The Daily Lectionary for TUESDAY, June 16, 2020

The Daily Lectionary

TUESDAY, June 16, 2020

Psalm 105:1-11, 37-45; 1 Samuel 3:1-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13—3:5

(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.

1 Samuel 3:1-9

God calls Samuel

3:1 The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.

2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel.

Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.

6 Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.

8 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

2 Thessalonians 2:13—3:5

The life of those chosen by God

2:13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

3:1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

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, June 16, 2020
Psalm 105:1-11, 37-45; 1 Samuel 3:1-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13—3:5

The Daily Prayer for TUESDAY, June 16, 2020

The Daily Prayer

TUESDAY, June 16, 2020

In 1976, seven hundred students were killed in Soweto, South Africa, as they struggled against the forces of apartheid.

American preacher Howard Thurman wrote, “Too often the price exacted by society for security and respectability is that the Christian movement in its formal expression must be on the side of the strong against the weak. This is a matter of tremendous significance, for it reveals to what extent a religion that was born of a people acquainted with persecution and suffering has become the cornerstone of a civilization and of nations whose very position in modern life too often has been secured by a ruthless use of power applied to defenseless peoples.”

Lord, help us stand up both to the demons that hide behind ungodly laws, and the false religion that props up injustice. Make us into a people who shine out your love so that the world might know another way is possible. Amen.

Verse of the Day for TUESDAY, June 16, 2020

Psalm 103:13

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

Read all of Psalm 103

Listen to Psalm 103

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 16 de junio de 2020

Sencillez de la vida (primera parte)

Porque donde esté tu tesoro, allí estará también tu corazón.

— Mateo 6:21 (NVI)

¡Cuántas veces en el camino de la vida nos encontramos personas que se creen, como decimos popularmente, «la última Coca-Cola del desierto»! Personas que valen por lo que tienen y por los títulos que las acompañan. Personas que incluso te miran por encima del hombro.

Sin embargo, ¡qué duro es volver a encontrar a esas mismas personas que por diferentes situaciones en la vida se encuentran devastadas y sin el consuelo de Dios! El ejemplo más cercano y popular es la situación hipotecaria que vivió este país y que cambió el panorama total de muchos. Algunos se quedaron sin nada, pues perdieron casas, autos, crédito, trabajos y familias. Hoy en día, no los hemos vuelto a ver.

Quizá se sientan avergonzados porque su vida se basaba en lo material. Es evidente que eran lo que tenían y su felicidad no se cimentaba en Dios, sino en el dinero. ¡Qué lección de vida tan dura! Esto nos enseña que en este mundo no debemos aferrarnos a nada material. Que las riquezas son espectaculares mientras nuestro corazón no esté en ellas. Que Dios nos da esas riquezas, pero para que en medio de ellas seamos humildes, sencillos y generosos.

Por lo tanto, nunca debemos olvidar que Él es el que quita y pone. No nos apeguemos a lo material, pues cuando partamos de este mundo, nada podremos llevarnos. Entonces, lo que quede, se lo repartirán nuestros propios seres queridos. Vivamos con sencillez de corazón.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
¡Cuántas veces en el camino de la vida nos encontramos personas que se creen, como decimos popularmente, «la última Coca-Cola del desierto»!

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Tuesday, June 16, 2020

HAS GOD FORGOTTEN HIS CHILDREN?

How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?

— Psalm 13:1-2 (NIV)

If any believers can identify with this cry of David, it is those in North Korea. Today we hear from our co-worker, Jan Vermeer:

Looking at the desperate condition of the scattered North Korean church is a test of faith. Was the church meant to be underground or to be a bold witness? Should the name of Jesus Christ be proclaimed or whispered in silence? And if Jesus is King, why doesn’t He come to the rescue of his followers? Why do hundreds or even thousands perish in prisons or death camps each year?

An Open Doors contact in North Korea talks about their prayer meetings. “If you could attend one of those rare prayer meetings, your hearts would break,” he says. “We cover the portraits of the leaders on the wall and then we kneel down in a circle. We pray for strength and endurance. We pray that God will keep our country. ‘Father,’ we say, ‘The Israelites sinned and you made them wander in the wilderness for forty years. But for us, Lord, after more than fifty years we are still being punished. However, we have sinned and You are just. We bowed before the idols of Kim Il-Sung and before that to the idols of the Japanese. Forgive us. Please Father; restore the churches of past times in North Korea.’”

Feeling that sense of guilt in the North Korean believers is utterly painful. It makes you cry out with them the words of David, “How long, oh Lord? Will you forget me forever?” It’s a heartfelt cry, but is it the truth? Has God forgotten His children in North Korea? For that answer, we have to investigate the spiritual life of North Korean Christians.

