"I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Day 85 - (Today’s Bible readings 2 Samuel 14:18–33; Psalm 80; 2 Timothy 3:1-9)
FAITHFULNESS IN THE LAST DAYS
“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 ESV)
Are we living in “times of difficulty?” Are people on this planet “lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive...”
Paul is directing us to respond by avoiding those who exhibit what we have just read. However, here are a few other things I think the Lord would have us do.
● Remain close to Christ by prayer, Bible study and faithful worship.
● Pray for the lost and look for ways to be God’s love to them, with the goal of developing relationships that can lead to sharing the Gospel message of Christ and His love.
● Keep our eyes on our heavenly inheritance, and help our loved ones to do the same.
Lord Jesus, strengthen me for the end times. Use me to reach the lost and protect the weak before it is too late. And help all of Your people to remember that the best is yet to come. And, Lord, please have mercy on the people of Ukraine. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), undergirds this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms 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:
Then scroll down to 2022 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 your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
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