The Daily Lectionary for MONDAY, June 15, 2020

The Daily Lectionary

MONDAY, June 15, 2020

Psalm 105:1-11, 37-45; Joshua 1:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Psalm 105:1-11, 37-45

God saves the chosen people

1  Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
     make known among the nations what he has done.
2  Sing to him, sing praise to him;
     tell of all his wonderful acts.
3  Glory in his holy name;
     let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4  Look to the Lord and his strength;
     seek his face always.

5  Remember the wonders he has done,
     his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
6  you his servants, the descendants of Abraham,
     his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.
7  He is the Lord our God;
     his judgments are in all the earth.

8  He remembers his covenant forever,
     the promise he made, for a thousand generations,
9  the covenant he made with Abraham,
     the oath he swore to Isaac.
10 He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree,
     to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
11 “To you I will give the land of Canaan
     as the portion you will inherit.”

37 He brought out Israel, laden with silver and gold,
     and from among their tribes no one faltered.
38 Egypt was glad when they left,
     because dread of Israel had fallen on them.

39 He spread out a cloud as a covering,
     and a fire to give light at night.
40 They asked, and he brought them quail;
     he fed them well with the bread of heaven.
41 He opened the rock, and water gushed out;
     it flowed like a river in the desert.

42 For he remembered his holy promise
     given to his servant Abraham.
43 He brought out his people with rejoicing,
     his chosen ones with shouts of joy;
44 he gave them the lands of the nations,
     and they fell heir to what others had toiled for—
45 that they might keep his precepts
     and observe his laws.

   Praise the Lord.

Joshua 1:1-11

God calls Joshua

1:1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

10 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11 “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’”

1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

Timothy is sent to Thessalonica

3:1 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.

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, June 15, 2020
Psalm 105:1-11, 37-45; Joshua 1:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

The Daily Prayer for MONDAY, June 15, 2020

The Daily Prayer

MONDAY, June 15, 2020

In 1955, twenty-nine people were arrested in New York City for refusing to participate in a civil defense drill requiring all citizens to take shelter from a simulated nuclear attack. “We refused to take part in the war maneuvers, if you can call them that,” wrote Dorothy Day, who was among the pacifist resisters. Civil defense drills were discontinued six years later when the annual protest in City Hall Park drew a crowd of thousands.

Ignatius of Antioch said, “Take heed, then, to come together often to give thanks to God, and show his praise. For when you come frequently together in the same place, the powers of Satan are destroyed, and his fiery darts of sin fall back, worthless. For your unity and harmonious faith prove his destruction, and the torment of his assistants. Nothing is better than Christ’s peace, by which all war, both of heavenly and earthly spirits, is brought to an end.”

God, set our hearts on you alone, that we might not be distracted by the schemes of the devil but race on with all of our being to receive the gift of life that never ends, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Verse of the Day for MONDAY, June 15, 2020

Proverbs 23:24

The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.

Read all of Proverbs 23

Listen to Proverbs 23

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 15 de junio de 2020

Oración por sabiduría de Dios

Porque el Señor da la sabiduría; conocimiento y ciencia brotan de sus labios.

— Proverbios 2:6 (NVI)

Padre, en estos días estaba escuchando una enseñanza del pastor Charles Stanley donde hablaba de lo poderoso que es orar e interceder por otras personas, y que cuando uno ora por las necesidades de los demás, tú respondes de una manera especial.

Yo lo he experimentado con la oración diaria en el programa de la radio.

Por eso quiero, mi Dios, interceder durante este devocional por las necesidades de tus hijos y que desde el cielo hagas tu santa voluntad.

Dios mío, te suplico que le des a cada uno de mis amigos y hermanos mucha sabiduría. Tú dices que a cada uno se nos ha dado una porción y que te la pidamos si necesitamos más.

Padre, necesitamos ser sabios para que las decisiones que tomemos sean adecuadas. Para que las palabras que digamos, y aun nuestros pensamientos, estén llenos de ti y de tu santa voluntad.

