January 1, 2018 - Happy New Year and Seventh Day of Christmas

Day 1 (Today’s Bible readings - Genesis 1:1-19 / Psalm 1 / Matthew 1:1-17)

The Song

    ♬ On the seventh day of Christmas

my true love sent to me:
Seven Swans a-Swimming
Six Geese a-Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

Why Seven Swans a-swimming on the 7th Day of Christmas, New Year’s Day 2018?

Seven Swans a-Swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit:

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:3-9 ESV)

As you can see in these verses from Romans, we Christians are called upon to fight the natural human tendency to think more about ourselves than we should. We all have a role to play in God’s plan, a role for which He has provided you with just the right gift(s). We are all in this together.  As we begin our journey through 2018, may we do so with a determination to make better use of our God-given gifts for His glory and in His service.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your undeserved mercy in this past year. Yes, thank You for forgiving my sins and setting my feet upon Your path.  In 2018, please help me to better use my God-given gifts and abilities to Your glory. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Today we begin a three year Biblical journey that will take us through the entire Old Testament one time (with the exception of the Psalms which we will cover twice each year), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form the O.T., a Psalm and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings  
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!

December 31, 2017 - New Year’s Eve Prayer and Sixth Day of Christmas

A Prayer for December 31, 2017 - Day 365

1. Across the sky the shades of night
This New Year’s Eve are fleeting,
We deck Your altar, Lord, with light,
In solemn worship meeting;
And as the year’s last hours go by,
We raise to You our earnest cry,
Once more You love entreating.

2. Before the cross subdued we bow,
To You our prayers addressing,
Recounting all Your mercies now,
And all our sins confessing;
Beseeching You this coming year
To keep us in Your faith and fear
And crown us with Your blessing.

3. We gather up in this brief hour
The memory of Your mercies;
Your wondrous goodness, love and power
Our grateful song rehearses;
For You have been our strength and stay
In many a dark and dreary day
Of sorrow and reverses.

5 Then, gracious God, in years to come,
We pray Your hand may guide us,
And, onward through our journey home,
Your mercy walk beside us
Until at last our ransomed life
Is safe from peril, toil, and strife
When heav'n itself shall hide us. Amen.
(Across the Sky the Shades of Night, Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, LSB #899)

THE SONG

♬ On the sixth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

Why Six Geese a-laying on the Sixth Day of Christmas? 

Six Geese a-Laying represent the six days of creation:

In the very beginning of the Bible we read:
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth...  And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. (Genesis 1:1, 3-5 ESV)

God continued to create during the next 5 days. On day 6 He created the crown of His creation:
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness... So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."(Genesis 1:26-27 ESV)

And how did He do?
"And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good." (Genesis 1:31 ESV)

Heavenly Father, help me to take comfort in the fact that You created everything, 
including me. May I celebrate and defend Your precious gift of life! In the saving name of Jesus. Amen.

HAPPY AND BLESSED NEW YEAR to you and your family! 

“See” you at the Communion table today... (9 am for St. Paul’s - Brown Deer)

Pastor David Paape

December 30, 2017 - HAPPY FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

Day 364

THE SONG

♬ On the fifth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

Why four Five Golden Rings on the Fifth Day of Christmas? Five Golden Rings are symbolic of the Pentateuch, the first five Books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

What makes these books special is that, while they were written by Moses, they were inspired by the Holy Spirit and, therefore, are the very Word of God, as are the other 34 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament. Jesus Himself often referred to Moses:

“And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?”  (Mark 12:26 ESV)

Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing the history of Your people and Your plan of salvation on the pages of the Pentateuch. Holy Spirit, please guide me and direct my faith as I read the Bible. Grant me the desire and the discipline to read Your Word on a daily basis in 2018. Amen.

Have a blessed Fifth Day of Christmas!

“See” you in church tomorrow!

Pastor David Paape

December 29, 2017 - HAPPY FOURTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

December 29, 2017 - Day 363

HAPPY FOURTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

♬ On the fourth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

Why four Calling Birds on the Fourth Day of Christmas? Four Calling Birds represent the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The beginning of John’s Gospel captures the focus of all four Gospels, namely Jesus our Savior. 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”  (John 1:1-5 ESV)

Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing Yourself to me by means of the first four books of the New Testament. Thank You for shining the light of forgiveness into my life of darkness. Amen.

Have a blessed Fourth Day of Christmas!

Pastor David Paape

December 27, 2017 - HAPPY THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS

December 27, 2017 - Day 362

THE SONG

♬ On the third day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in Pear Tree.

Why Three French Hens on the third day of Christmas? The three hens represent the three theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. These were given by God and poured into our hearts. The three hens are also symbolic of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Amen.
(Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow, Lutheran Service Book #805)

Almighty God, holy blessed Trinity, thank You for being my Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier. Holy God, I praise Your name. Amen.

Have a blessed Third Day of Christmas!

Pastor David Paape

December 27, 2017 - Day 362 The Second Day of Christmas

Today’s devotion continues our focus on the Twelve Days of Christmas. Today is the second day of Christmas of Christmas. 

THE SONG

    ♬ On the second day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS

Why Two Turtle Doves on the second day of Christmas? The two doves represent the two parts of the Bible: Old Testament and New Testament.

From Old Testament to New Testament, the Gospel is central focus throughout the entire Bible. Thus the Bible is Gospel-centered, focusing on the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus and the salvation of all and any who trust in Him.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”  (John 3:16 ESV)

Almighty God, I thank You for revealing Yourself to the world in both parts of the Bible, the Old and New Testaments. What blessings You have given sinners like me in the love of Jesus that comes to us from His cross! Be with me and guide me today and always. Amen.

Have a blessed Second Day of Christmas!

Pastor David Paape

December 26, 2017 - CHRISTMAS ISN’T JUST ONE DAY

Day 360 The First Day of Christmas

The Church’s celebration of Christmas does not begin with December and end on Christmas, with New Year’s Day tacked on the end. In the Western Church, it begins on Christmas and continues until Epiphany. That day—Jan. 6—is when we celebrate the arrival of the Wise Men to worship Jesus. By tradition, these twelve days from Christmas through Epiphany comprise the Twelve Days of Christmas.

THE SONG

What in world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, & especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? 

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. 

DAY ONE

 ♬ On the first day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Tradition has it that the partridge is Jesus. This seems fitting to me since Jesus is reason for the Christmas season.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  (Luke 2:11 ESV)

Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to earth to be my Savior. Please bless my continued celebration of You nativity for the next 12 days and beyond. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

December 25, 2017 - CHRIST YOUR SAVIOR IS BORN

Day 359 - Haggi & Revelation 16

CHRIST YOUR SAVIOR IS BORN

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

MERRY CHRISTMAS! What a glorious day this is. 

Christ your Savior is born. And this changes everything!

♬ Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!

♬ No more let sins and sorrows grow nor thorns infest the ground; 
         He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found.

♬ Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn King. 
Gloria in excelsis Deo;  Gloria in excelsis Deo. 

♬ Mild He leaves His throne on high, born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth; born to give them second birth.
  Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

♬ God's Son for a gift has been sent you this night.  
        To be your Redeemer, your Joy and Delight.

♬ Be near me, Lord Jesus! I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever and love me, I pray.  Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And take us to heaven to live with Thee there. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

“See” you in church this morning (9:00 am at St. Paul’s).

Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

December 24, 2017 - ALMOST THERE

Day 358 - Zephaniah & Revelation 15

“The Lord your God is in your midst,
    a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
    he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 ESV)

The prophet Zephaniah wrote words descriptive of what the birth we are about to celebrate brought to this sin-darkened world of ours. The prophet Isaiah put it this way: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14 ESV)

The name Immanuel means “God with us.” Zephaniah’s words truly express our joy as we gather to worship today and tomorrow:
“The Lord your God is in your midst,
    a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
    he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.”

I hope and pray that you can join God’s people in loudly singing the praises of Christ the newborn king!

Christ, by highest heav'n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord.
Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,  Hail the incarnate Deity! 
Please as Man with man to dwell; Jesus, our Immanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for this holy night. Please fill me with Your peace and joy this night and always. In the name of Jesus, the Babe of Bethlehem. Amen.

“See” you in church! 

St. Paul's - Brown Deer 
... Communion Service at 9:00 am
... Candlelight Service at 5:30 pm
... Christmas Day Festival Service at 9:00 am

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

December 23, 2017 - MARY’S FAITHFUL ANSWER

Day 357 - Habakkuk & Revelation 14

“The righteous shall live by faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4b ESV)

The prophet Habakkuk was used by the Lord to do all that he could to keep God’s people focused on the coming of the Messiah. He encouraged them to have faith in the coming of their promised Savior. 

