The Daily Lectionary for WEDNESDAY, July 8, 2020

The Daily Lectionary

WEDNESDAY, July 8, 2020

Song of Solomon 2:8-13; Genesis 29:31-35; John 13:1-17

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Song of Solomon 2:8-13

Song of love

8  Listen! My beloved!
     Look! Here he comes,
   leaping across the mountains,
     bounding over the hills.
9  My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag.
     Look! There he stands behind our wall,
   gazing through the windows,
     peering through the lattice.
10 My beloved spoke and said to me,
     “Arise, my darling,
     my beautiful one, come with me.
11 See! The winter is past;
     the rains are over and gone.
12 Flowers appear on the earth;
     the season of singing has come,
   the cooing of doves
     is heard in our land.
13 The fig tree forms its early fruit;
     the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
   Arise, come, my darling;
     my beautiful one, come with me.”

Genesis 29:31-35

Birth of Jacob and Leah’s children

29:31 When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless. 32 Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, “It is because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.”

33 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Because the Lord heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too.” So she named him Simeon.

34 Again she conceived, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi.

35 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” So she named him Judah. Then she stopped having children.

John 13:1-17

Jesus washes the disciples’ feet

13:1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do 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 WEDNESDAY, July 8, 2020
Song of Solomon 2:8-13; Genesis 29:31-35; John 13:1-17

The Daily Prayer for WEDNESDAY, July 8, 2020

The Daily Prayer

WEDNESDAY, July 8, 2020

Hear these words of church father Augustine of Hippo: “In affliction, then, we do not know what it is right to pray for. Because affliction is difficult, troublesome and against the grain for us, weak as we are, we do what every human would do. We pray that it may be taken away from us. However, if he does not take it away, we must not imagine that he has forgotten us. In this way, power shines forth more perfectly in weakness.”

Lord, throughout history you have used the seemingly weak to nurture justice, to fight poverty, and to walk bravely toward human thrones of power proclaiming another way. Help us find comfort and hope in our afflictions, knowing that you are able to use all things for good. Amen.

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, July 8, 2020

Psalm 138:2

I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame.

Read all of Psalm 138

Listen to Psalm 138

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 08 de julio de 2020

Semana de pacto con Dios: Nuestra boca

De la abundancia del corazón habla la boca.

— Mateo 12:34

La boca, aparte de que sirve de entrada a la cavidad bucal, tiene varias funciones. Dios la creó para ingerir los alimentos, salivar, para tener sentido del gusto, pero quizá hablar sea lo más importante.

Dios la diseñó perfecta y muchos la usamos mal. Entonces, ¿has pensado en las cosas indebidas que se puede hacer con ella? Aunque se puede usar para fumar, drogarse, hablar mal y chismear, también se puede usar, en muchos casos, para bendecir y hablar cosas que agradan a Dios y a la familia.

¡Qué mal ejemplo les damos a nuestros hijos y compañeros de trabajo cuando somos malhablados! ¡Eso es terrible! Cuando conocemos una persona, nos puede dar una clara impresión al abrir su boca y expresarse.

Por eso hoy la idea es que podamos cortar todo lo malo que está saliendo de nuestra boca. ¿Eres de bendición o una persona grosera al expresarte?

La oportunidad para ti este día es que puedas reconocer y comprometerte con Dios de que dejarás atrás las groserías y las malas palabras, y que te comprometerás a guardar tu boca para honrarlo a Él.

Quiero que recuerdes algo de lo que dice la Biblia respecto a la boca y es que «de una misma boca salen bendición y maldición» (Santiago 3:10).

Señor, hoy me comprometo a guardar mi boca y honrarte con mis palabras.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
La boca, aparte de que sirve de entrada a la cavidad bucal, tiene varias funciones.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Wednesday, July 8, 2020

SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO SUFFER

At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.

— 2 Timothy 4:16

The Apostle Paul knew exactly what it was like to be alone, to be deserted by all who called themselves “brothers” and “sisters.” A former colleague who has done considerable travel among the persecuted says, “It is hard to believe that Christians are the largest persecuted group in the world today. But it is even more difficult to believe that this is so seldom mentioned in our gatherings and church services. More Christians know the names of their favorite actors than their fellow believers who are in prison.”

