The Daily Bible Readings for WEDNESDAY, September 30, 2020

The Daily Readings

WEDNESDAY, September 30, 2020

Psalm 42; Exodus 19:9b-25; Matthew 9:2-8

The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)

Today’s Verse-of-the-Day:

Philippians 1:9-10

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.

Shall not we pity and love those souls whom Christ loves and pities? Those who abound in any grace, need to abound more. Try things which differ; that we may approve the things which are excellent. The truths and laws of Christ are excellent; and they recommend themselves as such to any attentive mind. Sincerity is that in which we should have our conversation in the world, and it is the glory of all our graces. Christians should not be apt to take offense and should be very careful not to offend God or the brethren. The things which most honor God will most benefit us. Let us not leave it doubtful whether any good fruit is found in us or not. A small measure of Christian love, knowledge, and fruitfulness should not satisfy any.

Today’s Readings:

Psalm 42

Hope in God the rock

1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?

4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

8 Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

The psalmist looked to the Lord as his chief good, and set his heart upon him accordingly; casting anchor thus at first, he rides out the storm. A gracious soul can take little satisfaction in God's courts if it does not meet with God himself there. Living souls never can take up their rest anywhere short of a living God. To appear before the Lord is the desire of the upright, as it is the dread of the hypocrite. Nothing is more grievous to a gracious soul than what is intended to shake its confidence in the Lord. It was not the remembrance of the pleasures of his court that afflicted David, but the remembrance of the free access he formerly had to God's house, and his pleasure in attending there. Those that commune much with their own hearts, will often have to hide them. See the cure of sorrow. When the soul rests on itself, it sinks; if it catches hold on the power and promise of God, the head is kept above the billows. And what is our support under present woes but this, that we shall have comfort in Him? We have great cause to mourn for sin, but being cast down springs from unbelief and a rebellious will; we should therefore strive and pray against it.

The way to forget our miseries is to remember the God of our mercies. David saw troubles coming from God's wrath, and that discouraged him. But if one trouble follows hard after another, if all seem to combine for our ruin, let us remember they are all appointed and overruled by the Lord. David regards the Divine favor as the fountain of all the good he looked for. In the Saviour's name let us hope and pray. One word from him will calm every storm, and turn midnight darkness into the light of noon, the bitterest complaints into joyful praises. Our believing expectation of mercy must quicken our prayers for it. At length, is faith came off conqueror, by encouraging him to trust in the name of the Lord and to stay himself upon his God. He adds, And my God; this thought enabled him to triumph over all his griefs and fears. Let us never think that the God of our life, and the Rock of our salvation, has forgotten us if we have made his mercy, truth, and power, our refuge. Thus the psalmist strove against his despondency: at last, his faith and hope obtained the victory. Let us learn to check all unbelieving doubts and fears. Apply the promise first to ourselves, and then plead it to God.

Exodus 19:9b-25

The people prepare for covenant

19:9b And Moses told the words of the people unto the Lord.

10 And the Lord said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,

11 And be ready against the third day: for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.

12 And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:

13 There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.

14 And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.

15 And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives.

16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

17 And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.

18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

19 And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.

20 And the Lord came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the Lord called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.

21 And the Lord said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the Lord to gaze, and many of them perish.

22 And let the priests also, which come near to the Lord, sanctify themselves, lest the Lord break forth upon them.

23 And Moses said unto the Lord, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.

24 And the Lord said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the Lord, lest he break forth upon them.

25 So Moses went down unto the people, and spake unto them.

The solemn manner in which the law was delivered, was to impress the people with the right sense of the Divine majesty. Also to convince them of their own guilt, and to show that they could not stand in judgment before God by their own obedience. In the law, the sinner discovers what he ought to be, what he is, and what he wants. There he learns the nature, necessity, and glory of redemption, and of being made holy. Having been taught to flee to Christ, and to love him, the law is the rule of his obedience and faith.

Never was there such a sermon preached, before or since, as this which was preached to the church in the wilderness. It might be supposed that the terrors would have checked presumption and curiosity in the people, but the hard heart of an unawakened sinner can trifle with the most terrible threatenings and judgments. In drawing near to God, we must never forget his holiness and greatness, nor our own meanness and pollution. We cannot stand in judgment before him according to his righteous law. The convinced transgressor asks, What must I do to be saved? and he hears the voice, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. The Holy Ghost, who made the law to convince of sin, now takes of the things of Christ and shows them to us. In the gospel we read, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. We have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Through him, we are justified from all things, from which we could not be justified by the law of Moses. But the Divine law is binding as a rule of life. The Son of God came down from heaven and suffered poverty, shame, agony, and death, not only to redeem us from its curse but to bind us more closely to keep its commands.

Matthew 9:2-8

Jesus’ authority to forgive and heal

9:2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.

4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?

6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

7 And he arose, and departed to his house.

8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

The faith of the friends of the paralytic in bringing him to Christ was a strong faith; they firmly believed that Jesus Christ both could and would heal him. A strong faith regards no obstacles in pressing after Christ. It was a humble faith; they brought him to attend on Christ. It was an active faith. Sin may be pardoned, yet the sickness not be removed; the sickness may be removed, yet the sin not pardoned: but if we have the comfort of peace with God, with the comfort of recovery from sickness, this makes the healing a mercy indeed. This is no encouragement to sin. If thou bring thy sins to Jesus Christ, as thy malady and misery to be cured of, and delivered from, it is well; but to come with them, as thy darlings and delight, thinking still to retain them and receive him, is a gross mistake, a miserable delusion. The great intention of the blessed Jesus in the redemption he wrought, is to separate our hearts from sin. Our Lord Jesus has perfect knowledge of all that we say within ourselves. There is a great deal of evil in sinful thoughts, which is very offensive to the Lord Jesus. Christ designed to show that his great errand to the world was, to save his people from their sins. He turned from disputing with the scribes, and spake healing to the sick man. Not only he had no more need to be carried upon his bed, but he had the strength to carry it. God must be glorified in all the power that is given to do good.

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV).

Commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible.

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 WEDNESDAY, September 30, 2020
Psalm 42; Exodus 19:9b-25; Matthew 9:2-8 (KJV)

Prayer of the Day for WEDNESDAY, September 30, 2020

Prayer of the Day

WEDNESDAY, September 30, 2020

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

— John 16:33 (NIV)

Dear Father in heaven, in the world we are full of fear; in you we have peace. We pray that your Spirit may give us the joy of your heavenly kingdom and the strength to live in your service. Remember those who suffer pain, who still have to walk paths of fear and distress. Grant them help, to the glory of your name. May we be united in hope and in expectation of what you will give through your great goodness and faithfulness. Amen.

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, September 30, 2020

Philippians 1:9-10

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.

Read all of Philippians 1

Listen to Philippians 1

The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)

Ichthus Ministries Daily Devotions — Eggs in a Basket

Eggs in a Basket

Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the Law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the Law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

— Philippians 3:4-14

The older I get, the more I realize just how much I am betting on Jesus. To use the old proverb, I am putting all my eggs in His basket—and I'm starting to see just how important that is. The stakes are getting higher. Oh, I loved and trusted Jesus when I was younger, too; but now I am starting to see friends and family die, some of them younger than myself. I am becoming more and more disabled myself. I am watching my son grow up and move out into a world that seems more and more dangerous. As things become darker, it's clear that where I put my trust is important. Which basket will protect these precious eggs of mine?

Paul had a lot of baskets to choose from—his ancestry among the "chosen people" of God; his religious zeal; his top-level education; his clean conscience. And Paul could have done what a lot of us do—put one or two eggs in each basket, just to minimize the loss if one basket happens to drop. But he didn't. He put all his eggs in Jesus' basket—he bet everything on Jesus—he leaned all his weight on Jesus, holding nothing back, and trusted Jesus not to let him fall. That's the sign either of an idiot or of a very, very confident believer.

You, too, may have many baskets to choose from. Do you have wealth? That's a basket. What about exercise and healthy eating? That's another. Then there are things like friends and family, education, good government, hard work, and savings—baskets, baskets, baskets!

Against all of these, Paul urges us to put our eggs in Jesus' basket. Not that the other things aren't good—but they aren't eternal, everlasting, utterly trustworthy. Only Jesus is that. Only Jesus loves you enough to lay down His own life for you—to hang on a cross for you—to rise from the dead for you, and promise to share His everlasting life with you. Only Jesus will see you through whatever comes, no matter how deep the darkness, no matter how strong the storm. Because He is your Savior.

Lord Jesus, help me cling to You—all my eggs in Your basket—because You are holding on to me in love. Amen.

Dr. Kari Vo

Reflection Questions:

1. What "baskets" do you have to choose from?

2. Where are you most tempted to place your trust?

3. How can you tell what you're really trusting in?

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
The older I get, the more I realize just how much I am betting on Jesus.

Standing Strong Through the Storm — OVERCOMERS

OVERCOMERS

To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.

— Revelation 3:21

Christians in areas of persecution have used many metaphors and similes to describe the victory of following Jesus and becoming an overcomer as He was. Here are some examples:

In the former Soviet Union, believers said:

Overcomers are like nails. The harder you hit them, the deeper they go!

In China believers said:

Overcomers are like bamboo. The more you cut them down, the faster and stronger they grow back.

In Iran believers said:

Overcomers are like rubber balls. The harder you throw them down on the floor, the higher they rebound!

Overcomers are like flowers. The more you crush them, the stronger and sweeter the fragrance.

In the Philippines believers said:

Overcomers are like stained-glass cathedral windows at night. Their true beauty is revealed only when there is light from within.

In India believers said:

Overcomers are like tea bags. You have to put them in hot water to know how strong they are!

You can be an overcomer! And you can stand strong through the storm!

RESPONSE: Today I will be an overcomer standing strong through the storm.

PRAYER: Pray that all Christians living under severe persecution will be encouraged and understand what it means to be an overcomer…as well as anticipate the many rewards Jesus promises to overcomers.

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.
Christians in areas of persecution have used many metaphors and similes to describe the victory of following Jesus and becoming an overcomer as He was.

John Piper Devotional — The Most Liberating Discovery

The Most Liberating Discovery

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord.

— Philippians 3:1

No one had ever taught me that God is glorified by our joy in him. That joy in God is the very thing that makes praise an honor to God, and not hypocrisy.

But Jonathan Edwards said it so clearly and powerfully:

God glorifies Himself toward the creatures also in two ways: 1. By appearing to…their understanding. 2. In communicating Himself to their hearts, and in their rejoicing and delighting in, and enjoying, the manifestations which He makes of Himself…God is glorified not only by His glory’s being seen, but by its being rejoiced in.

When those that see it delight in it, God is more glorified than if they only see it…He that testifies his idea of God’s glory [doesn’t] glorify God so much as he that testifies also his approbation of it and his delight in it.

