The Daily Lectionary for WEDNESDAY, February 6, 2019

The Daily Lectionary

WEDNESDAY, February 6, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Psalm 56

Trust in God under Persecution
To the leader: according to The Dove on Far-off Terebinths. Of David. A Miktam, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.
1  Be gracious to me, O God, for people trample on me;
     all day long foes oppress me;
2  my enemies trample on me all day long,
     for many fight against me.
   O Most High, 3 when I am afraid,
     I put my trust in you.
4  In God, whose word I praise,
     in God I trust; I am not afraid;
     what can flesh do to me?

5  All day long they seek to injure my cause;
     all their thoughts are against me for evil.
6  They stir up strife, they lurk,
     they watch my steps.
   As they hoped to have my life,
7      so repay them for their crime;
     in wrath cast down the peoples, O God!

8  You have kept count of my tossings;
     put my tears in your bottle.
     Are they not in your record?
9  Then my enemies will retreat
     in the day when I call.
     This I know, that God is for me.
10 In God, whose word I praise,
     in the Lord, whose word I praise,
11 in God I trust; I am not afraid.
     What can a mere mortal do to me?

12 My vows to you I must perform, O God;
     I will render thank offerings to you.
13 For you have delivered my soul from death,
     and my feet from falling,
   so that I may walk before God
     in the light of life.

Jeremiah 1:11-19

1:11 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” And I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.” 12 Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.” 13 The word of the Lord came to me a second time, saying, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see a boiling pot, tilted away from the north.”

14 Then the Lord said to me: Out of the north disaster shall break out on all the inhabitants of the land. 15 For now I am calling all the tribes of the kingdoms of the north, says the Lord; and they shall come and all of them shall set their thrones at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, against all its surrounding walls and against all the cities of Judah. 16 And I will utter my judgments against them, for all their wickedness in forsaking me; they have made offerings to other gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands. 17 But you, gird up your loins; stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not break down before them, or I will break you before them. 18 And I for my part have made you today a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a bronze wall, against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its princes, its priests, and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the Lord, to deliver you.

Luke 19:41-44

Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem
19:41 As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. 44 They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.”

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 New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year C. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2019, we will be in Year A. The year which ended at Advent 2018 was Year B. 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 on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
As Jesus came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.”

The Morning Prayer for WEDNESDAY, February 6, 2019

Wednesday morning prayer

Second-century Bible scholar Origen of Alexandria wrote, “We do not arm ourselves against any nation; we do not learn the art of war; because, through Jesus Christ, we have become the children of peace.”

Lord on this day of the week I recall the strength of the Trinity in my life. Thank you for the strands that hold me safe in the Father, that bring redemption and grace in the Son, and freedom and hope through the Holy Spirit. Thank you for this cord of strength. May I celebrate with the Three that encircle my life! And this day may I give out the love of the Father, the grace of the Son and the freedom of the Holy Spirit in all I do.

Lord, this work of peacemaking is difficult business. But we cannot expect peace by any other way than nonviolence. Keep us even from violent thoughts and from threatening your peace with impatience. Amen.

May Wednesday be a dwelling day,

Curled up on Abba's knee.

Following in the path of Christ,

With His Spirit I'm set free.

Let Wednesday always prompt my heart

To travel home to nest.

To feel the blessings of my faith

To know Your peace and rest.

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, February 6, 2019

Proverbs 21:21 (NIV) Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.

Read all of Proverbs 21

Listen to Proverbs 21

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 - Tiempos de angustia

Tiempos de angustia

Bueno es el Señor; es refugio en el día de la angustia, y protector de los que en él confían.

~ Nahúm 1:7 (NVI)

Si nos tocara escoger entre el dolor y la angustia, creo que no sabríamos qué responder.

La angustia es esa agonía que se puede prolongar y te puede destruir poco a poco.

Creo que no hay nada más extraño que sentir ese vacío en nuestro estómago. Esos pensamientos que se deslizan por nuestra mente y nos hacen palpitar más fuerte el corazón y hasta sudar sin control.

Dios nos dice en su Palabra varias veces que no debemos vivir angustiados; y que si lo estamos, Él nos libra y nos ayuda. No obstante, solo hay un requisito para poder ver actuar a Dios a favor de nosotros en momentos de angustia y es buscar de Él. Otra manera de lograrlo es siendo obedientes a su Palabra, a sus mandamientos, y saber que Él escucha nuestra oración.

Pon tu mirada en Dios y no te desenfoques buscando amparo en otras cosas que no te ayudarán.

