The Daily Lectionary for TUESDAY, April 28, 2020

The Daily Lectionary

TUESDAY, April 28, 2020

Psalm 134; Proverbs 8:32—9:6; 1 Peter 2:1-3

(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.

Proverbs 8:32—9:6

Wisdom serves a meal

8:32 “Now then, my children, listen to me;
     blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
     do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen to me,
     watching daily at my doors,
     waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me find life
     and receive favor from the Lord.
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
     all who hate me love death.”

9:1 Wisdom has built her house;
     she has set up its seven pillars.
2  She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;
     she has also set her table.
3  She has sent out her servants, and she calls
     from the highest point of the city,
4    “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
   To those who have no sense she says,
5    “Come, eat my food
     and drink the wine I have mixed.
6  Leave your simple ways and you will live;
     walk in the way of insight.”

1 Peter 2:1-3

Long for the pure spiritual milk

2:1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

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 28, 2020
Psalm 134; Proverbs 8:32—9:6; 1 Peter 2:1-3

The Daily Prayer for TUESDAY, April 28, 2020

The Daily Prayer

TUESDAY, April 28, 2020

Albert Luthuli, who struggled nonviolently against apartheid in South Africa, said, “It is inevitable that in working for freedom some individuals and some families must take the lead and suffer: the road to freedom is via the cross.”

Lord, we pray we never find ourselves without hope, without a glimpse of the empty tomb each time we happen upon a cross. Help us begin our daily journey expecting both crosses and empty tombs and rejoicing when we encounter either because we know you are with us. Amen.

Verse of the Day for TUESDAY, April 28, 2020

Philippians 2:5-8

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Read all of Philippians 2

Listen to Philippians 2

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 28 de abril de 2020

La duda… enemiga de la fe

El Señor te guiará siempre; te saciará en tierras resecas, y fortalecerá tus huesos. Serás como jardín bien regado, como manantial cuyas aguas no se agotan.

— Isaías 58:11, NVI

La duda paraliza tu fe. La duda es un sentimiento que todos tenemos, pero que se mantiene como ciertos virus dormida en nuestro ser. Y la activan varios sucesos de la vida.

Es posible que tú fueras una persona de mucha fe, pero un suceso marcó tu vida y es como si no pudieras volver a creer.

Situaciones como una infidelidad, la traición.

En el peor de los casos, una tragedia enlutó tu vida. Así que decides perder toda confianza en Dios y le das espacio a la duda.

Hoy es el día de restablecer lo dañado. Hoy es el día para decirle a Dios que te ayude a volver a confiar.

Recuerda que la duda no te permite ver la mano de Dios en tu vida y mucho menos vivir agradándole.

Además, «sin fe es imposible agradar a Dios» (Hebreos 11:6).

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
La duda paraliza tu fe.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Tuesday, April 28, 2020

GOD USES PROBLEMS AND PERSECUTION TO CORRECT YOU

"...It was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws.”

— Psalm 119:71-72, TLB

Here is another of five ways God uses problems and persecution in your life: God uses problems and persecution to CORRECT you.

Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It is likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something—health, money, a relationship—by losing it.

John 17 clearly teaches that He does not desire to have His church in the comforts of a problem-free society. He desires for His church to be faithful in the midst of trials and testing.

During a recent visit to Indonesia, some co-workers had the joy of participating in an Open Doors Standing Strong Through the Storm (SSTS) seminar held in an area of intense conflict. The constant presence of armed soldiers outside the building confirmed that this seminar was far more than just a theology course—this was reality! More than seven hundred churches were already burned to the ground and the church was facing a severe onslaught.

On the second day of teaching, one pastor suddenly jumped up and with all his heart cried out: “My brother, please don’t teach us just to survive, teach us to be faithful.”

In understanding God’s purposes for the church it is vital to understand His requirements for us to remain faithful within these purposes. Faithfulness is not a request it is the duty of every believer. “Teach us to be faithful in the midst of our circumstances” should be a far greater priority in our prayers than that of making our society a safer place. Perseverance is far more important than transformation or preservation.

