The Daily Lectionary for FRIDAY, May 1, 2020

The Daily Lectionary

FRIDAY, May 1, 2020

Psalm 23; Exodus 3:16-22; 4:18-20; 1 Peter 2:13-17

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Psalm 23

God our shepherd

1  The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2    He makes me lie down in green pastures,
   he leads me beside quiet waters,
3    he refreshes my soul.
   He guides me along the right paths
     for his name’s sake.
4  Even though I walk
     through the darkest valley,
   I will fear no evil,
     for you are with me;
   your rod and your staff,
     they comfort me.

5  You prepare a table before me
     in the presence of my enemies.
   You anoint my head with oil;
     my cup overflows.
6  Surely your goodness and love will follow me
     all the days of my life,
   and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
     forever.

Exodus 3:16-22; 4:18-20

Moses the shepherd of Israel

3:16 “Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. 17 And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.’

18 “The elders of Israel will listen to you. Then you and the elders are to go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go.

21 “And I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed toward this people, so that when you leave you will not go empty-handed. 22 Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and daughters. And so you will plunder the Egyptians.”

4:18 Then Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, “Let me return to my own people in Egypt to see if any of them are still alive.”

Jethro said, “Go, and I wish you well.”

19 Now the Lord had said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all those who wanted to kill you are dead.” 20 So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey and started back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand.

1 Peter 2:13-17

Living honorably in the world

2:13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

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, May 1, 2020
Psalm 23; Exodus 3:16-22; 4:18-20; 1 Peter 2:13-17

The Daily Prayer for FRIDAY, May 1, 2020

The Daily Prayer

FRIDAY, May 1, 2020

On May 1, 1886, one hundred and eighty thousand US workers went on strike for an eight-hour workday. Rallies continued until May 3, when a bomb was thrown into a crowd and shots were fired, killing eight policemen and an unknown number of civilians. Ever since this incident, remembered as the Haymarket Massacre, May 1 has been remembered as International Workers Day.

American labor organizer and activist Cesar Chavez said, “When we are really honest with ourselves, we must admit that our lives are all that really belong to us. So it is how we use our lives that determines what kind of men we are. It is my deepest belief that only by giving our lives do we find life. I am convinced that the truest act of courage, the strongest act of manliness is to sacrifice ourselves for others in a totally nonviolent struggle for justice. To be a man is to suffer for others. God help us to be men!”

God, help us to imitate you as we feed those who hunger for bread, for justice, for companionship, for forgiveness, for alternate ways of living in this world. Give us your words, equip our hands, and guide our feet. Sustain us, Lord, with your healing love. Amen.

Verse of the Day for FRIDAY, May 1, 2020

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Read all of Hebrews 11

Listen to Hebrews 11

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 - Viernes 1 de mayo de 2020

Las viudas

Padre de los huérfanos y defensor de las viudas es Dios en su morada santa.

— Salmo 68:5, NVI

Desde que comencé este libro para motivar, he tenido en mi mente a algunas oyentes que se me han acercado para contarme que quedaron viudas y me han dado una palabra especial a fin de valorar y disfrutar de nuestros cónyuges ahora que están vivos.

Sus palabras me conmovieron, pues estoy recién casada. Además, en varias oportunidades me dijeron lo mismo: «Disfruta a tu esposo, no pierdas el tiempo peleando por tonterías. Cuando se van, la soledad y la pérdida son demasiado duras».

Así que me quedé pensando y me dije: «¡Es cierto! ¿Para qué perder el tiempo en cosas que pueden arreglarse como amigos y más bien disfrutarse al máximo? A decir verdad, no sabemos los planes de Dios. Lo mejor sería envejecer y morir juntos. Sin embargo, la gran realidad es que siempre va a morir uno primero que el otro».

Lo que más me sorprendió es que estas mujeres perdieron a sus esposos de cuarenta y nueve años y cuarenta y cinco de un infarto, y quedaron viudas jóvenes y sus hijos sin padres.

