The Daily Bible Readings for TUESDAY, November 3, 2020

 

The Daily Readings
TUESDAY, November 3, 2020
Psalm 128; Joshua 6:1-16, 20; Acts 13:1-12
The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)

Today’s Verse-of-the-Day:

Romans 13:1

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

The Lord is the One who ultimately places people in authority over us—whether that be in our work or country (Dan. 2:21). Our responsibility is to honor God first and foremost (Acts 5:27–29), abide by the laws and rules required of us (Matt. 22:21; 1 Pet. 3:13–15), and pray our leaders understand that they are accountable to God (1 Tim. 2:1–3).

Today’s Readings:

Psalm 128
It shall be well with you

1 Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.

2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.

5 The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.

6 Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.

Commentary
Sometimes called the Marriage Song, Psalm 128 has been associated with weddings for centuries. Christian marriage builds on this rich legacy. Those desiring to flourish in their marriage can meditate on this psalm (in addition to studying other Scriptures about marriage). According to the psalmist, wisdom for marriage and family begins with the fear of the Lord (v. 4). A marriage blessed by the Lord is one in which a husband and wife choose to walk in the Lord’s ways (v. 1). Pray for the marriages in your sphere of influence. Ask that these marriages know the blessing and peace of the Lord (vv. 1, 4–6).

Joshua 6:1-16
Jericho is conquered

6:1 Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.

2 And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.

3 And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.

4 And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.

5 And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.

6 And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the Lord.

7 And he said unto the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the Lord.

8 And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns passed on before the Lord, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the Lord followed them.

9 And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rereward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.

10 And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout.

11 So the ark of the Lord compassed the city, going about it once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.

12 And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord.

13 And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the Lord went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the Lord, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.

14 And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days.

15 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.

16 And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city.

Commentary
Verses 1-5 — Jericho resolves Israel shall not be its master. It shut itself up, being strongly fortified both by art and nature. Thus were they foolish, and their hearts hardened to their destruction, the miserable case of all that strengthen themselves against the Almighty. God resolves Israel shall be its master, and that quickly. No warlike preparations were to be made. By the uncommon method of besieging the city, the Lord honored the ark as the symbol of his presence and showed that all the victories were from him. The faith and patience of the people were proved and increased.

Verses 6-16 — Wherever the ark went, the people attended it. By the trumpet of the everlasting gospel, God's ministers, which proclaims liberty and victory, must encourage the followers of Christ in their spiritual warfare. As promised, deliverances must be expected in God's way, so they must be expected in his time. At last, the people were to shout: they did so, and the walls fell. This was a shout of faith; they believed the walls of Jericho would fall. It was a shout of prayer; they cry to Heaven for help, and help came.

Acts 13:1-12
Paul and Barnabas confront a false prophet

13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:

7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.

10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

Commentary
Verses 1-3 — What an assemblage was here! In these names, we see that the Lord raises up instruments for his work, from various places and stations in life; and zeal for his glory induces men to give up flattering connexions and prospects to promote his cause. By the Spirit of Christ, his ministers are made both able and willing for his service and taken from other cares that would hinder in it. Christ's ministers are to be employed in Christ's work, and, under the Spirit's guidance, to act for the glory of God the Father. They are separated to take pains and not to take state. A blessing upon Barnabas and Saul in their present undertaking was sought for, and that they might be filled with the Holy Ghost in their work. Whatever means are used or rules observed, the Holy Ghost alone can fit ministers for their important work and call them to it.

Verses 4-12 — Satan is in a special manner busy with great men and men in power, to keep them from being religious, for their example will influence many. Saul is here for the first time called Paul, and never after Saul. Saul was his name as he was a Hebrew; Paul was his name as he was a citizen of Rome. Under the Holy Ghost's direct influence, he gave Elymas his true character, but not in passion. A fulness of deceit and mischief together make a man indeed a child of the devil. And those who are enemies to the doctrine of Jesus, are enemies to all righteousness; for in it all righteousness is fulfilled. The ways of the Lord Jesus are the only right ways to heaven and happiness. There are many who not only wander from these ways themselves but set others against these ways. They commonly are so hardened that they will not cease to do evil. The proconsul was astonished at the force of the doctrine upon his own heart and conscience, and at the power of God by which it was confirmed. The doctrine of Christ astonishes, and the more we know of it, the more reason we shall see to wonder at it. Those who put their hand to the plow and look back are not fit for the kingdom of God. Those who are not prepared to face opposition, and to endure hardship, are not suited for the work of the ministry.