Reta a Dios en este día y dile que aunque no entiendes lo que estás viviendo, vas a confiar en Él. Y que si llegan pensamientos contrarios, tú permanecerás en su Palabra.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Si nos tocara escoger entre el dolor y la angustia, creo que no sabríamos qué responder.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - CONQUERING THE FEAR OF DEATH

CONQUERING THE FEAR OF DEATH

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

~ Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

Fear of dying is the number one universal fear for human beings. Virtually every fear has a relationship to death and a connection to dying. For example, why are we afraid of flying? The plane may crash and we may die. Here are seven scriptural principles that enable us to conquer our fear of death:

1. God is in control. Read Psalm 91. (Mark 4:35-41; Phil 4:6-7)

2. Focus on fearing God and dying to self. (Acts 5:29; Galatians 2:20)

3. We are strangers and pilgrims on this earth. (Hebrews 10:32+)

4. God always brings good from evil. (Genesis 50:20)

5. The enemy can only harm our body, not our soul. (Matthew 10:28)

6. Absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8; 2 Timothy 2:11-12)

7. There is a crown of life for the faithful to death. (Revelation 2:10)

Co-workers had just finished an SSTS seminar on the island of Timor when a young pastor suddenly jumped up and proclaimed before all his colleagues “Now I am ready to die for Jesus!” These were no idle words. Every single pastor attending the seminar was directly or indirectly impacted by the massacres on the island of Ambon. Many of their churches had been burned and several had lost loved ones in the attacks on Christians.

As the meeting concluded, our colleague saw that young pastor making his way towards him. “Your being here has inspired me to go out and share the gospel in other areas,” he announced.

“I am happy to hear that brother. Where has the Lord called you to?” he enquired.

“To Ambon!”

“My brother, are you sure. This is like signing your own death certificate. You know that most Christians are fleeing the massacre and you want to return?”

His response was simple and without pretense. “If I don’t go back to tell the people about Jesus, who will do it? I am willing to give my life for Jesus!”

RESPONSE: Today I will live prepared to die, and die prepared to live!

PRAYER: When I fear you, Lord, I fear nothing else—even death. Today I pray for those who do not fear You and thus fear everything else—especially death.

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

Girlfriends in God - For Family Only

For Family Only

Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!

~ Psalm 61:4 (ESV)

Friend to Friend

Psalm 61 is a powerful reminder that no matter where we are or what we're going through, we can cry out to God for help. David was in a fragile place, desperate for God. Forced to flee because his son Absalom had rebelled against him. He’d been betrayed by his own flesh and blood, and the sting of betrayal, as we all know, is painfully damaging.

He ran to God seeking refuge when he was hurting and overwhelmed.

“God, hear my cry; pay attention to my prayer. I call to you from the ends of the earth when my heart is without strength. Lead me to a rock that is high above me, for you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower in the face of the enemy. I will dwell in your tent forever and take refuge under the shelter of your wings.” (Psalm 61:1-4, CSB)

His heart had grown faint… and he knew ran to the shelter of God’s wings. That reminds me of something my kids used to do back in the day.

Our boo boo bunny was pink and lived in the freezer. When my kids were small, I loved to take them to the park for play dates. Often there was at least a dab of drama, usually because someone got hurt. When they fell and skinned their knees, my littles didn’t run to their friends… they ran to me. They knew I would help clean up boo boos, get them a Toy Story bandage, wipe away their tears and hold them. Because I’m their mom. The one who loves them and could be trusted to care for them.

In Psalm 61:4, the psalmist cried to God saying that he longed to take refuge in the shelter of His wings. Who’s allowed under the wings of a mama bird? Only her babies. The wing of a mama bird, or arms of a parent, is an intimate place. Close to a beating heart. This type of shelter is personal. For family only.

I read this and remember that when my heart grows faint, when I’m overwhelmed, I should run to the Lord. Because He’s my Abba Father. My Daddy who loves me and can be trusted to care for me.

Whether your earthly father was good to you or not, God does family right.

God cares for His own with unwavering faithfulness.

He defends and protects, whispering hope to desperate, disappointed, fragile hearts.

You are precious His daughter. Fully seen and perfectly loved. Because of this, you can take your place in the shelter of His wings and nestle up in the intimate warmth of His safe, strong, compassionate arms.

Let’s Pray

Heavenly Father, Thank You for being the perfect Father I can run to when I’m overwhelmed with life. Help me to trust You in the deep places when I’m prone to depend on myself.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read Isaiah 41:10, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.”

Look at what God tells us in the passage and then pause to reflect on the “why” behind the “what” in each section of the verse. Thank God for His powerful, peace-giving presence.

