"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 82 - (Today’s Bible readings 1 Samuel 12:24-13:22; Psalm 78:1-35; 2 Timothy 1:1-18)
TELL THE NEXT GENERATION
I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. (Psalm 78:2-4 ESV)
Ruth was a faithful follow of her Lord Jesus. Her life with Jesus...
● started at the Baptismal font,
● continued with instruction in the truths of God which led to her Confirmation,
● and was nourished for the rest of her life by the Word of God and the Lord Supper during her weekly attendance in church.
As she came to the end of her life, she found herself in a nursing home, where she continued her life-long practice of sharing Jesus with all who would listen. On one occasion, as she was preparing to go on an outing with her daughter and son-in-law, she was given the opportunity to once again share Jesus. Her care giver had children, so Ruth asked: “Are you taking them to Sunday School every Sunday?” “Why no, I haven’t made time for that,” was the reply. Ruth declared: “If you don’t take them to Sunday School, how are they ever going to know their Jesus, and how will they ever get to heaven?”
Those were Ruth’s last words. After doing her part to tell of the glorious deeds of the Lord to the next generation, Ruth slumped over and went to be with her Jesus.
Ruth was a wise lady. She knew that if we don’t teach our children to believe in Jesus, the world will teach them not to. And if they do not believe in Jesus, we won’t see them in heaven.
Today too many parents are falling down on the job, their most important job... training their children in the things of God. Doesn’t it just break your heart to think of this? May we be like Ruth and encourage parents to tell the next generation the Good News that is found only in our Savior Jesus! Can’t you just hear our precious children singing this precious prayer?
1. Let me learn of Jesus, He is kind to me;
Once He died to save me, Nailed upon a tree.
2. When I go to Jesus, He will hear me pray,
Make me pure an holy, Take my sin away.
3. Let me think of Jesus, He is full of love,
Looking down upon me, From His throne above.
4.Oh, how good is Jesus, May He hold my hand
And at last receive me To a better land.
(“Let Me Learn of Jesus,” All God’s People Sing #156)
Almighty God, please help me to be like Ruth and look for opportunities to let the next generation learn about Your loving plan for them, Yes, please bless children with truth of You love and mercy in sending Jesus to be the Savior of all and any who repent and believe. Amen.
“See” you at a midweek worship service today!
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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