Thursday, November 21, 2024 - 100% GUILTY

 

"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 21, 2024 - Day 326 (Through the Bible in a year reading for today: Ezekiel 22,23; James 2)

100% GUILTY

“For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.” (James 2:10 ESV)

 

People have a tendency to excuse their sinful activities by comparing themselves to “big” sinners (murders, rapists, drunk drivers and bank robbers). James reminds us that all sin is rebellion against God, and results in each one of us being judged 100% guilty. YOU AND I ARE LAW BREAKERS.

The good news is that there is hope for us. It comes from the One who kept God’s entire Law perfectly. Jesus was 100% innocent, yet He suffered as one who was 100% guilty when He died on Calvary’s cross for us. And now anyone who trusts in Him for forgiveness is also declared 100% innocent and fit for heaven.

1. Jesus sinners doth receive;

Oh, may all this saying ponder

Who in sin's delusions live

And from God and heaven wander!

Here is hope for all who grieve--

Jesus sinners doth receive. 

2. We deserve but grief and shame,

Yet His words, rich grace revealing,

Pardon, peace, and life proclaim.

Here their ills have perfect healing

Who with humble hearts believe--

Jesus sinners doth receive. 

5. I, a sinner, come to Thee

With a penitent confession;

Savior, mercy show to me

Grant for all my sins remission.

Let these words my soul relieve:

Jesus sinners doth receive. 

7. Now my conscience is at peace,

From the Law I stand acquitted;

Christ hath purchased my release

And my every sin remitted.

Naught remains my soul to grieve,--

Jesus sinners doth receive. 

(The Lutheran Hymnal #324)

Heavenly Father, thank You for You amazing plan to change me from 100% guilty to 100% innocent. Please remind me to humbly admit my guilt and trust in Your gift of forgiveness every day. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - WISDOM FROM 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)

Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - Day 325 (Through the Bible in a year reading for today: Ezekiel 20,21; James 1)

WISDOM FROM GOD

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5 ESV)

 

Many people think that they are pretty smart. However, if they are living their lives without God, they are actually foolish. 

James encourages us to ask God for wisdom. And what will He give you? The wisdom He gives leads you to look to Jesus, and Jesus alone, for hope and peace. Godly wisdom is found in putting God first and trusting in His gift of forgiveness and heaven. 

6. Knowledge and truth, loud sounding wisdom, 

Sing to the Lord a new song!

Daughter and son, loud praying members, 

Sing to the Lord a new song!

He has done marvelous things. 

I, too, will praise him with a new song!

7. Children of God, dying and rising, 

Sing to the Lord a new song!

Heavens and earth, hosts everlasting, 

Sing to the Lord a new song!

He has done marvelous things. 

I, too, will praise him with a new song!

(“Earth and All Stars,” LSB #817)

Heavenly Father, thank You for granting me the wisdom to believe in Jesus as my one and only Savior and Lord. May I sing His new song for the rest of my life. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 - TURN AND LIVE

"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 19, 2024 - Day 324 (Through the Bible in a year reading for today: Ezekiel 17,18,19; Hebrews 13)

TURN AND LIVE

“Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?” (Ezekiel 18:23 ESV)

There are people who look at all of the evil in the world, and decide that they want nothing to do with a God would allow it to continue. There are others, sometimes the same ones, who reject the idea of a God who would sentence unbelieving sinners to hell. The tragic thing is that they have never looked into the heart of God.

Ezekiel gives us a glimpse into God’s heart in today’s verse. God doesn’t want sinners to die without Jesus. His great desire is for sinners, like you and me, to repent of our sins and live with Him eternally. In other words, God wants us to turn from living for ourselves to living for Him by trusting in Jesus as our Savior and Lord.

Hymn writer Thomas Hastings urgently urges all to turn from their earthly ways and really living:

   Delay not, delay not, O sinner, draw near.

   The waters of life are now flowing for you.

   No price is demanded, the Savior is here,

   Redemption is purchased, God’s promise is true. 

   Delay not, delay not, O sinner, to come;

   For mercy still lingers and calls you today.

   Its voice is not heard in the vale of the tomb;

   Its message, unheeded, will soon pass away. 

   Delay not, delay not! The Spirit of grace,

   Long grieved and resisted, may take his sad flight

   And leave you in darkness to finish your race,

   To sink in the gloom of eternity’s night. 

   Delay not, delay not! The hour is at hand;

   The earth will dissolve, and the heavens will fade.

   The dead, small and great, in the judgment must stand.

   What power, then, O sinner, can lend you its aid? 

   Delay not, delay not! Why longer abuse   

   The love and compassion of Jesus, your God?

   A fountain is opened; how can you refuse

   To wash and be cleansed in his pardoning blood? 