More from the Girlfriends

If you want to read and study the Bible, but don’t know where to start, this is for you!

 Girlfriends in God co-founder Gwen Smith has several online Bible Study options that will guide you on a personal journey with the Lord as you read, record, reflect on and respond to His Word. These studies will help you know what God says about tender topics like forgiveness, healing, fear, depression, relationships and hope. Each study can be done in the comfort of your home and in a time frame that fits with your personal schedule. Visit www.GwenSmith.net/BibleStudy to learn more.

PSST! If you’re on Instagram, Gwen would love to connect with you there! Follow here.

Seeking God?

Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

Psalm 61 is a powerful reminder that no matter where we are or what we're going through, we can cry out to God for help.

LHM Daily Devotions - Body Builders

"Body Builders"

Feb. 6, 2019

So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.

~ 1 Corinthians 14:12 (ESV)

One has to appreciate the apostle Paul's interest in a functional church. Here in writing to believers at Corinth, he deals with a number of issues that were affecting the faith and lives of this early congregation.

Let's see, there was division in the church, sexual immorality, frivolous lawsuits among members, issues regarding marriage and circumcision, the persistence of idolatry, the prideful use and misuse of spiritual gifts—all these things, and undoubtedly more, plagued the life of this church, so much so that Paul spoke to this congregation as though they were babies in the faith.

"But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?" (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)

The problems that embroiled the life of believers at Corinth and the disruptions stifling that church's overall health and spiritual maturity, sadly, are not uncommon among churches today. We, too, have issues that divide us, concerns that tear us down and wear us out, misunderstandings that erode our unity and compromise our integrity as Christ-followers.

In response to this, Paul says we should "strive to excel in building up the church." Here he takes the reins in guiding the Corinthian assembly in the right direction. He reminds them that in their building up of the church, their focus on community and meeting needs, that Christ is the center—the One in whom all their allegiance lies. Special ties to Paul or Apollos or Cephas won't do. "For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building" (1 Corinthians 3:9).

When it comes to the dispersal of spiritual gifts, Paul again emphasizes the cooperative oneness of the body of Christ: "All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:11-13).

And what should really bind us together, as Paul so eloquently tells the Corinthians, and the many other churches he visited, is love. It's love that supersedes all else. It's love that shuns jealousy, shuns conceit, and petty differences. It's love that reaches out in difficult circumstances, leaning on Jesus, always seeking to be more like Him.

We are His body—a body built of individual members just like you and me.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, You have given us the privilege of being Your body on earth. Renew our minds and hearts to love others as You have loved us. In Your Name we pray. Amen.

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).
One has to appreciate the apostle Paul's interest in a functional church. Here in writing to believers at Corinth, he deals with a number of issues that were affecting the faith and lives of this early congregation.

Devocional de la CPTLN del 06 de Febrero de 2019 - Edificando el cuerpo

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Edificando el cuerpo

06 de Febrero de 2019

Lo mismo pasa con ustedes. Puesto que anhelan tener los dones espirituales, procuren abundar en ellos para la edificación de la iglesia.

~ 1 Corintios 14:12 (RVC)

Uno tiene que apreciar el interés del apóstol Pablo por el funcionamiento de la iglesia. Al escribirles a los creyentes en Corinto, trata una serie de asuntos que estaban afectando la fe y la vida de esa congregación: divisiones entre ellos, inmoralidad sexual, juicios frívolos entre sus miembros, problemas relacionados con el matrimonio y la circuncisión, idolatría, el mal uso de los dones espirituales. Todas estas cosas, y sin duda más, plagaban tanto la vida de esta iglesia, que Pablo les habló como si fueran niños en la fe.

"Hermanos, yo no pude hablarles como a personas espirituales sino como a gente carnal, como a niños en Cristo. Les di a beber leche, pues no eran capaces de asimilar alimento sólido, ni lo son todavía, porque aún son gente carnal. Pues mientras haya entre ustedes celos, contiendas y divisiones, serán gente carnal y vivirán según criterios humanos" (1 Corintios 3:1-3).

Lamentablemente, los problemas que enredaron la vida de los creyentes en Corinto y las perturbaciones que agobiaron la salud y la madurez espiritual de la iglesia no son infrecuentes entre las iglesias actuales. También tenemos problemas que nos dividen, preocupaciones que nos desgastan y malentendidos que erosionan nuestra unidad y comprometen nuestra integridad como seguidores de Cristo.