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 TUESDAY, November 3, 2020
Psalm 128; Joshua 6:1-16, 20; Acts 13:1-12 (KJV)

Prayer of the Day for TUESDAY, November 3, 2020

 

Prayer of the Day
TUESDAY, November 3, 2020

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

— 1 John 1:5 (NIV)

Lord our God, rule over us in strength, and grant us your light. Let your Spirit be with us to confirm what has already taken place in our hearts, so that we have joy and trust even under all the strain and stress of this life. Shine into the darkness of the world. Shine for all people. May we be shown more and more clearly what we have been created for. Strengthen our faith for the future, our faith in everything good, for however hidden the good may be, it must at last come to the light. May we and all the world bring praise and honor to you. Amen.

Verse of the Day for TUESDAY, November 3, 2020

 

Romans 13:1

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

The Lord is the One who ultimately places people in authority over us—whether that be in our work or country (Dan. 2:21). Our responsibility is to honor God first and foremost (Acts 5:27–29), abide by the laws and rules required of us (Matt. 22:21; 1 Pet. 3:13–15), and pray our leaders understand that they are accountable to God (1 Tim. 2:1–3).

Read all of Romans 13

Listen to Romans 13

The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)

Ichthus Ministries Daily Devotions — Let Justice Roll Down

 

Let Justice Roll Down

Woe to you who desire the Day of the LORD! Why would you have the Day of the LORD? It is darkness, and not light, as if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him, or went into the house and leaned his hand against the wall, and a serpent bit him. Is not the Day of the LORD darkness, and not light, and gloom with no brightness in it? "I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer Me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. Take away from Me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."

— Amos 5:18-24

This is a really weird passage. Apparently in Amos' day there were people talking about how much they wanted the Day of the Lord to come—what we would refer to as Judgment Day, the end of the world, the day of God's final overwhelming victory. They looked forward to that day because of all the prophecies surrounding it—Israel's enemies would be destroyed; there would be no more war; there would be plenty of food and drink for all God's people; God would wipe away every tear from their eyes. What's not to like?

But Amos saw what they were not paying attention to—that the Day of the Lord comes with judgment. And what will happen to those who think themselves safe but who have not examined their own lives? As Amos says, "They sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals—those who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth and turn aside the way of the afflicted; ... and in the house of their God they drink the wine of those who have been fined" (Amos 2:6b-7a, 8b).

And Jesus described it this way: "I was hungry and you gave Me no food, I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome Me, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me. ... Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me" (Matthew 25:42-43, 45b).

These are strong words of judgment. What can we do? None of us has lived perfectly. All of us can recall some case where we did not behave like children of God—some time when we showed hate, not love; fear, not trust; did harm, not good; or ignored the plight of the people God sent to us for care. How can we be saved?

Only through Jesus Christ, our merciful Savior. He is the One who saw us when we were hungry and thirsty and poor and sick and lonely and downtrodden—enemies of God, slaves to sin—and He did not turn away from us. Because of His great love, and not for anything we had done, He came down to us. He became one of us, a man born of a woman, a man who would serve and suffer and die on a cross, all to set us free from the power of evil. And then He rose from the dead, breaking the power of death over us, and bringing us into the life and freedom of the children of God.

Jesus looked on us, and He had compassion on us. Let us do likewise for those who suffer.

Dear Lord, live through me and use me to bless those who suffer and are in need. In Your Name. Amen.

Dr. Kari Vo

Reflection Questions:

1. Name one specific thing Jesus has set you free from.

2. Can you think of a person who needs Jesus' love shown through you?

3. What could you do to help this person in need?

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
This is a really weird passage. Apparently in Amos' day there were people talking about how much they wanted the Day of the Lord to come.

Standing Strong Through the Storm — NO TURNING BACK

 

NO TURNING BACK

“Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

— Matthew 10:38

In northern Nigeria, confessing Christ by word of mouth is not the only test of a believer’s sincere submission to the authority of Christ—particularly one coming to Christ from Islam. A true follower of Jesus must be prepared to carry the cross, or else he falls away.

For 25-year-old Akin, his cross came quickly. His father and uncle took him from the home of one Islamic scholar to another, trying to convince him to compromise his faith in Christ. But all their efforts proved fruitless. Finally, as a last resort, Akin’s family took him to an Islamic reformatory where he must either accept Islam or die.

“There, I lived with thieves, murderers, alcoholics, and drug addicts whose parents or relatives had brought them there to be rehabilitated. I did not belong there. Immediately, they had my hands and feet chained. The chains fastened on my legs were worse, as they joined the metals directly on my legs. They also beat me consistently. The experience was agonizing, but I had to endure because I had seen the light in Christ and accepted it,” said Akin.

“They maltreated us, but mine was more severe because the Islamic teacher told them I had blasphemed against the prophet of Islam,” said Akin. “I wore the same shirt and trousers for nine months. I could not even wash them since I was chained, hands and feet.”

After nine months in chains and under the cruel treatment of outcasts and the Islamic teacher, the Islamic teacher took Akin back to his father’s house in the village. “My father was very upset and asked the Islamic teacher to take me back since I had not recanted my faith in Christ,” Akin said. But the teacher refused. “He handed me over to my father and left.”