Sabemos que tendremos situaciones que enfrentar, pero no queremos seguir equivocándonos y arrastrando a nuestros seres queridos.

Todo esto te lo pedimos en el nombre de Jesús.

Amén y amén.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Oración por sabiduría de Dios

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Monday, June 15, 2020

TEACH YOUR CHILDREN

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

— Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NIV)

An extraordinary life in Christ does not just depend on teachings, circumstances, or comfort. In many countries in the world today there are severe restrictions and obstacles facing parents in instructing their children in the ways of the Lord. In communist countries like China and Vietnam, it is officially against the law to share the gospel with anybody under the age of eighteen years, including your own children.

In the Middle East, Christian schools are non-existent and Christian children are forced to attend Muslim schools and receive instruction from the Koran and Muslim teachers. Yet, it seems as if Christian families in restricted areas are more Godly and committed to the Lord than their counterparts in the west, where opportunities abound and Christians live in abundance.

The lessons that we learn from the persecuted church are of far more value than seminars or devotionals can ever be—the lessons of true discipleship and wholesome living. Lessons that are neither theology nor speculation but teachings of life, reality, and practice.

Gerhard Hamm was one of the thousands of faithful believers through whom God’s light continued to shine in the Soviet Union during the years when communism reigned there.

He grew up in the Ural Mountains where his parents farmed. But then communism arose and in 1929 the “bandits” came, as Gerhard later often called the Bolsheviks. Because his father was a Christian and of German descent, he was arrested and exiled to Siberia. The farm was confiscated.

Mother Hamm and her twenty children also moved to Siberia. For a few years, the family was together. Then Gerhard’s father was taken away from his family and never came back. None of the family knows where his grave is. All the churches were closed and atheistic propaganda was being disseminated all around.

As a young boy, Gerhard lost his father, his security, his home, and his freedom—all because of the name of Jesus. Hunger and cold were his daily lot, an obvious reason for a young teenager to resent God and His commands. But despite the difficulties, ridicule, and persecution, Mother Hamm prayed every day with her children, and they read the Bible together.

When Gerhard Hamm died in 1999 at the age of 76, he left a legacy of faithful children behind. All of his children and their spouses were devoted Christians. His grandchildren have all committed their lives to the Lord. All of Gerhard’s nineteen brothers and sisters and their spouses and children followed the footsteps of Jesus and many are still involved in various ministries reaching all corners of the globe.

RESPONSE: Today I will take seriously the challenge of teaching, training, and discipling my children or young people with whom I have close relationship.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to live a life of self-sacrifice so young people will see You and want to follow.

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, June 15, 2020

Rizpah

Her name means: "A Hot Stone" or "Coal"

Her character: Saul's concubine Rizpah was the mother of Armoni and Mephibosheth. Though a woman with few rights and little power, she displayed great courage and loyalty after the death of her sons.
Her sorrow: That her only sons were executed and their bodies dishonored because of their father's crime.
Her joy: That the bodies of her sons were finally given an honorable burial.
Key Scriptures: 2 Samuel 21:8-14

Her Story

One day a rabbi stood on a hill overlooking a certain city. The rabbi watched in horror as a band of Cossacks on horseback suddenly attacked the town, killing innocent men, women, and children. Some of the slaughtered were his own disciples. Looking up to heaven, the rabbi exclaimed: "Oh, if only I were God." An astonished student, standing nearby, asked, "But, Master, if you were God, what would you do differently?" The rabbi replied: "If I were God I would do nothing differently. If I were God, I would understand."

One day a woman named Rizpah was standing on a hill in Israel, watching the execution of seven men. Her grief was sharp, for among the dead were her own two sons. Executed for their father's crime, their bodies were left to rot on the hillside, despite a law requiring burial by sunset. Perhaps, like the rabbi, Rizpah wished she were God, even for a moment. Maybe then she would understand the "why" of what she had just witnessed.

