Tuesday, October 15, 2024 - INCREASE IN 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)

Tuesday, October 15, 2024 - Day 289 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Isaiah 56-58; 1 Thess. 3)

INCREASE IN 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 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 #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

Monday, October 14, 2024 - THE HEART OF OUR FAITH

 

"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, October 14, 2024 - Day 288 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Isaiah 53-55; 1 Thess. 2 )

THE HEART OF OUR FAITH

“All we like sheep have gone astray;

    we have turned—every one—to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

    the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6 ESV) 

What is the heart of the Christian faith? In the movie “Amazing Grace,” John Newton shared the answer with these words: “I’m a great sinner, and Christ is a great Savior.”

Isaiah had just proclaimed the reason Christ is our great Savior as he penned these words of prophecy:

“Surely he has borne our griefs

    and carried our sorrows;

yet we esteemed him stricken,

    smitten by God, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions;

    he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

    and with his wounds we are healed.” (vv.4-5) 

Every one of us is a sinner. We have failed to live up to God’s righteous expectations. We have disobeyed Him in thought, word and deed. We have all turned to our own way. We deserved to be stricken, smitten and afflicted for all eternity. INSTEAD, Jesus took our place and bore the load of our sin.

1. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound 

    That saved a wretch like me!

    I once was lost but now am found, 

    Was blind but now I see!

2. The Lord has promised good to me, 

    His Word my hope secures; 

    He will my shield and portion be 

    As long as life endures.

3. Through many dangers, toils, and snares 

    I have already come;

    His grace has brought me safe so far, 

    His grace will see me home.

4. Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail 

    And mortal life shall cease, 

    Amazing grace shall then prevail 

    In heaven's joy and peace.

5. When we’ve been there ten thousand years, 

    Bright shining as the sun,

    We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise 

    Than when we’d first begun.

    (Lutheran Service Book #744)

Heavenly Father, I, too, am a great sinner. Thank You for making Jesus my great Savior through His bitter suffering and death. Your grace is truly amazing. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Sunday, October 13, 2024 - PASTOR AND PEOPLE

"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, October 13, 2024 - Day 287 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Isaiah 50-52; 1 Thessalonians 1)

PASTOR AND PEOPLE

“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:2 ESV)

Paul’s letter to the church in Thessalonica is very much a love letter, a love letter from a pastor to his people. He commends them for their faithfulness to the Lord, warns them about danger, and again celebrates their faithfulness. 

This sounds very much like what God does through His faithful pastors today. What a special bond exists between the one who brings the good news of Christ and those who receive it!

Of course, what is at the heart of the relationship between God’s people and their pastor is the One he points them to, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

May we continue to celebrate our oneness and closeness in Christ!

1. Blest be the tie that binds

    Our hearts in Christian love;

    The fellowship of kindred minds

    Is like to that above.

2. Before our Father’s throne

    We pour our ardent prayers;

    Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,

    Our comforts and our cares.

3. We share our mutual woes,

    Our mutual burdens bear,

    And often for each other flows

    The sympathizing tear.

4. When here our pathways part,

    We suffer bitter pain;

    Yet, one in Christ and one in heart,

    We hope to meet again.

5. From sorrow, toil, and pain,

    And sin we shall be free

    And perfect love and friendship reign

    Through all eternity.

    (Lutheran Service Book 649)

“Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to him, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.” (Thessalonians 3:11-12 ESV) Amen.

“See” you at the Communion rail this morning!

Pastor David Paape

Saturday, October 12, 2024 - KNOW 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)

Saturday, October 12, 2024 - Day 286 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Isaiah 48,49; Colossians 4 )

KNOW JESUS

“21 They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts; he made water flow for them from the rock;  he split the rock and the water gushed out. 22 ‘There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.’” (Isaiah 48:21-22 ESV) 

Verse 21 reveals the provision and peace that God provided His people as He led them through their 40-year wilderness journey. Verse 22 shows the opposite for the wicked, those who reject Christ and remain in their sins.

Ultimate peace comes only from sins forgiven and eternal life with the Lord guaranteed. 

So which is it for you? NO JESUS or KNOW JESUS? Listen carefully in church, and you will hear of the peace that passes all understanding, peace that only Jesus can provide you.

The hymn writer expresses well the long-lasting blessing of God-given peace...

1. Lord, dismiss us with Your blessing;

    Fill our hearts with joy and peace;

    Let us each, Your love possessing,

    Triumph in redeeming grace.

    O refresh us, O refresh us,

    Trav'ling through this wilderness.

2.Thanks we give and adoration

    For Your Gospel's joyful sound.

    May the fruits of Your salvation

    In our hearts and lives abound.

