The Daily Lectionary for THURSDAY, August 6, 2020

The Daily Lectionary

THURSDAY, August 6, 2020

Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b; Genesis 35:22b-29; Acts 17:10-15

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

(Semicontinuous Reading Plan)

Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b

Remembering Joseph

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.

16 He called down famine on the land
     and destroyed all their supplies of food;
17 and he sent a man before them—
     Joseph, sold as a slave.
18 They bruised his feet with shackles,
     his neck was put in irons,
19 till what he foretold came to pass,
     till the word of the Lord proved him true.
20 The king sent and released him,
     the ruler of peoples set him free.
21 He made him master of his household,
     ruler over all he possessed,
22 to instruct his princes as he pleased
     and teach his elders wisdom.

45b Praise the Lord.

Genesis 35:22b-29

The twelve sons of Jacob

35:22b 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.

Acts 17:10-15

The good news is shared

17:10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.

13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. 14 The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. 15 Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.

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 THURSDAY, August 6, 2020
Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b; Genesis 35:22b-29; Acts 17:10-15

The Daily Prayer for THURSDAY, August 6, 2020

The Daily Prayer

THURSDAY, August 6, 2020

The Transfiguration

In 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, marking the first use of a nuclear weapon against people. As we remember the transfiguration of Christ in the mysterious light of glory, we also remember all those who were tragically and senselessly transfigured by the first nuclear blast. May their memory help us to see a way toward peace in our time.

Hear this story of the desert fathers: “Abba Lot went to see Abba Joseph and said to him, ‘Abba, as far as I can I say my little office, I fast a little, I pray and meditate, I live in peace and as far as I can, I purify my thoughts. What else can I do?’ Then the old man stood up and stretched his hands towards heaven. His fingers became like ten lamps of fire and he said to him, ‘If you will, you can become all flame.’”

Creator of the Universe, thank you for your dazzling imagination. Set a fire inside us that burns with your love. Help us to shine as you shine, so that people might not see us but see you shining through us. Amen.

Verse of the Day for THURSDAY, August 6, 2020

Psalm 119:160

All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

Read all of Psalm 119

Listen to Psalm 119

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 - Jueves 6 de agosto de 2020

La obediencia a los padres

Padres, no exasperen a sus hijos, no sea que se desanimen.

— Colosenses 3:21

Este día quiero honrar a los padres que hacen una buena labor enseñando, educando e interviniendo en la vida de sus hijos.

La relación con nuestros hijos no siempre es fácil. Pasan diferentes etapas en sus vidas en las que es casi imposible penetrar.

Dios quiere que tú y yo vivamos el modelo que Él estableció como Padre.

La violencia y la agresión no nos llevarán a nada bueno con ellos.

Lo que siempre escuchamos es verdad: La violencia trae más violencia.

Necesitamos tener una magnifica relación con Dios y pedirle que nos ayude en esta difícil tarea de ser padres. Aunque ya lo he dicho en otros devocionales, en el Manual de Instrucciones encontramos la manera adecuada para educar a nuestros muchachos.

Sin embargo, recuerda que nuestro ejemplo, lo que ven y lo que aprendan será lo que guarden como un estilo de vida.

Empieza por respetarlos, diles cuánto los amas y lo especiales que son para ti.

No los compares con otro hijo o hijo de algún amigo.

Siempre reafírmales su corazón.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Este día quiero honrar a los padres que hacen una buena labor enseñando, educando e interviniendo en la vida de sus hijos.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Thursday, August 6, 2020

THE PROCESS OF PERSECUTION-1: OPPOSITION

Consider [Jesus] who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

— Hebrews 12:3

Whenever we ask audiences in free societies to word-associate “persecution,” most responses are what we refer to as the “big three”: torture, imprisonment, and martyrdom. Many would agree that persecution is much more than the “big three” which are often only experienced in the final stage of the process of persecution.

Jesus repeatedly warned his followers that if the world hated Him, it would hate them also (John 15:18). In Luke 6:22, Jesus reminds his disciples that this opposition is a blessing. Not a blessing I ever hear many Christians praying for.

