The Daily Lectionary for FRIDAY, June 19, 2020

The Daily Lectionary

FRIDAY, June 19, 2020

Psalm 69:7-10 [11-15] 16-18; Jeremiah 18:18-23; Acts 5:17-26

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Psalm 69:7-10 [11-15] 16-18

Draw near to me

7  For I endure scorn for your sake,
     and shame covers my face.
8  I am a foreigner to my own family,
     a stranger to my own mother’s children;
9  for zeal for your house consumes me,
     and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.
10 When I weep and fast,
     I must endure scorn;
[11 when I put on sackcloth,
     people make sport of me.
12 Those who sit at the gate mock me,
     and I am the song of the drunkards.

13 But I pray to you, Lord,
     in the time of your favor;
   in your great love, O God,
     answer me with your sure salvation.
14 Rescue me from the mire,
     do not let me sink;
   deliver me from those who hate me,
     from the deep waters.
15 Do not let the floodwaters engulf me
     or the depths swallow me up
     or the pit close its mouth over me.]

16 Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love;
     in your great mercy turn to me.
17 Do not hide your face from your servant;
     answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.
18 Come near and rescue me;
     deliver me because of my foes.

Jeremiah 18:18-23

A plot against Jeremiah

18:18 They said, “Come, let’s make plans against Jeremiah; for the teaching of the law by the priest will not cease, nor will counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophets. So come, let’s attack him with our tongues and pay no attention to anything he says.”

19 Listen to me, Lord;
     hear what my accusers are saying!
20 Should good be repaid with evil?
     Yet they have dug a pit for me.
   Remember that I stood before you
     and spoke in their behalf
     to turn your wrath away from them.
21 So give their children over to famine;
     hand them over to the power of the sword.
   Let their wives be made childless and widows;
     let their men be put to death,
     their young men slain by the sword in battle.
22 Let a cry be heard from their houses
     when you suddenly bring invaders against them,
   for they have dug a pit to capture me
     and have hidden snares for my feet.
23 But you, Lord, know
     all their plots to kill me.
   Do not forgive their crimes
     or blot out their sins from your sight.
   Let them be overthrown before you;
     deal with them in the time of your anger.

Acts 5:17-26

The apostles are persecuted

5:17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”

21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.

When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.

25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.

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 FRIDAY, June 19, 2020
Psalm 69:7-10 [11-15] 16-18; Jeremiah 18:18-23; Acts 5:17-26

The Daily Prayer for FRIDAY, June 19, 2020

The Daily Prayer

FRIDAY, June 19, 2020

In 1865, slaves in Texas were the last to learn of their emancipation following the defeat of the Confederate States of America. In African-American communities throughout the United States, this good news of liberation to the captives is still celebrated as Juneteenth.

When an angry heckler once declared, “Old woman, I don’t care anymore for your talk than I do for the bite of a flea,” abolitionist Sojourner Truth replied, “The Lord willing, I’ll keep you scratching.”

Lord, wherever there is mercy, justice, freedom, and kindness, we know your good news is echoing in human history. Give us ears to recognize the sound of glad feet coming and grant us grace to join you wherever you are moving. Amen.

Verse of the Day for FRIDAY, June 19, 2020

Ephesians 5:25-26

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.

Read all of Ephesians 5

Listen to Ephesians 5

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 - Viernes 19 de junio de 2020

Sencillez de la vida (cuarta parte)

Dios se opone a los orgullosos, pero da gracia a los humildes.

— Santiago 4:6 (NVI)

En esta semana estamos aprendiendo lo importante que es ser humildes y sencillos. En otras palabras, que nos deseen y admiren. Hemos sostenido estas enseñanzas con apartes del Manual de Instrucciones para llevar todo bajo lo que Dios quiere que seamos tú y yo.

De modo que no podría cerrar esta semana sin dejar de recordar algo que muchos conocemos y que para otros quizá hoy sea la primera vez que lo lean: «Todo el que a sí mismo se enaltece será humillado, y el que se humilla será enaltecido» (Lucas 14:11).