Hoy doy reconocimiento a cada mujer que ha quedado solita y que se recupera de está perdida. Quizá ya lo sepas, pero no está de más que lo recordemos. Cuando se es viuda, eres más especial para Dios. En la Biblia hay catorce versículos donde Dios habla de los cuidados y el privilegio para estas mujeres.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Desde que comencé este libro para motivar, he tenido en mi mente a algunas oyentes que se me han acercado para contarme que quedaron viudas y me han dado una palabra especial a fin de valorar y disfrutar de nuestros cónyuges ahora que están vivos.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Friday, May 1, 2020

SPIRITUAL WARFARE TACTICS

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

— Ephesians 6:12, NIV

A Filipino pastor, who is a former Muslim, lives on the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines. He was a notorious gang leader and spent years in prison for robbery and murder. But there in prison, he met Jesus Christ.

After his release, he was so effective in leading Muslims to Jesus back home in Mindanao that Muslim extremists in his area kidnapped his fourteen-year-old daughter. They would only return her, he was told, if he stopped preaching about Jesus and returned to Islam.

He and his wife prayed intensely about this and felt they could not give in to this blackmail. He continued to preach faithfully for three years with no definite news about his little girl.

He concludes, “Despite the terrible things they have done to my daughter, I fear no one but God alone! Pray for my daughter and that I will continue to preach Christ.”

Three years later, he received a letter from his daughter. She shared with her parents that she had been sold into prostitution in neighboring East Malaysia. But God had helped her escape. She was then taken in by a sympathetic Malaysian family and hidden for her safety. And then she fell in love with a young man and married him. She and her parents planned to visit together in a safe place.

Spiritual warfare is the cosmic conflict that rages between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. Remember we are not talking about two equal kingdoms battling-it-out for victory. Satan is only a created being. Christ has all authority and power. Satan's power was broken at the cross. The Apostle Paul records for us in Colossians 2:15, And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. So the only power Satan has today is the power to deceive the people of the world - to blind them from seeing the glory of God (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).

Satan’s primary strategy is to divide and conquer. His key tactics include accusation, deception, and the interruption of our relationships with the Father and with each other. He is actively leading mankind to defile the land, which is God’s, in order to keep humanity in darkness. This is one reason unity in the Body of Christ is so critical for the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

Why would someone lost in the chaos of the world want to be part of a fellowship of people that is disorderly, dysfunctional, and even destructive? The Church of Jesus Christ must be ruled by love. We must be a refuge, a place of safety!

RESPONSE: I will be alert to Satan’s spiritual warfare tactics today without getting distracted from the Lord’s primary ministry directions.

PRAYER: Pray for witnessing brothers and sisters on the frontlines who experience Satan’s greatest fury.

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, May 1, 2020

Saul

His name means: "The One Asked For, Requested"

His work: As Israel's first king, his role was to unite the tribes of Israel against their enemies and to begin the process of establishing Israel as a monarchy.
His character: Though his reign began well, Saul failed to live up to his calling, trusting himself more than he trusted God. Mentally unstable, he became so jealous of David that he tried to murder him. His last battle with the Philistines ended in his suicide and in the death of his eldest son, Jonathan.
His sorrow: To become so alienated from God that he could no longer hear the Lord's voice or receive his help; to have the kingdom torn from him and his heirs because of his unfaithfulness.
His triumph: His impressive military conquests, including victories over the surrounding Moabites, Ammonites, Philistines, and Amalekites.
Key Scriptures: 1 Samuel 13:5-14; 16:14-23; 18:5-9

A Look at the Man

A well-known adage indicates how hard it can be to get things right the first time around, reminding us that "the first pickle is always the hardest to get out of the jar." That bit of folk wisdom could certainly apply to Israel's first attempt at transforming itself into a monarchy.

A head taller than other men, Saul must have seemed an excellent choice as a ruler. God, after all, had selected him, the prophet had anointed him, and the people had all shouted, "Long live the king!" But even divine affirmation and popular support were not enough to ensure Saul's success. Only Saul could guarantee it by responding faithfully to what God was asking.

But time after time, Saul prevaricated. Told to wait, he took matters into his own hands. Commanded to kill the Amalekites and destroy everything they owned, he spared their king and preserved the best of their livestock. Though fortune-telling was forbidden, he consulted a medium. Whenever he was confronted with his disobedience, he made excuses:

"You didn't come."

"The Philistines were about to destroy us."

"I felt compelled to offer the sacrifice."

"We saved the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD, but we totally destroyed the rest."

"God won't talk to me, and I need to know what to do."

The excuses kept coming, like one bad penny after another. Centuries later they seem so plausible, so familiar, so understandable—at least to us. But not to the God who reads our hearts by how we act or fail to act.

So Saul's life and his rule as king gradually disintegrated. His mind became poisoned by jealousy and fear. A son and a daughter were estranged from him because of their love for David. Paranoia finally drove him to attempt an impossible task—to kill a man God himself was determined to protect. In the end, he lost more than a kingdom, forfeiting everything that matters in life—his family, his future, his own integrity.

Reflect On: 1 Samuel 28:5–20
Praise God: For his word in Scripture.
Offer Thanks: For all the ways God has spoken during your lifetime.
Confess: Any tendency to disregard God’s Word and its authority in your life.
Ask God: To increase your desire to read and pray the Scriptures.

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.
"The first pickle is always the hardest to get out of the jar."

LHM Daily Devotions - May 1, 2020 - "A Radical Shift"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"A Radical Shift"

May 1, 2020

Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, He (Jesus) saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." And immediately they left their nets and followed Him. And going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed Him.

— Mark 1:16-20, ESV

Imagine a young boy named James. As a boy, he watched his father and others in a profession that had been in the family for generations. It was his destiny. He would be in the seafood business, and probably little else in the way of professions even crossed his mind.

It's the story recorded in our Gospel text—the story of a great change in plans for James and his brother John, and for two others, Simon and Andrew, who were also called by Jesus into a whole new way of life. I'm not sure how God prepared these four to make such a radical shift in their lives, but they accepted Jesus' invitation to join in the cause of proclaiming the Gospel of God. I don't know how they did it, but I know God had a plan for them.

Well, God has a plan for you, too. Maybe God's plan of salvation for you has yet to be fulfilled. If you have not yet received the gift of faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior—that is, the greatest gift you could ever receive—Jesus is still calling (see Revelation 3:20). He cares. He wants you to be a part of His family. Once you receive God's gift of faith, you can be sure He has a plan for you, and it may involve a change in your plans.

There are many with a wide variety of backgrounds, abilities, experiences, and degrees, who are now church workers because God had a plan for them—not unlike James and John and Simon and Andrew. Heeding God's call you might volunteer at a women's shelter or homeless facility. Maybe you can teach English as a second language. You might help landscape a nursing home, update an aging computer system, or play a cello at your church. Maybe you'll work with those who are sick or in hospice care.

The list is endless. Still, some of you may be saying, "You know, I have thought about that, but I don't have the courage or confidence to follow through." Well, if you're reluctant, think of Moses. He balked at being the one to lead God's people out of Egypt. "Not me, God, I can't even talk straight," was his response. "You want me to do what!?" And yet the seemingly unprepared and stammering Moses accomplished great things—all by God's grace.

Today, and in the days ahead, pray for the wisdom to grasp the plan God has for you. Pray for the courage to step out in faith. Pray that you may always be open to God's leading. As God already knows, the plans He has for you are the best plans of all (see Jeremiah 29:11).

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, change our lives to follow You and be more like Jesus. In His Name. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. As a kid did you have a decent idea what you wanted to be or do as an adult? Are you anywhere "in the ballpark" of that early aspiration?

2. How responsive do you think you would be to someone telling you to "Come, follow me"? What would you need to know first?

3. Have you ever wanted someone to follow you for his or her own benefit? Did the person do that?

Taken from "A Change in Plans," a message excerpt by Rev. Dr. Paul Devantier. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
As a kid did you have a decent idea what you wanted to be or do as an adult? Are you anywhere "in the ballpark" of that early aspiration?

Devocional CPTLN del 01 de mayo de 2020 - "Un cambio radical"

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Un cambio radical

01 de Mayo de 2020

Mientras Jesús caminaba junto al lago de Galilea, [Jesús] vio a Simón y a su hermano Andrés. Estaban echando la red al agua, porque eran pescadores. Jesús les dijo: «Síganme, y yo haré de ustedes pescadores de hombres.» Enseguida, ellos dejaron sus redes y lo siguieron. Un poco más adelante, Jesús vio a otros dos hermanos, Jacobo y Juan, hijos de Zebedeo, quienes estaban en la barca y remendaban sus redes. Enseguida Jesús los llamó, y ellos dejaron a su padre Zebedeo en la barca con los jornaleros, y lo siguieron.

— Marcos 1:16-20, RVC

Imagina a un joven llamado Santiago. De niño veía a su padre y a otros en una profesión que había estado en la familia durante generaciones. Era su destino. Estaría en el negocio de la pesca, y probablemente ninguna otra profesión se le pasó por la cabeza.

Esa es la historia registrada en nuestro texto del Evangelio: la historia de un gran cambio en los planes de Santiago y su hermano Juan, al igual que de Simón y Andrés, quienes también fueron llamados por Jesús a una forma de vida completamente nueva. No estoy seguro de cómo Dios preparó a estos cuatro para hacer un cambio tan radical en sus vidas, pero sí sé que aceptaron la invitación de Jesús para unirse a la causa de proclamar el Evangelio. No sé cómo lo hicieron, pero sé que Dios tenía un plan para ellos.

Y Dios también tiene un plan para ti. Quizás el plan de salvación de Dios para ti aún no se ha cumplido. Si aún no has recibido el don de la fe en Jesús como Señor y Salvador, es decir, el mayor regalo que podrías recibir, Jesús todavía te está llamando (ver Apocalipsis 3:20). A él le importas. Él quiere que seas parte de su familia. Una vez que recibas el don de fe de Dios, puedes estar seguro de que Él tiene un plan para ti, y eso puede implicar un cambio en tus planes.

Hay muchas personas con una amplia variedad de antecedentes, habilidades, experiencias y estudios que ahora trabajan en la iglesia porque Dios tenía un plan para ellos, no muy diferente a Santiago, Juan, Simón y Andrés. El responder al llamado de Dios puede implicar ser voluntario en un refugio para mujeres o en un centro para personas sin hogar. O quizás enseñar inglés como segunda lengua, o ayudar a diseñar un hogar de ancianos, actualizar un sistema informático antiguo o tocar la trompeta en tu iglesia. O tal vez trabajar con quienes están enfermos o en cuidados paliativos.

La lista es interminable. Sin embargo, quizás estés pensando que sí podrías hacerlo, pero no tienes el coraje o la confianza necesaria. Si ese es tu caso, te invito a que recuerdes cómo Moisés se resistió a ser quien sacara al pueblo de Dios de Egipto. 'Yo no, Dios, ni siquiera puedo hablar con claridad', dijo. '¡¿Quieres que haga qué?!' Y, sin embargo, ese aparentemente no preparado y tartamudo Moisés logró grandes cosas, todo por la gracia de Dios.

Hoy, y en los días venideros, te animo a que le pidas a Dios que te de sabiduría para comprender su plan para tu vida. Pídele que te de valor y coraje y que te ayude a estar abierto a su dirección. Recuerda que los planes que Dios tiene para ti son los mejores de todos (ver Jeremías 29:11).

