The Daily Lectionary for MONDAY, April 27, 2020

The Daily Lectionary

MONDAY, April 27, 2020

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Psalm 134

Praise God day and night

1  Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord
     who minister by night in the house of the Lord.
2  Lift up your hands in the sanctuary
     and praise the Lord.

3  May the Lord bless you from Zion,
     he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.

Genesis 18:1-14

Abraham and Sarah eat with God

18:1 The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

3 He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. 4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.”

“Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”

6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”

7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.

9 “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him.

“There, in the tent,” he said.

10 Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”

Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 11 Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

1 Peter 1:23-25

The word of God endures

1:23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,

   “All people are like grass,
     and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
   the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

And this is the word that was preached to you.

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 MONDAY, April 27, 2020
Psalm 134; Genesis 18:1-14; 1 Peter 1:23-25

The Daily Prayer for MONDAY, April 27, 2020

The Daily Prayer

MONDAY, April 27, 2020

On April 27, 1977, mothers of abducted children in Buenos Aires, Argentina, held their first rally for the “disappeared.” The mothers organized after losing numerous children during Argentina’s Dirty War between 1976 and 1983. Many of the children were tortured and killed during this time. The military claims that nine thousand such children are unaccounted for, while the mothers say it is closer to thirty thousand.

Contemporary Christian activist Jim Wallis has said, “People who believe in war leave all behind, prepared to die: what price are we prepared to pay to be a people who believe in peace? Those who keep faith to the end will know their weakness the best. God, grant me the courage; help me, that I may plant seeds of peace.”

We profess to be people of peace, Lord, but keep us from the temptation to proclaim peace when there is no peace. Show us today where peace is most needed in our community and in our world. Show us which of us must plant the seeds of peace, which of us must water them, and which of us must yet become gardeners of your peace. Amen.

Verse of the Day for MONDAY, April 27, 2020

Luke 19:10

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

Read all of Luke 19

Listen to Luke 19

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 - Lunes 27 de abril de 2020

Su fidelidad

Reconoce, por tanto, que el Señor tu Dios es el Dios verdadero, el Dios fiel, que cumple su pacto generación tras generación, y muestra su fiel amor a quienes lo aman y obedecen sus mandamientos.

— Deuteronomio 7:9, NVI

La fidelidad de Dios es grande y se ve reflejada en cada detalle de nuestra vida.

Mi sueño era poder ir en crucero de luna de miel. Y por razones de documentos, no lo habíamos podido considerar. Sin embargo, unos días antes de la boda, Dios me concedió recibir mi residencia permanente y me la entregó como si fuera un regalo más para nuestra boda.

Debido a que Él es fiel, todo lo que te digo en este libro es sencillamente mi experiencia con Dios. Es más, no tendría días para contar, ni libros para escribir, acerca de todo lo que Él ha hecho en mi vida.

Dios nos ama y nos complace desde lo más profundo de su ser. Por más equivocados que hayamos estado en el pasado, Él no nos guarda rencor.

Cuando somos obedientes a sus mandamientos, se complace en darnos todo lo que soñamos.

Por eso te extiendo mi invitación a través de este libro porque si lo hizo conmigo, lo hará también contigo. Sé que tienes sueños por realizar. Tienes metas que alcanzar. De modo que en ocasiones ves esto muy lejano y hasta imposible. Aun así, Dios te dice en este día lo siguiente: «Confía, pues es tiempo de cambiar y creerme. Yo soy fiel con los que me buscan».

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Mi sueño era poder ir en crucero de luna de miel. Y por razones de documentos, no lo habíamos podido considerar.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Monday, April 27, 2020

GOD USES PROBLEMS AND PERSECUTION TO INSPECT YOU

“When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience.”

— James 1:2-3, NCV

Here is another of five ways God uses problems and persecution in your life: God uses problems and persecution to INSPECT you. An African Christian businessman shares this testimony:

Born in a rich family I was living for earning big money. My businesses were very profitable. All over town people knew me. When God revealed to me the insignificance of money and richness, I accepted Christ after a long struggle. He changed my life. No longer was I running after money but I started sharing what God had done in my life.

After some time, suddenly the police came to our house. Officers carrying guns took me to their office to interrogate me, asking me all kinds of questions, treating me as if I was a criminal. The next day the same thing happened. A lot of soldiers entered my home and stood in every room making my children cry. For over a period of six months they threatened me. Day after day they asked me and threatened me to stop sharing the good news, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every time I responded saying: “No, I am not going to stop sharing about the life I received through Jesus Christ”

After six months they stopped. One man of the security forces told me, “The reason we could not do anything to you is because we couldn’t find any lie in your life.”

A year later, I saw on television the whole group of security men that had intimidated my family and me. They were shivering with fear in front of a judge. The government had changed and those people had to appear before the court because of things they had done. It was as if God told me, “This is what happens with those that oppose you, when you share My words.”

People are like tea bags...if you want to know what’s inside them, just drop them into hot water! Has God ever tested your faith with a problem? What do problems reveal about you?

RESPONSE: God is at work in my life—even when I do not recognize it or understand it. It is much easier and more profitable when I cooperate with Him. This is the way to victory!

PRAYER: God may I be found faithful to You through every test.

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

Women of the Bible - Monday, April 27, 2020

Hannah

Her name means: "Graciousness" or "Favor"

Her character: Provoked by another woman's malice, she refused to respond in kind. Instead, she poured out her hurt and sorrow to God, allowing him to vindicate her.
Her sorrow: To be taunted and misunderstood.
Her joy: To proclaim God's power and goodness, his habit of raising the lowly and humbling the proud.
Key Scriptures: 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11; 2:19-21

Her Story

It was only fifteen miles, but every year the journey from Ramah, to worship at the tabernacle in Shiloh, seemed longer. At home, Hannah found ways to avoid her husband's second wife, but once in Shiloh there was no escaping her taunts. Hannah felt like a leaky tent in a driving rain, unable to defend herself against the harsh weather of the other woman's heart.

Even Elkanah's arm around her provided no shelter. "Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don't you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons? Yes, she has given me children, but it's you I love. Ignore her taunts."

How could Hannah make him understand that even the best of men could not erase a woman's longing for children? His attempt to comfort her only sharpened the pain, heightening her sense of isolation.

Once inside the tabernacle Hannah stood for a long time, weeping and praying. Her lips moved without making a sound as her heart poured out its grief to God: "O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."

The priest Eli was used to people coming to Shiloh to celebrate the feasts, eating and drinking more than they should. Watching Hannah from his chair by the doorpost of the temple, he wondered why her shoulders were shaking, her lips moving without making a sound. She must be drunk, he concluded. So he interrupted her silent prayer with a rebuke: "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine."

"Not so, my lord," Hannah defended herself. "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief."

Satisfied by her explanation, Eli blessed her, saying, "May the God of Israel grant your request."

Early the next morning, Hannah and Elkanah returned to their home in Ramah, where Hannah at last conceived. Soon she held against her shoulder the tiny child she had yearned for, the son she had dedicated to God. After Samuel was weaned, she took him to Eli at Shiloh. Like Jochebed placing the child Moses into the waters of the Nile as though into God's own hands, she surrendered her child to the priest's care. Eventually Hannah's boy became a prophet and Israel's last judge. His hands anointed both Saul and David as Israel's first kings.

Like Sarah and Rachel, Hannah grieved over the children she couldn't have. But unlike them, she took her anguish directly to God. Misunderstood by both her husband and her priest, she could easily have turned her sorrow on herself or others, becoming bitter, hopeless, or vindictive. But instead of merely pitying herself or responding in kind, she poured out her soul to God. And God graciously answered her prayer.

Each year Hannah went up to Shiloh and presented Samuel with a little robe she had sewn. And each year, the priest Eli blessed her husband, Elkanah, saying, "May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the Lord." And so Hannah became the mother of three more sons and two daughters. Hannah's great prayer, echoed more than a thousand years later by Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:46-55), expresses her praise: "My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance…. The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap" (1 Samuel 2:1, 7-8).

Her Promise

When God met Hannah at the temple in Shiloh, he not only answered her prayer for a child, he answered her prayer for comfort in her misery. He gave her consolation in her disappointment and strength to face her situation. Scripture does not say that she went away sure she would bear a child, but it does make it clear that she went away comforted: "Her face was no longer downcast" (1 Samuel 1:18). What even the love and care of her husband Elkanah could not provide, God could provide.

God is willing to meet us just as he met Hannah. Whatever our distress, whatever hard situations we face, he is willing—more than that, he is eager—to meet our needs and give us his grace and comfort. No other person—not our husband, not our closest friends, not our parents, not our children—can render the relief, support, and encouragement that our God has waiting for us.