Because staying with his parents would mean his death, he immediately fled to a pastor’s house for refuge. Akin stayed indoors for two weeks until the church relocated him to a more secure environment. Akin was discipled over the next two years and then called into ministry.

Now in a Bible school, Akin still cannot go back home. The church in his village is small, with almost no means to support him. His Christian mentor is the only source of help for his school fees, books, and food provision.

“For me, the battle continues, although I know it is Christ who rescued me,” says Akin. “This is a constant reminder that Christ actually gave up his life for me…So my experience in that [Islamic reformatory] was just a part of the road that leads to eternity with Christ. He has told us the journey will not be easy, but we must press on, no turning back.”

RESPONSE: Today, I will persevere in following Jesus no matter what obstacles I face. I will not turn back!

PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for the example of believers like Akin, whose example imitates Yours in teaching me to follow after You, no matter the cost.

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.
In northern Nigeria, confessing Christ by word of mouth is not the only test of a believer’s sincere submission to the authority of Christ—particularly one coming to Christ from Islam. A true follower of Jesus must be prepared to carry the cross, or else he falls away.

John Piper Devotional — The Meaning of Suffering

 

The Meaning of Suffering

He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.

— Hebrews 11:26

We do not choose to suffer simply because we are told to, but because the One who tells us to describes it as the path to everlasting joy.

He beckons us into the obedience of suffering not to demonstrate the strength of our devotion to duty or to reveal the vigor of our moral resolve or to prove the heights of our pain tolerance, but rather to manifest, in childlike faith, the infinite preciousness of his all-satisfying promises.

Moses “[chose] rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin…for he was looking to the reward” (Hebrews 11:25–26). Therefore, his obedience glorified the God of grace, not the resolve to suffer.

This is the essence of Christian Hedonism. In the pursuit of joy through suffering, we magnify the source of our joy’s all-satisfying worth. God himself shines as the brightness at the end of our tunnel of pain.

If we do not communicate that he is the goal and the ground of our joy in suffering, then the very meaning of our suffering will be lost.

The meaning is this: God is gain. God is gain. God is gain.

The chief end of man is to glorify God. And it is truer in suffering than anywhere else that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.
We do not choose to suffer simply because we are told to, but because the One who tells us to describes it as the path to everlasting joy.

Un dia a la Vez — La lámpara del cuerpo

 

La lámpara del cuerpo

El ojo es la lámpara del cuerpo. Por tanto, si tu visión es clara, todo tu ser disfrutará de la luz.

— Mateo 6:22

En un devocional anterior pudimos aprender que los ojos son la lámpara del cuerpo. Que debemos guardarlos no solo por la salud física, sino también por la salud espiritual debido a lo que vemos.

Si lo que vemos nos corrompe, nuestro cuerpo se dañará de igual manera. Claro, esto tiene toda la lógica del mundo: Una persona que solo ve pornografía, esa es la información diaria que le da a su mente y a su cuerpo.

Y si tu ojo es bueno, tu cuerpo será bueno del mismo modo.

Dios desea que tú seas libre y bueno.

Y lo puedes ser entregándole esa esfera o cualquier otra.

Él nos cambia y nos transforma… solo si se lo permitimos.

Te recuerdo que la luz y las tinieblas se rechazan entre sí.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
En un devocional anterior pudimos aprender que los ojos son la lámpara del cuerpo. Que debemos guardarlos no solo por la salud física, sino también por la salud espiritual debido a lo que vemos.

Devocional CPTLN — Que fluya la justicia

 

Que fluya la justicia

¡Ay de los que anhelan que llegue el día del Señor! ¿Para qué quieren que llegue el día del Señor? Será un día de tinieblas, y no de luz. Será como cuando alguien huye de un león, y se topa con un oso. O como cuando alguien entra en su casa y, al apoyarse en la pared, una culebra le muerde la mano. El día del Señor no será de luz, sino de tinieblas. ¡Será un día sombrío, sin resplandor alguno! «Yo aborrezco sus fiestas solemnes. ¡No las soporto, ni me complacen sus reuniones! Cuando me ofrezcan sus ofrendas y holocaustos no los recibiré, ni miraré los animales engordados que me presenten como ofrendas de paz. Alejen de mí la multitud de sus cantos. No quiero escuchar las melodías de sus liras. Prefiero que fluya la justicia como un río, y que el derecho mane como un impetuoso arroyo.

— Amós 5:18-24

Este es un pasaje realmente extraño. Aparentemente, en los días de Amós las personas hablaban de cuánto deseaban que llegara el Día del Señor, lo que llamaríamos el Día del Juicio, el fin del mundo, el día de la abrumadora victoria final de Dios. Esperaban ansiosos ese día debido a todas las profecías que lo rodeaban: los enemigos de Israel serían destruidos, no habría más guerras, habría suficiente comida para todo el pueblo de Dios, Dios enjugaría toda lágrima de sus ojos. ¿Cómo no habría de gustarles?

