Friday, December 1, 2023 - NOT EVEN A COFFEE BREAK

"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)

Friday, December 1, 2023 - Day 335  - (Today’s Bible readings: Nehemiah 7:66-72; Psalm 122; Revelation 2:12-17)

 NOT EVEN A COFFEE BREAK

“He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.” (Psalm 121:3 ESV) 

Have you ever wondered if God has forgotten you, or perhaps He is too busy to be concerned with you and the daily challenges you are facing? The Psalmist reminds us in Psalm 121 that when we are feeling down, we need to look to Him comfort and strength. 

I lift up my eyes to the hills.

    From where does my help come?

My help comes from the Lord,

    who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2)

He goes on to offer the added peace that comes from the promise that God is watching over us 24/7. God doesn’t even take a coffee break.

What we need to remember, above all, is the fact that our help comes only in the name of the Lord (Psalm 121:2).

How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds

In a believer’s ear!

It soothes our sorrow, heals our wounds,

And drives away our fear. 

 (The Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, 2006, #524)

Heavenly Father, thank You watching over me continually. I do trust You. Therefore, 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. 

Pastor David Paape

Thursday, November 30, 2023 - ARE YOU LOOKING UP?

 

"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)

Thursday, November 30, 2023 - Day 334

ARE YOU LOOKING UP?

“I lift up my eyes to the hills.

    From where does my help come?

 My help comes from the Lord,

    who made heaven and earth.

 He will not let your foot be moved;

    he who keeps you will not slumber.

 Behold, he who keeps Israel

    will neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:1-4 ESV)

When a person is ill, perhaps hospitalized, and lying in a bed, there is only one direction to look–up. Whenever we find ourselves incapacitated for whatever reason, there is only one direction to look for comfort and deliverance.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” 

Just think. The Creator of everything wants you to turn to Him in your need. He promises to always hear your fervent prayer and to answer you in a way that is best for you.

Almighty God, please hear my prayer as I look up to You for deliverance from the woes of life. Above all, please deliver me from sin, death and the devil, that I may be Your child today, tomorrow and forever.  Amen.

1. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!

   O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation!

   Let all who hear Now to his temple draw near,

   Joining in glad adoration!

2. Praise to the Lord, who o'er all things is wondrously reigning

   And, as on wings of an eagle, uplifting, sustaining.

    All that is needful has been

   Sent by His gracious ordaining?

3. Praise to the Lord, who has fearfully, wondrously, made you,

   Health has bestowed and, when heedlessly falling, has stayed you.

   What need or grief

   Ever has failed of relief?

   Wings of His mercy did shade you.

4. Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you;

   Surely His goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.

   Ponder anew

   What the Almighty can do

   As with His love He befriends you.

5. Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in us adore him!

   All that has life and breath, come now with praises before Him!

   Let the Amen

   Sound from His people again;

   Gladly forever adore him!

   (Lutheran Service Book #790)

Pastor David Paape 

Wednesday, November 29, 2023 - EYE WITNESSES

 

"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)

Wednesday, November 29, 2023 - Day 333

EYE WITNESSES

“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (2 Peter 1:16 ESV)

Peter is referring to the fact that what he and the other apostles recorded about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus were facts. This means that Christianity is not the product of man’s imagination, not merely a series of myths. They were reporting what they saw with their own eyes.

While we are not eye witnesses of Jesus’ 33 years on this earth, we are “faith witnesses” of the truths of Christianity. We see Jesus clearly through eyes of faith. 

There is a time when we are in the physical presence of Jesus. When you kneel at the Communion table, you are receiving the true body and blood of the Savior given and shed for you. 

During the weeks before Christmas that the Church calls Advent, we are reminded of the imminent end of time. Our job in these “end times” is be witnesses of Christ’s love and mercy, of all that we have seen through the eyes of faith.

Heavenly Father, thank You for opening my eyes to see Jesus as my Savior and Lord. Remind me of His presence in my daily life, especially when I am faced with challenges and difficulties in these last days. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Tuesday, November 28, 2023 - STAY CLOSE TO JESUS

 

"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, November 28, 2023 - Day 332  - (Today’s Bible readings: Nehemiah 6:15-7:4; Psalm 120; Revelation 2:1-7)

STAY CLOSE TO JESUS

“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10 ESV)

This well-known passage at first does not seem that difficult to follow. Remain close to Jesus until you die, and you will live with Him forever. In fact, this is what I encourage Confirmation students to do when I remind them to “always, always, always, always, always, always stay close to your Jesus.”