En respuesta a esto, Pablo dice que debemos "procurar abundar en los dones para la edificación de la iglesia". Aquí toma las riendas para guiar a la asamblea corintia en la dirección correcta. Les recuerda que, en la edificación de la iglesia, en la atención a la comunidad y en la satisfacción de sus necesidades, Cristo es el centro, aquel en quien ellos confían. Los lazos especiales con Pablo o Apolos o Cefas, no lo harán. "Porque nosotros somos colaboradores de Dios, y ustedes son el campo de cultivo de Dios, son el edificio de Dios" (1 Corintios 3:9).

Cuando se trata del derramamiento de los dones espirituales, Pablo enfatiza una vez más la unidad cooperativa del cuerpo de Cristo: "Todo esto lo hace uno y el mismo Espíritu, que reparte a cada uno en particular, según su voluntad. Porque así como el cuerpo es uno solo, y tiene muchos miembros, pero todos ellos, siendo muchos, conforman un solo cuerpo, así también Cristo es uno solo. Por un solo Espíritu todos fuimos bautizados en un solo cuerpo, tanto los judíos como los no judíos, lo mismo los esclavos que los libres, y a todos se nos dio a beber de un mismo Espíritu. (1 Corintios 12:11-13).

Y lo que realmente debería unirnos, como Pablo tan elocuentemente les dice a los corintios y a las muchas otras iglesias que visitó, es el amor. El amor es lo que supera todo lo demás. El amor es lo que evita los celos, la vanidad, y las pequeñas diferencias. El amor es lo que actúa en circunstancias difíciles, buscando siempre ser más como Jesús.

Somos su cuerpo, un cuerpo formado por miembros individuales como tú y yo.

ORACIÓN: Señor Jesucristo, nos has dado el privilegio de ser tu cuerpo en la tierra. Renueva nuestras mentes y corazones para amar a los demás como tú nos has amado. En tu nombre oramos. Amén.

Paul Schreiber

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
Uno tiene que apreciar el interés del apóstol Pablo por el funcionamiento de la iglesia. Al escribirles a los creyentes en Corinto, trata una serie de asuntos que estaban afectando la fe y la vida de esa congregación: divisiones entre ellos, inmoralidad sexual, juicios frívolos entre sus miembros, problemas relacionados con el matrimonio y la circuncisión, idolatría, el mal uso de los dones espirituales.

Ministérios Pão Diário - Provado e purificado

Provado e purificado

Leia: Jó 23:1-12
 | A Bíblia em um ano: Êxodo 39–40; Mateus 23:23-39

Baixe a versão MP3

…se ele me provasse, sairia eu como o ouro. v.10


Durante uma entrevista, a cantora e compositora Meredith Andrews falou sobre sentir-se oprimida, enquanto tentava equilibrar o evangelismo, trabalho criativo, casamento e maternidade. Refletindo sobre suas angústias, disse: “Senti-me como se Deus estivesse me depurando, algo semelhante ao processo de esmagamento.”

Jó sentiu-se subjugado após perder o seu sustento, saúde e família. Pior ainda, embora ele adorasse a Deus diariamente, sentiu que o Senhor ignorava os seus pedidos de ajuda. Deus parecia ausente do cenário de sua vida. Jó alegou que não podia ver Deus mesmo que olhasse para o norte, sul, leste ou oeste (vv.2-9).

Em meio ao desespero, Jó teve um momento de clareza. Sua fé ressurgiu como uma vela a iluminar um quarto escuro, e disse: 
“…ele sabe o meu caminho; se ele me provasse, sairia eu como o ouro” (v.10). Os cristãos são provados e purificados quando Deus usa as dificuldades para destruir a nossa autoconfiança, orgulho e sabedoria terrena. Parece como se Deus estivesse em silêncio durante este processo e não respondendo aos nossos pedidos de ajuda. No entanto, Ele pode estar nos dando uma oportunidade para fortalecer a nossa fé.

A dor e os problemas podem produzir o caráter sólido como a rocha, que é a consequência de confiar em Deus quando a vida é difícil.

Quando a nossa fé é testada, 
esse pode ser o momento para fortalecê-la.

por Jennifer Benson Schuldt

© 2019 Ministérios Pão Diário
Durante uma entrevista, a cantora e compositora Meredith Andrews falou sobre sentir-se oprimida, enquanto tentava equilibrar o evangelismo, trabalho criativo, casamento e maternidade. Refletindo sobre suas angústias, disse: “Senti-me como se Deus estivesse me depurando, algo semelhante ao processo de esmagamento.”