It is not hard to imagine Rizpah's suffering. To watch as her body convulses in sorrow. To see her pound a fist against her breast to beat away the grief. When will she turn away from the gruesome spectacle? we wonder. But instead of fleeing the scene of her sorrow, she faces it, drawing close to bloodied bodies she once had cradled in her arms. Then she spreads sackcloth on a rock and sits down, refusing to move except to beat off birds of prey by day and jackals by night. Her vigil would last for several months—from mid-April to early October. Rizpah would not bury her grief as long as the bodies of her sons remained unburied.

Joshua had promised to live in peace with the Gibeonites, but Saul had murdered many of them during his reign, attempting to annihilate them. As a result of Saul's oath-breaking, Israel suffered a famine for three years running. In retribution, the Gibeonites had asked David for seven of Saul's male offspring. David surrendered Saul's two sons by Rizpah and five grandsons by Saul's daughter Merab. Blood was spilt for blood.

Scripture doesn't say whether Rizpah's sons shared their father's guilt. But like all mothers whose children have perished by violence—those in Bosnia, Kosovo, Rwanda, Iraq, Afghanistan, our own inner cities, and even our suburbs—Rizpah must have understood the terrible link between sin and death. One person's sin is a cancer that spreads. By refusing to hide her grief, by living out her anguish in public, Rizpah gave meaning to her sons' deaths, making the entire nation face the evil of what had happened.

Finally, the rains came. Finally, the king's heart was touched. Hearing of Rizpah's loyalty and courage, David ordered the remains of the executed to be buried. He even ordered Saul's and his son Jonathan's bones to be reclaimed and buried.

Scripture doesn't say that God ordered David to hand the men over to the Gibeonites in the first place, or even that the famine ended when they were executed. Instead, as Virginia Stem Owens points out in her book Daughters of Eve, the Bible indicates that God answered prayers on behalf of the land after the dead were given a decent burial. David's act in honor of the dead may have signaled an end to Israel's divisions. Finally, the land could be healed and the Israelites could reunite under David's leadership.

Rizpah made the people look at the cost of sin. Like many women in ancient cultures, she had few rights and little power. But her persistent courage gave meaning to her sons' deaths and helped a nation deal with the sin of its leader. Her story is tragic; her response, memorable. Perhaps because of her, other mothers in Israel were spared a similar grief, at least for a time.

Her Promise

Rizpah's consistency and tenacity is a lesson for all who are inclined to give up when the going gets tough. Out of love and a need to do what was right, she stuck out bad weather, cold, fatigue, and wild animals to protect her dead sons. Finally, someone in authority took notice and did something. Her faithfulness was rewarded, and she could rest. God promises the same to us. He asks us only to be faithful and to leave the rest up to him. Whatever the situation—harsh parents, unloving spouses, rebellious children, financial difficulties, sickness, or death—God knows and will uphold and provide in his time.

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.
"If I were God I would do nothing differently. If I were God, I would understand."

LHM Daily Devotions - June 15, 2020 - "A Refuge and Fortress"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"A Refuge and Fortress"

June 15, 2020

I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and buckler."

— Psalm 91:2-4 (ESV)

We know the familiar story of the three little pigs. Two lazy little pigs build houses out of straw and sticks. When the wolf comes along with his threat to huff and puff and blows the houses down, that is exactly what happens. The poorly crafted homes come crashing down. Only the third home, constructed of sturdy bricks by the more industrious third pig is able to withstand the huffing and puffing of the wolf. In line with the wisdom demonstrated by at least one little pig, many great castles and fortresses were built out of stone. Constructed centuries ago, many such strongholds are still standing, having withstood long years of struggle and bombardment far more deadly than a wolf's huffing and puffing.

Our psalm celebrates a fortress of immense and enduring strength, a refuge for us in every time of need. Nothing can bring it down. This stronghold is not built of brick or stone, or even of straw and sticks. We live in a fortress of feathers. To human reason, such a fortress does not appear to be very substantial. But our sturdy shelter is the God in whom we trust. He covers us "with His pinions" and hides us "under His wings." He is a place to hide when fears and doubts threaten to overcome us when we are threatened by "the snare of the fowler," "deadly pestilence," and every other trick and trap of the devil.