This command becomes much more difficult to keep when opposition to Jesus appears and God’s people are subjected to harassment and abuse. The early church, the original hearers of he book of Revelation, knew persecution first-hand. Many had their faith put to the test. Would they remain faithful and face death, or would they deny Jesus and live? What would your answer be?

Paul gives us his answer in Romans 8:18:

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Remain faithful and you will live in eternal glory with Him.

1. Jesus, priceless Treasure,

Fount of purest pleasure,

Truest Friend to me.

Ah, how long in anguish

Shall my spirit languish,

Yearning, Lord, for Thee?

Thou art mine, O Lamb divine!

I will suffer naught to hide Thee,

Naught I ask beside Thee. 

4. Hence, all earthly treasure!

Jesus is my Pleasure,

Jesus is my Choice.

Hence, all empty glory!

Naught to me thy story

Told with tempting voice.

Pain or loss, Or shame or cross,

Shall not from my Savior move me

Since He deigns to love me. 

6. Hence, all fear and sadness!

For the Lord of gladness,

Jesus, enters in.

Those who love the Father,

Though the storms may gather,

Still have peace within.

Yea, whate'er I here must bear,

Thou art still my purest Pleasure,

Jesus, priceless Treasure!

(Lutheran Service Books #743)

Lord Jesus Christ, please keep me faithful until the day I die. Protect me from all temptations to deny You. Instead, use me to help others see the importance of faithfully trusting in Jesus as Savior and Lord. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape

Monday, November 27, 2023 - JESUS IS COMING

 

"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)

Monday, November 27, 2023 - Day 331 - (Today’s Bible readings: Nehemiah 6:1-14; Psalm 119:169-176; Revelation 1:9-20)

JESUS IS COMING

“Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.” (Revelation 1:7 ESV)

Just as surely as December 25th is 28 days away from today, the day of Christ’s Second Coming is getting closer. Many will be filled with terror on that day. Many will wail. What will you do?

The focus on the Second Coming of Christ causes many to be confused and frightened. While the end of the world is no trifling matter, you, fellow Christian, do not need to be afraid. 

“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place... Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.”  (Revelation 1:1 & 3 ESV)

  1. The King shall come when morning dawns

And light triumphant breaks,

When beauty gilds the eastern hills

And life to joy awakes.

  2. Not as of old a little child,

To bear and fight and die,

But crowned with glory like the sun

That lights the morning sky.

  3. Oh, brighter than the rising morn

When Christ, victorious rose

And left the lonesome place of death

Despite the rage of foes.

  4. Oh, brighter than that glorious morn

Shall dawn upon our race

The day when Christ in splendor comes

And we shall see His face.

  5. The King shall come when morning dawns

And light and beauty brings.

Hail, Christ the Lord! Your people pray:

Come quickly, King of kings!

(Lutheran Service Book #348)

Lord Jesus, help me to look forward to Your Second Coming with peace and anticipation as I live my life trusting in You for forgiveness and eternal life. Please open my eyes to the opportunities You will place before me today to share my Christian hope and confidence with others. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape 

Sunday, November 26, 2023 - GRACE, MERCY AND PEACE

 

"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)

Sunday, November 26, 2023 - Day 330 

GRACE, MERCY AND PEACE 

“Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.” (2 John 1:3 ESV) 

The words from John’s second letter reveal the blessings Jesus brings to all who worship and adore Him. 

“Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.” 

God showers all who trust in His Son as their Savior and Lord with His grace, mercy and peace. In fact, these are the treasures you find every time you attend church and He comes to you through His Word and Sacraments. 

1. Today Your mercy calls us

To wash away our sin.

However great our trespass,

Whatever we have been,

However long from mercy

Our hearts have turned away,

Your precious blood can wash us

And make us clean today.

2. Today Your gate is open,

And all who enter in

Shall find a Father's welcome

And pardon for their sin.

The past shall be forgotten,

A present joy be giv'n,

A future grace be promised,

A glorious crown in heav'n.