In tomorrow’s Gospel reading we will be blessed with account of a simple young woman’s response to an amazing announcement. The amazing part of this announcement was not the fact that it came from the angel Gabriel. The amazing part was the news that the Messiah was coming.

30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus...”
34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God... 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:30-38 ESV)

How amazing, Mary was to be the mother of Jesus, the long promised Messiah. His birth would be miraculous – no father – “conceived by the Holy Spirit.” And while Mary had her question, she accepted Gabriel’s answer with these faithful words: 

 “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; 
let it be to me according to your word.”

Her answer shows her trust in God and her willingness to follow Him – to live by faith and to follow His Word.

As you prepare to celebrate the birth of Mary’s precious baby boy, may you follow her example of living by faith!

Gracious heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Mary’s faithful service. As You led Mary to follow Your Word, so lead and bless me too, that all that I do may glorify You. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.

“See” you in church tomorrow! 
St. Paul's - Brown Deer 
... Communion Service at 9:00 am
... Candlelight Service at 5:30 pm
... Christmas Day Festival Service at 9:00 am

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

December 22, 2017 - BEHOLD THE LIGHT

Day 356 - Nahum & Revelation 13

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5 ESV)

BEHOLD THE LIGHT is the theme of our Advent and Christmas worship services and sermons this year at St. Paul’s.

In the selected verse for today, John points us to Jesus, and in effect says BEHOLD THE LIGHT. Jesus stands out in stark contrast to the rest of this sin-darkened world. The reason for “Joy to the World” is because the Babe of Bethlehem is the light sent from God the Father to overcome the darkness in your life.

As you finish your preparations for Christmas, please remember what it is all about. Jesus came to brighten your life with His forgiveness, His comfort and His promise of heaven.

Dearest Lord Jesus, please shine Your joy and peace into my heart and life so that I may BEHOLD YOUR LIGHT anew this year.  And then, please shine through me to others. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

December 21, 2017 - WHAT DO YOU FIND IN CHURCH?

Day 355 - Micah 6-7 & Revelation 12

“Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance?
He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:18-19 ESV)

God “will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”

Yes, God hates sin, yet He loves the sinner. The reason that Jesus was born was so that He could die in payment for our sins.

So what do we find in church? We find God coming to us with His Word of Law, through which we become aware of our sins. He also comes to us with His Word of Gospel, through which He proclaims the message of Christ’s cross, and offers forgiveness.

What you find in church is God’s forgiveness and the good news that He casts all of your sins into the depths of the sea to be remembered no more. 

Thank You, heavenly Father, for being my forgiving God. Please make me a regular visitor to Your house where Your blessings are so freely given to all who listen to You, repent, and believe. Please bless my worship of Jesus, the Babe of Bethlehem, and Your Son this week, and always. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

December 20, 2017 - BETHLEHEM PEACE

Day 354 - Micah 4-5 & Revelation 11

"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.... And he shall be their peace.” (Micah 5:2 & 5a ESV)

We can safely predict that in five days, barring the Lord’s intervention, we will celebrate Christmas, the nativity of our Lord. Our verse for today is also a prophecy of Christ’s birth. Micah predicted that the Messiah (Jesus) would be born in Bethlehem about 700 years before that glorious event occurred!

Believers take great comfort in the prophecies of the Savior’s birth fulfilled some 2,000 years ago. 

● Jesus would be born of a virgin.  (Isaiah 7:14)
● Jesus would come from the tribe of Judah. (Genesis 49:10)
● Jesus would be a descendant of King David. (Jeremiah 23:5)
● And Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2)

Yes, we find great peace in the fact that the Prince of Peace was, in fact, born in Bethlehem.

1. O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie!  
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep  The silent stars go by; 
Yet in thy darkness shineth The everlasting Light; 
The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight. 
        
3. How silently, how silently, The wondrous Gift is giv'n! 
So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heav'n. 
No ear may hear His coming, But in this world of sin, 
Where meek souls will receive Him still, The dear Christ enters in. 

