Sunday, May 31, 2020

The Daily Lectionary for MONDAY, June 1, 2020

https://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/revised-common-lectionary-complementary/2020/06/01?version=NIV

The Daily Lectionary
MONDAY, June 1, 2020
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Joel 2:18-29; Romans 8:18-24
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Renewing the face of the earth
24 How many are your works, Lord!
     In wisdom you made them all;
     the earth is full of your creatures.
25 There is the sea, vast and spacious,
     teeming with creatures beyond number—
     living things both large and small.
26 There the ships go to and fro,
     and Leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.

27 All creatures look to you
     to give them their food at the proper time.
28 When you give it to them,
     they gather it up;
   when you open your hand,
     they are satisfied with good things.
29 When you hide your face,
     they are terrified;
   when you take away their breath,
     they die and return to the dust.
30 When you send your Spirit,
     they are created,
     and you renew the face of the ground.

31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
     may the Lord rejoice in his works—
32 he who looks at the earth, and it trembles,
     who touches the mountains, and they smoke.

33 I will sing to the Lord all my life;
     I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to him,
     as I rejoice in the Lord.

35b Praise the Lord, my soul.

   Praise the Lord.

The promised spirit of God
18 Then the Lord was jealous for his land
     and took pity on his people.

19 The Lord replied to them:

   “I am sending you grain, new wine and olive oil,
     enough to satisfy you fully;
   never again will I make you
     an object of scorn to the nations.

20 “I will drive the northern horde far from you,
     pushing it into a parched and barren land;
   its eastern ranks will drown in the Dead Sea
     and its western ranks in the Mediterranean Sea.
   And its stench will go up;
     its smell will rise.”

   Surely he has done great things!
21   Do not be afraid, land of Judah;
     be glad and rejoice.
   Surely the Lord has done great things!
22   Do not be afraid, you wild animals,
     for the pastures in the wilderness are becoming green.
   The trees are bearing their fruit;
     the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.
23 Be glad, people of Zion,
     rejoice in the Lord your God,
   for he has given you the autumn rains
     because he is faithful.
   He sends you abundant showers,
     both autumn and spring rains, as before.
24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain;
     the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

25 “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—
     the great locust and the young locust,
     the other locusts and the locust swarm—
   my great army that I sent among you.
26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full,
     and you will praise the name of the Lord your God,
     who has worked wonders for you;
   never again will my people be shamed.
27 Then you will know that I am in Israel,
     that I am the Lord your God,
     and that there is no other;
   never again will my people be shamed.

28 “And afterward,
     I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
   Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
     your old men will dream dreams,
     your young men will see visions.
29 Even on my servants, both men and women,
     I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

We have the first fruits of the Spirit
8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Daily Lectionary is a three-year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2020, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2019 was Year C. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Lectionary for MONDAY, June 1, 2020
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Joel 2:18-29; Romans 8:18-24

The Daily Prayer for MONDAY, June 1, 2020

https://biblegateway.christianbook.com/common-prayer-liturgy-for-ordinary-radicals/shane-claiborne/9780310326199/pd/326199
The Daily Prayer
MONDAY, June 1, 2020

Desert father Abba Anthony said, “Pay attention to what I tell you: whoever you may be, always have God before your eyes; whatever you do, do it according to the testimony of the holy Scriptures; in whatever place you live, do not easily leave it. Keep these three precepts and you will be saved.”

Grow us slowly, persistently, and deeply, Lord, to be people who watch without distraction, listen without interruption, and stay put without inclination to flee. Amen.

Verse of the Day for MONDAY, June 1, 2020

https://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/verse-of-the-day/2020/06/01?version=NIV

Revelation 21:2-4
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Read all of Revelation 21

Listen to Revelation 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 - Lunes, 01 de junio de 2020

https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/un-dia-vez/2020/06/01

La tormenta

Me invocará, y yo le responderé; con él estaré yo en la angustia; lo libraré y le glorificaré.

