"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, April 10, 2024 - Day 101 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: 1 Samuel 7-9; Luke 13:1-21 )
THE KINGDOM OF GOD GROWS
He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” (Luke 13:18-19 ESV)
Jesus reminds us that the kingdom of God will grow. From the seed of God’s Word, the souls of sinners are filled with faith and the gifts of forgiveness and heaven. There is great comfort in the fact that God the Holy Spirit grows the Church and that we don’t. We simply get to share Jesus and His love with fellow sinners.
Looking back over the 44 years that I was privileged to be a full-time pastor, one of the joys has been to witness the Lord growing His Church. He has done this through the clear preaching God’s Word - Law and Gospel, and through the friendliness and receptivity of God’s people as they share the love of Jesus with new people. Yes, it cannot be overstated how important the friendliness of a congregation (or lack thereof) influences first time visitors. My prayer for all churches, as well for the churches I had the privilege of serving, St. Paul’s - Brown Deer, Immanuel - Sheboygan, Zion - Menomonee Falls, and St. Paul - Woodland, Indiana is that they will continue to welcome visitors with the open arms of genuine Christian kindness and friendship. May the Lord grant this in all Christ-centered churches.
1. The vision of a dying world is vast before our eyes;
We feel the heart-beat of its need, we hear its feeble cries:
Lord Jesus Christ, revive Thy church in this, her crucial hour!
Lord Jesus Christ, awake Thy church with Spirit-given power.
2. The savage hugs his god of stone and fears descent of night;
The city dweller cringes lone amid the garish light:
Lord Jesus Christ, arouse Thy church to see their mute distress!
Lord Jesus Christ, equip Thy church with love and tenderness.
3. Today, as understanding's bounds are stretched on every hand,
O clothe Thy Word in bright, new sounds, and speed it o'er the land;
Lord Jesus Christ, empower us to preach by every means!
Lord Jesus Christ, embolden us in near and distant scenes.
4. The warning bell of judgement tolls, above us looms the cross;
Around are ever-dying souls - How great, how great the loss!
O Lord, constrain and move Thy church, the glad news to impart!
And Lord, as Thou dost stir Thy church, begin within my heart.
(Tune: Macedonia)
Heavenly Father, thank You for growing Your kingdom in the hearts of those to whom You give faith. Thank You for including me in Your kingdom and in the exciting activity of sharing Your kingdom with others. Please help our churches to be welcoming places to all who gather to worship You. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year.
This hymn is unfamiliar to me, , but it tells much of what is so true & what we need to realize & accept with faith …
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