4. O holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas Angels, The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Immanuel!
(O Little Town of Bethlehem, Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, #361)

Almighty God, we praise You and thank You for fulfilling Your promise to send the Savior of mankind to Bethlehem. May I find great peace in all of Your promises fulfilled in Jesus, my Savior. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

December 19, 2017 - PAY ATTENTION, THE LORD IS COMING

Day 353 - Micah 1-3 & Revelation 10

“Hear, you peoples, all of you; pay attention, O earth, and all that is in it, and let the Lord God be a witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple. For behold, the Lord is coming out of his place, and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth.” (Micah 1:2-3 ESV)

“The Lord acts as a witness for the prosecution in the case against His sinful people... His coming is marked by dramatic signs in the creation, reminding us of what will happen on the Last Day. All the earth needs to take note of what happened to Israel and Judah. Our sinful actions are also witnessed by God and deserve wrathful punishment. God has shown the depth of justice in Christ Jesus who in love took on Himself God’s just wrath so that we may stand holy and righteous before Him. (The Lutheran Study Bible, CPG, 2009, page 1488) 

What good news it is for us that when Jesus, the Righteous Judge, returns to earth, we will hear Him welcome us home to heaven! While we deserve to anticipate that day with great fear, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we can look forward to it with great anticipation and joy! 

Heavenly Father, You call Your people to pay attention to the Second Coming of Your Son. Please keep me faithful and attentive. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

December 18, 2017 - NOW THAT YOU HAVE MY ATTENTION

Day 352 - Jonah & Revelation 9

Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, saying,
“I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. For you cast me into the deep,
into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. . . The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head. . . When my life was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. . . Salvation belongs to the LORD!” And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.  (Jonah 2, selected verses)

We are so much like Jonah. We refuse to follow God’s direction for our lives. And then, when He gets our undivided attention, we finally cry out to Him promising to do “it” His way.

“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
 (Psalm 50:15 ESV)

Can you imaging Jonah’s great relief and joy when, at the Lord’s command, the fish spat him out? How would you respond? Would you do exactly whatever God would tell you to do from that day on?

We would like to say yes to that question. However, again we are like Jonah. We forget and soon are back to our own self-absorbed lifestyle. 

Thank God that the message God had Jonah declare to the Ninevites is meant for us too. God’s Law and judgment are meant to lead us to repent in spiritual sackcloth and ashes. Thank God His answer for us was given on Good Friday as we hear His Son pray on our behalf, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Heavenly Father, please continue to get my attention. May I be open to the Holy  Spirit’s call to repent and turn to You for forgiveness. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

December 17, 2017 - TRUMPET BLASTS

Day 351 - Obadiah & Revelation 8

“When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.  Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.”
 (Revelation 8:1-5 ESV)

“After finishing his vision of the seven seals being broken, John transitions to another vision, which depicts the end times with successive trumpet blasts. The visions are frightful since we all know in our hearts that we cannot stand before God in the judgment. Fortunately, we have One who stands beside us as our advocate–Jesus Christ–celebrated in chapters 4-5. His blood cleanses us from all sins.” (Lutheran Study Bible, CPH, 2009, page 2213.)

Lord Jesus, our righteous Judge, thank You for also being my advocate. Thank You for doing this by clothing this repentant sinner with Your blood and righteousness. Please nurture my faith via Your Word and Sacraments so that I will be ready for the trumpet blasts. Amen.  

“See” you at the Communion table tomorrow morning.

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

December 16, 2017 - THE GREAT MULTITUDE

Day 350 - Amos 7-9 & Revelation 7

“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’”
 (Revelation 7:9-10 ESV)

In today’s verses we are given a glimpse of the eternity that Christ’s Second Advent will usher in. By the grace of God, you and I will be part of the multitude of believers who spend forever praising God for His gracious gift of salvation. What an awesome scene is depicted here; people from every nation, all tribes, all peoples and languages. What a stark contrast to what we see on the news and read in the papers. How do we respond to the One who guarantees this awesome gift of eternal life? We start singing now...

♬ This is the feast of victory for our God.  Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb Who was slain, Whose blood set us free to be people of God.
This is the feast of victory for our God.  Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are His.
This is the feast of victory for our God.  Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God, and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing, honor, glory, and might be to God and the Lamb forever.  Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God.  Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
For the Lamb Who was slain has begun His reign.  Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God.  Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Almighty God, thank You for opportunity to practice for heaven every time we gather to worship You and join in the hymn of all creation. Please keep me close to You through faith in my Savior, Jesus, so that I may sing Your praises now and forever. Amen.  