Este tiempo del año se conoce en la Florida como la época de los huracanes, las tormentas y los tornados. Y cada vez que se forma uno de estos fenómenos de la naturaleza, nos preparamos, bueno, al menos con los huracanes y las tormentas, pues los tornados se forman de repente.

Siempre que hay amenazas de huracanes, o cuando vamos a recibir el impacto de fuertes lluvias, nos avisan que debemos comprar agua, linternas, baterías, comida enlatada y muchas cosas necesarias para pasar esos días. Asimismo, debemos prepararnos para los tiempos difíciles.

Sabemos que hay, como dice la Biblia, tiempos de vacas flacas y tiempos de vacas gordas en cuanto a la economía. También nos dice que habrá tiempos para llorar, morir, sembrar y así muchas otras cosas que se nos presentarán en la vida. De ahí que nuestra preparación debe ser como si en verdad nos avisaran que viene una prueba.

Por lo tanto, nuestro equipo debe tener oración, comunión con Dios y lectura de la Palabra. Lo que es más importante, debemos creer en las promesas de Dios de modo que, cuando vengan tiempos difíciles, estemos fortalecidos y confiados en que Él tiene el control.

Recuerda: En la temporada de huracanes… ¡prepara tu kit! En la temporada de pruebas… ¡prepara también tu kit!

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Este tiempo del año se conoce en la Florida como la época de los huracanes, las tormentas y los tornados.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Monday, June 1, 2020

https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/standing-strong-through-the-storm/2020/06/01
WHERE IS YOUR HOUSE?

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

This scripture is best illustrated by the testimony of a nameless (for security) Arab Christian woman:

“My grandfather was born in one village, grew up, got married, and died in the same village. I was born in one city, and by the age of ten, I already had lived in three different countries and moved five times because my parents were looking for better job opportunities. After marriage, and by the age of thirty-five, I had already moved fifteen times mainly because of three different war situations in my home country!

Is there some kind of prize for people moving so often? Some of the changes were done willingly but for most of them, I had no choice! I lived in stone houses, brick houses, and even in a prefabricated one (with thin walls like cardboard) and that was at a time when Beirut was being bombarded! I have to admit that I had fears not because of the bombardment but because of not being able to find a place we could afford to pay rent!

One day, I was so worried that I couldn’t sleep; so, I sat down to figure out how I would overcome this fear. I thought to myself, What is the worst thing that can happen to me? If I cannot afford to sleep in a building, I will go and sleep under a tree; no one would charge me money for doing that and no one has died because of sleeping under a tree!

Then, I looked back into the past years and saw how God had taken good care of me, helping me not only to survive during wartime but also to be productive and render services to my community. If, by faith I am God’s child, according to His promises in the Bible, He will continue to take care of me. So, having these thoughts, I began singing, “You are my hiding place, You always fill my heart with songs of deliverance, Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in you!” That was it, my fears were gone! I still do not own my own place to live, but I carry the same song in my heart and on my laptop, to listen to whenever I change the places I sleep!

I discovered that the best thing to do is not to get attached to material things or even people, because they will be there for some time and will be gone soon. The best thing is to get my heart attached to God, because He will go with me everywhere, will provide for me what I need and in the end take me to live in the heavenly city where my eternal house is! So, where is your house?”

RESPONSE: Today I will seriously evaluate where my “treasure” and “house” are because that’s where Jesus says my heart will also be.

PRAYER: Help me Father to accumulate treasures in heaven and not on earth.

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

Women of the Bible - Monday, June 1, 2020

https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/women-of-the-bible/2020/06/01

Tamar, Daughter of King David

Her name means: "Date Tree" or "Palm Tree"

Her character: Tamar shared her father's, David's, good looks. Young and innocent, she was naive to the danger that threatened from her own family.
Her sorrow: That her half brother saw her only as an object for his lust, destroying her future as a result, and that her father, the king, did nothing to protect her.
Key Scriptures: 2 Samuel 13:1-22

Her Story

David's daughter Tamar was a knockout. No doubt she was destined for a marriage that would strengthen the king's political alliances. Though not under lock and key, she probably lived a rather protected life. But all the precautions in the world couldn't save her from the danger that threatened from David's inner circle.