   (Lutheran Worship #349)

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus in order to make it possible for me to turn away from myself and live with You. May the Holy Spirit continue His work of turning me to You for the rest of my life. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

 

Monday, November 18, 2024 - GREAT SIN, GREAT MERCY

 

"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 18, 2024 - Day 323 (Through the Bible in a year reading for today: Ezekiel 16; Hebrews 12)

GREAT SIN, GREAT MERCY

“You bear the penalty of your lewdness and your abominations, declares the Lord.” (Ezekiel 16:58 ESV)

“In a long allegorical satire, Ezekiel equates idolatry with adultery. The underlying theme is one of base ingratitude. Forgetting God’s unmerited grace, Jerusalem chases after the favors of idolatrous nations. God has no alternative but to punish her severely. If the Lord can restore someone who has fallen as far as Jerusalem, He can restore anyone. His grace is broad enough to cover even your greatest sin.” (Lutheran Study Bible, Concordia Publishing House, 2009, page 1334)

   Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

   Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

   Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

   Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

   Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

   Morning by morning new mercies I see;

   All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

   Great is Thy faithfulness,  Lord, unto me!

   (Lutheran Service Book #809 stanza 3)

Heavenly Father, as You forgave Jerusalem, even so forgive me. At the same time, preserve my faith when I must endure the consequences of my sin. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Sunday, November 17, 2024 - PEACE WHEN THERE IS NO 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 17, 2024 - Day 322 (Through the Bible in a year reading for today: Ezekiel 13-15; Hebrews 11:20-40)

PEACE WHEN THERE IS NO PEACE

“Precisely because they have misled my people, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace...” (Ezekiel 13:10 ESV)

Ezekiel is warning God’s people against false prophets who proclaim peace when there is no peace. 

The truth is precisely the way C.S. Lewis put it: 

“God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”

Here is another way to look at peace: 

“No Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, know peace.”

Jesus offers real peace to all who trust in Him:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27 ESV)

   2. We deserve but grief and shame,

Yet His words, rich grace revealing,

Pardon, peace, and life proclaim.

Here their ills have perfect healing

Who with humble hearts believe--

Jesus sinners doth receive. 

(“Jesus Sinners Doth Receive,” The Lutheran Hymnal #324)

Lord Jesus, please fill me with Your everlasting peace that comes from trusting You for forgiveness and everything. Amen.

“See” you at the Communion rail this morning.

Pastor David Paape

Saturday, November 16, 2024 - BELIEVE, BELIEVE, BELIEVE

 

"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 16, 2024 - Day 321 (Through the Bible in a year reading for today: Ezekiel 10-12; Hebrews11:1-19 )

BELIEVE, BELIEVE, BELIEVE

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1a ESV)

What the unbelieving world needs to see in followers of Jesus is vibrant faith. Our verse for today reminds us of the assurance and conviction that we have in Jesus.

● He died innocently die on the cross in payment for our sins.

● Sinners who sincerely repent and have faith in Jesus are forgiven.

● Because Jesus rose from the dead, we too will rise to eternal life.

● And now we can have peace and comfort no matter what life may throw at us.

● And we have lasting hope because we believe in the One true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

When doubt and uncertainty arise, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we need to doubt our doubts and believe, believe, believe.

In this time of desperation

When all we know is doubt and fear

There is only one foundation

We believe, we believe

In this broken generation

When all is dark, You help us see

There is only one salvation

We believe, we believe

We believe in God the Father

We believe in Jesus Christ

We believe in the Holy Spirit

And He's given us new life

We believe in the crucifixion

We believe that He conquered death

We believe in the resurrection

And He's comin' back again, we believe. 

(“We Believe,” The Newsboys)

Link to “We Believe”    https://youtu.be/T5CVN-dpvbQ

Heavenly Father, thank You for granting me saving faith in Jesus, my Savior. May He keep my faith strong and certain. Amen.

“See” you in church tomorrow morning.

Pastor David Paape

Friday, November 15, 2024 - ENCOURAGEMENT - THE DAY IS GETTING LATE

 

"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 15, 2024 - Day 320 (Through the Bible in a year reading for today: Ezekiel 7-9; Hebrews10:24-39 )

ENCOURAGEMENT - THE DAY IS GETTING LATE

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)

The writer to the Hebrews reminds us that the Day is drawing near. Judgement Day is coming soon. His advice is that we spend our remaining time encouraging, or stirring up one another to love and good works. 

Such love and good works have to flow from a close relationship with God, hence he calls to “not neglect to meet together, as is the habit of some.” When God comes to us in worship, He strengthens our faith and prepares for lives of faithful service.

   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.

Almighty God, may I find in the cross of my Savior Jesus the motivation to live a life of love and good works, all to Your glory. Please grant me a strong desire to meet with my brothers and sisters in Your house on a weekly basis, so that You can feed my soul with Your precious Word and Sacraments. As You encourage me, may I also encourage others. Amen.

Pastor David Paape