The Daily Lectionary for TUESDAY, February 5, 2019

The Daily Lectionary

TUESDAY, February 5, 2019

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Psalm 56

Trust in God under Persecution
To the leader: according to The Dove on Far-off Terebinths. Of David. A Miktam, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.
1  Be gracious to me, O God, for people trample on me;
     all day long foes oppress me;
2  my enemies trample on me all day long,
     for many fight against me.
   O Most High, 3 when I am afraid,
     I put my trust in you.
4  In God, whose word I praise,
     in God I trust; I am not afraid;
     what can flesh do to me?

5  All day long they seek to injure my cause;
     all their thoughts are against me for evil.
6  They stir up strife, they lurk,
     they watch my steps.
   As they hoped to have my life,
7      so repay them for their crime;
     in wrath cast down the peoples, O God!

8  You have kept count of my tossings;
     put my tears in your bottle.
     Are they not in your record?
9  Then my enemies will retreat
     in the day when I call.
     This I know, that God is for me.
10 In God, whose word I praise,
     in the Lord, whose word I praise,
11 in God I trust; I am not afraid.
     What can a mere mortal do to me?

12 My vows to you I must perform, O God;
     I will render thank offerings to you.
13 For you have delivered my soul from death,
     and my feet from falling,
   so that I may walk before God
     in the light of life.

2 Kings 5:1-14

The Healing of Naaman
5:1 Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favor with his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy. 2 Now the Arameans on one of their raids had taken a young girl captive from the land of Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” 4 So Naaman went in and told his lord just what the girl from the land of Israel had said. 5 And the king of Aram said, “Go then, and I will send along a letter to the king of Israel.”

He went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten sets of garments. 6 He brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, “When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you my servant Naaman, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” 7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to give death or life, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Just look and see how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me.”

8 But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me, that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel.” 9 So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and halted at the entrance of Elisha’s house. 10 Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean.” 11 But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, “I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy! 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?” He turned and went away in a rage. 13 But his servants approached and said to him, “Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” 14 So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean.

1 Corinthians 14:13-25

14:13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unproductive. 15 What should I do then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will sing praise with the spirit, but I will sing praise with the mind also. 16 Otherwise, if you say a blessing with the spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say the “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since the outsider does not know what you are saying? 17 For you may give thanks well enough, but the other person is not built up. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you; 19 nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind, in order to instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20 Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; rather, be infants in evil, but in thinking be adults. 21 In the law it is written,

   “By people of strange tongues
     and by the lips of foreigners
   I will speak to this people;
     yet even then they will not listen to me,”

says the Lord. 22 Tongues, then, are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if all prophesy, an unbeliever or outsider who enters is reproved by all and called to account by all. 25 After the secrets of the unbeliever’s heart are disclosed, that person will bow down before God and worship him, declaring, “God is really among you.”

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 New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year C. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2019, we will be in Year A. The year which ended at Advent 2018 was Year B. 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 on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org

The Morning Prayer for TUESDAY, February 5, 2019

Tuesday morning prayer

On February 1, 1960, four college students — ​Ezell A. Blair Jr., David Richmond, Joseph McNeil, and Franklin McCain — ​initiated the first sit-in demonstration at a Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. The store manager ignored the protestors, hoping they would leave. The next day, twenty-seven more students came to protest. By February 5, three hundred students had arrived, igniting a mass movement of sit-ins for desegregation throughout the South.

Lord, on this day I chose to put You first. Thank You that when You are at the center of our family, our lives are rich with love and goodness. Lord, be the running stream, springing up at the very heart of our household. Might we drink daily from the water of life, that our days would be filled with kindness, forgiveness, trust and love.

Remind us, Lord, that it is not always agitated uprisings and nonstop activity which lead to justice, but that change often comes through the quiet commitment of a small group of people. Help us raise our small body of people to set about quietly becoming the change we want to see in the world. Amen.

May this day be a gentle time

Of love and kindness shown,

To all my friends and family

A love that helps us grow.

Let Tuesday always prompt my heart

To place my life in You.

To see Your holy will be done

I give my life anew.

Verse of the Day for TUESDAY, February 5, 2019

Psalm 33:4-5 (NIV) For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.

Read all of Psalm 33

Listen to Psalm 33

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 - El beneficio del dolor

El beneficio del dolor

Enjugará Dios toda lágrima de los ojos de ellos; y ya no habrá muerte, ni habrá más llanto, ni clamor, ni dolor; porque las primeras cosas pasaron.

~ Apocalipsis 21:4, RV-60

¿Cómo vamos a poder decir tal cosa? ¿Que el dolor tiene una parte positiva en nuestras vidas?

¡Sí! No hay nada más poderoso en nuestro caminar con Cristo que haber experimentado, aunque sea una vez, el dolor a través de una prueba.