God is our fortress, a stronghold that no foe can conquer. We are safe because our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for a time, stepped purposefully into the snares of His enemies. For the sake of our salvation, Jesus allowed Himself to be overcome by the powers of darkness. In helpless weakness, He was nailed to a cross, where He suffered the penalty of death that we deserved for our sins. His body was sealed in a tomb, a stronghold of stone guarded by soldiers. Then, on the first Easter morning, the stone door of that fortress of death was rolled back to reveal an empty tomb. Jesus had risen from the dead! His victory over sin, death, and Satan is our victory, and when our Lord returns, the stronghold of death will not be able to hold us in. We will be raised from death as our Savior was raised!

Until that great day, we have an unfailing shelter. The world may not think that God is a strong refuge. They consider us foolish to trust in Him to shelter us. But we know better, and we rejoice within the sure and certain safety of our feathered fortress: "You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I will sing for joy" (Psalm 63:7b)

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, shelter us with Your love. Be our refuge in every time of trouble and keep us safe from the snares of the devil. Hear our prayer in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. How do you safeguard your home and family in case of disaster? Storm cellar? Fire extinguishers? Evacuation plan? Hurricane insurance?

2. How is Jesus a refuge for us even though we might experience disaster in this world?

3. Is there someone who can rely on you through thick and thin? Do you have someone like that?

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).
How do you safeguard your home and family in case of disaster? Storm cellar? Fire extinguishers? Evacuation plan? Hurricane insurance?

Devocional CPTLN del 15 de junio de 2020 - Refugio y fortaleza

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Refugio y fortaleza

15 de Junio de 2020

El que habita al abrigo del Altísimo y se acoge a la sombra del Omnipotente, dice al Señor: «Tú eres mi esperanza, mi Dios, ¡el castillo en el que pongo mi confianza!» El Señor te librará de las trampas del cazador; te librará de la peste destructora. El Señor te cubrirá con sus plumas, y vivirás seguro debajo de sus alas. ¡Su verdad es un escudo protector!

— Salmo 91:1-4 (RVC)

Conocemos la historia de los tres cerditos. Dos cerditos perezosos construyen sus casas con paja y palos. Cuando el lobo viene con su amenaza de soplar y resoplar y derribar las casas, eso es exactamente lo que sucede: sus casas mal diseñadas se derrumban. Solo la tercera casa, construida con ladrillos resistentes por el tercer cerdito más trabajador, es capaz de soportar el resoplido del lobo. En línea con la sabiduría demostrada por al menos un cerdito, muchos grandes castillos y fortalezas fueron construidos en piedra. Y a pesar de haber sido construidos hace siglos, muchos de ellos aún están en pie, habiendo resistido largos años de lucha y bombardeo mucho más letales que el resoplido de un lobo.

Nuestro salmo celebra un refugio de fuerza inmensa y duradera, un refugio para nosotros en todo momento de necesidad. Nada puede derribarlo. Esta fortaleza no está construida de ladrillo o piedra, ni siquiera de paja y palos. Vivimos en una fortaleza de plumas. Para la razón humana, tal fortaleza no parece ser muy sustancial. Pero nuestro refugio es el Dios en quien confiamos. Él nos cubre "con sus plumas" y nos esconde "debajo sus alas". En Él podemos escondernos cuando los miedos y las dudas amenazan con vencernos, cuando somos amenazados por "la trampa del cazador", "la peste mortal" y cualquier otro truco y trampa del diablo.

