"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 207 - (Today’s Bible readings: 2 Kings 2:15-25, Psalm 25; Matthew 13:18-30)
GOOD SOIL?
“As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” (Matthew 13:23 ESV)
In the 13th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us via the parable of the sower. There is seed that does not live up to its potential. It falls on bad ground, on a path, or is overcome by weeds. Yet there is also seed that does live up to its potential. This seed has fallen on good soil.
● The SEED is the Word of God, the means by which the Lord teaches us His Law and Gospel.
● The SOIL refers to all in whom the Word takes root. By the grace of God, this means you and me.
● The SOWER is the One who plants His Word in our hearts, souls and minds.
♬ Thy strong Word be-speaks us righteous; Bright with Thine own holiness,
Glorious now, we press toward glory, And our lives our hopes confess.
Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!
(Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, 2006, #578 stanza 3)
Heavenly Father, thank Your for Your divine Word. Thank You for the Law that shows me my sins and my desperate need for Your forgiveness. And thank You for the Gospel that shows me Your great love in sending Jesus to be my Savior. May my life now bear abundant fruit as I live for You. 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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