The Daily Bible Readings for SATURDAY, September 12, 2020

The Daily Readings

SATURDAY, September 12, 2020

Psalm 114; Exodus 15:19-21; Matthew 6:7-15

The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)

Today's Verse-of-the-Day: Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

The theme of joy is prominent in Philippians. The command to rejoice can always be obeyed, even in the midst of conflict, adversity, and deprivation, because joy rests not on favorable circumstances, but “in the Lord.” Paul uses repetition to emphasize this truth.

Today's Readings:

Psalm 114

Tremble O earth

Our God is the God of all creation. He split the Red Sea and parted the Jordan River (v. 3). He made the mountains and earth shake (vv. 4, 7). He turned solid rock into springs of water (v. 8). Marking moments in Israel’s history, the psalmist focused his meditation entirely on God’s power and majesty. This is the second of six Passover prayers sung by devout Israelites.

As you pray, consider how Jesus can bring a spring of living water from hardened hearts (John 4:10, 14). Ask Him to do that among your loved ones who have turned away from God. Use this psalm as a guide to praise God for His awesome power.

114:1 When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language;

2 Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion.

3 The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back.

4 The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.

5 What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?

6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs?

7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;

8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.

Exodus 15:19-21

The song of Miriam

A narrative interlude separates the Song of Moses from Miriam's song in v.21. Miriam is called a "prophetess" (cf. Nu 12:2) and a "sister" of Aaron, even though she was also Moses' sister. But apparently she ranked only with Aaron and not with Moses. There would be other prophetesses in Israel (Jdg 4:4; 2Ki 22:14; Ne 6:14; et al.). As a prophetess and a leader in Israel (Mic 6:4), Miriam led the women perhaps in an antiphonal response, repeating the song at the conclusion of each part or strophe, accompanied by timbrels and dancing.

15:19 For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the Lord brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.

20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

Matthew 6:7-15

Forgiving one another

Jesus was concerned about fake religion, so He instructed His disciples not to use religious activities to look good in public (vv. 1–4). In that context, Jesus also taught them how to pray. He told them not to be like hypocrites, who prayed in public to bolster their egos (v. 5), but to go into a room alone and close the door (v. 6). Then He gave them a simple model of prayer, which we often use in public worship, that includes honoring God as our Father; praying for His coming kingdom to be established, His provision for our daily needs, and His will to be done; and asking for forgiveness and deliverance from evil (vv. 9–13). The prayer closes with acknowledgment of God as King of all (v. 13).

Perhaps you can go into a room and close the door now. Pray through each line of the Lord’s Prayer. God, who sees what you do in private, will reward you (v. 6).

6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

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, King James Version (KJV).

The Daily Bible Readings are selected from the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, 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 Readings for SATURDAY, September 12, 2020
Psalm 114; Exodus 15:19-21; Matthew 6:7-15 (KJV)

Prayer of the Day for SATURDAY, September 12, 2020

Prayer of the Day

SATURDAY, September 12, 2020

When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains...And the gospel must first be preached to all nations...Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

— Mark 13:7–8,10, 13

Lord our God, Ruler over the world, whose longing is to see your thoughts and your will in all peoples, we come before you and ask that we may find strength in your Word and never cease to hope for the coming of your kingdom. Even when the world storms and rages, even when earthly kingdoms rise up against each other and everything seems dark, even then be present. Let your kingdom go quietly forward, to the honor of your name. Help us come closer to the goal Jesus has shown us, closer to the time we wait for, the day of his coming when all shall be made new and good through your power, through your Spirit. Amen.

Verse of the Day for SATURDAY, September 12, 2020

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Read all of Philippians 4

Listen to Philippians 4

The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV).

Ichthus Ministries Daily Devotions — Give Your Fears to Him

Give Your Fears to Him

One day He (Jesus) got into a boat with His disciples, and He said to them, "Let us go across to the other side of the lake." So they set out, and as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke Him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And He awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, "Where is your faith?" And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that He commands even winds and water, and they obey Him?"