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, cambia nuestras vidas para seguirte y ser cada vez más como Jesús. En su nombre. Amén.

Tomado de "Un cambio en los planes", Dr. Paul Devantier

Para reflexionar:

* ¿Qué tan receptivo serías a alguien que te dijera: "Ven, sígueme"? ¿Qué necesitarías saber primero?

* ¿Alguna vez has querido que alguien te siga para su propio beneficio? ¿Resultó ser verdad?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Qué tan receptivo serías a alguien que te dijera: "Ven, sígueme"? ¿Qué necesitarías saber primero?

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Sống Trong Nhánh Cây

Sống Trong Nhánh Cây

Đọc: Ê-phê-sô 4:14–24 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: I Các Vua 10–11; Lu-ca 21:20–38

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Và bởi đức tin, Đấng Christ ngự trong lòng anh em. Tôi cũng cầu nguyện để anh em đâm rễ và vững lập trong tình yêu thương.

— Ê-phê-sô 3:17

Người tư vấn ân cần lắng nghe khi tôi chia sẻ về cảm xúc thay đổi thất thường của mình sau một tuần đầy căng thẳng. Rồi cô bảo tôi nhìn ra cửa sổ nơi có hàng cây phủ đầy màu lá mùa thu cam và vàng, với những cành cây đung đưa trong gió.

Chỉ vào những thân cây đứng yên trước gió, cô giải thích: “Chúng ta cũng tương tự như thế. Khi cuộc sống xô đẩy từ mọi hướng, tất nhiên cảm xúc của chúng ta cũng lên xuống và đảo lộn. Nhưng đôi khi chúng ta sống như thể mình chỉ có nhánh. Mục tiêu của chúng tôi là giúp chị tìm thấy được thân cây của mình. Theo cách đó, khi cuộc sống xô đẩy từ mọi phía, chị sẽ không sống trong nhánh. Chị sẽ vẫn an ninh và vững vàng”.

Hình ảnh đó khắc sâu trong tâm trí tôi, nó tương tự như hình ảnh mà sứ đồ Phao-lô nói với các tân tín hữu trong sách Ê-phê-sô. Nhắc nhở họ về món quà tuyệt vời của Chúa – một cuộc sống mới có mục đích và giá trị lớn lao (Êph. 2:6-10), Phao-lô chia sẻ mong muốn của ông là họ sẽ “đâm rễ và vững lập” trong tình yêu của Đấng Christ (3:17), không còn “bị dồi dập và cuốn theo luồng gió học thuyết” (4:14).

Khi sống bằng sức riêng, chúng ta dễ cảm thấy bất an và mong manh, bị dồn dập bởi nỗi sợ hãi và bấp bênh. Nhưng khi tăng trưởng trong địa vị thực sự của mình trong Đấng Christ (c.22,24), chúng ta sẽ kinh nghiệm sự bình an với Chúa và với nhau (c.3), được nuôi dưỡng và giữ vững bởi quyền năng và vẻ đẹp của Đấng Christ (c.15-16).

Khi nào bạn cảm thấy “bị dồn dập” bởi những thử thách trong cuộc sống? Việc nhớ địa vị của mình trong Chúa Jêsus đem đến cho bạn sự khích lệ và mạnh mẽ ra sao?

Lạy Chúa Jêsus, cảm ơn Ngài đã ban cho chúng con tin mừng rằng sức mạnh cần thiết để đương đầu với những thử thách trong đời không phải đến từ chúng con. Xin giúp chúng con đâm rễ sâu hơn trong tình yêu của Ngài và địa vị của chúng con trong gia đình Ngài.

bởi Monica Brands

© 2020 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày
Người tư vấn ân cần lắng nghe khi tôi chia sẻ về cảm xúc thay đổi thất thường của mình sau một tuần đầy căng thẳng.