This was a stunning discovery for me. I must pursue joy in God if I am to glorify him as the surpassingly valuable Reality in the universe. Joy is not a mere option alongside worship. It is an essential component of worship.

We have a name for those who try to praise when they have no pleasure in the object. We call them hypocrites. This fact—that praise means consummate pleasure and that the highest end of man is to drink deeply of this pleasure—was perhaps the most liberating discovery I ever made.
No one had ever taught me that God is glorified by our joy in him.

Un dia a la Vez — Hay un mañana

Hay un mañana

Vivirás tranquilo, porque hay esperanza; estarás protegido y dormirás confiado.

— Job 11:18

Hace un tiempo veía en la televisión un programa que se llamaba «Atrapado en la frustración».

Me llamó mucho la atención que las imágenes que mostraban la representación de ese título fueran de personas atadas, amarradas y desesperadas por ser libres, pero que no podían.

En ese programa presentaban gente de todo tipo que estaba frustrada por el trabajo que tenía, por las drogas y por muchas otras situaciones.

La vida en la que vivimos está llena de trampas, traiciones y adicciones que van atando a la gente de tal manera que a veces caen sin imaginarlo siquiera.

¿Sabes? Contrario de seguro a lo que piensa mucha gente, yo le daba gracias a Dios por mi libertad, por la felicidad de poder trabajar en lo que me gusta y sentirme absolutamente llena en Jesús.

Hoy quiero invitarte a conocer al Dador de la libertad. Quiero decirte que la voluntad de nuestro Padre no es que tú vivas atrapado y sin salida. Al contrario, Él quiere que seas libre y quiere romper todas esas frustraciones y ataduras en el nombre de Jesús.

Dale la oportunidad a Cristo de transformar tu vida y así poder declarar de todo corazón: «Soy libre en Jesús».

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Today I want to invite you to meet the Giver of freedom.

Devocional CPTLN — Todos los huevos en una cesta

Todos los huevos en una cesta

Aunque también yo tengo de qué confiar en la carne. Si alguno piensa que tiene de qué confiar en la carne, yo más: fui circuncidado al octavo día, y soy del linaje de Israel, de la tribu de Benjamín; soy hebreo de hebreos y, en cuanto a la ley, fariseo; en cuanto a celo, perseguidor de la iglesia; en cuanto a la justicia que se basa en la ley, irreprensible. Pero todo lo que para mí era ganancia, lo he estimado como pérdida, por amor de Cristo. Y a decir verdad, incluso estimo todo como pérdida por la excelencia del conocimiento de Cristo Jesús, mi Señor. Por su amor lo he perdido todo, y lo veo como basura, para ganar a Cristo y ser hallado en él, no por tener mi propia justicia, que viene por la ley, sino por tener la justicia que es de Dios y que viene por la fe, la fe en Cristo; a fin de conocer a Cristo y el poder de su resurrección, y de participar de sus padecimientos, para llegar a ser semejante a él en su muerte, si es que de alguna manera llego a la resurrección de entre los muertos. No es que ya lo haya alcanzado, ni que ya sea perfecto, sino que sigo adelante, por ver si logro alcanzar aquello para lo cual fui también alcanzado por Cristo Jesús. Hermanos, yo mismo no pretendo haberlo alcanzado ya; pero una cosa sí hago: me olvido ciertamente de lo que ha quedado atrás, y me extiendo hacia lo que está adelante; ¡prosigo a la meta, al premio del supremo llamamiento de Dios en Cristo Jesús!

— Filipenses 3:4-14

Cuanto mayor me hago, más apuesto por Jesús. Para usar el viejo proverbio, estoy poniendo todos mis huevos en su cesta y estoy empezando a ver cuán importante es eso. Las apuestas son cada vez mayores. También amaba y confiaba en Jesús cuando era más joven; pero ahora estoy empezando a ver morir a amigos y familiares, algunos de ellos más jóvenes que yo. Yo misma me estoy volviendo cada vez más discapacitada. Estoy viendo a mi hijo crecer y mudarse a un mundo que parece cada vez más peligroso. A medida que las cosas se vuelven más oscuras, me resulta más claro lo importante que es dónde pongo mi confianza. ¿Qué cesta va a proteger estos preciosos huevos míos?

Pablo tenía muchas cestas para elegir: su ascendencia entre el "pueblo escogido" de Dios; su celo religioso; su educación de alto nivel; su conciencia limpia, por lo que podría haber hecho lo que muchos de nosotros hacemos: poner uno o dos huevos en cada cesta, para así minimizar la pérdida si una cesta se caía. Pero no lo hizo. En cambio, puso todos sus huevos en la cesta de Jesús; le apostó todo a Jesús, sin retener nada, y confió en que Jesús no lo defraudaría.

Quizás tú también tengas muchas cestas para elegir. ¿Tienes fortuna? Esa es una cesta. ¿Haces ejercicio y te alimentas bien? Esa es otra cesta. Luego están cosas como amigos y familiares, educación, buen gobierno, trabajo duro y ahorros.

Contra todo esto, Pablo nos insta a poner nuestros huevos en la cesta de Jesús. No es que las otras cosas no sean buenas, pero no son ni eternas, ni completamente confiables. Solo Jesús lo es. Solo Jesús te ama lo suficiente como para dar Su vida en la cruz por ti, para resucitar de entre los muertos por ti y para prometer compartir Su vida eterna contigo. Solo Jesús estará contigo en todo momento, no importa cuán profunda sea la oscuridad, no importa cuán fuerte sea la tormenta. Porque él es tu Salvador.

