The Daily Lectionary for WEDNESDAY, July 22, 2020

The Daily Lectionary

WEDNESDAY, July 22, 2020

Psalm 139:13-18; Genesis 35:16-29; Matthew 12:15-21

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Psalm 139:13-18

Wonderful are God’s works

13 For you created my inmost being;
     you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
     your works are wonderful,
     I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
     when I was made in the secret place,
     when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
     all the days ordained for me were written in your book
     before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
     How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
     they would outnumber the grains of sand—
     when I awake, I am still with you.

Genesis 35:16-29

Benjamin is born; Rachel Isaac die

35:16 Then they moved on from Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and had great difficulty. 17 And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, “Don’t despair, for you have another son.” 18 As she breathed her last—for she was dying—she named her son Ben-Oni. But his father named him Benjamin.

19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). 20 Over her tomb Jacob set up a pillar, and to this day that pillar marks Rachel’s tomb.

21 Israel moved on again and pitched his tent beyond Migdal Eder. 22 While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it.

Jacob had twelve sons:

23 The sons of Leah:

   Reuben the firstborn of Jacob,

   Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun.

24 The sons of Rachel:

   Joseph and Benjamin.

25 The sons of Rachel’s servant Bilhah:

   Dan and Naphtali.

26 The sons of Leah’s servant Zilpah:

   Gad and Asher.

These were the sons of Jacob, who were born to him in Paddan Aram.

27 Jacob came home to his father Isaac in Mamre, near Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had stayed. 28 Isaac lived a hundred and eighty years. 29 Then he breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people, old and full of years. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

Matthew 12:15-21

God’s chosen servant

12:15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. 16 He warned them not to tell others about him. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
     the one I love, in whom I delight;
   I will put my Spirit on him,
     and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not quarrel or cry out;
     no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed he will not break,
     and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
   till he has brought justice through to victory.
21   In his name the nations will put their hope.”

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 22, 2020
Psalm 139:13-18; Genesis 35:16-29; Matthew 12:15-21

The Daily Prayer for WEDNESDAY, July 22, 2020

The Daily Prayer

WEDNESDAY, July 22, 2020

Mary Magalene

Mary of Magdala was the most prominent of the women from Galilee who accompanied Jesus in his ministry. So devoted to Jesus was Mary that, after his death, she returned to the tomb to clean his body. Finding Jesus alive in the garden, she was sent to proclaim the news of his resurrection to the disciples, thus becoming “the apostle to the Apostles.” Although she may not have been acknowledged for her discipleship, Mary stands for all those who see and proclaim Jesus as the risen Christ, bringing to others his gifts of peace, forgiveness, and justice.

A reading from the gospel according to John: “Then the disciples went back to where they were staying. Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?’ ‘They have taken my Lord away,’ she said, ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.’ At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there… Jesus said, ‘Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”’ Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: ‘I have seen the Lord!’?”

Lord God, you reveal yourself to us in so many subversive and unassuming ways. Give us the eyes to see the miracles and resurrection that happen every day. Unclog our ears to hear you, and show us how to get rid of the clutter of our lives that we might make room for you. Amen.

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, July 22, 2020

Matthew 16:15-16

“But what about you?” he [Jesus] asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Read all of Matthew 16

Listen to Matthew 16

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 22 de julio de 2020

No dependas del hombre

Es mejor refugiarse en el Señor que confiar en el hombre.

— Salmo 118:8

¿Te has dado cuenta de las muchas veces que en tu vida te has puesto en la posición de «depender» de alguien? Quizá en tu trabajo dependas de alguien. Es obvio que no me refiero a que no respetes a los que están en autoridad. Claro que hay que respetarlos. De lo que hablo es de que tu vida gire en torno a esa persona, que des por sentado que nunca te va a fallar y que confíes más en ella que en Dios, por ejemplo. ¿Sabes que pasa con eso? Lo que pasa es que cuando te falla esa persona que es tan humana como tú, la desilusión es grande y tu dependencia se va al piso.

Para que no sufras es mejor que no dependas de nadie. Así que aprende a depender de manera exclusiva de Dios. Quizá te preguntes: «¿Y cómo lo logro?».

Primero, pídele perdón a Dios en oración por no haberlo puesto a Él ante todo en tu vida. Segundo, pídele que te ayude a fin de que puedas ponerlo en práctica. Tercero, solo dale la oportunidad a Dios que te sorprenda. Él, que es amor, te demostrará con muchos detalles que se preocupa por tu bienestar. Por último, lee la Palabra. Allí encontrarás muchas promesas que, cuando las analices, serás capaz de ver que Él sí ha estado dispuesto a bendecirte.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
¿Te has dado cuenta de las muchas veces que en tu vida te has puesto en la posición de «depender» de alguien?

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Wednesday, July 22, 2020

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”

— Matthew 5:14-15

Jesus is also the great light of the world (John 8:12). Those who believe in Him are brought out of darkness into His light (Colossians1:12-13) and in turn become lights also. In essence, they live the Beatitudes. What does light do?

A. It exposes dirt - If Christians live holy and righteous lives, it will show up the unrighteous deeds of others (Ephesians 5:8-14). An example is that people who take bribes feel very vulnerable if there are others that don't. Christians who work in government offices can, by their uprightness and integrity, diminish the amount of corruption just by their very presence and principles.

B. It lights up the way so that we do not stumble - If Christians walk by the principles of the Word of God, their lives take on a higher purpose and direction than that of self. This will not fail to attract the attention of a watching world. The world then is faced with a choice—to accept or reject such a model. To those who reject, that light becomes darkness. But for those who accept, that light illumines their lives and they will not make wrong choices.

C. It discourages works of darkness - More crimes are committed at night than in the daytime.

D. It dispels fear - When light shines, the phantoms of the night just fade away. People who are afraid of the dark prefer to sleep with the light on.

Light even enables discernment to be made—between friend and foe and between truth and counterfeit. It enables work to be done. Light enables plants to grow. Used in modern technology, it aids in telecommunications (fiber optics), helps to heal (lasers), and aids in publishing books.

The light of the gospel also blesses in so many ways. And Christians who walk in it can in turn help others by sharing the knowledge they have concerning life, death, sin, salvation, God, the devil, heaven and hell. For these are the issues that plague man on a wide scale and for which they are striving to find adequate answers. The light will be recognized, not just in words, but in “good deeds” which lead others to praise our Father in heaven.

In Kumasi, Ghana, African Enterprise has been organizing city-cleaning teams. Before an evangelistic campaign, Christians often ask government leaders if they can clean it up. Then they send out teams of people with makeshift straw brooms and pails of soapy water to scrub the city. Christian workers have cleaned hospitals, city parks, and government grounds before major outreaches to exemplify practical love.

RESPONSE: Today I am determined to shine for Jesus—the true light of the world!

PRAYER: Lord, I want my life to count for You and Your kingdom. Help me be a lighthouse for You.

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 22, 2020 - "Entirely His"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Entirely His"

July 22, 2020

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For Your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

— Romans 8:35-39

These days we've all had to experience some type of disconnect from people and places. Whether it's a separation from the work place or from the classroom or from friends and family, it's been an ordeal, to say the least. For many there's been the very difficult situation of being apart from loved ones who are sick. We've likely all seen the poignant images of individuals keeping their distance and looking in on a family member or friend through a window—so as not to potentially spread any disease or get it from someone else.

For believers, separation from others in the family of faith has its own difficulties, too. We draw special strength from gathering together in the Name of Jesus (see 1 Thessalonians 5:10-11; Hebrews 10:24-25; Colossians 3:16). In the Apostles' Creed, we speak of "the holy Christian church, the communion of saints," which gives us spiritual uplift and fellowship with one another. And you may have noticed in your own life how the recent suspension of church services has impacted your faith in some ways.

How good it is to know that there is nothing that can come between Jesus and His love for us. Whatever life brings our way—trials, persecution, a worldwide virus—we are secure in God's embracing and unchangeable love for His creatures. He has made that plainly known to us by sending His Son to save us from our sins. Jesus came specifically to bridge the distance that separated us from God. Having taken on our flesh and blood, God entered our world for the sole purpose of bringing us back to Him so that, never again, will we be separated from Him.

As you continue to deal with the persistent threat of this virus, lay hold of the riches God has given to us. He has reconciled us to Himself (see 2 Corinthians 5:18); He has given us all things we need to live a godly life (see 2 Peter 1:3); and He promises to be with us always (see Hebrews 13:5). These are the things He has done for us, His children, people who can in no way be separated from the God who loves them.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, remind us by Your Holy Spirit that we are firmly in Your hands. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. What's the toughest part about being away from loved ones or friends?

2. How important is it to remember that nothing can separate us from God's love?

3. How do you stay in touch with those who are not nearby and accessible?

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).
What's the toughest part about being away from loved ones or friends?

Devocional CPTLN del 22 de julio de 2020 - Totalmente suyos

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Totalmente suyos

22 de Julio de 2020

¿Qué podrá separarnos del amor de Cristo? ¿Tribulación, angustia, persecución, hambre, desnudez, peligro, espada? Como está escrito: «Por causa de ti siempre nos llevan a la muerte, somos contados como ovejas de matadero.» Sin embargo, en todo esto somos más que vencedores por medio de aquel que nos amó. Por lo cual estoy seguro de que ni la muerte, ni la vida, ni los ángeles, ni los principados, ni las potestades, ni lo presente, ni lo por venir, ni lo alto, ni lo profundo, ni ninguna otra cosa creada nos podrá separar del amor que Dios nos ha mostrado en Cristo Jesús nuestro Señor.

— Romanos 8:35-39

En estos días, todos estamos experimentando algún tipo de desconexión de personas y lugares. Ya sea una separación del lugar de trabajo o del aula o de amigos y familiares, es una prueba. Muchos han tenido que estar separados de los seres queridos que están enfermos. Es probable que todos hayamos visto las imágenes conmovedoras de personas que mantienen su distancia y miran a un miembro de la familia o amigo a través de una ventana, para evitar todo posible contagio.

Para los creyentes, el estar alejados de la familia de la fe también tiene sus dificultades, pues al reunirnos en el Nombre de Jesús nos apoyamos y alentamos mutuamente (ver 1 Tesalonicenses 5:10-11; Hebreos 10:24-25; Colosenses 3:16). En el Credo Apostólico hablamos de "la santa iglesia cristiana, la comunión de los santos", que nos eleva espiritualmente y nos une unos con otros. De una forma u otra, la reciente suspensión de los servicios religiosos ha impactado de alguna manera nuestra fe.

Qué bueno es saber que no hay nada que pueda interponerse entre Jesús y su amor por nosotros. Cualquier cosa que la vida nos presente (pruebas, persecución, un pandemia), estamos seguros en el amor inquebrantable e inmutable de Dios por sus criaturas. Él nos lo ha revelado claramente al enviar a su Hijo para salvarnos de nuestros pecados. Jesús vino específicamente para salvar la distancia que nos separaba de Dios. Haciéndose carne, Dios entró en nuestro mundo con el único propósito de traernos de regreso a Él para que nunca más estemos separados de Él.

En medio de la amenaza persistente de esta pandemia, aferrémonos a las riquezas que Dios nos ha dado. Nos ha reconciliado consigo mismo (ver 2 Corintios 5:18); nos ha dado todo lo que necesitamos para vivir una vida santa (ver 2 Pedro 1:3) y nos promete estar siempre con nosotros (ver Hebreos 13:5). Estas son las cosas que ha hecho por nosotros, sus hijos, personas que de ninguna manera podremos ser separadas del Dios que nos ama.

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, recuérdanos por tu Espíritu Santo que estamos firmemente guardados y protegidos en tus manos. En el Nombre de Jesús oramos. Amén.

Paul Schreiber

Para reflexionar:

* ¿Cómo afecta tu vida el recordar que nada puede separarte del amor de Dios?

* ¿Cómo te mantienes en contacto con quienes no están cerca o accesibles?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Cómo afecta tu vida el recordar que nada puede separarte del amor de Dios?

Ministérios Pão Diário - Apanhando raposas

Apanhando raposas

Escritura de hoje: Cântico dos Cânticos 2:14-17
Bíblia em um ano: Salmos 31–32; Atos 23:16-35

Apanhai-me as raposas […] que fazem mal às vinhas…

— Cântico dos Cânticos 2:15

Enquanto falava ao telefone com uma amiga que mora à beira-mar, expressei alegria por ouvir as gaivotas. “Criaturas desprezíveis”, ela respondeu, pois para ela tais criaturas são um incômodo diário. Onde eu vivo, sinto o mesmo com relação às raposas que perambulam. Não as considero fofas, mas criaturas que deixam sujeiras malcheirosas por onde passam.

As raposas aparecem nos poemas de amor do Cântico dos Cânticos; um livro que revela o amor entre marido e mulher; alguns comentaristas acreditam que seja o amor entre Deus e Seu povo. A noiva adverte sobre as raposinhas e pede que o noivo as apanhe (v.15), pois, famintas pelas uvas da vinha, poderiam arrancar as plantas tenras. Ansiando pela vida conjugal, a noiva não quer o incômodo de animais daninhos perturbando o seu ambiente de amor.

Como as “raposas” perturbam o nosso relacionamento com Deus? Quando digo “sim” a muitos pedidos, posso ficar sobrecarregada e aborrecida. Ou ao presenciar um conflito relacional, posso ser tentada a sentir desespero ou ira. Ao pedir ao Senhor que limite os efeitos dessas “raposas” — as que deixei entrar ou as que entraram furtivamente — adquiro confiança e amor por Deus, porque sinto Sua amorosa presença e direção.

De que maneira você busca a ajuda de Deus para se livrar daquilo que o separa dele?

Por:  rebekawerner

Refletir & Orar

Senhor, tu és poderoso e bom. Protege o nosso relacionamento, afastando o que me distancia de ti.

Deus pode salvaguardar o nosso relacionamento com Ele.

© 2020 Ministérios Pão Diário
“Criaturas desprezíveis”, ela respondeu, pois para ela tais criaturas são um incômodo diário.