Pero Amós vio a lo que NO estaban prestando atención: que el Día del Señor viene con juicio. ¿Qué pasará con quienes se creen seguros, pero no han examinado su vida? Como dice Amós: "... han vendido al justo por dinero, y al pobre por un par de zapatos; han aplastado en el suelo a los desvalidos, han torcido el camino de los humildes; ... y en la casa de sus dioses se embriagan con el vino que reciben como multa" (Amós 2:6b-7a, 8b).

Y Jesús lo describió así: "Porque tuve hambre, y no me dieron de comer; tuve sed, y no me dieron de beber; fui forastero, y no me recibieron; estuve desnudo, y no me cubrieron; estuve enfermo, y en la cárcel, y no me visitaron... De cierto les digo que todo lo que no hicieron por uno de estos más pequeños, tampoco por mí lo hicieron" (Mateo 25: 42-43, 45b).

Estas son fuertes palabras de juicio. ¿Qué podemos hacer? Ninguno de nosotros ha vivido una vida perfecta. Todos podemos recordar ocasiones en las que no nos comportamos como hijos de Dios, en que mostramos odio en vez de amor y miedo en vez de confianza; en que hicimos daño en vez de bien o ignoramos las dificultados de aquéllos a quienes Dios nos envió para que cuidemos. ¿Cómo podemos salvarnos?

Solo a través de Jesucristo, nuestro misericordioso Salvador. Él nos vio cuando teníamos hambre y sed, cuando éramos pobres y estábamos enfermos, solitarios y oprimidos, enemigos de Dios y esclavos del pecado, y no se apartó de nosotros. Por su gran amor se hizo uno de nosotros, para servir, sufrir, morir en una cruz y resucitar de entre los muertos, para así liberarnos del poder del mal y la muerte, y llevarnos a la vida y libertad de los hijos de Dios.

Jesús tuvo compasión de nosotros. Hagamos lo mismo con los demás.

ORACIÓN: Amado Señor, vive a través de mí y úsame para bendecir a quienes están en necesidad. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

* ¿Puedes pensar en una persona que necesite conocer a través de ti el amor de Jesús?

* ¿Qué podrías hacer para ayudar a esa persona?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
Este es un pasaje realmente extraño. Aparentemente, en los días de Amós las personas hablaban de cuánto deseaban que llegara el Día del Señor, lo que llamaríamos el Día del Juicio, el fin del mundo, el día de la abrumadora victoria final de Dios.

Nuestro Pan Diario — El encantador de árboles

 

El encantador de árboles

La escritura de hoy: Salmo 1
La Biblia en un año: Jeremías 30–31; Filemón

Será como árbol plantado junto a corrientes de aguas, que da su fruto en su tiempo…

—  Salmo 1:3

Algunos lo llaman el «encantador de árboles». Tony Rinaudo es el «fabricante de árboles» de World Vision Australia. Es un misionero y agrónomo que participa de un emprendimiento de 30 años para hablar de Jesús al combatir la deforestación del Sahel, en África.

Al darse cuenta de que los «arbustos» atrofiados eran en realidad árboles inactivos, Rinaudo empezó a podarlos y regarlos. Su obra inspiró a cientos de miles de agricultores a salvar sus granjas en quiebra, restaurando bosques cercanos al revertir la erosión del suelo. Los agricultores en Níger, por ejemplo, han duplicado sus cosechas y sus ganancias.

En Juan 15, Jesús se refirió a métodos similares de agricultura, al declarar: «Yo soy la vid verdadera, y mi Padre es el labrador. Todo pámpano que en mí no lleva fruto, lo quitará; y todo aquel que lleva fruto, lo limpiará, para que lleve más fruto» (vv. 1-2).

Sin el cuidado diario de Dios, nuestras almas se vuelven estériles y secas. Sin embargo, cuando nos deleitamos en su ley, al meditar en ella de día y de noche, somos «como árbol plantado junto a corrientes de aguas» (Salmo 1:3). Nuestras hojas «no [caen]», y «todo lo que [hacemos], prosperará» (v. 3). Podados y plantados en Él, somos perennes… revivimos y prosperamos.

De:  Patricia Raybon

Reflexiona y ora

Señor, me rindo a tu poda y tu riego, te entrego mis lugares secos para que los revivas.
¿Dónde y cómo percibes que Dios está cuidando tu alma? ¿Qué haces para «deleitarte» en la Palabra de Dios?

© 2020 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario
Algunos lo llaman el «encantador de árboles». Tony Rinaudo es el «fabricante de árboles» de World Vision Australia.