Si Dios lo dice, lo creo. Además, si alguien te puede decir cómo a base de golpes he madurado desde el punto de vista espiritual, esa soy yo.

Dios lo dice con claridad. Si eres humilde, Él te levantará y te pondrá en grandes posiciones, pero si te exaltas mucho (eres creído o engreído), te humillarán y avergonzarán. Así que este principio de vida es mejor tomarlo como una fuerte sugerencia de nuestro Dios.

Si queremos lograr muchas cosas, triunfar y salir adelante, de seguro que debemos pedirle a Dios que no ayude a ser humildes de corazón. Conocemos en el camino muchos que suben como palmas, pero bajan como cocos. Y esos golpes son muy duros. A veces, a las personas humilladas les resulta muy difícil sobreponerse. Por eso no hay nada mejor que vivir una vida bendecida con la sencillez.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Si Dios lo dice, lo creo.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Friday, June 19, 2020

PROJECT PEARL WET BIBLES

All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.

— Psalm 104:27-28 (NIV)

There are stories and reports of “wet” Bibles and “perfume” Bibles from Project Pearl that continue to be shared to this day. Four hours after we left the beach that night of delivery of the one million Chinese Bibles on June 18, 1981, a patrol of Chinese police came by and found some boxes of Bibles stashed under the trees. They had not yet been transferred to the storage areas. The police tried unsuccessfully to burn the Bibles and then in frustration threw them into the water. The next morning, fishermen plucked these floating volumes out of the sea and put them on the roofs of their homes to dry. Later they sold them to Christians in the area. I personally treasure a sample of one of these “wet” Bibles that was used by a Chinese believer for fifteen years. One of the leading house church network leaders in China acknowledges receiving “wet” Bibles from Project Pearl.

Chinese Sister Ling shares the poignant story of how she pleaded with God for a Bible as a young evangelist. She found believers without Bibles doing unusual things—like carrying extra oil around so they’d be ready like the five wise virgins.

At the time of Project Pearl, she heard of a woman who had received “wet” Bibles and dried them. When Ling asked her for a Bible, the woman required her to quote the Lord’s Prayer without a single mistake to prove she was a believer. Ling memorized it from a handwritten copy of the Bible and passed the test. She received one “wet” Bible.

The woman apologized for being so overly careful but then explained, “After our brothers collected these Bibles from the shore, they began to distribute them about China. It was very dangerous and some paid with their lives. Remembering their sacrifice, I treasure these Bibles even more.” Ling went on to experience much suffering for her leadership role in the house church movement but now aware that suffering in the will of God has meaning and purpose.

RESPONSE: Today I recommit to living the principles of God’s Word and not be ashamed of publicly sharing them.

PRAYER: Thank God for the number of Bibles you have and ask Him to provide for those still without even one copy.

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.

Men of the Bible - Friday, June 19, 2020

Elijah

His name means: "Yahweh Is My God"

His work: Elijah was a prophet active in Israel in the middle of the ninth century BC. His primary work was to combat Baal worship and restore the worship of the true God of Israel.
His character: Like Moses, who stood against the false gods of Egypt and the oppression of Pharaoh, Elijah was a prophet who stood against the worship of Baal at great risk to himself. To do so meant defying Ahab and Jezebel, Israel's royal couple, and trusting God to take care of him when his life was threatened by famine and violence.
His sorrow: Though Elijah was not the only true prophet left in Israel, he appears to have thought he was, perhaps because the rest of the prophets were silent and in hiding. Exhausted after his battle with the false prophets of Baal and his narrow escape from Queen Jezebel, he became so despondent that he prayed God would take his life. Instead, the Lord sent an angel to strengthen him.
His triumph: Elijah was a miracle-working prophet, whose powerful prayer life and whose persistence in speaking God's word helped preserve the faith of God's people during a time of religious persecution.
Key Scriptures: 1 Kings 17-19

A Look at the Man

"How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." Elijah's no-nonsense challenge seems all the more powerful, all the more compelling nearly three thousand years later because of the witness of his life.

