The Daily Lectionary for WEDNESDAY, June 17, 2020

The Daily Lectionary

WEDNESDAY, June 17, 2020

Psalm 105:1-11, 37-45; Proverbs 4:10-27; Luke 6:12-19

(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.

Proverbs 4:10-27

Choosing the way of wisdom

10 Listen, my son, accept what I say,
     and the years of your life will be many.
11 I instruct you in the way of wisdom
     and lead you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
     when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
     guard it well, for it is your life.
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
     or walk in the way of evildoers.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
     turn from it and go on your way.
16 For they cannot rest until they do evil;
     they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness
     and drink the wine of violence.

18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
     shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
     they do not know what makes them stumble.

20 My son, pay attention to what I say;
     turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
     keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
     and health to one’s whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
     for everything you do flows from it.
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
     keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;
     fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
     and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
     keep your foot from evil.

Luke 6:12-19

Jesus chooses the apostles

6:12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: 14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

17 He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, 19 and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.

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, June 17, 2020
Psalm 105:1-11, 37-45; Proverbs 4:10-27; Luke 6:12-19

The Daily Prayer for WEDNESDAY, June 17, 2020

The Daily Prayer

WEDNESDAY, June 17, 2020

John Wesley (1703—1791)

Though his studies led him to become an Anglican cleric, John Wesley did not at first have a vibrant spiritual life. While en route to the colony of Georgia as a missionary, his ship lost its mast in a violent storm. Witnessing the Moravian passengers sing and pray peacefully through the storm, Wesley realized that he lacked “the one thing necessary.” After his heart was “strangely warmed” in a moving conversion experience, Wesley became a popular preacher among the working class of England and led the movement now called Methodism. The core of his message was that Christianity is based on the experience of God’s grace, which bears fruit through a life of love. Wesley said, “When I have money, I get rid of it quickly, lest it find a way into my heart.” He died at the age of eighty-eight, lifting his arms and saying, “The best of all, God is with us.”

This prayer of John Wesley is used by many Christians at the beginning of each year: “I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.”

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, June 17, 2020

Psalm 68:4-5

Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the Lord. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

Read all of Psalm 68

Listen to Psalm 68

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 17 de junio de 2020

Sencillez de la vida (segunda parte)

Tú das la victoria a los humildes, pero humillas a los altaneros

— Salmo 18:27 (NVI)

Es muy importante que la sencillez y la humildad las apliquemos a la vida de nuestros hijos. Esto es una función de nosotros como padres que debemos cultivar.

En mi caso, me ha dado resultados. Desde mi niñez, mi padre, el señor Carlos Pinzón, pionero de la radio y la televisión en Colombia, famoso y reconocido, nunca mostró ser una persona prepotente. Por el contrario, siempre se destacó por su sencillez y su humildad, y con un don de gente increíble. Incluso, después de retirado de los medios y con ochenta años de edad, la gente lo encuentra y lo reconoce. Es más, cuando se expresan de él, lo hacen de una manera muy amorosa. Ese ha sido un bello ejemplo a seguir para nosotros como hijos y como profesionales. Ahora, como adulta y profesional, lo he aplicado pidiéndole siempre a Dios que me mantenga humilde y asequible a las personas.

Durante años, también he aprendido algo en lo que pienso de vez en cuando: «TODOS SOMOS REEMPLAZABLES, NADIE ES IMPRESCINDIBLE».

Con ese pensamiento, día a día doy lo mejor de mí como si fuera el último y no lo hago para complacer a nadie, sino que lo hago para DIOS.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Esto es una función de nosotros como padres que debemos cultivar.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Wednesday, June 17, 2020

FATHERHOOD

For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

— 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (NIV)

The Apostle Paul is very specific here in defining a fatherly role and gives three special characteristics of a Christian father. We fathers tend to apply them in reverse order but Paul states them as:

A. Encouraging

Like children, we are often tempted to give up. When that happens, the real need is for someone to come alongside who can identify with and encourage them to keep going. A Christian father is one who is always there to give an encouraging word when needed. And the need is often!

B. Comforting

This reference is to the kind of comfort that helps a child or another person carry a burden of grief or pain. Just by coming alongside in this concerned way, the burden is made lighter and the pain is lessened. We were not created to be alone, especially in grief. The Christian father and disciple-maker is also always there for times of comfort giving.