Amnon was David's heir. As the king's eldest son, he was used to getting his way. But lately he'd grown despondent. Something was bothering him, chasing away his sleep, gnawing at his heart.

One day, Jonadab, Amnon's cousin, asked him: "Why do you, the king's son, look so haggard morning after morning? Won't you tell me?"

Amnon confided in his friend, saying, "I'm in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister."

"Go to bed and pretend to be ill," Jonadab shrewdly advised. "When your father comes to see you, say to him, 'I would like my sister Tamar to come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare the food in my sight, so I may eat from her hand.'"

So David, concerned for his son, unwittingly sent his daughter into a trap that would ruin her life.

After Tamar had prepared a meal for Amnon, he asked her to enter his bedroom and feed him. But as soon as Tamar did, he grabbed her, begging, "Come to bed with me, my sister."

"Don't, my brother!" she said to him. "Don't force me. Such a thing should not be done in Israel! Don't do this wicked thing. What about me? Where could I get rid of my disgrace? And what about you? You would be like one of the wicked fools in Israel. Please speak to the king; he will not keep me from being married to you." But despite her pleas, Amnon forced himself on her.

As soon as the storm of his passion died down, Amnon's infatuation turned to hatred. He threw Tamar out of his house, bolting the door against her, as though she, not he, were the guilty one. Desolate, the young girl tore her robes, throwing ashes on her head and weeping loudly as she wandered the streets. When her brother Absalom found her, he hushed her, saying, "Be quiet now, my sister, he is your brother. Don't take this thing to heart." But Absalom himself took it to heart, hating his half brother Amnon for what he had done.

Though David was furious when he heard the news, he did nothing to punish Amnon. Did he favor his son over his daughter, thinking her hurt a small matter? Or had his moral authority been so compromised by his lust for Bathsheba that he simply could not bring himself to confront his eldest son? Whatever the case, Absalom did not share his father's hesitation. Instead, he bided his time, waiting for an opportunity for vengeance. Two years later he murdered Amnon.

First rape, then murder. David's household was devastated not by barbarians outside the gate but by those inside his own family. After Amnon's death, David must have been haunted by Nathan's earlier prophecy after David's own adultery with Bathsheba: "Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house…. Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you" (2 Samuel 12:10-11). The father's lust was mirrored by the son's; the father's violence, by one son's murder of the other.

Tamar, unprotected by her father, betrayed by her own brother, lived in Absalom's house, a desolate woman, without the possibility of marriage or children because she was no longer a virgin. Thus a chain of sin wove its way through David's family, enslaving the innocent along with the guilty.

Her Promise

The horrifying facts of Tamar's experience—not only the rape itself but the effect it had on her future and her emotional well-being—are not too far from the experiences of many women today. Statistics reveal a staggering number of women who have been violated by family members when they were very young. The effects of those experiences can haunt a woman's existence, influencing her relationships with her husband, with male and female friends, and with her children. Help is available to those who seek it, but the ultimate hope and help can only be found in the love and acceptance God so willingly offers. His forgiving spirit can help recovery begin. His comforting spirit can bring a soothing balm to the hurt of the past. His constant presence can bring healing for the loneliness and detachment many feel.

This devotional is drawn from Women of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda. Used with permission.
David's daughter Tamar was a knockout.

LHM Daily Devotions - June 1, 2020 - "Crowned with Glory"

https://www.lhm.org/dailydevotions/default.asp?date=20200601

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Crowned with Glory"

June 1, 2020

When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

If you have ever looked up into a clear night sky, you know that the sight of the vast, glittering expanse of stars can make you feel very small. David the psalmist must have had a similar experience, perhaps often, during lonely nights as a shepherd. He examined the night sky, amazed at the moon and stars that reflected the majesty of their Creator. David may have felt small and insignificant as he spoke in prayer and awestruck praise, "What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him?"