Persecuted for speaking the truth, hunted by powerful enemies, he was a man with the unenviable task of speaking truth to those who held the truth in contempt. His enemies had not only embraced a lie but were forcing it on others. At times the task seemed too heavy to bear. But just when he thought he could not possibly go on, God supplied whatever he needed—rest, food, strength, hope. Elijah never lacked the grace to remain faithful to God. His dedication was unwavering.

It's tempting to think of the prophets as superhuman figures, fanatics who relished delivering one thundering pronouncement after another. But preserving the truth in a time of darkness is the costliest of ventures. It would have taken tremendous moral, emotional, and physical strength to stand against the king and queen, their prophets, and all the rank and file who had embraced their false gods. But strength wouldn't have been enough. Such a task also would have required love—love for God and for the people who had strayed so far from him. Love is what must have kept Elijah on the path God had chosen for him.

Elijah's strong words still strike a chord today. They remind us to stop wavering between two opinions, to stop hedging our bets and straddling the line when it comes to living out our faith in a world that is so often hostile to faith. They remind us that if the Lord truly is God, then we must follow him. And following him means loving him with all our hearts.

Reflect On: 1 Kings 18:41–46; 19:1–8
Praise God: For hearing our prayers.
Offer Thanks: For the way God has answered your prayers in the past.
Confess: Any tendency to believe your prayers won’t make a difference.
Ask God: To show you how to pray for the things he has promised.

Today's reading is a brief excerpt from Men of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Men in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Robert Wolgemuth (Zondervan). © 2010 by Ann Spangler. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Enjoy the complete book by purchasing your own copy at the Bible Gateway Store. The book's title must be included when sharing the above content on social media.
Persecuted for speaking the truth, hunted by powerful enemies, he was a man with the unenviable task of speaking truth to those who held the truth in contempt.

LHM Daily Devotions - June 19, 2020 - "Where Your Treasure Is"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Where Your Treasure Is"

June 19, 2020

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

— Colossians 3:2 (ESV)

When was it that you first really noticed how we are bombarded as a society with things vying for our attention? Commercials and billboards tell us from all directions how our lives can be so much better, if only we buy the right products. Television shows and movies paint pictures, living out our dreams for us, while newscasts pronounce their own versions of reality. In the business world, we learn to be suave, calculated, always in control. Back home our friends and acquaintances may tell us: "Do your own thing!" or just "Go for it!"

Many years ago, a simple piece of advice was given to Christians. Those early believers, like us, were struggling to live out their faith in a world full of questionable and sometimes seedy influences. Paul, writing from a Roman prison, was very familiar with the world's pull on our lives and character. He wrote, "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory" (Colossians 3:2-4).

Another way of saying the same thing might be this: "Monitor your thoughts and actions so that only God-pleasing influences will affect you. Replace worldly influences with influences from above." But the questions is, what would God have us set our minds upon? What are those "things that are above" that Paul writes about? If you search the Scriptures, you will find answers to your questions.

First, the Person of Christ is from above. Jesus said, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am He you will die in your sins" (John 8:23b-24).

Second, divine wisdom is from above. "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere" (James 3:17).

Third, lasting treasures are from above. Jesus said, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21).

God's Word is plain. The truths of Scripture remind us to keep our minds and hearts focused on the things above. What we see here is transient, fleeting, has all the substance of a morning fog. What God offers is solid, everlasting. This He has made known to us by sending His Son. "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men" (John 1:4).

This is the light by which we see clearly. This is the light that illumines unto eternal life. This is the light of the world. Follow Him. You will not be disappointed.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, may Your Holy Spirit keep our hearts and minds fixed on the things above, where You are. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. How are we most influenced by the messages we hear and see?

2. How much is the Holy Spirit involved in keeping our minds on the things above?

3. Do you know anyone who seems especially devoted to keeping their mind on Jesus? How does he or she do it?

This Daily Devotion was written by an LHM contributing writer. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
How are we most influenced by the messages we hear and see?

Devocional CPTLN del 19 de junio de 2020 - Allí donde está tu tesoro

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Allí donde está tu tesoro

19 de Junio de 2020

Pongan la mira en las cosas del cielo, y no en las de la tierra.

— Colosenses 3:2 (RVC)

Somos constantemente bombardeados con cosas que compiten por nuestra atención. Los comerciales y las mensajes publicitarios nos dicen cómo nuestra vida puede ser mucho mejor si solo compramos los productos correctos. Los programas de televisión y las películas pintan imágenes, soñadas por nosotros, mientras que los noticieros pronuncian sus propias versiones de la realidad. En el mundo de los negocios aprendemos a ser suaves, calculados, siempre en control. En casa, nuestros amigos y familiares nos dicen: "¡Haz lo que quieras!"

Hace muchos años, a los cristianos se les dio un consejo muy simple. Esos primeros creyentes luchaban, al igual que nosotros, por vivir su fe en un mundo lleno de influencias cuestionables y a veces desagradables. Pablo, quien estaba muy familiarizado con la influencia del mundo sobre la vida y el carácter, escribió desde una prisión romana: "Pongan la mira en las cosas del cielo, y no en las de la tierra. Porque ustedes ya han muerto, y su vida está escondida con Cristo en Dios. Cuando Cristo, que es la vida de ustedes, se manifieste, entonces también ustedes serán manifestados con él en gloria" (Colosenses 3:2-4).

Otra forma de decir lo mismo podría ser esta: "Controle sus pensamientos y acciones para que solo las influencias agradables de Dios lo afecten. Reemplace las influencias mundanas con influencias de arriba". Pero la pregunta es: ¿en qué Dios pensaríamos? ¿Cuáles son esas "cosas de arriba" sobre las que Pablo escribe? Si busca en las Escrituras, encontrará respuestas a sus preguntas.

La persona de Cristo es de arriba. Jesús dijo: "Ustedes son de aquí abajo; yo soy de allá arriba. Ustedes son de este mundo; yo no soy de este mundo. Por eso les dije que morirán en sus pecados; porque si ustedes no creen que yo soy, en sus pecados morirán" (Juan 8:23-24).

La sabiduría divina es de arriba. Santiago dice: "Pero la sabiduría que viene de lo alto es, ante todo, pura, y además pacífica, amable, benigna, llena de compasión y de buenos frutos, ecuánime y genuina" (Santiago 3:17).

Los tesoros que perduran son de arriba. Jesús dijo: "No acumulen ustedes tesoros en la tierra, donde la polilla y el óxido corroen, y donde los ladrones minan y hurtan. Por el contrario, acumulen tesoros en el cielo, donde ni la polilla ni el óxido corroen, y donde los ladrones no minan ni hurtan. Pues donde esté tu tesoro, allí estará también tu corazón" (Mateo 6:19-21).

La Palabra de Dios es clara. Las verdades de las Escrituras nos recuerdan de mantener nuestra mente y corazón enfocados en las cosas de arriba. Lo que vemos aquí es transitorio, fugaz, tiene solo la sustancia de una niebla matutina. Lo que Dios ofrece es sólido, eterno. Esto nos lo ha hecho saber al enviar a su Hijo. "En ella [la Palabra, Jesús] estaba la vida, y la vida era la luz de la humanidad" (Juan 1:4).

Esta es la luz por la cual vemos claramente. Esta es la luz que ilumina la vida eterna. Esta es la luz del mundo. SÍGUELA. No te va a decepcionar.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, que tu Espíritu Santo mantenga nuestro corazón y mente fijos en las cosas de arriba, donde tú estás. En el nombre de Jesús oramos. Amén.

Esta devoción fue escrita por un contribuyente de LHM

Para reflexionar:

* ¿Le pides a diario al Espíritu Santo que mantenga tu mente en las cosas de arriba? Si aún no lo haces, ¿qué te lo impide?

* ¿Reconoces la obra y el poder del Espíritu Santo en tu vida de cada día? ¿Qué puedes hacer para que sea él quien dirija tus pasos?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Le pides a diario al Espíritu Santo que mantenga tu mente en las cosas de arriba? Si aún no lo haces, ¿qué te lo impide?

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Sự Sống Sung Mãn

Sự Sống Sung Mãn

Đọc: Giăng 10:7–11 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Nê-hê-mi 12–13; Công Vụ 4:23–37

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Ta đã đến để chiên được sự sống và sự sống sung mãn. Ta là người chăn nhân lành.