ORACIÓN: Señor, ayúdame a aferrarme a ti, porque tú me aferras con amor. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

* ¿En qué cesta estás más tentado a depositar tu confianza?

* ¿Cómo puedes saber en qué estás realmente confiando?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
Cuanto mayor me hago, más apuesto por Jesús.

Ministérios Pão Diário — Desbloqueando um mistério

Desbloqueando um mistério

Escritura de hoje: Efésios 3:1-12

Bíblia em um ano: Isaías 9–10; Efésios 3

…tanto os gentios como os judeus que creem nas boas-novas participam igualmente das riquezas herdadas…

— Efésios 3:6

Um dia, ao voltar para casa, vi um par de sapatos perto da garagem, e soube imediatamente de quem eram. Então, eu os coloquei na garagem para entregá-los à minha filha Lisa quando ela voltasse para buscar as crianças. Mas, quando falei com Lisa, descobri que não eram dela; nem de ninguém da família. Então, eu os coloquei onde os encontrara. No dia seguinte, haviam desaparecido misteriosamente.

Você sabia que Paulo escreveu sobre um segredo em suas cartas? Mas o mistério que descreveu era muito mais do que uma história de detetive. Em Efésios 3, por exemplo, Paulo falou sobre um segredo “que não foi revelado às gerações anteriores” (v.5). Ao passo que Deus se revelou por meio de Israel no passado, os gentios — pessoas fora de Israel —, por intermédio de Jesus, poderiam “participar igualmente das riquezas herdadas pelos filhos de Deus” (v.6).

Pense no que isso significa: todos que confiam em Jesus como Salvador podem amar e servir a Deus juntos. Podemos, igualmente, “com ousadia e confiança” ter “acesso à presença de Deus” (v.12). E, pela unidade da Igreja, o mundo verá a sabedoria e a bondade de Deus (v.10).

Louve a Deus por nossa salvação, que nos revela o segredo da unidade à medida que pessoas de todas as culturas tornam-se uma em Jesus.

Por:  Dave Branon

Refletir & Orar

Jesus, agradeço-te pela unidade que todos os cristãos podem ter em ti. Ajuda-nos a servir juntos como membros iguais do Teu corpo.

A unidade em Cristo rompe as barreiras e edifica a Igreja.


© 2020 Ministérios Pão Diário
Você sabia que Paulo escreveu sobre um segredo em suas cartas?

The Daily Bible Readings for TUESDAY, September 29, 2020

The Daily Readings

TUESDAY, September 29, 2020

Psalm 42; Exodus 18:13-27; Philippians 1:15-21

The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)

Today’s Verse-of-the-Day:

John 3:20-21

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

People offer many excuses for not accepting Christ. Some cite the presence of hypocrites in the church. Others claim the inability to believe some of the truths about Christ or the gospel. These are merely attempts to conceal a heart in rebellion against God. The ultimate reason people do not come to Christ is that they do not want to. The one who does the truth is obviously already a believer because his or her deeds are done in God. Therefore, “coming to the light” is more than exercising faith. A person who comes to the light not only believes but also openly identifies with the light so that his or her works can be seen as things done in union with God.

Today’s Readings:

Psalm 42

Hope in God the rock

1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?

4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

8 Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Verses 1-5 — The psalmist looked to the Lord as his chief good, and set his heart upon him accordingly; casting anchor thus at first, he rides out the storm. A gracious soul can take little satisfaction in God's courts if it does not meet with God himself there. Living souls never can take up their rest anywhere short of a living God. To appear before the Lord is the desire of the upright, as it is the dread of the hypocrite. Nothing is more grievous to a gracious soul than what is intended to shake its confidence in the Lord. It was not the remembrance of the pleasures of his court that afflicted David, but the remembrance of the free access he formerly had to God's house, and his pleasure in attending there. Those that commune much with their own hearts, will often have to hide them. See the cure of sorrow. When the soul rests on itself, it sinks; if it catches hold on the power and promise of God, the head is kept above the billows. And what is our support under present woes but this, that we shall have comfort in Him? We have great cause to mourn for sin, but being cast down springs from unbelief and a rebellious will; we should therefore strive and pray against it.

Verses 6-11 — The way to forget our miseries, is to remember the God of our mercies. David saw troubles coming from God's wrath, and that discouraged him. But if one trouble follows hard after another, if all seem to combine for our ruin, let us remember they are all appointed and overruled by the Lord. David regards the Divine favor as the fountain of all the good he looked for. In the Saviour's name let us hope and pray. One word from him will calm every storm, and turn midnight darkness into the light of noon, the bitterest complaints into joyful praises. Our believing expectation of mercy must quicken our prayers for it. At length, is faith came off conqueror, by encouraging him to trust in the name of the Lord and to stay himself upon his God. He adds, And my God; this thought enabled him to triumph over all his griefs and fears. Let us never think that the God of our life, and the Rock of our salvation, has forgotten us if we have made his mercy, truth, and power, our refuge. Thus the psalmist strove against his despondency: at last, his faith and hope obtained the victory. Let us learn to check all unbelieving doubts and fears. Apply the promise first to ourselves, and then plead it to God.

Exodus 18:13-27

Jethro’s leadership advice

18:13 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.

14 And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?

15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:

16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.

17 And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.

18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.

