dios y se reconfirmaba con la Biblia en Jeremías 30:2, yo me negaba.

Hasta un día que llegó a mi vida una personita muy especial que Dios ha usado en serio para que le diera inicio a este proyecto. Se trata de Pedrito, como le digo cariñosamente. Pedrito Lancheros es un hombre inteligente, sencillo, preparado y con un lindo hogar. Además, forma parte del equipo de Conexión USA, la revista.

Hacía ya un tiempo que me venía escuchando por la radio, y cuando entró a trabajar en la revista, empezamos a tener algunas conversaciones. Entonces, un día, entra a mi oficina y me dice que sentía de Dios decirme que lo que hacía por los oyentes era excelente, que la oración de la mañana era muy poderosa y un tremendo testimonio. Acto seguido me preguntó si no pensaba escribir un libro. Cuando me dijo esas palabras, pensé: «¡Dios mío, otra persona que envías para que reaccione!». Tuvimos varias conversaciones serias en las cuales me dijo cosas que me hicieron reflexionar y sentir incómoda, pero todo para bien. Más tarde, me entregó un cronograma y el resultado hoy es que tú y yo estamos leyendo este motivador libro lleno de testimonios.

Gracias, Pedrito, por ser obediente a Dios y hablarme, y gracias por tu paciencia.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Dios a veces tiene que mover fichas para llamar nuestra atención.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Tuesday, April 14, 2020

NAKEDNESS CANNOT SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall…nakedness…?

— Romans 8:35e, NIV

The question asked is a personal one. Not “what” can separate us but “who”? The inference is our enemy, Satan, who tries every tactic he can garner to make us think we can be separated from Christ’s love. Today we look at his tactic of “nakedness.”

In the northeast part of China there was a severe flood. Most of the homes were ruined and peoples’ belongings were totally destroyed. There was a couple who were not Christians. The wife was paralyzed from the waist down. They lost everything in the flood so the husband bought some poison pills and was going to give them to his wife and then also take them himself so they could both commit suicide.

They had no place to live so they could only lie on the ground at the train station. They were ragged and filthy with nowhere to bathe and without food. A Christian walked by, saw and smelled them, and asked them what happened. He then invited them to his home. The Christian even carried the crippled wife on his back. This Christian had his wife bathe and clothe the crippled wife. He bathed and clothed the husband. Then they gave them food and shared the gospel with them and this couple committed their lives to Jesus.

The husband of the couple said that they could see from the lives of their hosts that God is real and is a God of love.

The whole church helped this couple to build a house and it also later became a house church meeting place.

RESPONSE: I will live this day aware that nakedness can never separate me from Christ’s love.

PRAYER: Lord, give me eyes of love to help those who need You and also need a practical example of Your love for them.

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 - April 14, 2020 - "Upside-Down Joy"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Upside-Down Joy"

Apriil 14, 2020

When (the leaders) had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the Name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

— Acts 5:40-42, ESV

There's something annoying about people who are in love. There they sit, staring into space, with a goofy grin on their faces. You can't get them to take anything with the proper seriousness. I know I annoyed my mother and sister no end during the plans for my wedding, because I wouldn't pay proper attention to colors and fabrics and what kind of cake to order—I was mooning over my fiancé!

There was definitely something annoying about the disciples of Jesus after His resurrection. There they stood in the Jewish council, completely ignoring the danger they stood in—danger even to their lives. All they could think about was Jesus. And when a wise man named Gamaliel got the council to let them off with a beating, they were actually happy about it—"rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name."

What name? Why, the Name of Jesus, of course. As the disciples saw it, to suffer for Jesus was a great honor. Even embarrassing public punishment was turned upside down when it was on His account. Like lovestruck fools, they were happy for anything difficult, painful, or unjust that happened to them, as long as it happened on behalf of the One they loved.

Of course, we know that they were no fools. Or if they were, we are the same kind of fool-because we, too, know that it is great joy and honor to suffer for Jesus. "Martyr" and "confessor" are terms of high honor among us, and we listen eagerly to stories of those who have suffered for His Name.

Few of us ever get the opportunity to suffer anything as dramatic as a beating for Jesus; but we all have opportunities to show our love—no, our adoration!—for Him in our daily lives. It may be something as embarrassing as apologizing to somebody because we realize we have wronged them by mistake, and we know Jesus wants us to say something; it may be something as small as returning the extra change a cashier gave us by mistake at the grocery store. Really, anything we do for love of Jesus can be this kind of honor. And the world won't understand, of course. But then, that doesn't matter, does it? We have the Lord we love.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You that You are ours, and we are Yours. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. When you feel that you are in love, how do you behave?

2. What is the silliest thing you ever did for love?

3. How has Jesus honored you by allowing you to serve or suffer for His Name?

This Daily Devotion was 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).
When you feel that you are in love, how do you behave?

Devocional CPTLN del 14 de abril de 2020 - "Alegría por sufrir"

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Alegría por sufrir

14 de Abril de 2020

... así que [los líderes religiosos] llamaron a los apóstoles y, después de azotarlos, les advirtieron que no siguieran hablando en el nombre de Jesús y los pusieron en libertad. Los apóstoles salieron del concilio felices de haber sido dignos de sufrir por causa del Nombre. Y todos los días, no dejaban de enseñar y de anunciar en el templo y por las casas las buenas noticias acerca de Cristo Jesús.

— Hechos 5:40-42, RVC

Las personas que están enamoradas parece que vivieran en otro mundo. Se sientan juntas mirando a la nada con una sonrisa boba en sus caras y ningún esfuerzo logra que tomen las cosas con la seriedad adecuada. Así me comporté yo cuando estaba por casarme: no me interesaba pensar en qué colores, telas o tipo de pastel iba a tener. Sé que molesté mucho a mi madre y a mi hermana. Pero es que ¡estaba embobada con mi prometido!

Definitivamente había algo molesto en los discípulos después de la resurrección de Jesús. En el texto para hoy los vemos delante del concilio judío, ignorando por completo el peligro en el que se encontraban. Solo pensaban en Jesús. Y cuando un hombre sabio llamado Gamaliel consiguió que el consejo los dejara ir luego de azotarlos, estaban "felices de haber sido dignos de sufrir por causa del Nombre".

¿Qué nombre? El nombre de Jesús, por supuesto. Los discípulos estaban convencidos de que sufrir por Jesús era un gran honor. Hasta la vergüenza del castigo público dejó de serlo porque era por él. Al igual que los enamorados, estaban felices por cualquier cosa difícil, dolorosa o injusta que les sucediera, siempre que sucediera en nombre de Aquél a quien amaban.

Por supuesto que sabemos que no eran tontos. O si lo eran, nosotros somos tan tontos como ellos, porque nosotros también sabemos que es una alegría y honor sufrir por Jesús. "Mártir" y "testigo" son términos de gran honor entre nosotros, y escuchamos con entusiasmo las historias de aquellos que han sufrido por su Nombre.

Pocos de nosotros tenemos la oportunidad de sufrir algo tan dramático como azotes por causa de Jesús; pero todos tenemos oportunidades de mostrar nuestro amor, no, ¡nuestra adoración! por Él en nuestra vida diaria. Puede ser algo tan vergonzoso como disculparnos con alguien porque nos damos cuenta de que le hemos perjudicado por error... y sabemos que Jesús quiere que le digamos algo. Puede ser algo tan pequeño como devolver el cambio adicional que un cajero nos dio por error en la tienda de comestibles. En realidad, puede ser cualquier cosa que hagamos por amor a Jesús. El mundo no lo entenderá. Pero no importa, ¿verdad? Si tenemos al Señor que amamos. ¿Qué más importa?

ORACIÓN: Querido Señor Jesús, gracias por ser nuestro y por permitirnos ser tuyos. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

* ¿Cuál es la cosa más tonta que has hecho por amor?

* ¿Cómo te ha honrado Jesús al permitirte servir o sufrir por él?

© 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 cosa más tonta que has hecho por amor?

Nuestro Pan Diario - Palabras que sanan

Palabras que sanan

La escritura de hoy: Proverbios 16:20-24
La Biblia en un año: 1 Samuel 25–26; Lucas 12:32-59

Panal de miel son los dichos suaves; suavidad al alma y medicina para los huesos.

— Proverbios 16:24

Un estudio reciente demostró que las palabras alentadoras de parte de los profesionales de la salud pueden ayudar a los pacientes a recuperarse más rápido. Un experimento simple aplicó a participantes voluntarios sustancias que producían picazón en la piel, y comparó las reacciones de quienes recibieron palabras tranquilizadoras de sus médicos con las de aquellos que no. Los primeros sintieron menos malestar y picazón que los otros.

El escritor de Proverbios sabía cuán importantes son las palabras. Escribió que «los dichos suaves» son «medicina para los huesos» (Proverbios 16:24). El efecto positivo de las palabras no se limita a la salud: cuando prestamos atención a la instrucción sabia, es más probable que nuestros esfuerzos prosperen (v. 20). Así también, el aliento nos anima para enfrentar los desafíos, tanto presentes como futuros.

Tal vez no entendamos por completo por qué o en qué medida la sabiduría y el aliento traen fortaleza y santidad a nuestras vidas, pero las palabas de ánimo y la guía de nuestros padres, instructores y colegas parecen ayudarnos a enfrentar las dificultades y soportar las circunstancias más impensadas. Que Dios nos ayude a brindar sanidad y esperanza con «dichos suaves» a aquellos que nos rodean.

De:  Kirsten Holmberg

Reflexiona y ora

Querido Padre, gracias por tus palabras que sanan y llenan de esperanza.

¿Quién te ha hablado con palabras suaves? ¿Por qué es vital que expreses a otros palabras de ánimo?

© 2020 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario
Un estudio reciente demostró que las palabras alentadoras de parte de los profesionales de la salud pueden ayudar a los pacientes a recuperarse más rápido.