Dios es nuestra fortaleza, una fortaleza que ningún enemigo puede conquistar. Estamos a salvo porque nuestro Señor y Salvador Jesucristo por un tiempo pisó resueltamente las trampas de sus enemigos. Por el bien de nuestra salvación, Jesús se dejó vencer por los poderes de las tinieblas. En debilidad indefensa fue clavado en una cruz, donde sufrió la pena de muerte que merecíamos por nuestros pecados. Su cuerpo fue sellado en una tumba, una fortaleza de piedra custodiada por soldados. Luego, en la primera mañana de Pascua, la puerta de piedra de esa fortaleza de la muerte se abrió para revelar una tumba vacía. ¡Jesús había resucitado de la muerte! Su victoria sobre el pecado, la muerte y Satanás es nuestra victoria. Cuando nuestro Señor regrese, la fortaleza de la muerte no podrá retenernos. ¡Seremos resucitados de la muerte así como nuestro Salvador resucitó!

Hasta que llegue ese gran día, contamos con un refugio inagotable. Puede que el mundo no piense que nuestro Dios es un refugio fuerte. Nos consideran insensatos por confiar en Él para que nos proteja. Aun así, nos regocijamos en la seguridad de nuestra fortaleza: "Porque tú has sido mi socorro, alegré viviré bajo la sombra de tus alas" (Salmo 63:7).

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, protégenos con tu amor. Sé nuestro refugio en cada momento y mantennos a salvo de las trampas del diablo. Escucha nuestra oración en el nombre de Jesús. Amén.

Dra. Carol Geisler

Para reflexionar:

* ¿Hay alguien que pueda confiar en ti en las buenas y en las malas? ¿Tienes tú a alguien así?

* ¿De qué manera es Jesús un refugio para ti ante las tormentas de la vida?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Hay alguien que pueda confiar en ti en las buenas y en las malas? ¿Tienes tú a alguien así?

Notre Pain Quotidien - Comment rebâtir

Comment rebâtir

Lisez : Néhémie 2.11-18
La Bible en un an : Néhémie 4 – 6 ; Actes 2.22-47

Ils dirent : Levons-nous, et bâtissons ! Et ils se fortifièrent dans cette bonne résolution.

— Néhémie 2.18

La nuit tombée, le leader est sorti à cheval pour inspecter le travail à faire. Il a vu les murailles de la ville détruites et ses portes réduites en cendres. Dans certains secteurs, les nombreux débris entravaient son avancée. Triste, le cavalier a fait demi-tour. Le temps venu de décrire l’étendue des dommages aux autorités de la ville, il a commencé ainsi : « Vous voyez le malheureux état où nous sommes ! » (NÉ 2.17.) Il a indiqué que la ville était en ruines et que ses murailles avaient perdu leur utilité. Puis il a dit quelque chose qui a encouragé les résidents bouleversés : « Et je leur racontai comment la bonne main de mon Dieu avait été sur moi. » Or, ils m’ont immédiatement répondu : « Levons-nous, et bâtissons ! » (V. 18.) Ce qu’ils ont d’ailleurs fait.

Malgré l’opposition de l’ennemi et la tâche semblant impossible à accomplir, les gens de Jérusalem – sous la direction de Néhémie – ont mis leur foi en Dieu, se sont relevé les manches et ont rebâti le mur en seulement cinquante-deux jours (6.15).

Y a-t-il une dimension de votre situation qui vous semble difficile, mais que vous savez devoir faire pour plaire à Dieu ? Vous débarrasser d’un certain péché ? Améliorer une relation qui n’honore pas Dieu ? Accomplir pour lui une tâche qui vous dépasse ?

Demandez à Dieu de vous guider (2.4,5), analysez le problème (V. 11-15) et reconnaissez l’implication du Seigneur (V. 18). Puis mettez-vous à rebâtir.

Mon Dieu, aide-moi à cerner la situation, puis à solliciter ton aide et ta direction pour relever les défis.

La vie du croyant se démarque par sa croissance continue dans le but de façonner et de rebâtir le mur de protection que le péché a endommagé.

par Dave Branon

© 2020 Ministères NPQ
La nuit tombée, le leader est sorti à cheval pour inspecter le travail à faire. Il a vu les murailles de la ville détruites et ses portes réduites en cendres.