19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:

20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.

23 If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.

24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.

25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

26 And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

27 And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.

Here is the great zeal and the toil of Moses as a magistrate. Having been employed to redeem Israel out of the house of bondage, he is a further type of Christ, that he is employed as a lawgiver and a judge among them. If the people were as quarrelsome one with another as they were with God, no doubt Moses had many causes brought before him. This business Moses was called to; it appears that he did it with great care and kindness. The meanest Israelite was welcome to bring his cause before him. Moses kept to his business from morning to night. Jethro thought it was too much for him to undertake alone; also it would make the administration of justice tiresome to the people. There may be over-doing even in well-doing. Wisdom is profitable to direct, that we may neither content ourselves with less than our duty nor task ourselves beyond our strength. Jethro advised Moses to a better plan. Great men should not only study to be useful themselves but contrive to make others useful. Care must be taken in the choice of the persons admitted into such a trust. They should be men of good sense, that understood business, and that would not be daunted by frowns or clamors, but abhorred the thought of a bribe. Men of piety and religion; such as fear God, who dare not to do a base thing, though they could do it secretly and securely. The fear of God will best fortify a man against temptations to injustice. Moses did not despise this advice. Those are not wise, who think themselves too wise to be counseled.

Philippians 1:15-21

Christ is proclaimed regardless of the motive

1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

The apostle was a prisoner at Rome; and to take off the offense of the cross, he shows the wisdom and goodness of God in his sufferings. These things made him known, where he would never have otherwise been known; and led some to inquire after the gospel. He suffered from false friends, as well as from enemies. How wretched the temper of those who preached Christ out of envy and contention, and to add affliction to the bonds that oppressed this best of men! The apostle was easy in the midst of all. Since our troubles may tend to the good of many, we ought to rejoice. Whatever turns to our salvation, is by the Spirit of Christ; and prayer is the appointed means of seeking for it. Our earnest expectation and hope should not be to be honored of men, or to escape the cross, but to be upheld amidst temptation, contempt, and affliction. Let us leave it to Christ, which way he will make us serviceable to his glory, whether by labor or suffering, by diligence or patience, by living to his honor in working for him, or dying to his honor in suffering for him.

Death is a great loss to a carnal, worldly man, for he loses all his earthly comforts and all his hopes; but to a true believer, it is gain, for it is the end of all his weakness and misery. It delivers him from all the evils of life and brings him to possess the chief good. The apostle's difficulty was not between living in this world and living in heaven; between these two there is no comparison, but between serving Christ in this world and enjoying him in another. Not between two evil things, but between two good things; living to Christ and being with him.

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV).

Commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible.

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, September 29, 2020
Psalm 42; Exodus 18:13-27; Philippians 1:15-21 (KJV)

Prayer of the Day for TUESDAY, September 29, 2020

Prayer of the Day

TUESDAY, September 29, 2020

A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

— John 16:21–22 (NIV)

Dear Father in heaven, grant us your Spirit so that here on earth we may be united with you in Jesus Christ the Savior. May truth dawn on us with its light, bringing joy no matter what happens to us. May all the pain in our lives be turned into birth pangs of a new life in which we can rejoice as people you have created, people prepared for the struggle on earth, who are called into battle and led to victory. Grant that we may not be blinded by the surrounding darkness. Shed a clear light on the new life that is coming. May we see what has already happened because Jesus Christ came to the earth and remains on earth, and may we see what is still to come through him, the Savior. O God of wonders, keep us aware of the wonders that increasingly surround us, until all the pain on earth is finally overcome and we men glorify your love and your great goodness. Amen.

Verse of the Day for TUESDAY, September 29, 2020

John 3:20-21

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Read all of John 3

Listen to John 3

The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)

Ichthus Ministries Daily Devotions — A Love Song

A Love Song

Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes. What more was there to do for my vineyard, that I have not done in it? When I looked for it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes? And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, and it shall be devoured; I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and briers and thorns shall grow up; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are His pleasant planting; and He looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, an outcry!

— Isaiah 5:1-7

"Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard." That's a strange beginning for this poem about God's disobedient people. It doesn't sound like a love song, at least to me. It sounds like a song of disappointment and heartbreak. It sounds like a song of judgment—a final warning to the people who have repaid God evil for good, in spite of all His care. How is this a love song?

And yet—look at how the song describes God's work. When He is planting the vineyard, He is very active: He digs out the stones; He plants the vines; He builds the watchtower and the winepress. God shows His love through activity.

But then the vineyard produces nothing but sour, wild grapes—and God condemns it. But look at the way He does it! He doesn't say, "I will rip up the vines." No, He says only, "I will remove its hedge," that is, its protection. He doesn't say, "I will burn it to the ground." No, He says instead, "I will not hoe it or prune it, and I will not send rain." In this song, at least, God is not actively doing anything to destroy the vineyard itself. He is only stopping things—stopping His protection and care-taking, and letting nature take its course. Why so hands-off? I can't help wondering if that's because He still loves it, and He can't bear to do it active harm.

It is a love song, after all—the song of a grieving but loving God, who still wants His people to return to Him, against all odds. It is the song of a God who is not finished with His disobedient people—who still loves them, and who has plans to redeem them.

Look at the first verse again. "Let me sing for my beloved"—who is the Beloved? Ephesians 1:6 calls Jesus by this name. And what did Jesus do with His disobedient people? He took God's judgment upon Himself, when He died and rose again for us. Because He loved us, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7). Through Jesus, God has re-created His vineyard—has turned our sour grapes into the good wine of His kingdom. And so the love song has a happy ending after all—because of Jesus.

