Wednesday, November 6, 2024 - GOD MADE EVERYTHING

"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 6, 2024 - Day 311 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Jeremiah 43-45 Hebrews 3)

GOD MADE EVERYTHING

“For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.” (Hebrews 3:4 ESV) 

When it comes to the origin of the world, many Bible doubters say that God didn’t create the world by the power of His word. However, we do believe what the Bible has to say: 

“The builder of all things is God.” 

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”   (Genesis 1:1)

We Christians take great comfort in the fact that we are not the result of random happenstance. Instead, we are part of God’s plan.

   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!

   (Lutheran Service Book #790-1)

Lord Jesus, thank You for creating the world and everything and everyone in it. Help us to always remember that You, the King of creation, are in charge of everything.  Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - PAY ATTENTION

 

"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 5, 2024 - Day 310 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Jeremiah 40-42 Hebrews 2)\

PAY ATTENTION

“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” (Hebrews 2: 1 ESV) 

This is a warning for our day. Tragically, many have carelessly drifted away from God! And this is extremely dangerous! Instead, the Lord is calling us to...

  

● Pay attention to what you have learned from the Bible.

● Pay attention to what you learned from Luther’s Small Catechism.

● Pay attention to the blessing of prayer.

● Pay attention to the receiving the body and blood of your Savior often.

● Pay attention to the blessings of your Baptism.   

● Pay attention to Jesus!

Listen, listen, 

God is calling through the Word inviting, 

offering forgiveness, comfort and joy.

Jesus gave his mandate; share the good news 

that he came to save us and set us free.

Listen, listen,

God is calling through the Word inviting, 

offering forgiveness, comfort and joy.

Help us to be faithful, standing steadfast, 

walking in Your precepts, led by Your Word.

Listen, listen, 

God is calling through the Word inviting, 

offering forgiveness, comfort and joy.

(Lutheran Service Book #833)

Lord Jesus, help me to pay close attention to You and all that You mean to me. And, on this election day, please bless America with leaders who will carry out Your will for our country. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Monday, November 4, 2024 - TRULY ONE OF A KIND

 

"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 4, 2024 - Day 309 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Jeremiah 38,39 Hebrews 1)

TRULY ONE OF A KIND

"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." (Hebrews 1:1-3 ESV) 

Jesus is truly one of a kind! 

●  He speaks to us as the very Word of God. 

●  He participated in the Creation of the world.

●  He is the radiance of the glory of God because He IS God!

●  He is the all-powerful Word (John 1:1ff).

●  He made purification for our sins by dying on the cross. 

●  He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father.

   Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations, 

   Son of God and Son of Man!

   Glory and honor, Praise adoration 

   Now and forevermore be thine!

   (Lutheran Service Book #537- 4)

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being my Beautiful Savior and my everything. Please use me to share You and Your love with others. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Sunday, November 3, 2024 - WHAT DO PEOPLE HEAR ABOUT YOU?

 

"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 3, 2024 - Day 308 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Jeremiah 36,37 Philemon)

WHAT DO PEOPLE HEAR ABOUT YOU?

“I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.” (Philemon 1:4-6 ESV) 

What do people hear about you? Paul apparently had heard good things about Philemon. 

If, like Philemon, you have love and faith for Jesus and His people, others will soon hear about it. 

Love is patient and forbearing, 

Clothed in Christ’s humility,

Gentle, selfless, kind, and caring, 

Reaching out in charity.

(Lutheran Service Book  #706- 2)

Heavenly Father, thank You for my salvation. Please help me to share Your love with others so that they may see You in me. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.

“See” you at the Communion rail this morning!

Pastor David Paape

Saturday, November 2, 2024 - WHAT GOD HAS FOR YOU IN CHURCH

 

"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 2, 2024 - Day 307 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Jeremiah 33-35 Titus 3)

WHAT GOD HAS FOR YOU IN CHURCH

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7 ESV) 

What do you find when you go to church? You find the goodness and kindness of God as He comes to You in His Word and Sacrament. His Word reminds you that you cannot be saved by what you do (works). Instead, it is God’s merciful washing away of your sins that makes you justified in God’s sight.

The focal point of my former church, as in many of our churches, is the cross. It constantly reminds us that the Holy Spirit renews our relationship with God by means of Jesus and His cross. The cross is our constant reminder that eternal life is ours only through Jesus substitutionary death for sinners like you and me. 

   Led on their way by this triumphant sign, 

   The hosts of God in conqu'ring ranks combine.

   Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim

   Till all the world adore His sacred name.

   (Lutheran Service Book #837)

Heavenly Father, thank You for church, and Your promise to meet me there. Grant me a hunger for Your Word and the message of Christ’s cross. Please make me watchful for opportunities to lift high the cross, and proclaim Christ’s love. Amen.

“See” you in church tomorrow morning!

Pastor David Paape

Friday, November 1, 2024 - THE MAKING OF SAINTS

 

"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 1, 2024 - Day 306 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Jeremiah 31,32 Titus 2)

THE MAKING OF SAINTS

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with (my people)... I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people... For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:33-34 ESV) 

This is All Saints Day, a day set aside to remember our loved ones, and all, who have died in the faith and are now with the Lord. However, the believers in heaven are not the only saints. “Sainthood” does not require a long, drawn out human vetting process. 

“And I will be their God, and they shall be my people”

What it takes is God declaring we are His by means of a new covenant, one that fulfills the demands of the first covenant (be perfect and you will live forever with God).

“For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

The new covenant is all about Jesus and His cross. It is all about sinners made saints through Jesus’ blood and righteousness. It is about God’s unconditional forgiveness of penitent sinners, making them/us His saints. Therefore we can sing:

   1. For all the saints, who from their labors rest, 

Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,

Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed. Alleluia, Alleluia!

   4. O blest communion, fellowship divine!  

We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;

Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine. Alleluia, Alleluia!

   8. From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast, 

Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,

Singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost: Alleluia, Alleluia!

(Lutheran Service Book # 677)

Heavenly Father, thank You for leading me to see the big picture on this day; the countless host, and being one with those are now with You in heaven. Thank You for forgiving my sin and making this sinner another one of Your saints. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Thursday, October 31, 2024 - IT’S STILL ALL ABOUT 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)

Thursday, October 31, 2024 - Day 305 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Jeremiah 29,30; Titus 1)

IT’S STILL ALL ABOUT JESUS 

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV) 

Today is the 507th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. Reformation Day is a day set aside to celebrate the plan God has for the salvation of sinners, a plan that grants repentant sinners an eternal future with Him. God’s plan is not based on what we do, for we cannot save ourselves. Instead, we are saved by grace alone through faith alone on the basis of Scripture alone. That is why the Missouri Synod theme for the 500th anniversary (in 2017)  was (and still is) It’s Still All About Jesus!

   Luther wrote: 

   With might of ours can naught be done, Soon were our loss effected;

   But for us fights the valiant One, Whom God Himself elected.

   Ask ye, Who is this? Jesus Christ it is, of Sabaoth Lord,

   And there's none other God; He holds the field forever.

   (Lutheran Service Book #656-2) 

Please watch this video. It gives an excellent overview of the Reformation and the fact that we stand IN CHRIST ALONE. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e_G8LKfGoo&feature=youtu.be 

Heavenly Father, remind me this day, and every day, that Your plan for my future is all about Jesus, my risen Savior and Lord. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape