Tuesday, October 27, 2020

The Daily Bible Readings for WEDNESDAY, October 28, 2020

 

The Daily Readings
WEDNESDAY, October 28, 2020
Psalm 119:41-48; Deuteronomy 26:16—27:7; Matthew 19:16-22
The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)


Today’s Verse-of-the-Day:

1 Peter 1:24-25

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
We cannot win our battles against Satan with swords, bullets, or bombs (2 Cor. 10:3–6; Eph. 6:10–18). Instead, our invincible weapons are salvation through Christ and the Word of God. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, the devil’s ability to destroy our souls is removed (John 10:27–30). So he goes to work in other ways, seeking to hinder our effectiveness for the kingdom of God. This is why we must obey what the Lord teaches us through His Word. The principles in His Word are anchors that keep us steady in times of storm.

Today’s Readings:

Psalm 119:41-48
I will keep God’s law

41 Let thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.

44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.

45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.

48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
Commentary
Lord, I have by faith thy mercies in view; let me by prayer prevail to obtain them. And when the salvation of the saints is completed, it will plainly appear that it was not in vain to trust in God's word. We need to pray that we may never be afraid or ashamed to own God's truths and ways before men. And the psalmist resolves to keep God's law, in a constant course of obedience, without backsliding. The service of sin is slavery; the service of God is liberty. There is no full happiness or perfect liberty, but in keeping God's law. We must never be ashamed or afraid to own our religion. The more delight we take in the service of God, the nearer we come to perfection. Not only consent to his law as good but take pleasure in it as good for us. Let me put forth all the strength I have to do it. Something of this mind of Christ is in every true disciple.


Deuteronomy 26:16—27:7
The covenant ratified

26:16 This day the Lord thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.

17 Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice:

18 And the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;

19 And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the Lord thy God, as he hath spoken.

27:1 And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day.

2 And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister:

3 And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee.

4 Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with plaister.

5 And there shalt thou build an altar unto the Lord thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them.

6 Thou shalt build the altar of the Lord thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the Lord thy God:

7 And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the Lord thy God.
Commentary
Moses here enforces the precepts. They are God’s laws; therefore thou shalt do them, to that end were they given thee; do them, and dispute them not; do them, and draw not back; do them, not carelessly and hypocritically, but with thy heart and soul, thy whole heart and thy whole soul. We forswear ourselves and break the most sacred engagement if we have taken the Lord to be our God; we do not make conscience of obeying his commands. We are elected to obedience, 1 Peter 1:2; chosen that we should be holy, Ephesians 1:4; purified a peculiar people, that we might not only do good works but be zealous in them, Titus 2:14. Holiness is a true honor and the only way to everlasting honor.

As soon as they came into Canaan, they must set up a monument, on which they must write the words of this law. They must set up an altar. The word and prayer must go together. Though they might not, of their own heads, set up any altar besides that at the tabernacle, yet, by the appointment of God, they might, upon special occasion. This altar must be made of unhewn stones, such as they found upon the field. Christ, our Altar, is a stone cut out of the mountain without hands, refused by the builders, as having no form or comeliness, but accepted of God the Father, and made the Head of the corner. In the Old Testament, the words of the law are written, with the curse annexed, which would overcome us with horror, if we had not, in the New Testament, an altar erected close by, which gives consolation. Blessed be God, the printed copies of the Scriptures among us, do away the necessity of such methods as were presented to Israel. The end of the gospel ministry is, and the end of preachers ought to be, to make the word of God as plain as possible. Yet, unless the Spirit of God prospers such labors with Divine power, we shall not, even by these means, be made wise unto salvation: for this blessing, we should therefore daily and earnestly pray.

God did not want His people to forget His Law once they crossed over the Jordan River and received the Land of Promise, so He commanded them to put it in full public view. As the “special people” of God, the Israelites were to be set apart—holy as the Lord they served so that all the world could know and worship Him. How do you remind yourself of God’s Word?


Matthew 19:16-22
Keeping the commandments

19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Commentary
Christ knew that covetousness was the sin which most easily beset this young man, though he had got honestly what he possessed, yet he could not cheerfully part with it, and by this, his want of sincerity was shown. Christ's promises make his precepts easy, and his yoke pleasant and very comfortable, yet this promise was as much a trial of the young man's faith as the precept was of his charity and contempt of the world. In following Christ, it is required that we duly attend his ordinances, strictly follow his pattern, and cheerfully submit to his disposals, and this from love to him, and in dependence on him. To sell all, and give to the poor, will not serve, but we are to follow Christ. The gospel is the only remedy for lost sinners. Many abstain from gross vices who do not attend to their obligations to God. Thousands of instances of disobedience in thought, word, and deed are marked against them in the book of God. Thus numbers forsake Christ, loving this present world: they feel convictions and desires, but they depart sorrowfully, perhaps trembling. It behooves us to try ourselves in these matters, for the Lord will try us.



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

The Daily Bible Readings are selected from the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, a three-year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2020, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2019 was Year C. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Readings for WEDNESDAY, October 28, 2020
Psalm 119:41-48; Deuteronomy 26:16—27:7; Matthew 19:16-22 (KJV)

Prayer of the Day for WEDNESDAY, October 28, 2020

 

Prayer of the Day
WEDNESDAY, October 28, 2020


“Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

Dear Father in heaven, we want to praise you together and to thank you with all our hearts for your goodness and your deliverance from our many needs. Accept our thanks, and help us go on our way with ever joyful hearts. Make us ready for whatever you have prepared for us, your children. Bless us in our individual lives and bless us in our community. Let your Spirit shed its rays into all places to comfort people's hearts and to restore and strengthen their faith. May your name be praised forevermore. Amen.

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, October 28, 2020

 

1 Peter 1:24-25

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Read all of 1 Peter 1

Listen to 1 Peter 1


The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)

Ichthus Ministries Daily Devotions — Suspicious to the World

 

Suspicious to the World

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared, but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure.

Have you ever been to an event where you thought you'd fit in, but didn't? It's an awkward feeling. It's especially uncomfortable when the place is familiar and the faces are recognizable, but you're just out of sorts with it all. For whatever reason, you feel isolated, like a stranger, and ill at ease.

I think that's what John is getting at here for believers—that sense of familiarity mixed with not fitting in. As fallen human beings our impulses and preferences are hard wired to the world. We want to be accepted, appreciated, and befriended, and the world will do that—until it sees the glaring "flaw" in our character: that is, Christ in us (see Galatians 2:20). At that point, we become suspect: the "bad apple," a source of concern, and most definitely not a team player.

It's no wonder that it is this way. The world does not produce children of God. Only God can do that (see John 16:13-15). And since we are not of this world, we are estranged: not at home in this place. Jesus was well acquainted with the world's alienation and its hostile nature toward God.

"If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of My Name, because they do not know Him who sent Me" (John 15:18-21).

And this is our aim, isn't it: telling others about the Father who sent Jesus to die for their sins? So, while we live in this world—tense as it may be sometimes—we pray and work and witness to those who need to hear about Jesus. This is so they too "may know Him and the power of His resurrection" (Philippians 3:10b) and receive a citizenship that is not of this world, but of the one to come (see Philippians 3:20).

Heavenly Father, strengthen our faith and increase our witness. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Paul Schreiber

Reflection Questions:
1. How do you try to fit in with people you don't know?

2. Have you ever felt isolated or shunned by others because of your faith?

3. How do you try to make someone who is on the outside feel welcome and valued?
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Have you ever been to an event where you thought you'd fit in, but didn't?

Standing Strong Through the Storm — THE WAY OF THE CROSS

 

THE WAY OF THE CROSS

And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

Two days before the SSTS Seminar in a restricted Central Asia country, Pavel, a Christian leader, discovered the garage he was using to store restricted (illegal) Christian literature in the tribal language was broken into by youths and over 2000 pieces of literature stolen. Ironically, police discovered the literature being distributed at a nearby school by the mischievous youths and traced the ownership of the literature to Pavel.

He was “invited” to come to the police station. There he discovered that the authorities were open to receiving a bribe of one month’s salary in exchange for having the remaining literature returned, and the case closed. It was also suggested that he should pay the money before the police “found some drugs in his home” and be sent to jail for a longer period of time because he lacked the appropriate registration papers for being in this community.