— Giăng 10:10-11

Thomas Hobbes, vị triết gia nổi tiếng vào thế kỷ mười bảy, đã viết về con người trong trạng thái tự nhiên là “đơn độc, nghèo nàn, xấu xa, tàn bạo và ngắn ngủi”. Hobbes lập luận rằng bản năng của chúng ta có xu hướng tranh chiến để giành quyền thống trị người khác; do đó, việc thành lập chính phủ thật sự cần thiết để có thể duy trì luật lệ và trật tự.

Quan điểm ảm đạm về loài người nghe có vẻ giống như tình trạng mà Chúa Jêsus đã mô tả khi Ngài nói: “Tất cả những người đến trước Ta đều là quân trộm cướp” (Gi. 10:8). Nhưng Chúa Jêsus mang đến niềm hy vọng trong cơn tuyệt vọng. “Kẻ trộm chỉ đến để cướp, giết, và hủy diệt; còn Ta đã đến để chiên được sự sống và sự sống sung mãn” (c.10).

Thi Thiên 23 vẽ nên bức chân dung mới mẻ về cuộc sống mà Người Chăn ban cho chúng ta. Ở trong Ngài, chúng ta “không thiếu thốn gì” (c.1) và được làm cho tươi mới (c.3). Ngài dẫn chúng ta đi vào các lối công chính trong ý muốn hoàn hảo của Ngài, để ngay cả khi phải đối mặt với những thời điểm đen tối, chúng ta cũng không cần phải sợ hãi; vì Ngài hiện diện để an ủi chúng ta (c.3-4). Ngài giúp chúng ta chiến thắng nghịch cảnh và ban phước cho chúng ta cách dư dật (c.5). Phước hạnh và sự thương xót của Ngài cứ theo chúng ta mỗi ngày, và chúng ta được ở trong sự hiện diện của Ngài mãi mãi (c.6).

Nguyện chúng ta đáp lại tiếng gọi của Đấng Chăn Chiên để kinh nghiệm cuộc sống sung mãn đầy trọn mà Ngài đã đến để ban cho chúng ta.

Bạn sẽ mô tả thế nào về sự sống mà Chúa Jêsus đến để ban cho bạn? Bạn sẽ chia sẻ cho người khác biết về sự sống này bằng cách nào?

Chúa Jêsus ơi, Ngài là nguồn của sự sống thật, sung mãn và đầy trọn. Xin giúp chúng con tìm kiếm sự thỏa lòng chỉ ở nơi Ngài.

bởi Remi Oyedele

Chú Giải

Vào thời Chúa Jêsus, những người chăn chiên sử dụng hai loại chuồng cho bầy chiên của mình. Trong các ngôi làng, những người chăn chiên thường giữ bầy của họ trong những chuồng chiên công cộng có tường và cổng bằng đá, có người gác cổng canh giữ. Ở ngoài đồng, chuồng chiên thường được dựng tạm bằng đá và người chăn sẽ canh giữ bầy bằng cách ngủ ở cửa hẹp trước chuồng. Trong Giăng chương 10, Chúa Jêsus sử dụng hình ảnh người chăn chiên và bầy chiên để đảm bảo với chúng ta về sự bảo vệ của Ngài. Chúa phán Ngài là “cửa của chiên” (c.7, 9) là người “vì bầy chiên hi sinh mạng sống mình” (c.11, 15). Chuồng chiên công cộng thường có rất nhiều bầy chiên. Nhưng khi người chăn cất tiếng gọi giữa những bầy chiên lẫn lộn, thì chỉ chiên của người chăn mới đáp lại tiếng gọi đó. Nhận biết tiếng của người chăn, chiên sẽ đến gần và đi theo người chăn đến đồng cỏ (c.3-5).

K. T. Sim

© 2020 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày
Thomas Hobbes, vị triết gia nổi tiếng vào thế kỷ mười bảy, đã viết về con người trong trạng thái tự nhiên là “đơn độc, nghèo nàn, xấu xa, tàn bạo và ngắn ngủi”.