This devotional is drawn from Women of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda. Used with permission.
Provoked by another woman's malice, she refused to respond in kind.

LHM Daily Devotions April 27, 2020 - "For His Name's Sake"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"For His Name's Sake"

April 27, 2020

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

— Psalm 23:3-4, ESV

We are usually very concerned about our reputation. We want to be thought of as honest, truthful, and hard-working people. God is concerned for our reputations too and, so far as possible, wants others to think well of us, even though they may prefer at times to slander the people of God: "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation" (1 Peter 2:12). God is concerned about others' reputations as well. He commands, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). We are to care about the reputation of our neighbor and guard it as closely as we guard our own.

But those are not the only reputations with which God is concerned. He jealously guards the holiness of His Name. Israel's unfaithfulness had caused God's holy Name to be profaned—to be treated with contempt—among the nations, and God acted in mercy for the sake of His Name: "I had concern for My holy Name ... It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of My holy Name" (Ezekiel 36:21a, 22b). He brought His people out of exile and vindicated the holiness of His Name.

Our psalm of trust in the Lord, our Shepherd, also reminds us of the holiness and majesty of God's Name. For the sake of God's holy Name, acting out of His self-sacrificing love, Jesus our Shepherd laid down His life for us. Baptized, we are raised to new life and now bear the holy Name of the Triune God. Sins that bring harm to both our Lord's reputation and our own are washed away in His blood and, in exchange, He clothes us in His righteousness. Our crucified and risen Shepherd leads us "in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake." We walk in His steps, following a path of humility and holiness that honors the Name of Jesus.

The righteous path will one day lead us into "the valley of the shadow of death," a valley where our Shepherd has already walked. But even in those frightening shadows, we are safe, guarded by Jesus' forgiving love and comforted by the promises of His Word. When this earthly path comes to its end, we will once again—and for all eternity—be marked with the Holy Name: "The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the Name of My God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from My God out of heaven, and My own new Name" (Revelation 3:12).

THE PRAYER: Dear Shepherd, by the power of Your Spirit, lead us on a path that brings honor to Your holy Name. When we wander, forgive, and restore us. Guide us safely through the valley of the shadow of death to live in Your presence forever. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. When you think of God and the names we use for Him, which ones stand out to you most?

2. Among God's many names is that of "Shepherd." What do you think of when you use that term?

3. Since we are to mirror the qualities of God in our lives, how have you been a shepherd to others?

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
When you think of God and the names we use for Him, which ones stand out to you most?

Devocional CPTLN del 27 de abril de 2020 - "Por amor de su Nombre"

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Por amor de su Nombre

27 de Abril de 2020

Me infunde nuevas fuerzas y me guía por el camino correcto, para hacer honor a su nombre. Aunque deba yo pasar por el valle más sombrío, no temo sufrir daño alguno, porque tú estás conmigo; con tu vara de pastor me infundes nuevo aliento.

— Salmo 23:3-4, RVC

Por lo general nos preocupa nuestra reputación. Queremos que se nos considere como personas honestas, sinceras y trabajadoras. Dios también está preocupado por nuestra reputación y, en la medida de lo posible, quiere que otros piensen bien de nosotros, aunque a veces prefieran calumniar al pueblo de Dios: "Mantengan una buena conducta entre los no creyentes para que, aunque los acusen de malhechores, al ver las buenas obras de ustedes glorifiquen a Dios el día que él nos visite"(1 Pedro 2:12). Dios también está preocupado por la reputación de los demás, por ello ordena: "No presentarás falso testimonio contra tu prójimo" (Éxodo 20:16). Debemos preocuparnos por la reputación de nuestro prójimo y protegerla tanto como la nuestra.

Pero esas no son las únicas reputaciones que conciernen a Dios. Él guarda celosamente la santidad de su Nombre. La infidelidad de Israel había provocado que el santo Nombre de Dios fuera profanado y tratado con desprecio entre las naciones, por lo que Dios actuó en misericordia por su Nombre: "Me ha dolido ver que mi santo nombre ha sido profanado ... Pueblo de Israel, no lo hago por ustedes, sino por causa de mi santo nombre" (Ezequiel 36:21a, 22b). Y así, sacó a su pueblo del exilio y reivindicó la santidad de su Nombre.