Lord, give me a heart that loves You, and produces good fruit for You. Amen.

Dr. Kari Vo

Reflection Questions:

1. Do you like to garden? Why or why not?

2. When have you been surprised by a bad result when you expected a good one?

3. In what specific area or event of your life have you seen God turn evil into good?

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Do you like to garden? Why or why not?

Standing Strong Through the Storm — I AM NOT AFRAID ANYMORE

I AM NOT AFRAID ANYMORE

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”

— Acts 18:9-10

Paul was experiencing great pressure and persecution while sharing the gospel in Corinth. With the encouragement of these “red letter” words from Jesus Himself, Paul gained the courage to stay in Corinth for another year and a half teaching the word of God.

Known for its rich historical heritage and tourist attractions, Aurangabad is one of the very famous districts of Maharashtra, India. It has been an important place since ancient times because of its location in the famous Silk Route. The route traveled across the width of Asia to Europe. The city is named after the great Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and is one of the fastest-growing cities in India. Marathi and Urdu are the main languages spoken in the city.

During the first Standing Strong Through the Storm (SSTS) seminar, the participants expressed profound appreciation, gratitude, and the need for more such seminars. So new sets of people were targeted in order to bring awareness and educate them on how to handle persecution when it comes.

The majority of the students confessed that they had never heard of this kind of teaching before. Topics such as addressing religious intolerance were highly appreciated. While the participants were initially apprehensive of sharing their testimonies, they stepped forward after watching the persecution related movies and video clips, and boldly shared what God had done in their lives.

Pratima Pagare attended and commented, “I was always scared to death with the thought that fundamentalists will attack and stone us because we minister to people in the name of Jesus. I am so encouraged to come to this seminar and to hear the testimonies of people who faced persecution in their ministries and still went on. I was also strengthened by the teachings on how to stand strong in the midst of storms and this has driven away all my fears. I thank God and Open Doors for this.”

Priti Alhad said, “I did not know what the content of the seminar would be, but gradually as the sessions went by, I considered myself privileged to be present here and be blessed by the teachings. I am not afraid of persecution but these teachings encouraged me and prepared me for the times of persecution…As I go from here I want to share this knowledge that I have gained here and create awareness among my church members and utilize these teachings in my ministry. I thank your ministry for organizing this seminar in our area.

RESPONSE: Today I will keep on speaking and not be silent trusting the Lord for His protection and blessing.

PRAYER: Help me Lord to lose my fearfulness and trust You when I face those who oppose me.

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.
With the encouragement of these “red letter” words from Jesus Himself, Paul gained courage to stay in Corinth for another year and a half teaching the word of God.

John Piper Devotional — Make War with Unbelief

Make War with Unbelief

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

— Philippians 4:6

When I am anxious about getting old, I battle unbelief with the promise, “Even to your old age, I shall be the same, and even to your graying years I shall bear you! I have done it, and I shall carry you; and I shall bear you, and I shall deliver you” (Isaiah 46:4).

When I am anxious about dying, I battle unbelief with the promise that “not one of us lives for himself and not one of us dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living” (Romans 14:7–9).

When I am anxious that I may make shipwreck of faith and fall away from God, I battle unbelief with the promises, “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:6); and, “He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

Let us make war, not with other people, but with our own unbelief. It is the root of anxiety, which, in turn, is the root of so many other sins. So let us turn on our windshield wipers and use the washer fluid, and keep our eyes fixed on the precious and very great promises of God.

Take up the Bible, ask the Holy Spirit for help, lay the promises up in your heart, and fight the good fight—to live by faith in future grace.
When I am anxious about getting old, I battle unbelief with the promise…

Un dia a la Vez — Días de preparación

Días de preparación

Toda la Escritura es inspirada por Dios, y útil para enseñar [...] a fin de que el hombre de Dios sea perfecto, enteramente preparado para toda buena obra.

— 2 Timoteo 3:16-17, RV-60

Si estás buscando un cambio en tu vida, y en especial le has pedido a Dios que te dé una oportunidad para cambiar, servir y cumplir con un llamado, piensa que Dios escucha con mucha seriedad tus peticiones. Por eso, va a empezar a dirigir tu vida de tal forma que te irá llevando a dejar cosas, a tomar decisiones muy duras para ti, pero que serán necesarias para los planes que tienes. Conozco personas que han hecho pactos con Dios y han dejado sus trabajos seculares que no honraban su nombre y han buscado algo que vaya de acuerdo a su estilo de vida.

¿Sabes lo que pasa a veces? Parecemos muy espirituales y nos dejamos llevar por las emociones. Le decimos al Señor: «Quiero ser misionero, quiero ser pastor y vivir para ti».

«Perfecto», dice Dios. «¿Estás dispuesto a dejarlo todo por mí? ¿Dejarías ese trabajo que te da buen dinero, pero te roba tiempo con tu familia? ¿O estás listo para ser misionero dejando tu familia y viajando a lugares en los que quizá no tengas una cama donde dormir y la comida no sea la más apetitosa?».

