The Daily Lectionary for TUESDAY, May 12, 2020

The Daily Lectionary

TUESDAY, May 12, 2020

Psalm 102:1-17; Exodus 13:17-22; Acts 7:17-40

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Psalm 102:1-17

Prayer for deliverance

1  Hear my prayer, Lord;
     let my cry for help come to you.
2  Do not hide your face from me
     when I am in distress.
   Turn your ear to me;
     when I call, answer me quickly.

3  For my days vanish like smoke;
     my bones burn like glowing embers.
4  My heart is blighted and withered like grass;
     I forget to eat my food.
5  In my distress I groan aloud
     and am reduced to skin and bones.
6  I am like a desert owl,
     like an owl among the ruins.
7  I lie awake; I have become
     like a bird alone on a roof.
8  All day long my enemies taunt me;
     those who rail against me use my name as a curse.
9  For I eat ashes as my food
     and mingle my drink with tears
10 because of your great wrath,
     for you have taken me up and thrown me aside.
11 My days are like the evening shadow;
     I wither away like grass.

12 But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever;
     your renown endures through all generations.
13 You will arise and have compassion on Zion,
     for it is time to show favor to her;
     the appointed time has come.
14 For her stones are dear to your servants;
     her very dust moves them to pity.
15 The nations will fear the name of the Lord,
     all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.
16 For the Lord will rebuild Zion
     and appear in his glory.
17 He will respond to the prayer of the destitute;
     he will not despise their plea.

Proverbs 3:5-12

God the truth and life

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
    and nourishment to your bones.

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth,
    with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
    and your vats will brim over with new wine.

11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
    and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
    as a father the son he delights in.

Acts 7:44-56

Stephen confronts the council

7:44 “Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. 45 After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, 46 who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47 But it was Solomon who built a house for him.

48 “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:

49 “‘Heaven is my throne,
     and the earth is my footstool.
   What kind of house will you build for me?
       says the Lord.
    Or where will my resting place be?
50 Has not my hand made all these things?’

51 “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53 you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”

54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

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, May 12, 2020
Psalm 102:1-17; Proverbs 3:5-12; Acts 7:44-56

The Daily Prayer for TUESDAY, May 12, 2020

The Daily Prayer

TUESDAY, May 12, 2020

These words were spoken to Catherine of Siena, a fourteenth-century mystic: “Beloved daughter, everything I give to you comes from the love and care I have for them. I desire to show my mercy to the whole world and my protective love to those who want it. My care is constant. I did all this so that they will know me and rejoice to see me forever.”

Lord, your patience exceeds our comfort. We pray to step beyond the boundaries of what we call kindness. Expand our notion of mercy and enable us to turn toward our enemies even when they do not turn toward us. Amen.

Verse of the Day for TUESDAY, May 12, 2020

Proverbs 31:10

A wife of noble character who can find?
  She is worth far more than rubies.

Read all of Proverbs 31

Listen to Proverbs 31

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 12 de mayo de 2020

Vivamos el hoy

Oh Señor [...] por todas las generaciones proclamará mi boca tu fidelidad. Declararé que tu amor permanece firme para siempre.

— Salmo 89:1-2, NVI

Doy gracias a mi Dios porque muchas personas comienzan su día con este humilde devocional y lo digo así porque no soy pastora ni mucho menos. Aun así, Dios me ha dado el don y el gran privilegio de inyectar entusiasmo y alegría a la gente debido a todo lo que se pierde cuando se tienen tantas cosas en la mente y la vida es muy agitada.

Agradezco a cada uno de los oyentes que me ha dicho que mis oraciones y mis palabras de aliento han sido y siguen siendo de bendición para sus vidas y su diario vivir. ¡GRACIAS!

En realidad, esa debe ser nuestra actitud. Muchas veces he llegado durante estos diez años a la radio con diversas preocupaciones, enfermedades, problemas económicos y situaciones que vivimos todos los seres humanos. A pesar de eso, Dios ha sido tan grande que, en medio de esas circunstancias, todo se olvida al llegar al micrófono. Es como si pasara a otro plano. De mi boca solo sale agradecimiento a Dios y unas inmensos deseos de decirte: «Dios te ama, Dios te cuida, Dios está interesado en tu problema, Dios quiere hacerte feliz».

No obstante, dependerá mucho de nuestra actitud. Nosotros somos lo que hablamos o lo que confesamos. Si te levantas amargado y desde que abres tus ojitos y tu boca lo primero que pronuncias son palabras negativas, sales de tu casa en ese tono, lo llevas en mente y se lo dices a tu familia y a tus compañeros, eso es lo que vas a ser.

Por favor, rompe esa manera de actuar y hazte el propósito desde hoy mismo hablar cosas lindas y confesar lo que deseas ser.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Doy gracias a mi Dios porque muchas personas comienzan su día con este humilde devocional y lo digo así porque no soy pastora ni mucho menos.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Tuesday, May 12, 2020

BLESSINGS FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN

He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents…

— Malachi 4:6a, NIV

ManFu’s parents are key leaders in a house church network—his father serves as a regional pastor in one of the largest cities in China, and his mother is a Bible teacher. They travel constantly, preaching, and teaching at a different congregation almost every weekend. Their little pre-school daughter goes along, but it’s not a stable environment for ManFu, their teenage son, to keep up with his studies. So they enrolled him in a boarding school in his father’s home village, so he could spend weekends with his grandfather.

They pledged to telephone him every Saturday night, but for itinerant pastors in China, Saturday nights are busy, demanding times. ManFu’s parents would sometimes get so caught up with ministry that they missed their weekly call to their son—sometimes three in a row. And even then, they often cut off what he was telling them with a hurried barrage of questions that felt critical and unloving to their son. Although their questions were rooted in concern for his welfare, to ManFu each conversation felt like an interrogation, and he began to wish they would stop calling. His parents became frantic as to how they could effectively reach out to him.

Brother Samuel, an Open Doors trainer, suggested they begin by writing a letter to their son, pouring out their hopes and love and prayers for him. “Share about the struggles you have and how much you long for him to be by your side. Help him to see all that is in your heart. Kneel before the Lord and pray before you begin this letter. Don’t mention the past. Whenever your son thinks of you, he will take the letter out and read it and know his parents are praying for him.”

Accepting their mentor’s assignment, they went home to write to their first-born, hundreds of miles away. Unknown to the parents, their letter never arrived. But by the time they found out, they told Samuel, it didn’t matter anymore. Their phone conversations had been transformed week after week, as the parents focused on sharing their love and prayers for ManFu. Although the letter itself was lost, its contents had been written in their hearts—and ManFu felt their love.

When ManFu’s summer school vacation approached, Samuel advised the anxious parents to set aside special family times to do things together. “It doesn’t matter where you go – to the park or for walks – but you must take a family photograph,” he advised. “Then take one photograph and write on the back of it for your son to take back to school with him. Whenever he looks at it, he will be reminded of his parents and that you love him.”

When Samuel shared this testimony with pastors in other regions, many admitted that they also had strained relationships with their children. Confused how to resolve the guilt they were experiencing, they had simply given up—until they heard how God worked in ManFu’s family.

“It’s amazing to see parents being set free and healed from their feelings of guilt, to see them turn to God and experience His love,” Samuel said. “And this, in turn, blessed their children.”

RESPONSE: Today I will work on communications with family members to assure them of my love.

PRAYER: Pray for mentors like Samuel who strengthen pastors and their families in China’s unregistered church through balanced, holistic ministry.

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 May 12, 2020 - "How Important Is It, Anyway?"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"How Important Is It, Anyway?"

May 12, 2020

Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, "What does this babbler wish to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities"—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.

— Acts 17:16-18, ESV

There's a bit of humor tucked away in this story of Paul's visit to Athens. Some of the locals were trying to figure out what he was up to. They finally concluded that he was preaching about foreign gods—not just one, but more than one. How did they get that idea? Well, Luke says it was because "he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection." It looks like Paul mentioned the resurrection so often that some people decided he was preaching two gods—one named Jesus, and one named "Resurrection"!

Of course, we know better. But this tells us that Paul spent a lot of time talking about the resurrection—probably more than we're used to hearing, even in church. Of course, it's important. But is it that important?

Yes—yes, it is! But why? There are so many reasons, and here are just a few. When God raised Jesus from the dead, it was the first real proof that our long nightmare of death and destruction was ending. Here, finally, was the first human being who had passed through death and come out the other side—never to die again. That's good news!

But there's more. By raising Jesus from the dead, God made it clear that everything Jesus said and did had God's stamp of approval. God would never raise a liar from the dead! But He raised Jesus. And so God says to the whole world, "This is My dear Son. Listen to Him!" (See Luke 9:35.)

There's even more. We know that Jesus died on the cross to take away the power of sin, guilt, and evil over our lives. His death set us free. But forgiveness is invisible. If Jesus had stayed dead, how could we be sure He had set us free from sin? We would always wonder, wouldn't we? But not now—because He has risen from the dead, and many eyewitnesses have seen Him. And the very first thing He said to the disciples gathered together in that locked room was "Kairete!" which is usually translated as "Greetings!" But if we take it literally, it means "Rejoice!"

Now that Jesus has risen from the dead, we have every reason to rejoice. The One we love the most in the world is alive again, and we will never lose Him. And He has opened paradise to us and to everyone who belongs to Him. This is what the resurrection means.

THE PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for raising Your Son Jesus from the dead, and for letting us know and believe this wonderful news. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Do you think most of the people you live and work with know about Jesus' resurrection? Why or why not?

2. How often do you hear about the resurrection in your life?

3. Are there other reasons why the resurrection means so much to you?

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).
Do you think most of the people you live and work with know about Jesus' resurrection? Why or why not?

Devocional CPTLN del 12 de mayo de 2020 - ¿Cuán importante es?

ALIMENTO DIARIO

¿Cuán importante es?

12 de Mayo de 2020

Mientras Pablo los esperaba en Atenas, su espíritu se enardeció al ver que la ciudad estaba entregada a la idolatría. Por eso en la sinagoga discutía con los judíos y con hombres piadosos, y también con todos los que a diario acudían a la plaza. Algunos filósofos de los epicúreos y de los estoicos discutían con él. Unos preguntaban: «¿De qué habla este parlanchín?» Y otros decían: «Es alguien que habla de dioses extranjeros.» Y es que les hablaba del evangelio de Jesús, y de la resurrección.

— Hechos 17:16-18, RVC

En esta historia de la visita de Pablo a Atenas hay un poco de humor escondido. Algunos de los lugareños estaban tratando de averiguar qué estaba haciendo. Finalmente, llegaron a la conclusión de que estaba predicando sobre dioses extranjeros, y no solo uno, sino más de uno. ¿Cómo llegaron a esa idea? Bueno, Lucas dice que fue porque "él estaba predicando a Jesús y la resurrección". ¡Parece que Pablo mencionó la resurrección tan a menudo, que algunas personas decidieron que estaba predicando dos dioses, uno llamado Jesús y otro llamado "Resurrección"!

Nosotros sabemos que no es así. Pero esto nos dice que Pablo pasó mucho tiempo hablando de la resurrección, probablemente más de lo que estamos acostumbrados a escuchar, incluso en la iglesia. Por supuesto que es importante. Pero, ¿será que es tan importante?

¡Sí, que lo es! ¿Por qué? Hay muchas razones, aquí van solo algunas. Cuando Dios levantó a Jesús de entre los muertos, fue la primera prueba real de que nuestra larga pesadilla de muerte y destrucción estaba terminando. Jesús había resucitado, venciendo a la muerte para no morir nunca más. ¡Esas son buenas noticias!

Pero hay más. Al resucitar a Jesús de entre los muertos, Dios dejó en claro que todo lo que Jesús dijo e hizo tuvo el sello de aprobación de Dios. ¡Dios nunca levantaría un mentiroso de entre los muertos! Pero resucitó a Jesús. Y entonces Él le dice a todo el mundo: "Este es mi hijo amado. ¡Escúchenlo!" (Lucas 9:35).

Aún hay más. Sabemos que Jesús murió en la cruz para quitar el poder del pecado, la culpa y el mal sobre nuestras vidas. Su muerte nos liberó. Pero el perdón es invisible. Si Jesús se hubiera quedado muerto, ¿cómo podríamos estar seguros de que nos había liberado del pecado? Siempre estaríamos dudando. Pero ya no más, porque ha resucitado de entre los muertos y muchos testigos oculares lo han visto. Y lo primero que dijo a los discípulos reunidos en esa habitación cerrada fue "¡Kairete!" que generalmente se traduce como "¡Saludos!" Pero si lo tomamos literalmente, significa "¡Alégrate!"

Ahora que Jesús ha resucitado de la muerte, tenemos toda razón para alegrarnos. Aquél a quien más amamos en el mundo está vivo para siempre, y ha abierto el paraíso para nosotros y para todos los que le pertenecen. Esto es lo que significa la resurrección.

ORACIÓN: Querido Padre, gracias por resucitar a tu Hijo Jesús de la muerte y por dejarnos saber y creer esta maravillosa noticia. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

* ¿Con qué frecuencia escuchas hablar, o hablas tú, sobre la resurrección?

* ¿Hay más razones por las cuales la resurrección significa tanto para ti?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Con qué frecuencia escuchas hablar, o hablas tú, sobre la resurrección?

Nuestro Pan Diario - Brazos abiertos

Brazos abiertos

La escritura de hoy: 2 Samuel 22:1-7, 17-20
La Biblia en un año: 2 Reyes 15–16; Juan 3:1-18

En mi angustia invoqué al Señor, […] y mi clamor llegó a sus oídos.

— 2 Samuel 22:7

Saydee y su familia tienen una filosofía de «brazos abiertos y casa abierta». La gente siempre es bienvenida en su casa; «en especial, los que están afligidos», dice él. Esta es la clase de familia donde creció en Liberia, junto con sus nueve hermanos. Sus padres siempre recibían a otras personas como parte de la familia. Saydee afirma: «Crecimos como una comunidad. Nos amábamos unos a otros. Todos nos encargábamos de todos. Mi papá nos enseñó a amar a cada uno, a cuidar a cada uno, a proteger a cada uno».

Cuando el rey David estuvo necesitado, encontró esta clase de cuidado amoroso en Dios. En 2 Samuel 22 (y en el Salmo 18), se registra su cántico de alabanza a Dios por las formas en que Él lo había refugiado a lo largo de toda su vida: «En mi angustia invoqué al Señor, y clamé a mi Dios; Él oyó mi voz desde su templo, y mi clamor llegó a sus oídos» (v. 7). Dios lo había librado muchas veces de sus enemigos; incluso del rey Saúl. Alababa al Señor por haber sido su fortaleza y libertador cuando se refugió en Él (vv. 2-3).

Aunque nuestras aflicciones puedan parecer pequeñas en comparación con las de David, Dios nos recibe con agrado cuando corremos a Él en busca de protección. Sus brazos están siempre abiertos. Por eso, «[cantamos] a su nombre» (v. 50).

De:  Anne Cetas

Reflexiona y ora

Dios, gracias porque siempre serás mi refugio.

¿Cuándo fue Dios tu refugio? ¿Cómo puedes ayudar a alguien a correr hacia Él?

© 2020 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario
Saydee y su familia tienen una filosofía de «brazos abiertos y casa abierta».