"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)
Saturday, February 18, 2023 - Day 49 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 59:1-15; Psalm 45; John 21:1-19)
HELPING OTHERS IN JESUS’ NAME
“Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?” (Isaiah 58:6-7 ESV)
“The Lord condemns all who draw near to Him only with words, those who seek their own pleasure above all else. But for those who share with their neighbors in need, the Lord promises healing. We cannot draw near to the Lord in faith while oppressing and quarreling with our neighbors. Jesus perfectly fulfilled the law of love and would lead us to repentance. His cross is the guarantee that the Lord will answer when we call upon Him in faith.” (The Lutheran Study Bible, Concordia Publishing House, 2009, pages 1186-7)
We Christians find our reason for living in the call of Christ to follow His example of serving others. The hymn writer Herman Stuempfle put this so clearly...
1. Lord, help us walk Your servant way
Wherever love may lead
And, bending low, forgetting self,
Each serve the other’s need.
2. You came to earth, O Christ, as Lord,
But pow’r You laid aside.
You lived Your years in servanthood;
In lowliness You died.
3. No golden scepter but a towel
You place within the hands
Of those who seek to follow You
And live by Your commands.
4. You bid us bend our human pride
Nor count ourselves above
The lowest place, the meanest task
That waits the gift of love.
5. Lord, help us walk Your servant way
Wherever love may lead
And, bending low, forgetting self,
Each serve the other’s need.
(“Lord, Help Us Walk Your Servant Way,” Lutheran Service Book #857)
Click here to hear the hymn and sing along:
Heavenly Father, help me to remember all that You have done for my salvation. Then use me to share Your love with the oppressed, the hungry, the homeless and the naked, in Jesus’ name . Amen.
“See’ you in church tomorrow!
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for 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:
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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