So the very basic and first step in this process is awareness that as a follower of Jesus, you can expect opposition, just as Jesus Himself experienced (Hebrews 12:3). He indicated that it will come from the world and possibly even from your own family and friends.

So do we walk around with a persecution complex, chip on our shoulder attitude, because of this? Absolutely not. The good news is that Jesus says we can live a life of joy in the midst of these troubles because He has overcome the world and so can we (John 16:33).

And this opposition is in every country and culture, not just those where severe persecution is being experienced. A few years ago Jim Cunningham and I wrote a little booklet about experiencing mild persecution right here in North America entitled Red Skies @ Dawn available at Open Doors offices. It is a dialogue between two young couples. Here’s a relevant excerpt:

Sam responded. “Ultimately Satan, our real enemy, wants to destroy the Church of Jesus Christ, wherever it’s located. And Jesus Himself is the stumbling block to those who don’t believe. When we say He is the only way, we are labeled as exclusivists and on this basis, we are then considered intolerant.”

Yvonne added, “I heard a program host on the radio the other day and he was obviously upset by this. When someone told him that Jesus is the only way to God, he shouted that we evangelicals are the scum of the earth!”

“Whoa,” Sanjit reacted. “That’s a little heavy, isn’t it?”

Yvonne continued, “Well, he went on to say that it wasn’t the belief to which he objected so much but he objected to the arrogance of any person claiming ‘my way or the highway’ and writing off the rest of the human race to eternal damnation.”

All of this discussion clearly points out, “Sam concluded, “we are facing—and will face even more—attacks because of Jesus in us. Persecution may not be just for those brothers and sisters across the seas in places like East Africa and China, but perhaps even for us.”

RESPONSE: Today I will rejoice that in the face of general opposition to Jesus in me, I can be an overcomer like Jesus.

PRAYER: Help me, Lord, to be aware of any opposition without it negatively affecting my witness.

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

Men's Devotional Bible - Thursday, August 6, 2020

Nothing but a Number

Joshua 13:1–7

Recommended Reading: Genesis 6:5—9:17 (especially 7:6); Luke 2:36–38

Japanese mountain climber Yuichiro Miura reached the summit of Mount Everest at age 70. George Brunstad was also 70 when he swam the English Channel. Naval officer Grace Hopper became the first female rear admiral of the United States Navy when she was 79. Margaret Haggerty completed her quest to run a marathon on each of the seven continents when she was 84.

If stories like these teach us anything, it’s that senior adults are capable of amazing things.

That was certainly true of Joshua. Even though he was probably nearing the century mark, God had a plan for him. Age didn’t matter to God. Rather than telling Joshua to rest, retire or step aside for a younger replacement, God instructed him to get to work.

Perhaps we should take a cue from God in our attitude toward older adults. From an early age most of us were taught to respect our elders. However, too often we confuse politeness for respect. What’s the difference? Politeness might include offering a hand to senior adults when they struggle with steps or making awkward small talk with aging relatives at family gatherings. Respect, however, would include realizing that with their years of challenges and experiences these adults are a rich, God-given resource.

In this age of politically correct labels, perhaps a better name for senior citizens is “ultra-experienced adults.” God entrusted Joshua with an important duty a quarter-century after Joshua reached retirement age because of his vast military experience and knowledge.

Think of the older adults you know. How does God want to use them in your life? What experiences of theirs might benefit you? What life lessons have they learned that might keep you from making a bad decision? And what might you be able to learn from hearing their stories and asking for their advice?

To Take Away

• How would you describe your attitude toward senior adults?
• Think of two or three seniors you know. What might getting to know them better add to your life?
• What steps can you take this week to build a mutually beneficial relationship with an older adult?

If stories like these teach us anything, it’s that senior adults are capable of amazing things.

LHM Daily Devotions - August 6, 2020 - "Bugging God"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Bugging God"

August 6, 2020

Immediately He (Jesus) made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.… When evening came, He was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." And Peter answered Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.' He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him…

 — Matthew 14:22, 23b-31a

Just imagine the stress those disciples were under! First of all, Jesus tells them to cross the lake and leave Him behind. Then they had a terrible time with the wind and waves, to the point where they're still out on the lake at 3 a.m. But though it isn't fun, they're handling it, and God lets them.

But then they got the scare of their lives. They saw Jesus coming, walking on the water. "What was that? Was it a ghost?" They were terrified.

But Jesus intervened immediately to calm them down. "It's Me!" He said. "Don't be afraid!" Jesus was okay with letting them handle the other stress, but this fear was too much. And so He stepped in and dealt with it.

We see the same thing happen when Peter asks Jesus to command him to come to Him, walking on the water. Jesus is fine with that level of stress, and he says okay. He lets Peter deal with it. But when Peter starts sinking and cries out for help, Jesus grabs him immediately. That's way past what Jesus will let Peter deal with on his own.

Isn't this the way that God treats us, too? Most of the time, God lets us deal with the stress in our lives using the resources He has given us—prayer, good friends, good nutrition and sleep, Holy Communion, and so forth. But there are some times when we are ready to break, and God knows that. He stretches out His hand and helps us in a more direct way than we are used to.

Of course, the hardest times are when we feel we are about to break, but we don't yet see God's help coming to us. Why is God not helping us? we ask. Doesn't He notice? At times like that, we can do like the disciples—scream and cry out and beg for help, and keep doing that until God answers.

That's pretty audacious. But we can do it because Jesus has laid down His life for us to make us children of God. Our Father wants us to bug Him. That's what children do when they have complete trust in their parents. And we know that the Lord is utterly faithful and loving. So we cry out to Him in confidence, putting all our hope and trust in Him.

THE PRAYER: Lord, You know the stress in my life. Please help me! Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. When is the time you were very stressed and God helped you?

2. What is one thing that is bothering you a lot right now?

3. When you are worried, how do you remember to trust in God?

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).
When is the time you were very stressed and God helped you?

Devocional CPTLN del 06 de agosto de 2020 - Fastidiando a Dios

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Fastidiando a Dios

06 de Agosto de 2020

Enseguida, Jesús hizo que sus discípulos entraran en la barca y que se adelantaran a la otra orilla, mientras él despedía a la multitud... Luego de despedir a la gente, subió al monte a orar aparte. Cuando llegó la noche, Jesús estaba allí solo. La barca ya estaba a la mitad del lago, azotada por las olas, porque tenían el viento en contra. Pero ya cerca del amanecer Jesús fue hacia ellos caminando sobre las aguas. Cuando los discípulos lo vieron caminar sobre las aguas, se asustaron y, llenos de miedo, gritaron: «¡Un fantasma!» Pero enseguida Jesús les dijo: «¡Ánimo! ¡Soy yo! ¡No tengan miedo!» Pedro le dijo: «Señor, si eres tú, manda que yo vaya hacia ti sobre las aguas.» Y él le dijo: «Ven.» Entonces Pedro salió de la barca y comenzó a caminar sobre las aguas en dirección a Jesús. Pero al sentir la fuerza del viento, tuvo miedo y comenzó a hundirse. Entonces gritó: «¡Señor, sálvame!» Al momento, Jesús extendió la mano y, mientras lo sostenía, le dijo: «¡Hombre de poca fe! ¿Por qué dudaste?»

— Mateo 14:22, 23b-31a

¡Imagínense el estrés que sufrieron esos discípulos! Primero, Jesús les dice que crucen el lago y lo dejen atrás. Luego tuvieron un tiempo terrible con el viento y las olas, hasta el punto en que todavía están en el lago a las 3 de la mañana, pero aunque no es divertido, lo están manejando y Dios se lo permite.

Pero luego tuvieron el susto de sus vidas: vieron llegar a Jesús caminando sobre el agua. ¿Qué era eso? ¿Un fantasma? Estaban aterrados. Pero Jesús intervino de inmediato para calmarlos. "¡Soy yo!", dijo. "¡No tengan miedo!" Jesús estaba de acuerdo con dejarlos manejar el otro estrés, pero este miedo era demasiado. Y así intervino y se ocupó de ello.