El servicio a Dios tiene un precio y sacrificios que enfrentar. Sin embargo, la gran verdad es que si Dios te llama, te capacita y te prepara. Creo que ya te lo dije, pero lo repito ahora: Así como los soldados van a la guerra, pero antes necesitan preparación física y entrenamientos muy fuertes, igual sucede con nosotros. Dios necesita prepararnos para darnos lo que anhelamos.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Si estás buscando un cambio en tu vida, y en especial le has pedido a Dios que te dé una oportunidad para cambiar, servir y cumplir con un llamado, piensa que Dios escucha con mucha seriedad tus peticiones.

Devocional CPTLN — Un canto de amor

Un canto de amor

Quiero cantar ahora por mi amado el canto de mi amado a su viña: Mi amado tenía una viña en una ladera fértil. La cercó y la despejó de piedras, y luego plantó en ella vides escogidas; en medio del campo levantó una torre, y además construyó un lagar. Esperaba que su viña diera buenas uvas, pero dio uvas silvestres. Y ahora, habitantes de Jerusalén, hombres de Judá: juzguen entre mi viña y yo. ¿Qué más podía hacerse a mi viña, que yo no le haya hecho? ¿Cómo es que dio uvas silvestres, cuando yo esperaba que diera buenas uvas? Pues voy a mostrarles lo que haré con mi viña: Le quitaré la cerca, para que sea consumida; abriré una brecha en su muralla, para que sea pisoteada. Haré que se quede desierta. Nadie la podará ni la cultivará. Crecerán en ella cardos y espinos, y ordenaré a las nubes que no derramen lluvia sobre ella. En realidad, la viña del Señor de los ejércitos es la casa de Israel, y los hombres de Judá son la planta en que él se complace. Esperaba él justicia, y sólo hay injusticia; equidad, y sólo hay iniquidad.

— Isaías 5:1-7

"Quiero cantar ahora por mi amado el canto de mi amado a su viña." Un comienzo extraño para un poema sobre el pueblo desobediente de Dios. No suena como una canción de amor, al menos para mí. Suena como una canción de decepción y desamor. Suena como un canto de juicio, una advertencia final para quienes le han devuelto a Dios mal por bien, a pesar de todo Su cuidado.

Y, sin embargo, mira cómo la canción describe la obra de Dios. Cuando está plantando la viña, está muy activo: excava las piedras; planta las vides; construye la torre de vigilancia y el lagar. Dios muestra su amor a través de la actividad.

Pero entonces la viña no produce más que uvas agrias y silvestres, y Dios lo condena. ¡Pero mira cómo lo hace! No dice: "Voy a romper las vides". No, sólo dice: "Le quitaré la cerca", o sea, su protección. No dice: "La quemaré hasta los cimientos". No, en su lugar dice: "Nadie la podará ni la cultivará... y ordenaré a las nubes que no derramen lluvia sobre ella". Aquí Dios no está haciendo nada activamente para destruir la viña, sino deteniendo las cosas, deteniendo Su protección y cuidado y dejando que la naturaleza siga su curso. ¿Por qué será? No puedo evitar preguntarme si se debe a que todavía la ama y no puede soportar hacerle daño.

Después de todo, es un canto de amor: la canción de un Dios afligido pero amoroso, que todavía quiere que Su pueblo regrese a Él, contra todo pronóstico. Es el canto de un Dios que no ha terminado con su pueblo desobediente, que todavía lo ama y tiene planes de redimirlo.

"Quiero cantar ahora por mi amado." ¿Quién es el Amado? Efesios 1: 6 llama a Jesús por este nombre. ¿Y qué hizo Jesús con su pueblo desobediente? Tomó el juicio de Dios sobre sí mismo, muriendo y resucitando por nosotros. Porque nos amó, "tenemos la redención por medio de su sangre, el perdón de los pecados según las riquezas de su gracia" (Efesios 1:7). A través de Jesús, Dios ha recreado Su viña, ha convertido nuestras uvas agrias en el buen vino de Su reino. Y así, después de todo y gracias a Jesús, la canción de amor tiene un final feliz.

ORACIÓN: Señor, dame un corazón que te ame y produzca buenos frutos para ti. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

* ¿Alguna vez has sido sorprendido con un mal resultado cuando esperabas uno bueno?

* ¿En qué área o situación específica de tu vida has visto a Dios convertir el mal en bien?

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Alguna vez has sido sorprendido con un mal resultado cuando esperabas uno bueno?

Nuestro Pan Diario — Ojos para ver

Ojos para ver

La escritura de hoy: Salmo 119:97-104
La Biblia en un año: Isaías 7–8; Efesios 2

Abre mis ojos, y miraré las maravillas de tu ley.

—  Salmo 119:18

Hace poco, descubrí la maravilla del arte anamórfico. Aunque al principio parece una mezcla de partes incoherentes, una escultura anamórfica solo tiene sentido si se la observa desde el ángulo correcto. Una serie de varas verticales se combinan para revelar el rostro de un famoso líder; una masa de cables bosquejan un elefante; cientos de motas negras suspendidas con un alambre se convierten en el ojo de una mujer. La clave de este arte es observar desde distintos ángulos hasta que se revela su significado.

Con miles de versículos de historia, poesías y otros recursos, la Biblia puede ser difícil de entender. Pero ella misma nos dice cómo develar su significado. Hay que tratarla como una escultura anamórfica: verla desde diferentes ángulos y meditar en ella profundamente.

Así funcionan las parábolas de Jesús. Los que meditan en ellas obtienen «ojos [que] ven» su significado (Mateo 13:10-16). Pablo le dijo a Timoteo que reflexionara en sus palabras para que Dios le diera discernimiento (2 Timoteo 2:7). Y el estribillo que se repite en el Salmo 119 alude a que meditar en la Escritura abre nuestros ojos para ver su significado (119:18, 97-99).