C. Exhorting

This is the direction and assertiveness characteristic that should be evident in the father/disciple-maker relationship. There are times when the father moves from the side to stand squarely in front and confront them with something that they need to face. The dangers in not exercising this responsibility are very great and should compel us to be diligent toward both our children and our brothers and sisters in Christ.

J.J. Andrews is an elderly Lutheran pastor friend in Rangoon, Burma—now Myanmar—with a great father’s heart for ministry. Several years ago his daughter died of viral hepatitis. Two months later his wife passed away from a broken heart. Six months after that one of his sons suddenly died. He was crushed. He said, "I felt like Job, only no one visited me."

A young Filipino staff member of Open Doors heard about this situation. He made a special trip just to visit Brother J.J. and encourage him. J.J. said, “Thank you for coming in my darkest hour.”

Some months later, I was visiting Brother J.J. in Rangoon. He had his young grand-children laughing and playing around his home. He smiled as he shared unforgettable lessons with me. The words I remember verbatim were, “God rewarded me for my perseverance and healed my broken heart!” The ministry of encouragement is straight from the heart of Father God.

RESPONSE: Today I will commit to being an encourager, comforter, and exhorter.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for Christian fathers who have modeled Your heart with their children.

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 17, 2020 - "Choose Your Master"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Choose Your Master"

June 17, 2020

Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under Law but under grace. ... For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.

— Romans 6:13-14, 19b-22 (ESV)

Since childhood, I have been a fan of Star Trek, especially the original series and the movies. There's one character in particular who intrigues me—the science officer and second-in-command, Mr. Spock. He is intensely logical, completely competent, highly intelligent, and utterly loyal. And he has no wish to command. None. He is happy in his place, serving the starship, the Federation, and his dearest friend, his captain.

That's a rare thing, isn't it? Our culture tells us to try to be number one—to climb that ladder of success as hard as we can—that we've failed if we aren't at the very top, even if our gifts and talents make us better fitted for lower roles. "Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven," as the devil's character says in Paradise Lost. And those who serve the devil follow that idea—hating, back-stabbing one another, climbing over one another in their endless quest to be number one.

But the Holy Spirit turns that around, as all God's beloved children know. Better to serve in heaven—to serve our dearly beloved Master and Savior, Jesus—than to rule anywhere else. After all, He is the One who first served us—who came into our world of slavery, and rescued us from the terrible powers that ruled over us—sin, death, the devil himself. Jesus lay down His own life on the cross to ransom us from slavery. And He rose from the dead to bring us into the freedom of the children of God.

What now? The Holy Spirit says that we have a new, joyful life of service to a totally different master than the evil we once served. He says, "Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness." We serve as loving, joyful children of God—as princes and princesses of His family—as lovestruck people who want to be with Jesus always, doing what makes Him happy.

How could it be otherwise?

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, You have loved me so greatly. Grant that I may be Your own forever. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever held a job or responsibility where you served someone you loved?

2. How is service to Christ different from slavery to the devil?

3. What are some specific ways you serve Jesus now?

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).
Have you ever held a job or responsibility where you served someone you loved?

Devocional CPTLN del 17 de junio de 2020 - Elije a tu Señor

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Elije a tu Señor

17 de Junio de 2020

Tampoco presenten sus miembros al pecado como instrumentos de iniquidad, sino preséntense ustedes mismos a Dios como vivos de entre los muertos, y presenten sus miembros a Dios como instrumentos de justicia. El pecado ya no tendrá poder sobre ustedes, pues ya no están bajo la ley sino bajo la gracia... Hablo en términos humanos, por la debilidad de su naturaleza humana. Así como para practicar la iniquidad presentaron sus miembros para servir a la impureza y la maldad, ahora, para practicar la santidad, presenten sus miembros para servir a la justicia. Cuando ustedes eran esclavos del pecado, eran libres en cuanto a la justicia. ¿Pero qué provecho sacaron de eso? Ahora ustedes se avergüenzan de aquellas cosas, pues conducen a la muerte; pero como ya han sido liberados del pecado y hechos siervos de Dios, el provecho que obtienen es la santificación, cuya meta final es la vida eterna.

— Romanos 6:13-14, 19-22 (RVC)

Desde pequeña he sido fanática de la serie original y películas de Star Trek. Hay un personaje en particular que me intriga: el oficial científico y el segundo al mando, el Sr. Spock, quien es intensamente lógico, completamente competente, altamente inteligente y totalmente leal. Y no tiene deseos de mandar; para nada. Él es feliz en su lugar, sirviendo a la nave espacial, a la Federación, y a su amigo más querido: su capitán.

Suena raro, ¿no? Nuestra cultura nos dice que tratemos de ser el número uno, que subamos la escalera del éxito tanto como podamos, que hemos fracasado si no estamos en la cima, incluso si nuestros dones y talentos nos hacen más aptos para los niveles inferiores. "Es mejor reinar en el infierno que servir en el cielo", dice el personaje del diablo en El Paraíso Perdido. Y aquellos que sirven al diablo siguen esa idea: odiarse, apuñalarse mutuamente, trepar unos sobre otros en su afán interminable de ser el número uno.

Pero el Espíritu Santo cambia todo, como bien sabemos los hijos de Dios. Es mejor servir en el cielo, servir a nuestro amado Maestro y Salvador Jesús, que gobernar en cualquier otro lugar. Después de todo, Él es quien nos sirvió primero, quien entró en nuestro mundo de esclavitud y nos rescató de los terribles poderes que nos gobernaban: el pecado, la muerte, el mismo diablo. Jesús dio su vida en la cruz para rescatarnos de la esclavitud. Y resucitó de los muertos para llevarnos a la libertad de los hijos de Dios.

Y ahora, ¿qué? El Espíritu Santo dice que tenemos una vida nueva de servicio a un maestro totalmente diferente al mal que una vez servimos. Él dice: "Tampoco presenten sus miembros al pecado como instrumentos de iniquidad, sino preséntense ustedes mismos a Dios como vivos de entre los muertos, y presenten sus miembros a Dios como instrumentos de justicia". Servimos como hijos llenos del amor y gozo de Dios, como príncipes y princesas de su familia que quieren estar siempre con Jesús, haciendo lo que lo hace feliz.

¿Cómo podría ser de otra manera?

ORACIÓN: Querido Señor, que me has amado tanto, concédeme que sea tuyo para siempre. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

* ¿En qué se diferencia el servicio a Cristo de la esclavitud al diablo?

* ¿Cuáles son algunas formas específicas en que sirves a Jesús?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿En qué se diferencia el servicio a Cristo de la esclavitud al diablo?

Ministérios Pão Diário - Nosso lugar seguro

Nosso lugar seguro

Escritura de hoje: Salmo 91
Bíblia em um ano: Neemias 7–9; Atos 3

Isto eu declaro a respeito do Senhor: ele é meu refúgio, meu lugar seguro, ele é meu Deus e nele confio.

— Salmo 91:2

Meu primeiro emprego foi em uma lanchonete. Um sábado à noite, um rapaz ficou rondando, perguntando a que horas eu sairia do trabalho. Isso me incomodou. Conforme a hora passava, ele pedia batatas fritas, depois uma bebida, assim o gerente não o mandava sair. Embora eu não morasse longe, estava com medo de andar sozinha por alguns estacionamentos e um trecho de terreno arenoso. Por fim, à meia-noite, fui ao escritório fazer um telefonema.

A pessoa que atendeu — meu pai — sem pensar duas vezes, saiu de sua cama quentinha e, cinco minutos depois, estava lá para me levar para casa.

O tipo de certeza que eu tinha de que meu pai viria em meu socorro naquela noite me lembra a segurança que lemos no Salmo 91. Nosso Pai celeste está sempre conosco, nos protegendo e cuidando quando estamos confusos, com medo ou necessitados. Ele declara: “Quando clamar por mim, eu responderei…” (v.15). Ele não é apenas um lugar para onde podemos correr em busca de segurança. Ele é nosso abrigo (v.1). Ele é o nosso refúgio onde podemos estar seguros (v.2).

Em momentos de medo, perigo ou incerteza, podemos confiar na promessa de Deus de que, quando o chamarmos, Ele nos ouvirá e estará conosco em nossos problemas (vv.14,15). Deus é o nosso lugar seguro.

Por:  Cindy Hess Kasper

Refletir & Orar

Querido Pai, obrigado por seres o meu refúgio e lugar seguro.

O Deus vivo será sempre o nosso abrigo.

© 2020 Ministérios Pão Diário
Um sábado à noite, um rapaz ficou rondando, perguntando a que horas eu sairia do trabalho.