"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 175 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Kings 17:17-24, Psalm 144; Revelation 18:1-24)
FAMILY BLESSINGS
Then the Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah, which is south of Jeshimon? Now come down, O king, according to all your heart's desire to come down, and our part shall be to surrender him into the king's hand.” And Saul said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, for you have had compassion on me.” (1 Samuel 22:19-21 ESV)
In his misguided pursuit of David, King Saul is aided by Ziphites. He responds to their kindness by exclaiming: “May you be blessed by the Lord...”
“Blessed by the Lord” is my preferred way to answer someone who asks “how are you today?” “Blessed by the Lord” also describes what happened to my family 47 years ago today. A precious bundle of joy came into our lives on June 24, 1975, when the Lord blessed us with our daughter, Heidi Joy. She and her brother, Adam, and now their spouses and children, are truly precious blessings from the Lord.
“Blessed by the Lord,” aptly describes all who believe in Christ and are part of God’s family, the Church. My prayer for you and your loved ones is that you are blessed by the Lord with membership in His family!
As a member of God’s family, may you be blessed by the Lord with the comfort and peace that comes from sins forgiven and heaven guaranteed. Please grant this heavenly Father, for Jesus’ sake. 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!
Yes, we are Blessed by the Lord, also. We have Pam and David who live close, and four grandchildren. Kenny and David are fishing in Canada this week, catching lots of fish, but not enough perch! They are having a wonderful time.
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