Pavel now had two choices: pay the bribe and redeem most of the stolen literature which had come into the country at great personal and emotional risk past many police checkpoints, or wait and see how God intervened to bring glory to His name even if it meant a fine or imprisonment. Pavel knew that to pay the bribe would open the door to a pattern of further blackmail, as the police would now own him as “their man.”

During the 3-day SSTS seminar, the group met with Pavel and his wife and prayed with them each morning before going to the police station for further interrogation in the afternoons. Pavel had to decide by the third day. As he left for the police station, he told the group, “This SSTS seminar has changed my entire thinking on this matter. I am not paying the bribe. I am choosing ‘the way of the cross.’”

The latest reports are that Pavel’s case was resolved without a bribe, and he is still active in effective ministry in his country.

RESPONSE: Today, I again choose to walk “the way of the cross” as I make my decisions and choices.

PRAYER: Lord, help me never choose the easy way of the culture but to walk “the way of the cross!”


Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.
Two days before the SSTS Seminar in a restricted Central Asia country, Pavel, a Christian leader, discovered the garage he was using to store restricted (illegal) Christian literature in the tribal language was broken into by youths and over 2000 pieces of literature stolen. Ironically, police discovered the literature being distributed at a nearby school by the mischievous youths and traced the ownership of the literature to Pavel.

John Piper Devotional — Radical Recompense

 

Radical Recompense

“Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.”

What Jesus means here is that he himself makes up for every sacrifice.
  • If you give up a mother’s nearby affection and concern, you get back one hundred times the affection and concern from the ever-present Christ.
  • If you give up the warm comradeship of a brother, you get back one hundred times the warmth and comradeship of Christ.
  • If you give up the sense of at-homeness you had in your house, you get back one hundred times the comfort and security of knowing that your Lord owns every house.
To prospective missionaries, Jesus says, “I promise to work for and be for you so much that you will not be able to speak of having sacrificed anything.”

What was Jesus’ attitude to Peter’s “sacrificial” spirit? Peter said, “We have left everything and followed you” (Mark 10:28). Is this the spirit of “self-denial” commended by Jesus? No, it is rebuked.

Jesus said, “No one ever sacrifices anything for me that I do not pay back a hundredfold—yes, in one sense even in this life, not to mention eternal life in the age to come.”

What Jesus means here is that he himself makes up for every sacrifice.

Un dia a la Vez — Jesús y los juramentos

 

Jesús y los juramentos

«Cuando ustedes digan “sí”, que sea realmente sí; y cuando digan “no”, que sea no. Cualquier cosa de más, proviene del maligno».

Desde siempre hemos escuchado que no debemos jurar, mucho menos usando el nombre de Dios en vano. Esto se debe a que Dios espera que digamos la verdad en todo momento.

En el Manual de Instrucciones también encontramos que el Señor espera que nuestra palabra sea sincera y que tengamos una sola respuesta. Cuando somos personas de una sola palabra, tenemos credibilidad y confiabilidad ante otros, mucho más al decir que somos cristianos. Si quedamos mal, también se afectará el nombre de Dios.

Cada vez que les prometamos algo a nuestros hijos, debemos cumplirlo. Les hacemos mucho daño si los ilusionamos con algo y no lo llevamos a cabo. Así que distingámonos y aprendamos a ser hombres y mujeres de carácter.


Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Desde siempre hemos escuchado que no debemos jurar, mucho menos usando el nombre de Dios en vano.

Devocional CPTLN — Sospechosos para el mundo

 

Sospechosos para el mundo

Miren cuánto nos ama el Padre, que nos ha concedido ser llamados hijos de Dios. Y lo somos. El mundo no nos conoce, porque no lo conoció a él. Amados, ahora somos hijos de Dios, y aún no se ha manifestado lo que hemos de ser. Pero sabemos que, cuando él se manifieste, seremos semejantes a él porque lo veremos tal como él es. Y todo aquel que tiene esta esperanza en él, se purifica a sí mismo, así como él es puro.

¿Alguna vez te has sentido fuera de lugar en una fiesta? Es algo incómodo, sobre todo si el lugar es familiar y las caras son reconocibles.

A eso se refiere aquí Juan: a vivir en un lugar familiar sintiendo que no se encaja. Como seres humanos, nuestros impulsos y preferencias están conectados al mundo. Queremos ser aceptados, apreciados y amigables, y así será hasta que vean el "defecto" evidente en nuestro carácter: es decir, Cristo en nosotros (ver Gálatas 2:20). Entonces nos volvemos sospechosos: la "manzana podrida", una fuente de preocupación, y definitivamente un adversario.