— Luke 8:22-25

You know the story. It happened on the Sea of Galilee, that fascinating lake in northern Palestine, rich in associations from the life of Jesus. It was a treacherous little lake because often, sometimes without warning, the winds would sweep down through the rocky ravines of the surrounding hills and whip up the usually calm waters into a terrible storm. That's what happened to set the stage for our story.

At the suggestion of the Master, the disciples were taking Him across the lake. Exhausted by His labors of preaching and relieving the afflicted, Christ was soon sleeping like a child. Not soon thereafter the tempest struck in unusual fury; the waters went high and low, and the boat went with them. The disciples were filled with fear, but let's not think they were easily frightened. These were stouthearted fellows, several of whom had been raised by the sea.

This experience told them; however, they were in real danger. As they hastily trimmed the sails and manned the oars, they were no match for the forces of nature that were opposing them. They had reached the point we sometimes reach when a storm of life sweeps over us. Finally, in despair they turned to Christ, as we sometimes turn to God when everything else has failed. "Master, Master, we are perishing!" they cried out.

"And He awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, 'Where is your faith?'" The same can often be said of us, too. It is well to note that we do not live all of our lives in a storm. Yet, for many, their fears reach far out into the future. In fact, some folks are booked up with worry for months in advance. But God wants us to live each day, one at a time. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:34).

I don't know what the basis is for your fears. I do know that when you have penitently admitted to God the guilt in your life; when by faith you have accepted Christ as your personal Savior; when you have learned to love God above everything else; then you have no reason to fear the worst that life can pour over you. The world and all that is in it will inevitably pass. Yet in Christ you have strength and courage for life, heaven, and all eternity.

May His strength be yours this day.

Heavenly Father, comfort us in our fears. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Rev. Dr. Armin C. Oldsen

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you experienced a very frightening event in your life? Care to share?

2. When Jesus asked the disciples, "Where is your faith?", what might have been their reaction?

3. When things are looking bad, how do you turn to God in faith?

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
You know the story. It happened on the Sea of Galilee, that fascinating lake in northern Palestine, rich in associations from the life of Jesus. It was a treacherous little lake because often, sometimes without warning, the winds would sweep down through the rocky ravines of the surrounding hills and whip up the usually calm waters into a terrible storm. That's what happened to set the stage for our story.

Standing Strong Through the Storm — THE REAL ENEMY

THE REAL ENEMY

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

— 1 Peter 5:8-9

Joshua Sauñe had not planned to speak at his brothers’ funeral. Had he planned a speech, it certainly would not have been the one he delivered on that remarkable September day in 1992.

“Shining Path is not my enemy, Satan is my enemy,” he told the mourners who packed the Presbyterian Church in Ayacucho, Peru. “The people who killed my brothers need Christ just as you and I do.”

The funeral of Quechua evangelist and Bible translator Rómulo Sauñe, his brother Ruben and their cousins Josué and Marco Antonio, was one of the largest Ayacucho witnessed during the decade that the communist guerrilla army known as Shining Path terrorized the city. Nearly 5,000 people, the vast majority of them Quechua-speaking native Americans like the Sauñes, turned out to grieve the fallen Christians, murdered September 5.

God was there that day, too, performing silent miracles in the lives of several of the mourners.

Joshua was Rómulo’s only surviving brother and had come immediately from his home in the United States when he heard of the murders. All during the long flight to Peru, Joshua seethed with anger. He later told a friend that, in the very moment he rose to address the crowd, God took away the hatred he felt for the Shining Path terrorists that had caused his family so much suffering. In its place, God gave Joshua a burning desire to carry on the evangelistic work that his brothers, parents and grandparents had faithfully performed.

“I suddenly saw (that) if I was going to fight Shining Path, I should fight with the Bible,” Joshua said. “It was the first time I understood that.”

Not long afterward, Joshua abandoned his successful art career in Arizona and moved back to Peru with his family to work with Runa Simi, the indigenous ministry founded by Rómulo and his wife, the former Donna Jackson. Between evangelistic campaigns in the Andes, Joshua and Missy Sauñe have worked to establish community self-help projects and schools for the widows and orphans of Shining Path violence.

RESPONSE: Today I will publicly affirm that my only enemy is Satan and I will be alert to his tactics.

PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for the work you are doing in Peru as a result of Romulo’s martyrdom and in the face of opposition from the enemy.

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

The NIV Couples Devotional — Beauty in Submission

Beauty in Submission

1 Peter 2:11—3:7

Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.

— 1 Peter 3:1–2

For many people, the word submission implies serving someone else hand and foot. Submission seems dehumanizing. We assume that such deference would sap a marriage of the mutual respect and service that a marriage ought to have to make it strong and vital.

In 1 Peter 3, Peter was addressing a specific situation: how the wives of unsaved husbands might influence them to become Christians. He counseled the women to submit, but he was thinking of the kind of submission that is deeply catalytic, a potent secret remedy for a lost loved one.

The secret of a Christian wife’s submission is found in three phrases. The first is in verse 1: “in the same way.” It refers back to the Christlike submission described in the previous verses (2:21–24). In the same way that Jesus trusted God to work redemptively through his submission, we can trust God to work through our submission.

The second key phrase is in verse 2: “when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.” Purity and reverence ennoble a person; they are signs of spiritual strength. They are the marks of carefully guarded relationships with people and with God. Submission without purity and reverence has no potency, but when someone is the recipient of your humble submission and realizes that it springs not from his or her power over you but from your relationship with God, the person is changed by the experience.

The third important phrase is in verse 4: “a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” A gentle and quiet spirit is the opposite of a fearful spirit. Wives of unsaved husbands in Peter’s day had a lot to be afraid of, but those who learned to quiet their hearts in the promises of God took on an inner beauty that no dress or makeup could give them, a beauty that attracted others to Christ. The message, both then and now, is that while Christian wives serve their unsaved husbands, they are depending on God, and that is a transforming experience.

Notice that the goal is not a dominating husband, but a godly husband. God-shaped submission makes the people around us better, not worse. Furthermore, even if an unsaved husband never responds to Christ, the Christian wife may grow in such beautiful godliness that others will be attracted to Christ.

Peter didn’t apply to believing husbands the same recipe for winning over an unsaved wife, but we can be assured that the principles are similar. Paul instructed Christians to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21). If a husband has an unsaved wife, his loving and sacrificial behavior toward her will show her a picture of Christ’s love for the church (see Ephesians 5:25–32).

Lee Eclov

Let’s Talk

• How can Christian submission as Peter described it actually empower rather than dehumanize us in marriage?
• How does fear sour submission (see 1 Peter 3:6)? What is it like to be around a fearfully submissive person?
• How does the purity and reverence of our lives change the character of submission?

For many people, the word submission implies serving someone else hand and foot. Submission seems dehumanizing. We assume that such deference would sap a marriage of the mutual respect and service that a marriage ought to have to make it strong and vital.

John Piper Devotional — 7 Reasons Not to Worry (Part 2)

7 Reasons Not to Worry

(Part 2)

“And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life’s span? And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith?”

— Matthew 6:27-30

Matthew 6 contains at least seven promises designed by Jesus to help us fight the good fight against unbelief and be free from anxiety. In Part 1 we saw Promises 1 and 2; today we look at 3 and 4.

PROMISE #3: And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life’s span? And why are you anxious about clothing? (Matthew 6:27–28).

This is a promise of sorts — the simple promise of reality: anxiety will not do you any good. It’s not the main argument, but sometimes we just have to get tough with ourselves and say, “Soul, this fretting is absolutely useless. You are not only messing up your own day, but a lot of other people’s as well. Leave it with God and get on with your work.”

Anxiety accomplishes nothing worthwhile.

PROMISE #4: Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will he not much more do so for you, O men of little faith? (Matthew 6:28–30).

Compared to the flowers of the field you are a much higher priority for God, because you will live forever, and can thus bring him eternal praise.

Nevertheless, God has such an overflow of creative energy and care, he lavishes it on flowers that last only a matter of days. So he will certainly take that same energy and creative skill and use it to care for his children who will live forever.
Matthew 6 contains at least seven promises designed by Jesus to help us fight the good fight against unbelief and be free from anxiety.

Un dia a la Vez — Promesas cumplidas: Testimonio de sanidad (sexta parte)

Promesas cumplidas: Testimonio de sanidad

(sexta parte)

Envió su palabra para sanarlos, y así los rescató del sepulcro.