3. Today our Father calls us;

The Holy Spirit waits;

His blessèd angels gather

Around the heav'nly gates.

No question will be asked us

How often we have come;

Although I oft have wandered,

It is our Father's home.

4. O all-embracing Mercy,

O ever-open Door,

What shall we do without You

When heart and eye run o'er?

When all things seem against us,

To drive us to despair,

We know one gate is open,

One ear will hear our prayer.

   (Today Your Mercy Calls Us, Lutheran Service Book #915)

Heavenly Father, thank You for blessing all repentant sinners, including me, with 

Your grace, mercy and peace. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.

“See” you at the Communion table this morning!

Pastor David Paape

Saturday, November 25, 2023 - WAIT FOR THE MERCY OF THE LORD

"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, November 25, 2023 - Day 329  - (Today’s Bible readings: Nehemiah 5:1-13; Psalm 119:153-160; Jude 1-25)

WAIT FOR THE MERCY OF THE LORD

“17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” (Jude 18-23 ESV)

Jude gives us a picture of “the last time” and what you should do in preparation:

●  There will be scoffers, mockers of the Christian faith. - REMAIN FAITHFUL!

●  These worldly people will cause divisions. - REMAIN FAITHFUL!

●  Build yourself in faith through prayer. - REMAIN FAITHFUL!

●  Keep yourself in the love of God. - REMAIN FAITHFUL!

●  Wait for the mercy of the Lord. - REMAIN FAITHFUL!

●  Have mercy on doubters. - REMAIN FAITHFUL!

●  Share Christ with those who are living without Jesus.  - REMAIN FAITHFUL!

●  Show mercy and hate sin. - REMAIN FAITHFUL!

Lord Jesus, I praise You and thank You for coming to earth to be our Savior. Please strengthen my faith and grant me Your peace and comfort so that I may wait for Your Second Coming. Please use me to share Your mercy and grace wherever and whenever You wish. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape 

Friday, November 24, 2023 - BLACK FRIDAY - GOOD NEWS

 

"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)

Friday, November 24, 2023 - Day 328  - (Today’s Bible readings: Nehemiah 4:15-23; Psalm 119:145-152; 3 John 1-15)

BLACK FRIDAY - GOOD NEWS 

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble...  But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.”  (Malachi 4:1-2 ESV)

The Day of the Lord, Judgement Day, is coming. At the end of that day, it will be all bad news for arrogant unbelievers as they discover the error of their belief, while for believers it will be all good news as they rise to the eternal sunshine of heaven.

Which will it be for you, BAD NEWS or GOOD NEWS? 

Today is Black Friday. It is because of another Friday associated with the liturgical color of black, that we are guaranteed that, for us who follow Jesus, our last day will be our best day! On Good Friday Jesus laid down His life for sinners like you and me. And now, through faith in Him, we are forgiven and made heirs of heaven. What GOOD NEWS this is for sinners like you and me!

Lord Jesus, Son of righteousness, please continue to shine upon me with You 

light of mercy, grace and forgiveness. In Your precious name. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Thursday, November 23, 2023 - THANKSGIVING BLESSING

"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)

Thursday, November 23, 2023 - Day 327

THANKSGIVING BLESSING 

“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV)

A Christian has many reasons for thanksgiving. The top of the list is “the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.” (Conclusion of the Apostles’ Creed) We don’t deserve these priceless spiritual blessings, yet they are freely and daily showered upon us in Jesus!

How do we show our thanksgiving to God for all that He has done for us? “Fear God and keep his commandments.” In other words, we get to live for Him who died for us and rose again.

Now thank we all our God,

With heart and hands and voices,

Who wondrous things has done,

In whom His world rejoices;

Who from our mother's arms

Has blessed us on our way

With countless gifts of love,

And still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God

Through all our life be near us,

With ever-joyful hearts

And blessèd peace to cheer us

And keep us in His grace,

And guide us when perplexed

And free us from all ills

In this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God

The Father now be given,

The Son, and Him who reigns,

With them in highest heaven,

The one eternal God,

Whom earth and heaven adore;

For thus it was, is now,

And shall be evermore. 

(“Now Thank We All Our God,” Lutheran Service Book #895)

.Youtube link:

https://youtu.be/ItfKjxkXhMk

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift forgiveness given to me in my Savior Jesus. Help me to show my thanks to You by living for You. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day!

Pastor David Paape

Wednesday, November 22, 2023 - CONSOLED AND EQUIPPED

 

"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)

Wednesday, November 22, 2023 - Day 326  - (Today’s Bible readings: Nehemiah 3; Psalm 119:129-136; 1 John 5:13-21)

CONSOLED AND EQUIPPED

Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. (Nehemiah 2:17-19 ESV)

“The Word moves Nehemiah’s heart to begin plans for rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls. As you read God’s Word, recognize that He will move you as well to serve Him and His people. Studying the Word is never an end in itself, because the purpose of the Word is to console you in Christ and equip you by the Holy Spirit. 

Console and equip me this day, dear Savior, to overcome all obstacles to Your good and gracious will.  Amen.” (Lutheran Study Bible, CPH 2009, page 742)

Pastor David Paape

Tuesday, November 21, 2023 - THE WILL OF GOD

"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, November 21, 2023 - Day 325  - (Today’s Bible readings: Nehemiah 2; Psalm 119:121-128; 1 John 5:1-12)

THE WILL OF GOD

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” (1 John 5:14 ESV)

One of the biggest complaints God-doubters have is that He doesn’t answer their prayers. What they don’t understand is that He will only answer in ways that line up with His perfect will for us.

How does this work? Perhaps you decide to take the Lord up on this promise: “If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”  (John 14:4 ESV) So you pray, “Lord, please give me a million dollars.” But God doesn’t fulfill that desire. He could do anything, but He knows that a million dollars would not be good for you. He knows that you would start trusting in your money instead of Him.

James warns against prayers that are not in line with God’s will:  “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”  (James 4:3 ESV)

What can you pray for that God promises to grant? The answer is forgiveness, His presence in your life, and eternal life.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your perfect will for my life. Please help me to accept Your answers to my prayers, and to treasure Your best gifts of forgiveness, reconciliation and heaven. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape 

Monday, November 20, 2023 - PERFECT LOVE

"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)

Monday, November 20, 2023 - Day 324  - (Today’s Bible readings: Nehemiah 1; Psalm 119:113-120; 1 John 4:1-21)

PERFECT LOVE

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18 ESV)

John’s first letter is jam-packed with spiritual gems that are extremely practical and applicable to the Christian’s daily life. Of course this is true of the rest of the Bible as well. Here are some examples from 1 John.

v 4 “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 

v 10 “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 

v 12 “No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”

v 15 “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.”

v 19 “We love because he first loved us.”

When it comes to the daily pressures we all face, it is certainly assuring to know that “perfect love casts out fear.” 

So, don’t worry, the perfect love of Christ...

   ● sent Him to the cross for sinners like you and me.  

   ● will see you through your daily struggles.

   ● will show itself in us as we live for Him.

   ● will lead others to Him as we model His love.

1. 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.

2. Love is patient and forbearing, 

    Clothed in Christ’s humility,

    Gentle, selfless, kind, and caring, 

    Reaching out in charity.

3. Love in Christ abides forever, 

    Fainting not when ills attend;

    Love, forgiving and forgiven, 

    Shall endure until life’s end.

    (Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, #706) 

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your perfect love lavished upon this sinful world. As You comfort me with the eternal promises Your love imparts, please use me to share Your love with others. Amen.

Pastor David Paape 

Sunday, November 19, 2023 - EITHER, OR...

"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)

Sunday, November 19, 2023 - Day 323  - (Today’s Bible readings: Daniel 12:1-13; Psalm 119:105-112; 1 John 3:11-24)

EITHER, OR...

“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”  (Daniel 12:2 ESV)

Daniel’s vision focuses on the end of time. This is a topic most people don’t want to consider. They would rather mimic an ostrich and bury their heads in the sand. And what is the result of such foolishness?

While the popular notion about ostriches is a myth, the results of burying our heads in the sand when it comes to the things of God is extremely foolish. The facts are these:

●  Either you trust in Jesus for forgiveness and heaven, or you don’t.

●  Either you will die and go to heaven, or you will wind up in hell.