Pasa tiempo observando un versículo desde todos los ángulos. El discernimiento bíblico viene de meditar en la Escritura, no solo de leerla.

De:  Sheridan Voysey

Reflexiona y ora

Dios, danos ojos para ver.

¿Qué diferencia piensas que hay entre leer las Escrituras y meditar en ellas? ¿Cómo pasarás tiempo meditando en el versículo bíblico de hoy?

© 2020 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario
Hace poco, descubrí la maravilla del arte anamórfico. Aunque al principio parece una mezcla de partes incoherentes, una escultura anamórfica solo tiene sentido si se la observa desde el ángulo correcto.

The Daily Bible Readings for MONDAY, September 28, 2020

The Daily Readings

MONDAY, September 28, 2020

Psalm 42; Exodus 18:1-12; Philippians 1:3-14

The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)

Today’s Verse-of-the-Day:

1 Corinthians 2:14

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The non-Christian is governed in thought and life by an unrenewed, worldly heart. Such persons are not yet transformed by the Holy Spirit and are not equipped to receive appreciatively truth that comes from the Spirit. They need the new birth.

Today’s Readings:

Psalm 42

Hope in God the rock

1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?

4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

8 Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Verses 1-5 — The psalmist looked to the Lord as his chief good, and set his heart upon him accordingly; casting anchor thus at first, he rides out the storm. A gracious soul can take little satisfaction in God's courts if it does not meet with God himself there. Living souls never can take up their rest anywhere short of a living God. To appear before the Lord is the desire of the upright, as it is the dread of the hypocrite. Nothing is more grievous to a gracious soul than what is intended to shake its confidence in the Lord. It was not the remembrance of the pleasures of his court that afflicted David, but the remembrance of the free access he formerly had to God's house, and his pleasure in attending there. Those that commune much with their own hearts, will often have to hide them. When the soul rests on itself, it sinks; if it catches hold on the power and promise of God, the head is kept above the billows. And what is our support under present woes but this, that we shall have comfort in Him? We have great cause to mourn for sin, but being cast down springs from unbelief and a rebellious will; we should therefore strive and pray against it.

Verses 6-11 — The way to forget our miseries, is to remember the God of our mercies. David saw troubles coming from God's wrath, and that discouraged him. But if one trouble follows hard after another, if all seem to combine for our ruin, let us remember they are all appointed and overruled by the Lord. David regards the Divine favor as the fountain of all the good he looked for. In the Saviour's name let us hope and pray. One word from him will calm every storm, and turn midnight darkness into the light of noon, the bitterest complaints into joyful praises. Our believing expectation of mercy must quicken our prayers for it. At length, is faith came off conqueror, by encouraging him to trust in the name of the Lord and to stay himself upon his God. He adds, And my God; this thought enabled him to triumph over all his griefs and fears. Let us never think that the God of our life, and the Rock of our salvation, has forgotten us if we have made his mercy, truth, and power, our refuge. Thus the psalmist strove against his despondency: at last, his faith and hope obtained the victory. Let us learn to check all unbelieving doubts and fears. Apply the promise first to ourselves, and then plead it to God.

Exodus 18:1-12

Moses reunited with family

18:1 When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt;

2 Then Jethro, Moses' father in law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back,

3 And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land:

4 And the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh:

5 And Jethro, Moses' father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God:

6 And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.

7 And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.

8 And Moses told his father in law all that the Lord had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the Lord delivered them.

9 And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the Lord had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.

10 And Jethro said, Blessed be the Lord, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.

11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.

12 And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God.

Verses 1-6 — Jethro came to rejoice with Moses in the happiness of Israel, and to bring his wife and children to him. Moses must have his family with him, that while he ruled the church of God, he might set a good example in family government, 1 Timothy 3:5.

Verses 7-12 — Conversation concerning God's wondrous works is good, and edifies. Jethro not only rejoiced in the honor done to his son-in-law but in all the goodness done to Israel. Standers-by were more affected with the favors God had shown to Israel than many were who received them. Jethro gave the glory to Israel's God. Whatever we have the joy of, God must have the praise. They joined in a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Mutual friendship is sanctified by joint worship. It is very good for relations and friends to join in the spiritual sacrifice of prayer and praise, as those that meet in Christ. This was a temperate feast; they did eat bread, manna. Jethro must see and taste that bread from heaven, and though a gentile, is welcome: the gentiles are welcomed to Christ the Bread of life.

Philippians 1:3-14

Paul prays for the Philippians

1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.

11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

This is a deeply affectionate letter from Paul to his friends in Philippi, who were his partners in the work of the gospel. He longed to be with them (v. 8). In the letter, Paul expressed his hopes that the Philippian believers would be able to discern right and wrong (vv. 9–10). He also hoped that their lives would bear good fruit (v. 11). Obviously, he was a good friend.

Consider the quality of your friendships. Do you demonstrate the same love and care that Paul showed? Do you pray for them as Paul prayed? In these increasingly impersonal times, true and authentic friendships are sorely needed. Ask God to enable you to be a good friend, as defined by biblical examples. Perhaps study the life of Jesus and how He related to His friends. And remember that Jesus calls you His friend (John 15:15).

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV).

Commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible.

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 MONDAY, September 28, 2020
Psalm 42; Exodus 18:1-12; Philippians 1:3-14 (KJV)