El Salmo 23, salmo de confianza en el Señor, nuestro Pastor, también nos recuerda la santidad y majestad del Nombre de Dios. Por el santo Nombre de Dios, y movido por su gran amor, nuestro Pastor Jesús dio su vida por nosotros. En el bautismo fuimos resucitados a una nueva vida y ahora llevamos el santo Nombre del Dios Trino. Los pecados que causan daño tanto a la reputación de nuestro Señor como a la nuestra son lavados en su sangre y, a cambio, somos vestidos con su justicia. Nuestro Pastor crucificado y resucitado nos guía "por el camino correcto, para hacer honor a su nombre". Seguimos sus pasos por el camino de humildad y santidad que honra el Nombre de Jesús.

Ese camino recto un día nos llevará al "valle más sombrío", un valle por donde nuestro Pastor ya ha caminado. Pero incluso en medio de sombras aterradoras estamos a salvo, custodiados por el amor perdonador de Jesús y consolados por las promesas de su Palabra. Cuando este camino terrenal llegue a su fin, una vez más, y por toda la eternidad, seremos marcados con el Santo Nombre: "Al que salga vencedor lo convertiré en columna del templo de mi Dios, y nunca más saldrá de allí. Sobre él escribiré el nombre de mi Dios y el de su ciudad, es decir, de la nueva Jerusalén que desciende del cielo de mi Dios, y también mi nuevo nombre" (Apocalipsis 3:12).

ORACIÓN: Querido Pastor, por el poder de tu Espíritu, guíanos por el camino que honra tu santo Nombre. Cuando nos desviemos, perdónanos y restáuranos. Protégenos cuando pasemos por el valle más sombrío para vivir en tu presencia para siempre. Amén.

Dra. Carol Geisler

Para reflexionar:

* De los muchos nombres que tiene Dios, ¿cuáles te llaman más la atención?

* Entre los muchos nombres de Dios está el de "Pastor". ¿En qué piensas cuando usas ese término?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
De los muchos nombres que tiene Dios, ¿cuáles te llaman más la atención?

Notre Pain Quotidien - Traverser les eaux

Traverser les eaux

Lisez : Ésaïe 43.1-7
La Bible en un an : 1 Rois 3 – 5 ; Luc 20.1-26

Si tu traverses les eaux, je serai avec toi. — Ésaïe 43.2

Le film L’État libre de Jones nous raconte l’histoire, durant la guerre de Sécession, de Newton Knight et de quelques confédérés déserteurs et esclaves qui sont venus en aide à l’armée unioniste et qui ont résisté aux esclavagistes après la guerre. Beaucoup de gens dépeignent Knight comme le héros, mais en omettant de dire que deux esclaves lui ont d’abord sauvé la vie après sa désertion. Ils l’ont transporté au fin fond d’un marais isolé et ont soigné la jambe qu’il s’était blessée en fuyant les forces confédérées. S’ils l’avaient abandonné à son sort, il en serait mort.

Le peuple de Juda était blessé et désespéré devant ses ennemis. L’Assyrie avait vaincu les Israélites, et Ésaïe avait prophétisé qu’un jour un ennemi, Babylone, les vaincrait à son tour. Juda avait besoin d’un Dieu qui lui viendrait en aide, qui le secourrait et qui ne l’abandonnerait pas. Imaginez alors son regain d’espoir quand le peuple a entendu Dieu le rassurer ainsi : « Ne crains rien, car je suis avec toi » (ÉS 43.5). Quelle que soit la tragédie que ses enfants auraient à affronter, il serait avec eux. Il « [traverserait] les eaux » avec eux et les mènerait en lieu sûr (V. 2). Il « [marcherait] dans le feu » avec eux, les protégeant des flammes (V. 2).

Partout dans la Bible, Dieu promet de rester avec nous, ses enfants, de prendre soin de nous, de nous guider et de ne jamais nous abandonner – dans la vie comme dans la mort. Même dans vos difficultés, Dieu est avec vous. Il vous aidera à traverser les eaux.

Mon Dieu, les eaux sont profondes. Merci de me promettre de rester avec moi et de me porter tout le long !

Dieu est toujours avec nous.

par Winn Collier

© 2020 Ministères NPQ
Le film L’État libre de Jones nous raconte l’histoire, durant la guerre de Sécession, de Newton Knight et de quelques confédérés déserteurs et esclaves qui sont venus en aide à l’armée unioniste et qui ont résisté aux esclavagistes après la guerre.