    Ever faithful, ever faithful

    To Your truth may we be found.

3. Savior, when Your love shall call us

    From our struggling pilgrim way,

    Let not fear of death appall us,

    Glad Your summons to obey.

    May we ever, may we ever

    Reign with You in endless day.

     (Lutheran Service Book #924)

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to be my Savior. Grant that I may always know and believe in the Prince of Peace. In His saving name. Amen.

“See” you in church tomorrow!

Pastor David Paape

Friday, October 11, 2024 - KEEP 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)

Friday, October 11, 2024 - Day 285 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Isaiah 45-47; Colossians 3)

KEEP LOOKING UP

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2 ESV) 

Paul is encouraging us to keep focused on Christ, to keep looking up. The writer to the Hebrews directs our focus upward as well: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV)

And how does one go about “looking up?” Later in Colossians 3, Paul answers that question: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16 ESV) 

1. My faith looks up to Thee, 

    Thou Lamb of Calvary, 

    Savior divine.

    Now hear me while I pray; 

    Take all my guilt away;

    Oh, let me from this day 

    Be wholly Thine!

2. May Thy rich grace impart 

    Strength to my fainting heart, 

    My zeal inspire!

    As Thou has died for me, 

    Oh, may my love for Thee 

    Pure, warm and changeless be, 

    A living fire!

3. While life’s dark maze I tread 

    And griefs around me spread, 

    Be Thou my Guide.

    Bid darkness turn to day, 

    Wipe sorrows tears away,

    Nor let me ever stray 

    From Thee aside.

4. When ends life’s transient dream, 

    When death’s cold, sullen stream 

    Shall o’er me roll,

    Blest Savior, then, in love, 

    Read and distrust remove;

    Oh, bear me safe above, 

    A ransomed soul!

    (Lutheran Service Book #702)

Heavenly Father, help me to set my mind on Jesus, my Savior. To this end, please grant me a hunger for Your Word and a desire to spend time reading the Bible. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Thursday, October 10, 2024 - DON’T BE DECEIVED

"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 10, 2024 - Day 284 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Isaiah 43,44; Colossians 2)

DON’T BE DECEIVED

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8 ESV) 

No one wants to be deceived. No one wants to be led in the wrong direction. That’s why Paul wrote these words. He is warning us about listening to the lies of Satan that come to us in the form of human opinion. 

For us Christians, God’s Word is the guiding light that illuminates the truth of Christ Jesus: “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 ESV) 

4.  Preserve your Word and preaching.

    The truth that makes us whole,

    The mirror of your glory,

    The power that saves the soul.

    Oh, may this living water,

    This dew of heavenly grace,

    Sustain us while here living

    Until we see your face.

    (Lutheran Service Book #658-4)

Heavenly Father, protect me from the deceptive thinking of this world. Please lead me in the way of truth through faith in Jesus, my Savior. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Wednesday, October 09, 2024 - FEAR NOT, YOU ARE BAPTIZED

"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, October 09, 2024 - Day 283 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Isaiah 41,42; Colossians 1)

FEAR NOT, YOU ARE BAPTIZED

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1b ESV) 

“Fear not.” What a comforting word of encouragement from God the Creator! He who made it all, and knows it all, tells you not to be afraid.  

Look at the reason He tells you not to fear: “For I have redeemed you.” Christ the Redeemer has bought you back from sin, death and the devil.

When did He do this? It was on the day He “called you by name,” the day of your Baptism, when the Holy Spirit gave you faith and made you a child of God. 

Now, because God the Creator, Christ the Redeemer, and the Giver of faith (the Holy Spirit) have made this clear declaration, you can take comfort in His promise that “you are mine.” 

1. Baptized into Your name most holy,

    O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

    I claim a place, though weak and lowly,

    Among Your saints, Your chosen host.

    Buried with Christ and dead to sin,

    Your Spirit now shall live within.

2. My loving Father, here You take me

    To be henceforth Your child and heir.

    My faithful Savior, here You make me

    The fruit of all Your sorrows share.

    O Holy Spirit, comfort me

    When threat'ning clouds around I see.

3. My faithful God, You fail me never;

    Your promise surely will endure.

    O cast me not away forever

    If words and deeds become impure.

    Have mercy when I come defiled;

     Forgive, lift up, restore Your child.

4. All that I am and love most dearly--

    Receive it all, O Lord, from me.

    Let me confess my faith sincerely;

    Help me Your faithful child to be!

    Let nothing that I am or own

    Serve any will but Yours alone.

    (Lutheran Service Book 590)

Heavenly Father, thank You for my Baptism and for the fact that You have redeemed me and made me Your own. Please keep me close to You forever.  Amen.

Pastor David Paape