William Barclay said the following about praying for our circumstances. “When we pray for ourselves and others, we should not ask for the release from any task or situation, but strength to complete it and endure it. Prayer should be for power and seldom for release: not release but conquest must be the keynote of the church.”

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: Lord, teach us to be faithful in the midst of our circumstances.

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 28, 2020 - "A Tiny Adventure"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"A Tiny Adventure"

April 28, 2020

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

— Acts 2:42-47, ESV

The family I married into has many Vietnamese pastors in it. In Vietnam and in America as well, the pastor's home is—well, sort of a community help center. It's where people go who have nowhere else to live. It's where the hungry can find food and the sad or confused find counseling. If you're being abused by a family member, that's where you run to. If they can't help you themselves, they'll find someone who can.

When I was twenty, I was basically in terrified awe of my brother-in-law's home in Southern California and all the people they were caring for. I could never, ever do that, I felt. It made me want to run. I think a lot of people feel that way about the earliest church in this passage we've just read. Look at them—selling their property, sharing the money, eating together, making major life changes—yikes!

And with the fear comes the guilt. Shouldn't I be doing that? a little voice bugs me. But guilt misses the point.

What motivates people to do this stuff is not guilt, but love—well, and joy, and maybe some pleasure in adventure, too. Plain duty doesn't get you very far. It was love that motivated Jesus to give Himself for us on the cross and make us His own forever. God the Father didn't have to push Him. So if you're looking to expand your own service horizons, maybe the place to start is with love—not duty. Start with love—with the compassion, concern, and care that God has already placed in your heart.

Then ask the Lord to send you something to do that is well within your capabilities—a good first step, a tiny adventure, especially if you are a beginner. That might mean taking dinner to a sick neighbor or picking up the phone to call a lonely friend. It might mean offering a ride to the doctor to someone you know and care about who has advanced cancer. Start with what you've got. I think you'll enjoy your tiny adventure!

THE PRAYER: Dear Father, please show me a way to pass on Your love, and make it one that fits my capabilities right now. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. What is the greatest act of love and kindness you have ever heard of? (No fair saying "Jesus.")

2. What is the tiniest act of love and kindness you can imagine?

3. What is one thing, however, tiny, you could do today to express your love for God and His people?

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).
What is the greatest act of love and kindness you have ever heard of? (No fair saying "Jesus.")

Devocional CPTLN del 28 de abril de 2020 - "Una pequeña aventura"

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Una pequeña aventura

28 de Abril de 2020

... se mantenían fieles a las enseñanzas de los apóstoles y en el mutuo compañerismo, en el partimiento del pan y en las oraciones. Al ver las muchas maravillas y señales que los apóstoles hacían, todos se llenaban de temor, y todos los que habían creído se mantenían unidos y lo compartían todo; vendían sus propiedades y posesiones, y todo lo compartían entre todos, según las necesidades de cada uno. Todos los días se reunían en el templo, y partían el pan en las casas, y comían juntos con alegría y sencillez de corazón, mientras alababan a Dios y brindaban ayuda a todo el pueblo. Y cada día el Señor añadía a la iglesia a los que habían de ser salvos.

— Hechos 2:42-47, RVC

En la familia vietnamita de mi esposo hay muchos pastores. En Vietnam, y también en Estados Unidos, el hogar del pastor es una especie de centro de ayuda comunitaria. Es donde van las personas que no tienen dónde vivir. Es donde los hambrientos pueden encontrar comida y los tristes o confundidos asesoramiento. Si alguien está siendo abusado por un miembro de su familia, ahí es donde corre a refugiarse. Y si ellos no pueden ayudarle, seguramente encontrarán a alguien que sí pueda.