Dios permite que nos prueben y sabe a la perfección la capacidad que tenemos para resistir. Es más, su Palabra dice que no permitirá algo que tú y yo no podamos tolerar para salir triunfantes, pues Él nos ayudará durante la situación que estemos viviendo y después de esta (véase 1 Corintios 10:13).

En el dolor nos volvemos más sensibles. En medio del dolor conocemos a Dios de una manera más personal. Al atravesar momentos desesperados de dolor, tenemos grandes experiencias con Él.

Muchas veces, Dios permite esas situaciones en nuestras vidas porque estamos alejados de Él, porque quizá nuestro corazón esté corrupto o porque solo necesitamos que nos moldee a fin de pasar a otro nivel en nuestra vida.

No hay un momento en el que tú y yo demos más frutos que después de pasar una gran tribulación.
Sin duda, el crecimiento duele.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
¿Cómo vamos a poder decir tal cosa? ¿Que el dolor tiene una parte positiva en nuestras vidas?

Standing Strong Through the Storm - FREEDOM IN CHRIST

FREEDOM IN CHRIST

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

~ Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

Claiming one’s freedom in Christ is central to the faith and fighting fear. For example, in China when authorities threaten house church leaders with the confiscation of their property, they reply, “If you want this farm, you need to talk to Jesus, as I have given it to Him. But if you do take it, I am free to trust God for my daily bread.”

When Chinese Christians are threatened with torture, they claim they are “free to trust God for healing.”

When they are imprisoned, they proclaim that they are then “free to share their faith with other prisoners.”

When Chinese believers are told they will be killed, they state that then they are “free to be with Jesus.”

The country of Bulgaria is plagued by a prevailing spirit of fear. Even many Christians suffer from it. It’s a country that was occupied by the Turks for five centuries (1396-1878) followed by several wars. After 1946, it was ruled with an iron hand by the Communists. This long story of repression and sufferings passed on for generations from the parents to the children has left durable marks in their spirits which results in a deep anguish. It acts like a spiritual yoke and creates, as a consequence, the fear of taking any initiative. In families, this anguish has been passed on through generations like a legacy. It has become a vicious circle from which it is difficult to escape. A popular Bulgarian proverb says, “Fear has big eyes!”

Our co-workers were thus surprised when they delivered Bibles to Bulgarian Pastor Simeon Popov. He appeared radiant and serene. The absence of anguish could be explained as much by the action of the Holy Spirit, who releases us from yokes, as by the influence of his study time in Germany. According to the pastor, he not only studied theology, but he also learned to claim his freedom in Christ.

So this draws me to a significant conclusion and principle: If you are a Christian, filled with the Holy Spirit, and have lost your fear of death, you are unstoppable until God calls you home to heaven!

RESPONSE: Today I will claim my freedom in Christ and live in the power He gives me.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for freedom from fear that comes only from You.

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

Girlfriends in God - Just Do It

Just Do It

Arlene Pellicane

Today’s Truth

Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep.  Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat?’  Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper…’ So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty’.

~ Luke 17:7-8, 10 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

It was a battle about feet.

I told my young daughter she needed to wash her feet in the bathtub.  She moaned.  She groaned.  She complained.

I explained this was a reasonable request that would take two minutes.  You would have thought I asked her to clean the entire house from top to bottom.

A few days later to my utter surprise, she didn’t complain at all about washing her feet.  Instead she just went into the bathroom, turned on the water, and dunked her feet in.

I exclaimed, “Way to go!  You obeyed me right away without complaining!”

I was happy to praise my daughter for her improved attitude and behavior, but when you think about it, she was simply doing her duty.  It really wasn’t that extraordinary.  A few generations ago, I doubt a mother would have been surprised or delighted by a child who followed instructions to get washed up.  She would have expected nothing less.

We live in a society where children are overly praised for doing their duties.  Wow, they cleaned their own plates!  Wow, they went to bed when asked!  Wow, they said thank you to the server!

As adults, we can have this same attitude.  We can expect acknowledgement, praise, accolades and awards simply for doing our duties.  Our key verse paints the picture of a normal day in the life of a servant and master.  Servants are expected to do the will of their masters or employers.  Their work isn’t a favor; it’s a required service.  So, if a servant has been working all day tending the sheep, and he comes in around dinnertime, he doesn’t just plop down to rest.  His master tells him to make some dinner.

Doesn’t that making dinner part sound familiar?

Luke 17:8-10 says about the master, “Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do?  So, you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”

Jesus is clarifying our roles.  We are the servants and He is the master, not the other way around.  When I obey God, I can feel puffed up and proud.  I can imagine earning a “Christian Excellence Badge” for inviting a friend to church or making a meal for my family after a long day.  But the truth is, I am just doing my duty as God’s servant.  The servant of God seeks to obey God’s commands without question and without bargaining for a reward.