“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”  (Daniel 12:2 ESV)

●  Either you will believe the truths of God or the myths of man.

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to the cruel cross as payment for my sins. Help me to live the rest of my with an eye on the future. Help me to not ignore and deny Your gracious gift of heaven for all who believe.  Have mercy on me, and take me to heaven in Your time, Amen.

“See” you at the Communion table this morning!

Pastor David Paape

Saturday, November 18, 2023 - LOVE IN ACTION

 

"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, November 18, 2023 - Day 322  - (Today’s Bible readings: Daniel 11:20-45; Psalm 119:97-104; 1 John 2:28-3:10)

LOVE IN ACTION

“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:16-18 ESV)

Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross is the ultimate display of love in action. John tells us to be willing to lay down our lives for others. Then he gets specific: “But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?” 

The picture shows a man putting his love into action by giving a cup of something warm to what appears to be a homeless man. 

We all have opportunities to share the love of God with people in need. The person is helped, and we get to serve Jesus.

1. Where charity and love prevail,

   there God is ever found;

   brought here together by Christ's love,

   by love we thus are bound.

2. With grateful joy and holy fear

    His charity we learn;

    let us with heart and mind and soul

    now love God in return.

3. Forgive we now each other's faults

    as we our own confess,

    and let us love each other well

    in Christian holiness.

4. Let strife among us be unknown;

    let all contentions cease;

    be God's the glory that we seek;

    be ours His holy peace.

5. Let us recall that in our midst

    dwells Christ, His only Son;

    as members of His body joined,

    we are in Him made one.

6. For love excludes no race or clan

    that names the Savior’s name;

    his family embraces all

    whose Father is the same.

(Where Charity and Love Prevail, Lutheran Service Book #845)

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your sacrificial death. May I copy Your example of love in action and not merely in words.  Amen.

“See” you in church tomorrow!

Pastor David Paape

Friday, November 17, 2023 - Do Not Love the World

 

"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)

Friday, November 17, 2023 - Day 321 - (Today’s Bible readings: Daniel 11:1-19; Psalm 119:88-96; 1 John 2:15-27)

Do Not Love the World

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15-17 ESV)

WOW! John is really giving some challenging advice! He wants us to not love the world and the stuff of the world. What a tall order. All we know first-hand are the things of this world we’re living in.

However, even though God created the world, we humans have messed it up with our sinfulness. One of the clear results have been our insistence on living for ourselves. But God has a far better idea. We get to live for Him by putting others ahead of ourselves. The motivation for is found in the example of Jesus coming down to earth with the sole purpose of dying on the cross in payment for our sins.

Instead of loving the world, we get to love Jesus!

1.     What is the world to me

With all its vaunted pleasure

When You, and You alone,

Lord Jesus, are my Treasure!

You only, dearest Lord,

My soul's delight shalt be;

You are my peace, my rest.

What is the world to me!

2.    The world seeks to be praised

And honored by the mighty

Yet never once reflects

That they are frail and flighty.

But what I truly prize

Above all things is He,

My Jesus, He alone.

What is the world to me!

3.    The world seeks after wealth

And all that mammon offers,

Yet never is content

Though gold should fill it coffers.

I have a higher good,

Content with it I'll be:

My Jesus is my wealth.

What is the world to me!

4.    What is the world to me!

My Jesus is my treasure,

My life, my health, my wealth,

My friend, my love, my pleasure,

My joy, my crown, my all,

My bliss eternally.

Once more, then, I declare:

What is the world to me!

(“What Is the World to Me,” LSB 730)

Lord God, heavenly Father, help me to love You and not the world by trusting in my Savior, Jesus. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape

Thursday, November 16, 2023 - BLIND HATE

 

"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)

Thursday, November 16, 2023 - Day 320  - (Today’s Bible readings: Daniel 10:1-21; Psalm 119:81-88; 1 John 2:1-14)

BLIND HATE

“Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” (1 John 2:10-11 ESV)

Activity contrary to John’s clear intent in these verses is rampant in this hate-filled world of ours. We saw it when Hamas cruelly attacked Israel. We see it in the resulting anti-Jewish hate speech coming from so many.  Sadly, we see hatred being fueled by many who should know much better, revealing their choice to live in darkness.

If you were to ask people if they would rather abide in the light instead of stumbling around in the darkness, a good number would choose the light. However the One who does the choosing is not us, it is Jesus. And since He has chosen to make us His own by showering us with His soul-cleansing love, how can we not share His love with others?

So, what is the answer to blind hate? The answer is the love of Christ Jesus, the Lord of all!

1. 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.

2. Love is patient and forbearing, 

    Clothed in Christ’s humility,

    Gentle, selfless, kind, and caring, 

    Reaching out in charity.

3. Love in Christ abides forever, 

    Fainting not when ills attend;

    Love, forgiving and forgiven, 

    Shall endure until life’s end.

    (Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, #706) 

Heavenly Father, thank You for delivering us from blind hate by means of the hate-conquering love of Jesus. As He has showered His love upon me, may I learn to love others - in His name. Please grant Your peace all places on this earth where hatred is destroying relationships among people. In Jesus’ loving name. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Wednesday, November 15, 2023 - CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL

 

"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)

Wednesday, November 15, 2023 - Day 319  - (Today’s Bible readings: Daniel 9:1-27; Psalm 119:73-80; 1 John 1:1-10)

CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9 ESV)

In today’s verses, John is calling us to be honest with ourselves and with God. Don’t deny your sins; instead, confess them to God. This is difficult, yet necessary. It is a natural tendency for us proud human beings to deny that we have done anything wrong. Yet God’s Law rings out clearly, “They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.” (Psalm 53:3 ESV)

There are great emotional benefits to confessing our wrongs, our misdeeds, our sins. A child who has done something wrong is filled with a gnawing guilt until he or she tells mom or dad. Their relationship is restored. Yes, confession is good for that child.

Look at the second sentence in today’s Biblical selection. Confession is good for the soul of the child of God because God “is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

While it is important to be reconciled to one’s parents, it is far more crucial to be reconciled to the One who controls eternity. Because God the Father accepted His Son’s sacrificial death on the cross as payment for our sins, He now mercifully forgives us and washes all of our sins away. Confession truly is good for the soul of the believer!

Rejoice every time you hear your pastor proclaim Christ’s words over you and to you: Upon this your confession, I, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God to all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Heavenly Father, thank You for promising to forgive me when I repent. Help me to resist the foolish attempt to cover up and deny my sins, so that I may know the joy of Your forgiveness and reconciliation. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Tuesday, November 14, 2023 - FAITHFULNESS NO MATTER WHAT

 

"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, November 14, 2023 - Day 318  - (Today’s Bible readings: :  Daniel 8:1-27; Psalm 119:65-72; 2 Peter 3:14-18)

FAITHFULNESS NO MATTER WHAT

“So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.”  (Daniel 6:28 ESV)

There is so much packed into these first six chapters of Daniel. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego find themselves captive in Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace provides the opportunity for us to witness God’s miraculous protection of those who honor Him. The handwriting on the wall is interpreted by Daniel, and the king, who was found wanting, dies. Darius, who assumes the throne of Babylon and Persia, is tricked into sending Daniel into a den of lions, and also gets to witness God’s amazing protection of one of His faithful servants. 

The lesson is the same for us us today. Remain faithful to the one true God in the middle of a culture that wants us to do just the opposite. Listen to Jesus’ words of  encouragement:

“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)

1. Jesus, lead Thou on till our rest is won;  

And although the way be cheerless,

We will follow calm and fearless.  

Guide us by Thy hand to our fatherland.

2. If the way be drear, if the foe be near, 

Let not faithless fears o'ertake us;

Let not faith and hope forsake us; 

For through many a woe to our home we go.

3. When we seek relief from a long-felt grief;  

When temptations come alluring,

Make us patient and enduring;  

Show us that bright shore where we weep no more.

4. Jesus, lead Thou on till our rest is won.  

Heavenly Leader still direct us,

Still support, control, protect us, 

Till we safely stand in our fatherland.

(“Jesus, Lead Thou On,” Lutheran Service Book #718)

Heavenly Father, thank You for the examples of faithfulness to You in the middle of very trying circumstances. Please strengthen my faith in You and my desire to serve only You. In the name of Jesus, my risen Savior. Amen.

        

Pastor David Paape