He continues, “With every trip, something in my heart breaks as I hear the echoes of suffering:

• I remember the echoes of an Egyptian mother as she shared how her young boy was stuck in a haystack because she refused to deny Jesus.
• I remember the sounds of weeping as fellow students in Indonesia shared how Sariman, their co-student, was hacked to death.
• I remember the cries of anguish as we walked from church to church that was burned to the ground on the island of Lombok.
• I remember the tears of Rebecca in Iran as she showed the picture of her father who was stabbed to death for sharing the gospel.
• I remember the voice of Pastor Daniel in Vietnam as he shared how he was chained to the ground for six months.
• I remember the fear of Grace from Sudan as she shared how her church was attacked and her friend was shot through the head.
• Oh, I remember the cries of Caleb in Eritrea as he shared with tears how two dear friends were executed in front of him because of their faith.
• And I remember the tears of Joy in the southern Philippines as she shared how her fiancé was shot to death in their church in Mindanao.
• But, most all, I remember the deafening sounds of silence every time I return home.

RESPONSE: How can I be silent today? How can I not speak on behalf of those who suffer? How can I desert those that belong to the same body that I belong to and who desperately need the encouragement of my intervention on their behalf?

PRAYER: Lord, broaden my awareness of the needs of my suffering brothers and sisters. May I not be known for my silence.

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 July 8, 2020 - "Now, Sons and Daughters!"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Now, Sons and Daughters!"

July 8, 2020

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.

— Romans 8:12-17

The apostle Paul tells us that while we are indeed debtors, we owe nothing to the flesh. The flesh is a brutal taskmaster, denouncing us as sinners and leaving us spiritually dead on arrival before God. But as believers in Jesus' saving grace, the flesh is powerless over us. Because the damning power of our sinful nature before God's righteous Law has been conquered by the blood of Jesus.

Paul writes, "For God has done what the Law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:3-4). Because of Jesus we are made clean and acceptable to God.

How wonderful that God welcomes us into His family through the gift of faith! (See Ephesians 2:1-10). This welcome isn't some kind of "slave with benefits" designation. It's the prodigal's undeserved second chance after scorning his father and blowing everything. It's God's gracious mercy and forgiveness. It's full adoption into His family. "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'"

In Christ we are adopted members of God's family, His own children, eternal "heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ." God's Spirit inside us is the guarantor of our salvation. He bears witness with our spirit that we belong to God. As we go forth in faith, the Spirit is there to guide us in our lives, sustain us in our sufferings, and lead us into all truth about Jesus (see John 16:13).

And it's by the Spirit of God that we can draw close to God the Father, speaking to Him in a personal way, "Abba! Father!" With God we find love and acceptance—not for who we are but for who He has made into—His very own sons and daughters, redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, when we're struggling in this world, remind us that we are Your adopted children. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever felt as if you were bound by a "spirit of slavery" in any way?

2. What does it mean to suffer with Christ?

3. Have you ever thought about God the Father as your "papa" or "daddy," before? Does it change the way you see Him?

This Daily Devotion was written by Paul Schreiber. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Have you ever felt as if you were bound by a "spirit of slavery" in any way?

Devocional CPTLN del 08 de julio de 2020 - ¡Ahora somos hijos!

ALIMENTO DIARIO

¡Ahora somos hijos!

08 de Julio de 2020

Así que, hermanos, tenemos una deuda pendiente, pero no es la de vivir en conformidad con la carne, porque si ustedes viven en conformidad con la carne, morirán; pero si dan muerte a las obras de la carne por medio del Espíritu, entonces vivirán. Porque los hijos de Dios son todos aquellos que son guiados por el Espíritu de Dios. Pues ustedes no han recibido un espíritu que los esclavice nuevamente al miedo, sino que han recibido el espíritu de adopción, por el cual clamamos: ¡Abba, Padre! El Espíritu mismo da testimonio a nuestro espíritu, de que somos hijos de Dios. Y si somos hijos, somos también herederos; herederos de Dios y coherederos con Cristo, si es que padecemos juntamente con él, para que juntamente con él seamos glorificados.

— Romanos 8:12-17

El apóstol Pablo nos dice que si bien somos deudores, no le debemos nada a la carne. La carne es un capataz brutal que nos denuncia como pecadores y nos deja espiritualmente muertos ante Dios. Pero como creyentes en la gracia salvadora de Jesús, la carne no tiene poder sobre nosotros. Porque el poder represivo de nuestra naturaleza pecaminosa ante la Ley justa de Dios ha sido conquistado por la sangre de Jesús.

Pablo escribe: "Porque Dios ha hecho lo que para la ley era imposible hacer, debido a que era débil por su naturaleza pecaminosa: por causa del pecado envió a su Hijo en una condición semejante a la del hombre pecador, y de esa manera condenó al pecado en la carne, para que la justicia de la ley se cumpliera en nosotros, que no seguimos los pasos de nuestra carne, sino los del Espíritu" (Romanos 8:3-4). Gracias a Jesús somos hechos limpios y aceptables para Dios.

¡Qué maravilloso que Dios nos reciba en su familia a través del don de la fe! (ver Efesios 2:1-10). Esta bienvenida no es una especie de designación de "esclavo con beneficios". Es la segunda oportunidad inmerecida del hijo pródigo después de despreciar a su padre y arruinarlo todo. Es la misericordia y el perdón de Dios. Es la adopción total en su familia. "Pues ustedes no han recibido un espíritu que los esclavice nuevamente al miedo, sino que han recibido el espíritu de adopción, por el cual clamamos: ¡Abba, Padre!"

En Cristo somos miembros adoptivos de la familia de Dios, sus propios hijos, eternos "herederos de Dios y coherederos con Cristo". El Espíritu de Dios dentro de nosotros es el garante de nuestra salvación. Él da testimonio con nuestro espíritu de que pertenecemos a Dios. A medida que avanzamos en fe, el Espíritu está allí para guiarnos en la vida, sostenernos en nuestros sufrimientos y guiarnos a toda la verdad sobre Jesús (ver Juan 16:13).

Y es por el Espíritu de Dios que podemos acercarnos a Dios Padre, hablándole de manera personal: "¡Abba! ¡Padre!" En Dios encontramos amor y aceptación no por lo que somos, sino por lo que Él ha hecho. Ahora somos sus hijos redimidos por la preciosa sangre de Jesucristo.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, cuando estamos luchando en este mundo, recuérdanos que somos tus hijos adoptivos. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén.

Paul Schreiber

Para reflexionar:

* ¿Qué significa para ti sufrir con Cristo?

* ¿Alguna vez has pensado en Dios Padre como tu "papá"? ¿Cambia esto tu forma de verlo?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Qué significa para ti sufrir con Cristo?

Ministérios Pão Diário - Muitos dons, um propósito

Muitos dons, um propósito

Muitos dons, um propósito

Escritura de hoje: 1 Coríntios 12:4-14
Bíblia em um ano: Jó 36–37; Atos 15:22-41

O corpo humano tem muitas partes, mas elas formam um só corpo. O mesmo acontece com relação a Cristo.

— 1 Coríntios 12:12

No México, meu país natal, o milho é o alimento básico. Há muitos tipos diferentes: espigas amarelas, marrons, vermelhas e pretas, e até algumas com lindos padrões salpicados. Mas, nas cidades, as pessoas normalmente não comem as espigas manchadas. Amado Ramírez, chef e pesquisador explica que as pessoas acreditam que a uniformidade é sinônimo de qualidade. Ainda assim, as espigas manchadas são saborosas e fazem ótimas tortilhas.

A Igreja de Cristo assemelha-se mais a uma espiga de milho de cores diversas, do que aquela de cor única. Paulo usou a imagem de um corpo para descrevê-la porque, embora sejamos um só Corpo, e tenhamos o mesmo Deus, cada um recebeu um dom diferente. Ele escreveu: “Existem tipos diferentes de serviço, mas o Senhor a quem servimos é o mesmo. Deus trabalha de maneiras diferentes, mas é o mesmo Deus que opera em todos nós” (vv.5,6). A diversidade de formas como ajudamos uns aos outros demonstra a generosidade e a criatividade de Deus.

Ao embraçarmos nossa diversidade, vamos nos esforçar para manter nossa unidade em fé e propósito. Sim, temos habilidades e experiências distintas, falamos idiomas diferentes e viemos de países diversos. Mas temos o mesmo Deus maravilhoso, o Criador que se deleita com tamanha variedade.

Por:  rebekawerner

Refletir & Orar

Pai, que possamos fazer todos os esforços para sermos um, respeitando e valorizando uns aos outros, bem como os nossos variados dons e talentos.

Precisamos uns dos outros para ser o que Deus quer que sejamos.

© 2020 Ministérios Pão Diário
Pessoas acreditam que a uniformidade é sinônimo de qualidade.