Oh, to be this kind of servant!

Friends, when God asks us to do something, let’s just do it.  No complaining.  No fits.  No whining.  May we joyfully serve Jesus.  He’s a master who’s given us His all.

Let’s Pray

Dear Jesus, You are my master and I am Your servant.  Today I will serve You with joy, not with complaining or excuses.  Help me recognize what my duties are as a child of God and embrace these responsibilities.  Forgive me for complaining and help me to see what a blessing serving others can be in my life.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

If you are completely honest, do you see God existing to serve you and meet your needs, or do you see yourself existing to serve God?

Reflect on what it means in your daily life for God to be the master and for you to be the servant.

More from the Girlfriends

If you are married, you have probably figured out that being a good wife includes both delighting in your marriage and doing the right thing even when you don’t feel like it. Arlene’s book 31 Days to a Happy Husband will help you rediscover that delight and romance again with your man.

Seeking God?

Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

It was a battle about feet...

LHM Daily Devotions - Taking the Suffering

"Taking the Suffering"

Feb. 5, 2019

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above Him stood the seraphim. ... And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!" ... And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" ... Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for."

~ Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3, 5-7 (ESV)

In this passage, the prophet Isaiah gives us a beautiful description of Jesus in the Old Testament. (Yes, it is Jesus; John 12:41 makes it clear that Isaiah was seeing Jesus' glory.)

Isaiah sees Jesus "high and lifted up," seated in the temple among the angels. The seraphim are crying out, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!" The smoke of incense fills the temple.

Isaiah can't cope with it. He is overpowered by Jesus' glory and holiness. The contrast with his own sin is just too much for him. And so, Isaiah cries out too, but not to say "Holy, holy, holy." Instead he says, "Woe is me! I am lost!" His "unclean lips" can't say anything else. He can only confess his own unholiness in the presence of the holy God.

That's our trouble, too, isn't it? We are unholy by nature. We try to do right, but all too often we sin with our lips. We lie, deceive, and bend the truth. We flatter, gossip, and backbite. We use our speech to tear other people down instead of building them up. Just like Isaiah, we have to cry out, "Woe is me!"

And God has mercy on us, too, just like He did on Isaiah. An angel flew to Isaiah with a burning coal taken from God's altar. The coal was so hot that even an angel had to handle it with tongs. And he touched it on Isaiah's lips, saying, "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for."

Do you notice something strange in this story? Nowhere does it say that the burning coal hurt Isaiah. The angel touches it to his lips and Isaiah is forgiven, made clean. He doesn't seem to be suffering. Who took the suffering then?

Our Lord Jesus Christ took that part. The burning coal came from God's altar, which pointed forward in time to Jesus' cross. On that altar Jesus offered Himself up for our sin, making Himself an atonement for us so that we would be made clean. His is the suffering; ours is the forgiveness.

See how much He loves us!

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for taking the suffering that belonged to us onto Yourself, and making us clean again. Amen.

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).
In this passage, the prophet Isaiah gives us a beautiful description of Jesus in the Old Testament.

Devocional de la CPTLN del 05 de Febrero de 2019 - Jesús sufrió en nuestro lugar

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Jesús sufrió en nuestro lugar

05 de Febrero de 2019

En el año que murió el rey Uzías, yo vi al Señor sentado sobre un trono alto y sublime. El borde de su manto cubría el templo. Dos serafines permanecían por encima de él... Uno de ellos clamaba al otro y le decía: "¡Santo, santo, santo, es el Señor de los ejércitos! ¡Toda la tierra está llena de su gloria!" Entonces dije yo: "¡Ay de mí! ¡Soy hombre muerto! ¡Mis ojos han visto al Rey, el Señor de los ejércitos, aun cuando soy un hombre de labios impuros y habito en medio de un pueblo de labios también impuros!" Entonces uno de los serafines voló hacia mí. En su mano llevaba un carbón encendido, que había tomado del altar con unas tenazas. Con ese carbón tocó mi boca, y dijo: "Con este carbón he tocado tus labios, para remover tu culpa y perdonar tu pecado."

~ Isaías 6:1-2a, 3, 5-7 (RVC)

En este pasaje, el profeta Isaías nos da una de las más hermosas descripciones de Jesús en el Antiguo Testamento. (Sí, es Jesús; Juan 12:41 deja en claro que Isaías estaba viendo la gloria de Jesús).