“See” you in church tomorrow!

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

December 15, 2017 - SEEK THE LORD AND LIVE

Day 349 - Amos 4-6 & Revelation 6

“-yet you did not return to me...
-yet you did not return to me...
-yet you did not return to me...
-yet you did not return to me...
-yet you did not return to me...
-prepare to meet you God, O Israel!"
 (Amos 4:6-12 ESV)

Five times the Lord attempted to bring His people to their senses so that they would return to Him. He withheld food and water. He sent blight, mildew and pestilence. He killed their young men and made their camp stink. He overthrew them as He did Sodom and Gomorrah. And they still refused to return to God! So they heard the stern warning that they would meet the judgement of God.

This shows us how serious God is about our rebellion and our sin. And yet, in chapter five He provides a way out for rebellious Israel, and for us as well:

“Seek me and live... Seek good, and not evil, that you may live, and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you.”  (Amos 5:4&14 ESV)

Almighty God, thank You for the reminder that You are absolutely serious about sin. Please grant me more wisdom that the Israelites had in this lesson. May the Holy Spirit move me to continually seek You and Your mercy. “Let Your holy angel be with me that the evil foe may have not power over me.” Amen.  

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

December 14, 2017 - GLORY BE TO JESUS

Day 348 - Amos 1-3 & Revelation 5 

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! ... To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:12-13) 

Our Lord Jesus, that Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, truly deserves to receive..power / wealth / wisdom / might / honor / glory / blessing. 

There is a beautiful Lenten hymn that describes how we are to glorify and honor the Lamb. 

1. Glory be to Jesus, Who in bitter pains
        Poured for me the life blood From his sacred veins! 

3. Blest through endless ages Be the precious stream
        Which from endless torment Did the world redeem!
“Glory be to Jesus,” Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2003, #433 (1&3) 

Lord Jesus, I do honor and glorify You for shedding Your holy and precious blood for me and my salvation. May the Law of God remind me of my sins, and may Your precious and sin-forgiving Gospel daily renew my love for You. Amen.  

Pastor David Paape 

Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

December 13 ,2017 - RETURN TO THE LORD

Day 347 - Joel & Revelation 4

“‘Yet even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.’ Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” (Joel 2:12-13 ESV)

“Return to the Lord your God” is the message John the Baptizer proclaimed in his day. His hearers desperately needed to be called to repentance so that they could receive God’s mercy and forgiveness.

“Return to the Lord your God” is the message all mankind needs to hear today too! We, too, need to repent so that we can receive Christ’s steadfast love and mercy. We, too, need to have our sins forgiven. The forgiveness of our sins is how God and sinners are reconciled. Do you recall that line from “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”?

Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,  join the triumph of the skies;
With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!" 
("Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," The Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, #380, stz 1) 

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling me to return to You through faith in Jesus. Please continue to be gracious and merciful to me so that I may be reconciled to You now and eternally. May others hear Your voice calling them to return to You through me. In the name of Jesus, our Advent King. Amen.  

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

December 12 ,2017 - AT THE DOOR

Day 346 - Hosea 12-14 & Revelation 3

“Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut... Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:8 & 20 ESV)

The “open door” of verse 8 “symbolizes the Gospel invitation. Those who believe in Jesus enter into eternal life through their faith in Him.... (Verse 20) In this particular case, the image of Christ standing at the door may be related to the parable of the servants whose master is at the wedding feast [Luke 12:35-40]. They are expected to be ready and waiting for him when he appears, with the promise that those servants whom he finds ready will be blessed. “I will come...eat with him,” is best understood as referring to both the Church’s weekly celebrations of the Eucharist and the eternal, messianic banquet in heaven.” (The Lutheran Study Bible, CPH, 2009, pages 2206 and 2207)

The picture included here ties both of these verses together. Jesus is coming to us with His Gospel invitation. He wants to be part of our busy, everyday lives. The point is that we need to notice Him. We need the blessings He imparts in our weekly trips to the Communion table. We need His forgiveness and His gift of faith so that we will be ready when He comes to take us to heaven.

 

Lord Jesus Christ, please keep knocking on the door of my life. May the Holy Spirit keep me in the faith so that my door will always be open to You. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart

http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf