The Daily Lectionary for WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2020

The Daily Lectionary

WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2020

Psalm 102:1-17; Proverbs 3:13-18; John 8:31-38

(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 3:13-18

God the truth and life

13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
     those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
     and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies;
     nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
     in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
     and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
     those who hold her fast will be blessed.

John 8:31-38

Jesus the truth of God

8:31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. 38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.”

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 WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2020
Psalm 102:1-17; Proverbs 3:13-18; John 8:31-38

The Daily Prayer for WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2020

The Daily Prayer

WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2020

Julian of Norwich (1342—1416)

Born during a tumultuous period of England’s history, Julian witnessed tremendous suffering in her lifetime. At age thirty, when she was seriously ill, Julian received the first of sixteen visions that centered on the crucified Christ. She interpreted her visions to mean that God loves us unconditionally, and she likened Christ to a mother who suffers when a child is hurt. Julian became an anchorite, voluntarily restricting herself to a tiny cell in the church building at Norwich. She lived the rest of her days in almost total isolation so that she could pray for the community and offer spiritual counsel. Her Showings has been praised as being among the most important spiritual writing in the English language.

Julian of Norwich prayed, “God, of your goodness, give me yourself, for you are enough for me. I may ask nothing less that is fully to your worship, and if I do ask anything less, ever shall I be in want. Only in you I have all.”

God, you are present in our joys and in our sorrows. Help us expect to live lives that mirror the suffering and joy of Christ our Savior. No disciple is above her master. Amen.

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2020

Proverbs 31:30

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
  but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

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 - Miércoles 13 de mayo de 2020

El Rey de nuestra vida

¿Qué Dios hay como tú, que perdone la maldad y pase por alto el delito del remanente de su pueblo? No siempre estarás airado, porque tu mayor placer es amar.

— Miqueas 7:18, NVI

Muchos de los asuntos que nos alejan de nuestra relación linda con Dios es el amor a otras cosas. Quizá preguntes: «¿Por qué? ¿Qué hay de malo en amar otras cosas que no sean Dios? ¿O es que acaso no puedo amar a mi cónyuge?».

Todas esas preguntas tienen una misma respuesta y es aplicable para otras no mencionadas. Tú y yo podemos decir: «Bueno, mi amor está puesto en…».

Lo preocupante de llevar a extremos esos amores está en cuando le damos un trono y se convierten en el rey de nuestra vida: El dios dinero, el dios de tu esposo, el dios de tus hijos, del trabajo. Estos dioses nos roban el primer y único lugar en el que debe estar Dios.

Atiende esto, nada debe ser más importante en tu vida que Dios. Ni siquiera el amor a la obra, a la iglesia, ni a tu llamado. Nada debe ser más importante que Dios en tu vida.

He aprendido que, en ese sentido, Dios es un Dios celoso y no va permitir que tú y yo hagamos reyes a nada ni a nadie. Además, Él sí que es especialista en derrumbar esos reyes, esos altares y esos dioses.

Rinde en este día ese rey que has levantado, dile a Dios que te perdone y comienza por darle a Él su lugar.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
¿Qué hay de malo en amar otras cosas que no sean Dios?

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Wednesday, May 13, 2020

THE EXAMPLE OF MOTHERS

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

— 1 Thessalonians 2:7b-8, NIV

Dear Corrie ten Boom, a close friend of Brother Andrew’s in Holland, was well-known for her statement: “When God has a task to be done, he calls a man. When He has a DIFFICULT task to be done, he calls a woman!”

Motherhood is often one of those difficult tasks for women. I can remember how difficult it was for my own mother in the 1950s to raise a family with four active, hungry boys on a total budget of twenty-five dollars a week. Yet she was such an example to us of sacrifice, commitment, and faithfulness. We knew she would give everything she had for us and our father.

The Apostle Paul reminded the Thessalonian church that the apostles could have become a burden to them but instead, they treated the new growing church gently, like a mother caring for her little children, willing to give everything—even their lives.

Today mothers in the persecuted church continue to reflect the example of Jesus in sacrifice, commitment, and faithfulness. I think of the wife of Santiago, a dynamic church pastor in one of Colombia’s deeply troubled areas. Santiago’s life is threatened because has an intense love for God’s people, and a deeply ingrained sense of justice. His strength comes from the Lord. But his second source of strength is his wife, Deborah, who stands by him no matter what.

Recently, she opened up her heart to a small group of visitors. “I feel a profound emptiness and fear that can only be mitigated by the Lord. Although many people claim that the war here has dwindled, I cannot agree because I still see what the people here go through. Just yesterday four people were murdered in our town, two of them very close to our church.”

At that point, the tears flooding Deborah’s eyes reveal one of the deepest fears of her heart. “I beg my Lord not to take Santiago away from us, as it would be an extremely painful blow. I remember having the doors locked, believing that at any moment they would come looking for Santiago to kill him. Every time he left for church, my children also waited for someone to arrive bearing the horrible news that he had been murdered. The children beg him, ‘Daddy, please quit the church. We know that people in the area are speaking badly of you, and you know that several other pastors have been murdered.’”

Deborah continues, “God changed our plans to leave. It is not His will that we run away, and our brothers and sisters would not allow us to do so either.” Then she pleads, “I request your prayers for the Lord to heal the wounds of my heart, to remove the fear so that I can continue fighting. But, more importantly, that I will know how to pray according to His will.” Deborah’s deep devotion to her husband and children is obvious. She is also their tower of strength.

RESPONSE: Today I will honor mother and encourage other mothers I see struggling with life’s issues.

PRAYER: Father, bless Deborah today—and others like her—with courage, strength, and faithfulness.

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 13, 2020 - "Surviving Slander"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Surviving Slander"

May 13, 2020

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

— 1 Peter 3:13-17, ESV

Peter says something strange in this reading. He says, "When you are slandered ..." Notice that little word, "when." He doesn't say, "if." He says, "when." It looks like Peter expects Christians to be slandered—pretty much every single one of us!

When I was younger, I didn't give much thought to the Eighth Commandment. You know the one, "Don't bear false witness against your neighbor"? I mean, I knew it was there, but I never expected it to have any really personal meaning for me. I tried to live an honest and open life, and I thought everybody would see that fact.

How wrong I was! A major storm blew up in our first parish, and my family was accused of all sorts of outrageous things. It was a nightmare. Still, we were fortunate. We were able to prove that the lies told about us were not true. There was an investigation, and we were found innocent. Nevertheless, the damage was done. We lost friends who believed the proverb, "Where there's smoke, there must be fire." We lost sleep, wondering how the lies would affect our future. And we lost our innocence because the people who turned on us were trusted and close to us. Many years later, the scars are still there.

But Peter's advice turned out to be exactly correct. If you are suffering from slander, Peter says not to be afraid of them. That's a hard one. How can we do it? Peter says, "In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy." If we keep our eyes on Jesus, it really helps with the fear. When we look at our holy, faithful, utterly trustworthy Lord, it helps us stay upright through the storms raging around us. Christ knows the truth, and He will not abandon us. In the end, He will bring us out the other side.

There is a saying, "Truth is great, and will prevail." This is correct, though it may take many years before the truth is revealed, or it may not happen until Judgment Day. It is hard sometimes to wait for that relief. Nevertheless, we have everything we need to make it to that time. We have Jesus, who suffered from slander Himself, and who became our Savior. He knows what the way of the cross is like; He can help us walk it. He is God's own truth, shining even through the clouds of lies. And He is our life-the One who holds us safely in His own hands so that we will never perish. Whether we suffer from slander or from any other evil, let us keep our eyes on Jesus.

THE PRAYER: Lord, You know the troubles of my heart. Please help me. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Has anyone ever lied about you? What effect did that have on your life?

2. Have you been tempted to lie or gossip about other people? How do you deal with the temptation?

3. When you are in deep trouble and want to cling to the Lord with all your strength, what kinds of things do you do?

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).
Has anyone ever lied about you? What effect did that have on your life?

Devocional CPTLN del 13 de mayo de 2020 - Sobreviviendo las calumnias

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Sobreviviendo las calumnias

13 de Mayo de 2020

¿Quién podrá hacerles daño, si ustedes siguen el bien? ¡Dichosos ustedes, si sufren por causa de la justicia! Así que no les tengan miedo, ni se asusten. Al contrario, honren en su corazón a Cristo, como Señor, y manténganse siempre listos para defenderse, con mansedumbre y respeto, ante aquellos que les pidan explicarles la esperanza que hay en ustedes. Tengan una buena conciencia, para que sean avergonzados aquellos que murmuran y dicen que ustedes son malhechores, y los calumnian por su buena conducta en Cristo. Es mejor que ustedes sufran por hacer el bien, si Dios así lo quiere, que por hacer el mal.

—1 Pedro 3:13-17, RVC

Pedro espera que los cristianos sean avergonzados y calumniados, ¡sin excepción!

Cuando era más joven, no pensaba mucho en el octavo mandamiento: "No darás falso testimonio contra tu prójimo". Sabía que existía, pero nunca esperé que tuviera un significado realmente personal para mí. Trataba de vivir una vida honesta y abierta, y pensaba que con eso alcanzaría.