No es de extrañar que sea así: el mundo no produce hijos de Dios. Solo Dios puede hacer eso (ver Juan 16:13-15). Y como no somos de este mundo, no nos sentimos en casa. Jesús conocía bien la alienación del mundo y su naturaleza hostil hacia Dios: »Si el mundo los aborrece, sepan que a mí me ha aborrecido antes que a ustedes. Si ustedes fueran del mundo, el mundo amaría lo suyo; pero el mundo los aborrece porque ustedes no son del mundo, aun cuando yo los elegí del mundo. »Acuérdense de la palabra que les he dicho: El siervo no es mayor que su señor. Si a mí me han perseguido, también a ustedes los perseguirán; si han obedecido mi palabra, también obedecerán la de ustedes. Pero todo esto les harán por causa de mi nombre, porque no conocen al que me ha enviado" (Juan 15:18-21).

Y este es nuestro objetivo, ¿no es así: contarles a otros sobre el Padre que envió a Jesús a morir por sus pecados? Así que, mientras vivimos en este mundo, aunque a veces esté tenso, oramos, trabajamos y testificamos a quienes necesitan escuchar acerca de Jesús, para que ellos también "puedan conocerlo a Él y el poder de su resurrección" (Filipenses 3:10b) y recibir una ciudadanía que no es de este mundo, sino del venidero (ver Filipenses 3:20).

ORACIÓN: Padre celestial, fortalece nuestra fe y aumenta nuestro testimonio. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén.

Paul Schreiber

Para reflexionar:
* ¿Alguna vez se ha sentido aislado o rechazado por otros debido a su fe?

* ¿Qué haces para que alguien "de afuera" sienta que también pertenece?
© 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 te has sentido fuera de lugar en una fiesta?

Ministérios Pão Diário — Do jeito dele, não do meu

 

Do jeito dele, não do meu


Escritura de hoje: Lucas 22:39-46

Bíblia em um ano: Jeremias 15–17; 2 Timóteo 2

Confie no Senhor de todo o coração; não dependa do seu próprio entendimento.

Provérbios 3:5


Kamil e Joelle ficaram arrasados quando a filha de 8 anos foi diagnosticada com uma forma rara de leucemia. A doença gerou complicações como a meningite e um acidente vascular, e a garota entrou em coma. Os médicos aconselharam os pais a preparar o funeral de Rima, dando a ela menos de 1% de chance de sobreviver.

Os pais jejuaram e oraram por um milagre e Kamil sugeriu: —Precisamos orar e confiar em Deus sem restrições. E orar como Jesus: “…não o que eu quero, mas o que tu queres, Pai”. Joelle respondeu com sinceridade: —Quero tanto que Deus a cure! E o pai da garota, replicou: —Sim!, nós honramos a Deus quando nos entregamos a Ele, porque Jesus agiu assim!

Jesus orou antes de ir à cruz: “Pai, se queres, afasta de mim este cálice. Contudo, seja feita a tua vontade, e não a minha” (Lucas 22:42). Jesus não queria ir à cruz, mas submeteu-se ao Pai de amor. Ao orar “afasta de mim este cálice” Ele não pediu para se livrar da cruz; mas submeteu-se ao Pai por amor.

Não é fácil entregar nossos desejos a Deus, e pode ser difícil entender Sua sabedoria em momentos cruciantes. As orações deles foram respondidas de maneira incrível. Hoje, Rima é uma saudável adolescente de 15 anos.

Jesus compreende todas as lutas. Quando por amor a nós, Seu pedido não foi atendido, Ele nos mostrou como confiar em Deus em cada necessidade.


Por:  James Banks

Refletir & Orar

Pai, confio em Teu amor 
e me rendo a ti como Teu servo hoje.
Deus sempre merece o nosso louvor e compromisso.


© 2020 Ministérios Pão Diário
Kamil e Joelle ficaram arrasados quando a filha de 8 anos foi diagnosticada com uma forma rara de leucemia. A doença gerou complicações como a meningite e um acidente vascular, e a garota entrou em coma.