Con mis veinte años, me aterrorizaba y maravillaba al mismo tiempo al ver a cuántas personas cuidaban en la casa de mi cuñado en el sur de California. Sentía que yo nunca podría hacer algo así. Solo quería salir corriendo. Y creo que muchas personas sienten lo mismo con respecto a los primeros cristianos en el pasaje que acabamos de leer: vendían sus propiedades, compartían su dinero, comían juntos, hacían cambios importantes en la vida. ¿Cómo podían? ¡Qué miedo!

Y con el miedo viene la culpa. ¿No debería estar haciendo eso?, me dice una vocecita. Pero la culpa pierde.

Lo que motiva a las personas a hacer estas cosas no es la culpa, sino el amor... bueno, y la alegría y tal vez algo de placer en la aventura. El deber en sí mismo no nos lleva muy lejos. Fue el amor lo que motivó a Jesús a entregarse por nosotros en la cruz y hacernos suyos para siempre. Dios el Padre no tuvo que empujarlo. Entonces, si estás buscando expandir tus propios horizontes de servicio, tal vez el lugar para comenzar sea con amor, no con deber. Comienza con el amor, la compasión, la preocupación y el cuidado que Dios ya ha puesto en tu corazón.

Luego, pídele al Señor que te envíe algo para hacer que esté dentro de tus posibilidades: un buen primer paso, una pequeña aventura, especialmente si eres principiante. Eso podría significar llevar la cena a un vecino enfermo o levantar el teléfono para llamar a un amigo solitario. Puede significar acompañar a alguien al médico y ayudarle mientras batalla contra un cáncer avanzado. Comienza con lo que tienes. ¡Seguramente disfrutarás de tu pequeña aventura!

ORACIÓN: Querido Padre, muéstrame una forma de transmitir tu amor que se adapte a mis posibilidades en este momento. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

* ¿Cuál es el mayor y el menor acto de amor que puedes imaginar?

* ¿Qué podrías hacer hoy para expresar tu amor por Dios y por su pueblo?

© 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 el mayor y el menor acto de amor que puedes imaginar?

Nuestro Pan Diario - ¡Alabemos!

¡Alabemos!

La escritura de hoy: Salmo 67
La Biblia en un año: 1 Reyes 3–5; Lucas 20:1-26

Alégrense y gócense las naciones… — Salmo 67:4

Cuando la alarma del reloj de Silvia suena todos los días a las 3:16 de la tarde, hace una pausa para alabar. Da gracias a Dios y lo alaba por su bondad. Aunque se comunica con Dios durante todo el día, le encanta apartar ese tiempo porque la ayuda a disfrutar de una íntima comunión con Él.

Inspirada en su gozosa devoción, decidí establecer un horario cada día para dar gracias a Cristo por su sacrificio en la cruz y pedir por los que aún no son salvos. Me pregunto qué sucedería si todos los creyentes se detuvieran de alguna manera para alabar al Señor y orar por otros todos los días.

La imagen de una hermosa ola de oración que llega hasta los confines de la tierra resuena en el Salmo 67, donde el salmista ruega por la gracia de Dios y proclama su deseo de dar a conocer su nombre en todas las naciones (vv. 1-2). Canta: «Te alaben los pueblos, oh Dios; todos los pueblos te alaben» (v. 3). Celebra su gobierno soberano y su guía fiel (v. 4). Como un testimonio viviente del gran amor y las abundantes bendiciones de Dios, guía al pueblo en una jubilosa alabanza (vv. 5-6).

La constante fidelidad de Dios hacia sus hijos amados nos inspira a alabarlo. Y al hacerlo, otros pueden unirse para confiar en Él, honrarlo, seguirlo y proclamarlo Señor.

De:  Xochitl Dixon

Reflexiona y ora

Dios, ¡tú eres digno de toda nuestra alabanza!

¿Cuándo puedes dedicar unos minutos para alabar hoy a Dios? ¿Qué tienes que agradecerle?

© 2020 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario
Cuando la alarma del reloj de Silvia suena todos los días a las 3:16 de la tarde, hace una pausa para alabar.