¡Qué equivocada estaba! Una gran tormenta estalló en nuestra primera parroquia, y mi familia fue acusada de todo tipo de cosas escandalosas. Fue una pesadilla. Aun así, pudimos demostrar que las cosas que habían dicho sobre nosotros no eran ciertas, y finalmente nos encontraron inocentes. Pero el daño ya estaba hecho. Perdimos amigos. Perdimos el sueño preguntándonos cómo esas calumnias afectarían nuestro futuro. Y perdimos nuestra inocencia, porque quienes se volvieron contra nosotros eran personas de confianza y cercanas a nosotros. Muchos años después, las cicatrices siguen estando.

Pero el consejo de Pedro resultó ser exactamente correcto. Si sufres calumnias, Pedro dice que no les tengas miedo. Pero no es fácil. ¿Como podemos lograrlo? Pedro dice: "honren en su corazón a Cristo como el Señor". Si mantenemos nuestra mirada en Jesús, perderemos el miedo. Cuando miramos a nuestro Señor santo, fiel y totalmente confiable, seremos capaces de mantenernos erguidos durante las tormentas que nos acosan. Cristo sabe la verdad y no nos abandonará. Al final, nos hará salir triunfadores.

Aunque puedan pasar muchos años antes de que se revele, la verdad siempre sale a luz. A veces es difícil esperar ese alivio. Sin embargo, tenemos todo lo que necesitamos para llegar a ese momento. Tenemos a Jesús, quien sufrió la calumnia y se convirtió en nuestro Salvador. Él sabe cómo es el camino de la cruz; Él puede ayudarnos a caminarlo. Él es la verdad de Dios, brillando incluso a través de las nubes de mentiras. Y Él es nuestra vida, Aquél que nos tiene a salvo en sus propias manos para que nunca perezcamos. Ya sea que suframos calumnias o cualquier otro mal, mantengamos nuestros ojos en Jesús.

ORACIÓN: Señor, conoces los problemas de mi corazón. Por favor, ayúdame. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

* ¿Has tenido la tentación de mentir o chismear sobre otras personas? ¿Cómo lidias con eso?

* ¿Qué cosas haces para aferrarte al Señor cuando estás en problemas?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Has tenido la tentación de mentir o chismear sobre otras personas? ¿Cómo lidias con eso?

Ministérios Pão Diário - As terras ao longe

As terras ao longe

Escritura de hoje: Isaías 33:17-22
Bíblia em um ano: 2 Reis 17–18; João 3:19-36

Seus olhos verão o rei em todo o seu esplendor, verão uma terra que se estende para longe.

— Isaías 33:17

Amy Carmichael (1867–1951) é conhecida pelo resgate de meninas órfãs na Índia e por dar a elas novo começo. Em meio ao seu exaustivo trabalho, houve momentos que ela chamava de “momentos de visão”. Em seu livro Gold by Moonlight (Ouro ao luar), ela escreveu: “Em meio a um dia atarefado, nos foi dado quase um vislumbre das terras que se estendem para longe e permanecemos parados, presos na estrada”.

O profeta Isaías falou de um tempo quando o povo rebelado de Deus voltaria para Ele. “Seus olhos verão o rei em todo o seu esplendor, verão uma terra que se estende para longe” (v.17). Ver essa “terra ao longe” é ser levado acima das circunstâncias do presente imediato e ganhar uma perspectiva eterna. Em tempos difíceis, Deus nos permite ver nossa vida do Seu ponto de vista e a readquirir esperança. “Pois o Senhor é nosso juiz, nosso comandante e nosso rei; ele nos livrará” (v.22).

A cada dia, podemos escolher baixar o olhar em desânimo, ou elevar os nossos olhos para a “terra que se estende para longe”, para o Senhor que é o “nosso Poderoso” (v.21).

Amy Carmichael passou 55 anos na Índia ajudando garotas necessitadas. Como fez? A cada dia ela fixava o seu olhar em Jesus e colocava a vida dela aos cuidados do Senhor. E nós também podemos fazer o mesmo.

Por:  David C. McCasland

Refletir & Orar

Senhor, elevamos o nosso olhar acima das circunstâncias que nos desencorajam para ver o Teu esplendor e encontrar paz.

Fixe os seus olhos em Jesus, o Mestre. Contemple-o.

© 2020 Ministérios Pão Diário
Amy Carmichael (1867–1951) é conhecida pelo resgate de meninas órfãs na Índia e por dar a elas novo começo.