"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)
Tuesday, February 14, 2023 - Day 45 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 56:1-12; Psalm 42; John 19:16-27)
VALENTINE’S DAY - THE BLESSING OF GOD’S LOVE
“Now may ... the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all.” (1 Thessalonians 3:12 ESV)
Jesus says that He is the way, the truth and the life. So, what is His way? His way is the way of the cross, the way of sacrificial love. Paul is encouraging us to follow the loving way of our Savior: “increase and abound in love for one another and for all.”
The picture for today shows us God’s Valentine - the gift of His Son, Jesus.
John wrote about the love of God in his first letter. “This is love, not that we loved God, but the He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)
The hymn writer expanded on Christ’s way of love when he wrote:
Love in Christ is strong and living,
Binding faithful hearts in one;
Love in Christ is true and giving,
May His will in us be done.
(Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, #706 stanza 1)
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your sacrificial love. Please bless me with greater love for You and for others. Amen.
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!
What a lovely valentine, thanks Chris
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