— Salmo 107:20

La manera más hermosa en la que puedo cerrar estos devocionales de mi testimonio es con un corazón agradecido. La mano de mi Creador estuvo sobre mí porque aprendí a conocer otras de sus facetas como las de Padre, Médico, Sanador, Dador, Amigo… Aunque por momentos no entendía lo que vivía, también llegaron a mis oídos promesas suyas, como por ejemplo:

• «Escribe en un libro todas las palabras que te he dicho»: Cuatro años más tarde lo tenemos en nuestras manos, así que eres testigo de esa promesa cumplida (Jeremías 30:2).
• «Yo estoy contigo para salvarte» (Jeremías 30:11).
• «Yo te restauraré y sanaré tus heridas» (Jeremías 30:17).
• «De entre ellos surgirá su líder […] Lo acercaré hacia mí, y él estará a mi lado»: La promesa de mi esposo se cumplió siete meses más tarde (Jeremías 30:21).

Conocí a mi esposo casi ocho años atrás en Las Vegas y Dios lo puso de nuevo en mi camino y lo acercó a mí. Después de un noviazgo de un año y medio, decidimos casarnos. Así que pidió mi mano y se vino a vivir a Miami. Ahora tenemos un matrimonio lleno de felicidad porque cuenta con el sello de nuestro Dios.

Hoy puedo testificar que Dios cumple «todo» lo que promete. Lo que es más importante,

lo hace en el tiempo perfecto para que las cosas sucedan como Él manda.

Si puedes leer de la Biblia la promesa que Dios me dio el 13 de septiembre de 2005, entenderás mejor este milagro de vida que soy yo. Analiza esa promesa, ¡está en Jeremías 30!

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
La mano de mi Creador estuvo sobre mí porque aprendí a conocer otras de sus facetas como las de Padre, Médico, Sanador, Dador, Amigo…

Хліб Наш Насущній — День заохочення

День заохочення

Читати: 1 Солунян 5:12-28 | Біблія за рік: Приповістей 13–15 ; 2 Коринтян 5

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Благаємо ж, браття, ми вас… потішайте малодушних.

— 1 Солунян 5:14

Перші волонтери щоденно виявляли відданість і відвагу, перебуваючи в епіцентрі лиха. Під час нападу на Всесвітній торговий центр в Нью-Йорку в 2001 році, коли було вбито і поранено тисячі людей, загинуло також понад чотириста рятівників. В пам’ять про них американський сенат назвав 12 вересня Національним днем заохочення.

Хоча таке рішення влади може здатися унікальним, проте апостол Павло вже давно вважав заохочення важливим для зростання церкви. Він закликав молоду церкву в македонському місті Солунь: “Потішайте малодушних, підтримуйте слабих, усім довготерпіть” (1 Сол. 5:14). Хоча церква зазнавала гонінь, апостол Павло заохочував віруючих “завжди дбати про добро один для одного й для всіх” (в. 15). Він розумів, що віруючі, як звичайні люди, можуть мати схильність до відчаю, егоїзму та конфліктності. Однак він також знав, що без Божої допомоги і сили вони не зможуть підтримати один одного.

Сьогодні нам усім так само потрібна підтримка, і нам усім її треба надавати іншим. Проте ми не можемо це робити власними силами. Ось чому настільки обнадійливим є підбадьорення апостола Павла: “Вірний Той, Хто вас кличе, – Він і вчинить оте” (в. 24). З допомогою Господа Ісуса Христа ми здатні щодня підтримувати один одного.

Як слово підтримки може допомогти не впасти у відчай? Кого ви можете сьогодні підтримати?

 Прочитайте брошуру “Допоможіть! Я боюся завтрашнього дня” на сторінці “Погляд на життя”.

Ісусе, дякую за підтримку, яку Ти даруєш мені кожного дня. Покажи, кого мені також треба підтримати.

Автор Естера Піроска Ескобар

© 2020 Хліб Наш Насущні
Перші волонтери щоденно виявляли відданість і відвагу, перебуваючи в епіцентрі лиха.