The Open Doors contact adds, “If you do that, you’ll find North Korean Christians are very mature. They know how to approach unbelievers and how to train new Christians, including their children once they are old enough. The Christians don’t mind being tested. In fact, they are determined to sacrifice themselves for the Kingdom of God. They see trials as purifying.”

North Korean Christians know that when they pray earnestly, God will answer. The contact continues, “Whenever we do a project with Open Doors, first we fast for seven, sometimes ten days. Only when God tells us separately that we can continue with the project do we give the green light and carry out the project. Sometimes we have a very vivid dream in which God tells us what to do and sometimes we all just feel exactly the same about the project. Our believers are bolder and stronger than before, even though the persecution is also stronger.”

Where people love and follow Jesus, there is always hope!

RESPONSE: Today I bask in the sunshine of this hope. God does not ever forget His children!

PRAYER: Pray today for isolated believers in North Korea who do not have the warmth of Christian fellowship and group prayer.

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 - June 16, 2020 - "Angry at God"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Angry at God"

June 16, 2020

O LORD, You have deceived me, and I was deceived; You are stronger than I, and You have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all the day; everyone mocks me. For whenever I speak, I cry out, I shout, "Violence and destruction!" For the word of the LORD has become for me a reproach and derision all day long. If I say, "I will not mention Him, or speak any more in His Name," there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.

— Jeremiah 20:7-9 (ESV)

Have you ever been angry at God? When I listen to Jeremiah, that's what I hear: anger. He says, "O LORD, You have deceived me, and I was deceived; You are stronger than I, and You have prevailed." Those are strong words, and I can totally see why. Jeremiah has been serving as a prophet of the Lord for quite a while now, and what reward has he had for it? Mocking, betrayal, and hatred, even from his closest friends. This was not what Jeremiah was expecting.

You know what that's like from your own life. There you are, trying to serve the Lord and live as a Christian, and suddenly you find yourself dumped in a mess you had no hand in making. Someone you love becomes seriously ill, and caregiving takes over your life. Your job and financial arrangements fall apart. A child or sibling goes off the rails in a big way, and you have to ride to the rescue. None of this was part of your plan. Why would God let these things happen?

Jeremiah doesn't get an answer, and truthfully, he probably doesn't expect to. God is God, and He does whatever He wants. As Jeremiah says, "You are stronger than I, and You have prevailed." So Jeremiah is angry. And yet that's not all he is. Look what he says next: "But the LORD is with me as a dread warrior... to You have I committed my cause. Sing to the LORD; praise the LORD! For He has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers" (Jeremiah 20:11a, 12b-13).

Upset as he is, Jeremiah still leans on the Lord for strength. He still trusts in Him, loves Him, follows Him, and expects help and salvation from Him. We can do the same, even in the middle of our own messes. We can cry out to the Lord and know that He hears us, even when we are angry, even when the stress level in our lives is 100 percent. We can do this because we know that the Lord is utterly trustworthy, and He will not forget us. He will hear us and help us.

After, all, Jesus Himself is the One of whom the Holy Spirit said, "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:4-5). The God who suffered and died for us on a cross is the same God who rose from the dead—and who will carry us with Him through suffering into everlasting life.

THE PRAYER: Lord, have mercy on me when I'm overwhelmed. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Are you feeling overwhelmed right now? Explain why, if you can talk about it.

2. How do you feel toward God when you are having a hard time?

3. How do you find help in God when you're struggling?

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).
Are you feeling overwhelmed right now? Explain why, if you can talk about it.

Devocional CPTLN del 16 de junio de 2020 - Enojado con Dios

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Enojado con Dios

16 de Junio de 2020

Tú, Señor, me sedujiste, y yo me dejé seducir. Fuiste más fuerte que yo, y me venciste. Todos los días se me ofende; todo el mundo se burla de mí. Cada vez que hablo, levanto la voz y grito «¡Violencia! ¡Destrucción!» No hay día, Señor, en que tu palabra no sea para mí motivo de afrenta y de escarnio. Me había propuesto no pensar más en ti, ni hablar más en tu nombre, ¡pero en mi corazón se prendía un fuego ardiente que me calaba hasta los huesos! Traté de soportarlo, pero no pude.

— Jeremías 20:7-9 (RVC)

¿Alguna vez te has enojado con Dios? Cuando escucho a Jeremías, eso es lo que escucho: ira. Él dice: "Tú, Señor, me sedujiste, y yo me dejé seducir. Fuiste más fuerte que yo, y me venciste". Esas son palabras fuertes, y puedo ver por qué. Jeremías ha estado sirviendo como profeta del Señor por bastante tiempo, ¿y qué recompensa ha tenido por ello? Burla, traición y odio, incluso de sus amigos más cercanos. Eso no era lo que Jeremías esperaba.

Sabes a qué me refiero, tú lo has vivido. Estás tratando de servir al Señor y vivir como cristiano, y de repente te encuentras inmerso en un desastre. Alguien que amas se enferma gravemente y debes hacerte cargo de su cuidado... te quedas sin trabajo y todos tus planes se desmoronan... un hijo o un hermano se sale de los rieles y tienes que ir al rescate. Nada de esto era parte de tu plan. ¿Por qué Dios permitiría que sucedieran esas cosas?

Jeremías no recibe una respuesta; después de todo, Dios es Dios y hace lo que quiere. Como dice Jeremías: "Fuiste más fuerte que yo, y me venciste". Entonces se enoja. Pero hay más. Mira lo que dice a continuación: "Pero tú, Señor, estás conmigo como un poderoso guerrero... ¡en tus manos he puesto mi causa! ¡Canten salmos al Señor! ¡Cántenle alabanzas! ¡El Señor es quien libra al pobre de morir a manos de los malignos!" (Jeremías 20:11a, 12b-13).

Disgustado como está, Jeremías todavía se apoya en el Señor en busca de fuerza. Todavía confía en Él, lo ama, lo sigue y espera ayuda y salvación de él. Nosotros podemos hacer lo mismo, incluso en medio de nuestros problemas. Podemos clamar al Señor y saber que Él nos escucha, incluso cuando estamos enojados o cuando el nivel de estrés en nuestras vidas está al máximo. Podemos hacer esto porque sabemos que el Señor es completamente confiable y que no nos olvidará, sino que nos escuchará y ayudará.

Después de todo, Jesús es Aquel de quien el Espíritu Santo dijo: "Con todo, él llevará sobre sí nuestros males, y sufrirá nuestros dolores, mientras nosotros creeremos que Dios lo ha azotado, lo ha herido y humillado. Pero él será herido por nuestros pecados; ¡molido por nuestras rebeliones! Sobre él vendrá el castigo de nuestra paz, y por su llaga seremos sanados" (Isaías 54:4-5). El Dios que sufrió y murió por nosotros en una cruz es el mismo Dios que resucitó de los muertos y que nos llevará con Él a través del sufrimiento a la vida eterna.

ORACIÓN: Señor, ten piedad de mí cuando estoy abrumado. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

* ¿Cómo te sientes con Dios cuando tienes dificultades?

* ¿Cómo encuentras ayuda en Dios cuando estás luchando?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Cómo te sientes con Dios cuando tienes dificultades?

Nuestro Pan Diario - Ídolos por las dudas

Ídolos por las dudas

La escritura de hoy: Jeremías 11:9-13
La Biblia en un año: Nehemías 4–6; Hechos 2:22-47

… se fueron tras dioses ajenos para servirles…

—  Jeremías 11:10

Samuel revisa su cuenta de retiro dos veces por día. Ahorró durante 30 años, y con la ayuda de un mercado de valores en ascenso, finalmente tiene suficiente para jubilarse, con tal que las acciones no caigan. Este temor hace que Samuel siga preocupado por su saldo.

Jeremías advirtió sobre esto: «Porque según el número de tus ciudades fueron tus dioses, oh Judá; y según el número de tus calles, oh Jerusalén, pusiste los altares de ignominia, altares para ofrecer incienso a Baal» (11:13).

La idolatría de Judá es notable. Sabían que el Señor era Dios. ¿Cómo podían adorar a alguien más? Estaban siendo precavidos. Necesitaban al Señor para la vida después de la muerte, ya que solo el Dios verdadero podía resucitarlos. Pero ¿y ahora? Los dioses paganos prometían salud, riqueza y fertilidad, así que ¿por qué no orar también a ellos, por las dudas?

La idolatría de Judá también puede tentarnos a nosotros. Es bueno tener talento, educación y dinero, pero si no tenemos cuidado, podríamos empezar a depender de todo eso. Sabemos que necesitamos a Dios al morir y le pedimos que nos bendiga ahora, pero por las dudas, también confiamos en estos dioses menores.

¿En qué confías? Los ídolos de repuesto siguen siendo ídolos. Da gracias a Dios por sus muchos dones y depende completamente de Él.

De:  Mike Wittmer

Reflexiona y ora

Padre, ayúdame a confiar solo en ti.

¿Qué cosa buena estás tentado a convertir en un ídolo? ¿Cómo podrías usar ese don sin dejar de depender de Dios plenamente?

© 2020 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario
Este temor hace que Samuel siga preocupado por su saldo.