In the vastness of space, among the countless stars, does God even notice the people He created? Does He care for those—comparatively—tiny beings? Scripture assures us that the God who knows when even a little sparrow falls, who keeps count of the hairs on our heads, knows us and cares for us. God has placed the people He created in His own image only "a little lower than the heavenly beings" and has crowned them—men and women—with glory and honor as His image-bearers, giving them dominion over His created works.

But the Spirit-inspired words of this psalm reach beyond the thoughts of a shepherd entranced by the night sky. The writer to the Hebrews uses the words of the psalm to turn our attention to one particular Man, God in human flesh, our Savior Jesus Christ. In the prophetic words of the psalm we are reminded that Jesus, the Son of Man, was made "for a little while lower than the angels" (Hebrews 2:7b). Jesus humbled Himself, laying aside His divine majesty, to be born of a virgin, to be wrapped in swaddling cloths in a manger bed in Bethlehem. Jesus humbled Himself, suffering betrayal and arrest. No legions of heavenly beings came to His aid. For our sake He was nailed to a cross and crowned, not with glory, but with thorns.

But the Son of Man, a descendant of the star-gazing shepherd David, was raised from death. Jesus is now crowned with glory and honor, and God has put "everything in subjection under His feet (Hebrews 2:8b). When we look at the heavens, the moon and stars that God has created, or when we are lost in a place of darkness and sorrow far from the sight of such things, we may still ask in prayer, "Are You, O God, mindful of me? Do You care for me?" The answer in Christ Jesus is always "Yes!" Christ Jesus suffered, died, and rose from the dead that you might be His own. You are God's precious child. "And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory" (1 Peter 5:4).

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You humbled Yourself to save us. Watch over us and keep us in Your care, today and always. Amen.

Reflection Questions:
1. What strikes you most when you look at a nighttime sky full of stars?

2. What does it mean that God has crowned mankind with "glory and honor"?

3. Do you feel any particular obligation to the natural world around you?
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
What strikes you most when you look at a nighttime sky full of stars?

Devocional CPTLN del 01 de junio de 2020 - Coronado de gloria


ALIMENTO DIARIO

Coronado de gloria

01 de Junio de 2020

Cuando contemplo el cielo, obra de tus dedos, y la luna y las estrellas que has creado, me pregunto: ¿Qué es el ser humano, para que en él pienses? ¿Qué es la humanidad, para que la tomes en cuenta? Hiciste al hombre poco menor que un dios, y lo colmaste de gloria y de honra.

Si alguna vez has mirado un cielo nocturno despejado, sabes que la vista de la vasta extensión de estrellas puede hacerte sentir muy pequeño. David el salmista debe haber tenido una experiencia similar durante las noches solitarias cuando cuidaba las ovejas de su familia. Ante tanta inmensidad, seguramente David se habrá sentido pequeño e insignificante: "¿Qué es el ser humano, para que en él pienses? ¿Qué es la humanidad, para que la tomes en cuenta?"

En tal inmensidad del espacio y entre las innumerables estrellas, ¿será que Dios se da cuenta y se preocupará de las personas que creó, seres comparativamente pequeños? Las Escrituras nos aseguran que el Dios que sabe incluso hasta cuando un pequeño gorrión cae, que lleva la cuenta de los cabellos en nuestras cabezas, nos conoce y se preocupa por nosotros. Dios nos ha hecho "un poco menor que un dios" y nos ha colmado a todos con gloria y honor como portadores de su imagen, dándonos dominio sobre su creación.

Pero las palabras de este salmo, inspiradas por el Espíritu, van más allá de los pensamientos de un pastor cautivado por el cielo nocturno. El escritor de Hebreos usa las palabras del salmo para dirigir nuestra atención a un Hombre en particular, Dios en carne humana, nuestro Salvador Jesucristo. En las palabras proféticas del salmo se nos recuerda que Jesús, el Hijo del Hombre, fue hecho "un poco menor que los ángeles" (Hebreos 2:7b). Jesús se humilló a sí mismo, dejando a un lado su majestad divina, para nacer de una virgen, para dormir envuelto en pañales en un pesebre en Belén. Jesús se humilló a sí mismo, sufriendo traición y arresto. Ninguna legión de seres celestiales acudió en su ayuda. Por nuestro bien fue clavado en una cruz y coronado no con gloria, sino con espinas.

Pero el Hijo del Hombre, descendiente de ese pastor David que contemplaba las estrellas, resucitó de la muerte y está ahora coronado de gloria y honor, y Dios ha puesto "todas las cosas debajo de sus pies (Hebreos 2:8b). Cuando miramos los cielos, la luna y las estrellas que Dios ha creado, o cuando estamos perdidos en un lugar de oscuridad y tristeza, podemos preguntar en oración: ¿Te acuerdas y preocupas por mí, Señor? La respuesta en Cristo Jesús es siempre "¡Sí!". Cristo Jesús sufrió, murió y resucitó de entre los muertos para que pudieras ser suyo. Eres el hijo precioso de Dios. "Así, cuando se manifieste el Príncipe de los pastores, ustedes recibirán la corona incorruptible de gloria" (1 Pedro 5:4).

ORACIÓN: Señor Jesús, que te humillaste para salvarnos, te pedimos que nos cuides y mantengas bajo tu cuidado hoy y siempre. Amén.

Dra. Carol Geisler

Para reflexionar:
* ¿Qué te sorprende más cuando miras un cielo lleno de estrellas?

* ¿Qué significa para ti que Dios ha coronado a la humanidad con "gloria y honor"?
© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Qué te sorprende más cuando miras un cielo lleno de estrellas?

Notre Pain Quotidien - Besoin de sa direction

https://notrepainquotidien.org/2020/06/01/besoin-de-sa-direction/

Besoin de sa direction

Lisez : Psaume 61
La Bible en un an : 2 Chroniques 17 – 18 ; Jean 13.1-20

Du bout de la terre je crie à toi.

L’oncle Zaki était plus qu’un ami pour l’érudit Kenneth Bailey. Il lui servait aussi de bon guide durant ses excursions périlleuses dans le vaste Sahara. Bailey a dit que son équipe et lui suivaient l’oncle Zaki en toute confiance. En gros, ils affirmaient : « Nous ignorons le chemin jusqu’à notre destination, et si tu nous perds, nous mourrons tous. Nous mettons notre pleine confiance dans ton leadership. »

À une époque angoissante, David a voulu suivre le Dieu qu’il servait pour guide. La Bible nous dit : « Du bout de la terre je crie à toi, le cœur abattu ; conduis-moi sur le rocher que je ne puis atteindre ! » (PS 61.3.) Il aspirait à entrer en présence de Dieu pour y trouver sécurité et soulagement (V. 4,5).

Les brebis que la Bible dit être errantes (ÉS 53.6) ont désespérément besoin que Dieu les guide. Laissés à nous-mêmes, nous serions irrémédiablement perdus dans le désert d’un monde brisé.

Dieu ne nous abandonne toutefois pas ! Nous avons un Berger qui nous dirige « près des eaux paisibles ». Il restaure notre âme et nous guide (PS 23.2,3). 

Dans quelle sphère de votre vie avez-vous besoin de sa direction aujourd’hui ? Criez à lui. Il ne vous délaissera jamais.

Bon Père, merci d’être mon Berger et mon Guide. Aide-moi à te faire confiance et à puiser dans ta sagesse.

Lorsque nous mettons notre foi et notre confiance en Dieu, il nous promet de toujours nous conduire dans la bonne direction.


© 2020 Ministères NPQ
L’oncle Zaki était plus qu’un ami pour l’érudit Kenneth Bailey. Il lui servait aussi de bon guide durant ses excursions périlleuses dans le vaste Sahara.