Lo mismo sucede cuando Pedro le pide a Jesús que le ordene que venga a Él caminando sobre el agua. Jesús le dice que está bien y deja que Pedro se encargue de tal estrés. Pero cuando Pedro comienza a hundirse y pide ayuda, Jesús lo agarra de inmediato.

¿No es así como Dios nos trata a nosotros también? La mayoría de las veces, Dios nos permite lidiar con el estrés en nuestras vidas utilizando los recursos que nos ha dado: oración, buenos amigos, buena nutrición y descanso, comunión, etc. Pero hay momentos en que estamos listos para quebrarnos, y Dios lo sabe. Él extiende su mano y nos ayuda de una manera más directa de la que estamos acostumbrados.

Por supuesto, los momentos más difíciles son cuando sentimos que estamos a punto de quebrarnos y no vemos que la ayuda de Dios esté llegando. ¿Por qué Dios no nos está ayudando?, decimos. ¿No se da cuenta? En momentos como esos, podemos hacer como los discípulos: gritar y gritar y pedir ayuda, y seguir haciéndolo hasta que Dios responda.

Eso es bastante audaz. Pero podemos hacerlo porque Jesús ha dado su vida por nosotros para hacernos hijos de Dios. Nuestro Padre quiere que lo fastidiemos. Eso es lo que hacen los niños cuando tienen plena confianza en sus padres. Y sabemos que el Señor es completamente fiel y amoroso. Entonces le clamamos a Él con confianza, poniendo toda nuestra esperanza y confianza en Él.

ORACIÓN: Señor, conoces el estrés en mi vida. ¡Por favor, ayúdame! Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

* ¿Hay alguna cosa que te está molestando mucho en este momento?

* Cuando estás preocupado, ¿cómo recuerdas confiar en Dios?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Hay alguna cosa que te está molestando mucho en este momento?

Хлеб наш насущный - Путями Отца

Путями Отца

Читать сейчас: 1 Царств 8:1-9 | Библия за год: Псалтирь 69-70; 1 Петра 4

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Сыновья его не ходили путями его, а уклонились в корысть, и брали подарки, и судили превратно.

— 1 Царств 8:3

В 1960-е годы оживленный район Лондейл на северо-западе Чикаго стал первым в Америке местом, где совместно могли проживать представители разных рас. Горстка афроамериканских семей среднего класса приобрела дома по специальному контракту, по которому домовладение совмещалось с арендой жилья. При этом не предусматривалось никаких льгот, а если покупатель хоть однажды не успевал заплатить в срок, то тут же терял первоначальный взнос, все предыдущие платежи и, наконец, сам дом. Алчные продавцы выставляли завышенные цены и выселяли семьи, просрочившие платежи. Затем дома по такому же контракту покупали другие семьи, и история повторялась.

Самуил назначил своих сыновей судьями над Израилем. Но они были движимы жадностью и «не ходили путями его» (1 Цар. 8:3). В отличие от честного отца, сыновья «уклонились в корысть», свое положение они использовали ради выгоды. Такое поведение вызвало негодование у старейшин Израиля и Самого Бога, из-за чего в священной истории появилась череда царей, заполнившая страницы Ветхого Завета (ст. 4-5).

Отказываясь ходить Божьими путями, мы открываем дверь для искаженных ценностей, в результате чего процветает грех и несправедливость. Ходить Его путями – значит проявлять честность и справедливость не только в словах, но и в делах. При этом добрые дела нужно делать не просто так, а для того, чтобы люди могли видеть их и прославлять нашего Небесного Отца.

О каком существующем примере несправедливости вы знаете? Как вы можете в этом случае содействовать справедливости?

Боже, несправедливость окружает нас со всех сторон. Помоги посвятить свою жизнь хождению Твоими путями.

автор: Джон Блэйз

© 2020 Хлеб Наш Насущный
В 1960-е годы оживленный район Лондейл на северо-западе Чикаго стал первым в Америке местом, где совместно могли проживать представители разных рас.