Isaías ve a Jesús "alto y sublime", sentado en el templo entre los ángeles. Los serafines claman: "Santo, santo, santo es el Señor de los ejércitos; ¡Toda la tierra está llena de su gloria!" El humo del incienso llena el templo.

Isaías no puede lidiar con eso. Está dominado por la gloria y santidad de Jesús. El contraste con su pecado es demasiado. Y así, Isaías también clama, pero no para decir "santo, santo, santo". Por el contrario, dice: "¡Ay de mí! ¡Porque estoy perdido!" Sus "labios impuros" no pueden decir nada más. Solo puede confesar su propia impiedad en la presencia del Dios santo.

Ese es nuestro problema, también, ¿no es así? Somos impuros por naturaleza. Tratamos de hacer lo correcto, pero a menudo pecamos con nuestros labios. Mentimos, engañamos, y torcemos la verdad. Nos envanecemos, chismoseamos y devolvemos la agresión. Usamos nuestro discurso para derribar a otros en lugar de edificarlos. Al igual que Isaías, tenemos que gritar: "¡Ay de mí!"

Y Dios también tiene misericordia de nosotros, tal como lo hizo con Isaías. Un ángel voló hasta Isaías con un carbón ardiente tomado del altar de Dios. El carbón estaba tan caliente, que el ángel tuvo que llevarlo con pinzas. Y lo llevó a los labios de Isaías, diciendo: "Con este carbón he tocado tus labios, para remover tu culpa y perdonar tu pecado."

¿Notas algo extraño en esta historia? En ninguna parte dice que el carbón ardiente hirió a Isaías. El ángel se lo pone en los labios e Isaías es perdonado, purificado. Pero él no parece estar sufriendo. ¿Quién se llevó el sufrimiento?

Nuestro Señor Jesucristo lo hizo. El carbón ardiente vino del altar de Dios, que apuntaba a la cruz de Jesús. En ese altar Jesús se ofreció a sí mismo por nuestros pecados, haciéndose expiación por nosotros para que pudiéramos ser purificados. El sufrimiento es de Jesús; el perdón es de nosotros.

¡Cuánto nos ama!

ORACIÓN: Señor Jesús, gracias por llevarte el sufrimiento que nos pertenecía y por limpiarnos nuevamente. Amén.

Dr. Kari Vo

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
En este pasaje, el profeta Isaías nos da una de las más hermosas descripciones de Jesús en el Antiguo Testamento.

Nuestro Pan Diario - Mudanzas del corazón

Mudanzas del corazón


Leer: Números 9:15-23
 | La Biblia en un año: Éxodo 36–38 Mateo 23:1-22


Descargar MP3

Cuando se alzaba la nube del tabernáculo, los hijos de Israel partían; […] donde la nube paraba, allí acampaban… (v. 17).


Según la Oficina del Censo de Estados Unidos, los ciudadanos se mudan de un lugar a otro un promedio de once a doce veces durante toda su vida. Hace poco, 28.000.000 de personas empacaron, se mudaron y desempacaron bajo un nuevo techo.


Durante los 40 años de Israel en el desierto, la nube de la presencia de Dios guio a toda la nación a mudarse de un lugar a otro como anticipo de una nueva patria. El relato es tan repetitivo que casi parece una comedia. La enorme familia empacaba y desempacaba una y otra vez; y no solo sus pertenencias, sino también el tabernáculo, donde Dios se encontraba con Moisés (ver Éxodo 25:22).


Muchos años después, Jesús daría pleno sentido a la historia de la época de mudanzas de Israel. En vez de guiar desde una nube, vino en persona. Y cuando dijo: «Venid en pos de mí» (Mateo 4:19), comenzó a mostrar que los cambios más importantes de domicilio ocurren en los senderos del corazón. Al guiar a amigos y enemigos al pie de una cruz romana, mostró hasta dónde llegaría el Dios de la nube y el tabernáculo para rescatarnos.


Así como los cambios de dirección, las mudanzas del corazón son estresantes. Pero un día, desde una ventana de la casa de nuestro Padre, veremos que Jesús nos acompañó y guio todo el camino.

Señor, quiero seguirte. Ayúdame a ir 
donde tu amor me guíe hoy.


¿En qué te incomoda seguir a Dios? ¿Cómo te ayudaría la oración 
a fortalecer tu fe y tu confianza en Él?

Por Mart De Haan

© 2019 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario
Según la Oficina del Censo de Estados Unidos, los ciudadanos se mudan de un lugar a otro un promedio de once a doce veces durante toda su vida. Hace poco, 28.000.000 de personas empacaron, se mudaron y desempacaron bajo un nuevo techo.